Thursday, August 2, 2012

Seoul shares rebound on US results, banks down on rate probe Blogger - Zimbio - Tvinx


 SEOUL: Seoul shares rebounded on Thursday from losses the previous session, tracking an overnight Wall Street rally as solid U.S. corporate earnings lifted the S&P 500 index to a two-and-a-half month high.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index ( KOSPI) was up 1.66 percent at 1,824.63 points as of 0240 GMT. Dampening the rebound, though, were sharp falls for shares of Korean banks being probed by authorities investigating how a key interest rate has been set. The overall market got a boost after the S&P 500 hit its highest level since early May, helped by quarterly numbers from bellwethers such as Intel Corp and Honeywell and better-than-expected U.S. housing starts.

Seoul's broad market rally lifted 17 of the 19 industry group sub-indices tracked by the main bourse operator Korea Exchange. But analysts remained cautious on whether the rally can be sustained as concerns about growth persist.

"There is a dearth of fundamental cues to make any solid bets on," said Lee Woo-jin, an analyst at Woori Investment & Securities.

Investors looking for fresh signs of further easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve were left wanting, after Chairman Ben Bernanke repeated the central bank's pledge to act if the economy needed it, but remained tight-lipped over any specific measures.

Index-giant Samsung Electronics soared 3.6 percent while SK Hynix rose 1.2 percent. Shares in South Korea's top four banks bucked broader market trend to post steep falls on Thursday after being investigated by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), the local anti-trust agency, as part of a widening probe into suspected collusion in fixing certificate of deposit rates.

Hana Financial slumped 3.5 percent while Woori Finance Holdings tumbled 4.1 percent. Shinhan Financial and KB Financial each declined more than 2.5 percent.

Springhill Group: Springhill Group Home | Forensic Loan Audits Are N...

Springhill Group: Springhill Group Home | Forensic Loan Audits Are N...: http://www.social-bookmarking.net/news/-springhill-group-home-%7C-forensic-loan-audits-are-new-mortgage-loan-modification-scams-rediffpages/...

Springhill Group Home | Forensic Loan Audits Are New Mortgage Loan Modification Scams - Rediffpages - Socialbookmarking

http://www.social-bookmarking.net/news/-springhill-group-home-%7C-forensic-loan-audits-are-new-mortgage-loan-modification-scams-rediffpages/


New scam involving phony “forensic audits” of mortgage loans is the latest variation on loan modification scams. An article in the Sacramento Bee this week, reported that California Attorney General Jerry Brown warned California’s distressed homeowner’s to refrain from forensic review of their mortgage loan and lender’s practices. Jerry Brown issued a press release stating that these loan audits are nothing more than loan modification scams that are taking advantage of people’s desperation in the midst of the nation’s persisting economic troubles. He joined with the California Department of Real Estate and the State Bar of California to warn homeowners who face the danger of foreclosure, to avoid such scams because they offer no help towards saving their home from foreclosure.
The Latest among Many Loan Modification Scams
Last year, the California Department of Real Estate investigated more than 2,000 cases of loan modification scam and from that number, 350 scam operations were ordered to terminate their illegal activity according to the attorney general’s office.
According to the article, the spokesman for the attorney general, Evan Westrup, explained that “It’s the latest phony foreclosure-relief ’service’ by an industry that continues to be long on promises and short on results…another way to get homeowners in distress to pay for services that ultimately aren’t helping or providing the relief they need.”
The “Forensic Audit’ Loan Modification Scam
This particular scam entices homeowners through newspaper advertisements, as well as radio and television spots. The hook is to get homeowners to believe that they can find errors, improper documentation, or outright illegal activity in the way the mortgage was originated or within the loan itself. Supposedly, with such information, the homeowner will have sufficient leverage to fight the lender in the home loan-modification process with the hope of receiving assistance in keeping their home. The provider of such a noble service simply charges an upfront fee. Tragically, the audits provide no benefit, as they have nothing to do with helping those facing foreclosure proceedings.
Even Legitimate Forensic Loan Audits Provide Little Help
On the attorney general’s Web site, Jerry Brown stated: “Forensic loan audits are…hawked by loan-modification consultants trying to cash in on the desperation of homeowners facing foreclosure…there is no evidence or statistical data to support claims that forensic loan-audits — even if performed by a licensed, legitimate and trained auditor, mortgage professional or lawyer — will help homeowners obtain loan modifications or provide any other foreclosure relief.”
Brown’s warning comes now, even though in October of 2009, California outlawed the practice of prepaying for mortgage loan modification. In reality, it doesn’t appear to have stopped the more creative criminal minds.



see more details : http://springhillgrouphome.com/ 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Knowledge Center

http://www.springgroup.com/knowledge-center/knowledge-center-overview.html


PUBLICATIONS

If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of a publication, please contact us.
Funding Employee Benefits: A Risk Manager's Guide - Outlines the advantages to funding employee benefits in a captive arrangement and provides guidelines on how to structure this type of program.
Pension Research White Paper - Spring's pension research examines ways to use captive products to reduce funding and accounting volatility associated with pension plans, as well as avoid the problem of trapped assets and the expense of plan termination.
Healthcare Captive Opportunities White Paper - Outlines significant opportunities for healthcare captives and provides guidelines on how to implement these options. In addition to enhanced capital utilization, the knock-on benefits of adopting one or more of these strategies can be significant. They include a reduction of loss volatility through increased portfolio diversity, an increase in the captive's return on invested capital (ROIC), and lower risk transfer premiums.

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Our client work does not occur in silos – we recognize that sophisticated organizations demand a fully integrated approach to solving their challenges. Our clients represent a diverse group of industries and come to us from all over the globe. Below are case examples of our work. They illustrate the value created, problem solving and innovative solutions implemented to meet and satisfy the needs of our clients.

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Below is a list of presentations our experts have given at industry leading conferences and events. If you are interested in learning more about the topic and to receive the presentation please contact us.

SURVEYS
Our work is backed by leading industry research.  Identifying current “best practices” and “best-in-class” Future State organizations through benchmarking surveys illustrates one method of how Spring helps our clients meet current challenges and, more importantly, position clients for future growth and expanded market share. Spring routinely designs and conducts surveys on the Integrated Disability, Absence and Health Management and also in the voluntary marketplace. Many of the major players in these services areas are represented in these studies, either as sponsors or participants. If you are interested in learning more about our surveys, please contact us.

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South Korea Springhill Group - journals


http://springhillgrouphome.multiply.com/journal?&show_interstitial=1&u=%2Fjournal

South Korea Group of Springhill | edublogs.org
http://tonybricks96.edublogs.org/
http://tonybricks96.edublogs.org/2012/05/21/scrap-n-test-china-tells-n-korea/
China has been quietly and gently pressuring North Korea to scrap plans for a third nuclear test, said two sources with knowledge of closed-door discussions between the countries, but there is no indication how Pyongyang will react.
If North Korea goes ahead with the test, China would consider taking some retaliatory steps, but they would not be substantive, a source with ties to Pyongyang and Beijing said.
North Korea has almost completed preparations for the test, Reuters had reported in late April, a step that would further isolate the impoverished state after last month’s failed rocket launch that the United States says was a ballistic missile test.
“China is unhappy … and urged North Korea not to conduct a nuclear test near Changbai Mountain,” said the source, who declined to be identified.
China feared a radiation leak and damage to the environment from a blast, the source added. “China also complained about the environmental damage to the area after the first two tests.”
When North Korea conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, it caused environmental damage to the mountain straddling the border with China. North Korea ceded part of the mountain to China in 1963.



Springhill Group Home : Facebook Buys 650 AOL Patents
http://newscenter.springhillgrouphome.com/2012/05/springhill-group-home-facebook-buys-650-aol-patents/

Facebook is set to pay Microsoft USD 550 million for 650 patents recently auctioned by AOL in its effort to boost its IP for the looming litigation against Yahoo.

Under pressure from its stockholders to make changes to prevent further revenue fall, AOL was obliged to sell and license over 800 patents to Microsoft on April 9. It would retain over 300 applications and patents after the auction.

Aside from the 800 patents bought by Microsoft, AOL will also give them license to 300 patents it has retained for a tag of USD 1.056 billion. Thus, Microsoft ultimately acquired 925 AOL patent applications and patents, 650 of which will go to Facebook. The 2 firms has also agreed to license their patent holdings to each other.


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Springhill Group Home : Facebook Buys 650 AOL Patents


Facebook is set to pay Microsoft USD 550 million for 650 patents recently auctioned by AOL in its effort to boost its IP for the looming litigation against Yahoo.



Under pressure from its stockholders to make changes to prevent further revenue fall, AOL was obliged to sell and license over 800 patents to Microsoft on April 9. It would retain over 300 applications and patents after the auction.



Aside from the 800 patents bought by Microsoft, AOL will also give them license to 300 patents it has retained for a tag of USD 1.056 billion. Thus, Microsoft ultimately acquired 925 AOL patent applications and patents, 650 of which will go to Facebook. The 2 firms has also agreed to license their patent holdings to each other.



It is not yet clear what technologies Facebook has acquired rights to or those that has remained with Microsoft. But considering that the legal battle with Yahoo concerns messaging, social networking, etc, it looks like Facebook would want to have ammunition of its own.



According to a statement from Springhill Group Home, the deal with Facebook has allowed Microsoft to at least recoup more than half of its costs while accomplishing its goals from the auction of AOL. However, it cannot be readily said that Microsoft has really profited from the agreement as patent valuing is a complicated process.



Microsoft has a relatively long history of close relationship with the social network giant. In 2007, it has invested USD 240 million in  Facebook, giving it a 1.6% stake. Since then, the 2 firms have had collaborations like Microsoft’s Bing search and search ad technologies being used on Facebook. Its video chat technology also comes from Microsoft as it has acquired Skype last year.



On the other hand, Microsoft also has a close business relationship with Yahoo as Bing powers their advertising and search engine. Yahoo has filed a lawsuit against Facebook for allegedly infringing 10 of its patents covering online ad technology. Facebook then countersued Yahoo for allegedly infringing 10 of its own patents.



“Nothing about today’s action changes the fact that Facebook continues to infringe our patents. Companies who purchase patents are often working from a position of weakness and take these actions to strengthen their portfolio. We see today’s announcement as a validation of our case against Facebook,” said Yahoo in a statement to Springhill Group Home.



This acquisition is the second-largest purchase by Facebook, following the USD 1 billion takeover of Instagram. It has also bought 750 patents of IBM in March.

Georgelas-Cherner deal falls apart


By Jonathan O'Connell, Published: April 29
Ownership of the most prominent development project in Tysons Corner splintered recently after a deal between two of its principals — the Cherner family of auto dealers and developer Aaron Georgelas — fell through.

The Cherners agreed to a contract with Georgelas in 2006 that would allow the family’s auto dealerships to be included in the Tysons developer’s plans for a 6 million-square-foot high-rise development at the corner of Leesburg Pike and Spring Hill Road. The two since worked side-by-side to argue for county development rules that would permit an urban Tysons Corner and to integrate their properties.

But the Cherners and Georgelas failed to extend their contact in recent weeks, raising the possibility that the development, which Fairfax Countyselected as its demonstration projectfor new Tysons zoning rules, could be developed piecemeal.

The Georgelas and Cherner families have both run businesses in Tysons Corner since the 1960s. Including the five Cherner dealership properties, Georgelas had amassed 28 acres around the coming Tysons West Metrorail station and planned a total of 18 buildings. He was first to receive approvals under Tysons new zoning rules and inked a deal with Greystarto purchase land for a 25-story, 400-unit apartment tower now under construction.

But the Cherner properties are closest to the Metro station, set to open in late 2013. Without them Georgelas is left with a U-shaped footprint that circles a seven-acre, Cherner-owned core.

Jonathan Cherner, who runs Cherner Automotive Group with his brother Andrew, said the contract offered an opportunity to purchase the dealership land. “They had an option to buy the property, and they allowed that option to expire,” he said. “It’s as simple as that.”

“I think the world fundamentally changed several years ago [with the economic collapse], and I think it fundamentally changed for many industries, and the development industry was certainly one of them,” he said.

Cherner is considering partnering with another developer or buyer, or moving through zoning independently. He said his priority was getting the Cherner and Georgelas properties zoned cohesively. “I think it’s just important that they all move through in a cohesive manner so that a common vision is achieved. We continue to be really bullish on the demonstration project and the vision that the county and Aaron have helped design,” he said.

Aaron Georgelas said he hoped the deal could be revived but declined to elaborate. Cherner said he would not rule out working with Georgelas in the future. “We know and they know that we’re still very much linked at the hips because of our properties,” he said.

The county will continue to focus on the project despite its fractured ownership, said Barbara Byron, director of the county’s Office of Community Revitalization and Reinvestment. “Ideally, we do want the consolidations and I think that helps in terms of the development of Tysons,” she said. “But we also understand that there are also difficulties with effectuating them, and while it’s unfortunate we understand it and we’re trying to work both the Georgelas and the Cherner piece, while independently, within an overall concept.”






Thursday, May 3, 2012

South Korea Group of Springhill: China’s Export Machine Goes High-End2 : yousaytoo


South Korea Group of Springhill: China’s Export Machine Goes High-End
From its sprawling manufacturing base deep in China’s southwestern Hunan province, some 100 kilometers from where Mao was born, construction-machinery maker Sany Group plans to take on the world. While workers in blue overalls and yellow hard hats crawl over huge mobile hydraulic cranes and cement mixer trucks in a gleaming factory, Sany President Tang Xiuguo sits in his expansive office nearby, discussing the opening of Sany factories in Brazil, India, and Alabama, as well as the soon-to-be-completed $475 million acquisition of Germany’s Putzmeister, the world’s largest maker of cement pumps. The bespectacled Tang, one of four founders of the 22-year-old company, aims to lift overseas sales, now some 5 percent of its $16 billion revenue, to up to one-fifth of revenues within five years.


The phrase “Made in China” summons up images of cheap shoes, plastic toys, and electronics assembled in the vast factory complexes of Foxconn Technology Group (HNHPF). While China built its powerful export business—increasing 17 percent a year over the last three decades—on such light industry and electronics assembly, that is fast changing. Rising labor costs, up 15 percent annually since 2005, plus an appreciating currency, are putting new pressures on China’s cheap manufacturing model and driving textile, shoe, and apparel factories to close or relocate to Vietnam, Cambodia, or Bangladesh. “China’s share of the world’s low-end exports has started to fall. This reflects a shift by Chinese producers into sectors where margins are higher rather than a failure to compete,” wrote U.K.-based Capital Economics in a March 28 note.


Chinese-built ships, for example, dominated the global market with a 41 percent share last year, well ahead of South Korea and Japan, according to London-based shipping services company Clarksons. Data from the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, also show strong gains in China’s global share of the markets for railway locomotives and wagons, machinery, and industrial boilers. In construction machinery, Sany’s specialty, three Chinese companies (Sany included) now rank in the top ten globally. Many of the new exporters are producing from inland China, rather than the coast, the traditional region for manufacturing.

Overall, the portion of China’s exports made up by heavy industry, about two-thirds of which is machinery, has grown from 29 percent in 2001 to 38.7 percent last year, surpassing light industry and electronics, according to Beijing-based economics consultants GK Dragonomics. “They are making different products with higher technology, things they can charge more money for,” says Andrew Batson, GK Dragonomics’ research director, who estimates that the new industries can help lift China’s share of global exports from 10 percent now to 15 percent by 2020. “The typical Chinese exporter is not a shoe factory in Guangdong anymore. Instead it is some kind of equipment or machinery maker.”

The Chinese makers of this machinery are targeting India, South America, and the Middle East, as Europe, still China’s largest export market, struggles with its debt crisis. Europe, the U.S., and Japan accounted for 48 percent of China’s total exports last year, down from 56.1 percent in 2003, with developing countries now taking the majority, says Louis Kuijs, an economist at the Hong Kong-based Fung Global Institute. “We have an advantage because our technology and our products level are more suitable for these countries,” says Sany’s Tang. “And our price is a bit lower than other international brands.”

Policy makers have made upgrading industry a national priority. Equipment manufacturing, shipbuilding, and cars are among the industries slated to receive $2.5 billion from the government this year to improve technology and product quality. Mergers and acquisitions inside China and overseas are also being encouraged. Says Shao Ning, vice minister of the powerful State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council: “Our position is we support Chinese companies investing abroad.”

While China’s new manufacturers are not competing in developed markets yet, already they are challenging Caterpillar (CAT), Siemens (SI),General Electric (GE), and other established equipment makers in places like South America and Russia. China’s construction-machinery industry is expected to overtake Japan’s and Germany’s soon, making it the world’s second-largest exporter in the category, behind the U.S.

Winning market share in the U.S. and Europe could take years, in part because of concerns over Chinese quality (the crash of a Chinese-built high-speed train in Zhejiang province in July hurt China’s reputation as a manufacturer). Sany says it spent $240 million last year upgrading its factories, including the installation of welding robots. As Sany expands overseas, it aims to improve its products to match the quality achieved by its newest acquisition, Germany’s Putzmeister, which will share engineering know-how and suppliers with its Chinese parent. Says Tang, “We know that ‘Made in China’ doesn’t have a great reputation. We want to change this through selling high-quality products.”

The bottom line: Chinese exports have been rising 17 percent a year on average. To keep that pace, China is trying to grab market share in high-end machinery.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Springhill CareGroup: Springhill Group Counselling


(1888PressRelease) Uncovering medicare scams latest news articles for general public to use.
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, has reintroduced legislation that would double the amount of fines and incarceration for people in prison for Medicare fraud/scam. It also creates a new criminal offense punishable with a 10 year minimum sentence for those who intentionally sell or distribute the ID numbers of Medicare beneficiaries.
According to the Springhill Group, the legislation also bars those who have been part of Medicare dupery in the past from billing Medicare if they switch companies. It also facilitates real-time information sharing among law enforcement agencies to aid in uncovering and dismantling Medicare scams.
“South Florida has been known as the epicenter of Medicare dupery for years,” she said. “It is time we took the fight to those who seek to defraud Medicare and prey on our most vulnerable citizens. This bill not only raises the penalties for those who engage in Medicare fraud, but also sets up a pro-active paradigm that will help stem the tide of abuse in South Florida and across the nation.”The bill takes particular aim at Medicare theft in Miami-Dade County, widely regarded as the nation’s capital of healthcare dupery. Medicare dupery in South Florida costs taxpayers between $3 billion and $4 billion every year, according to law enforcement and healthcare officials. Nationwide, Medicare and other healthcare fraud is estimated to cost $68 billion each in very year.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

News Center – Springhill Group Home Loans


News Center – Springhill Group Home Loans: Tibetan Set Himself On Fire Amid Protests

A Tibet national in India has set himself on fire and ran shouting protests through a demonstration in New Delhi on Monday just before a visit by China’s leader.

The man seems to have doused himself with a flammable substance and set himself on fire then ran past the area where speakers were protesting the visit of President Hu Jintao. He ran across the Springhill Group Home Loans venue and reached 50 meters just before he collapsed. Other activists tried to put out the flames by pouring water onto him.

At first, fellow protesters have prevented police from getting to him but the officers were able to take him away eventually. He was on fire for less than 2 minutes but most of his clothing has already disintegrated and his skin started to have black scorched patches when he was brought to the hospital.

The man sustained burns on more than 80% of his body, leaving him in critical condition. He was identified by fellow activists as Jampa Yeshi, a 27-year old exile from Tibet who had been living in India since 2010.

Chinese president Hu Jin Tao is set to arrive on Tuesday for a 5-nation economic summit in India.

Over 600 demonstrators have participated and took to the streets near the Indian Parliament to make it known that Hu Jin Tao is not welcome at the summit. Some even carried placards that say “Tibet is not part of China”.

This recent protest in New Delhi came amidst a series of self-immolation in Tibet where 30 people have set themselves on fire, mostly consisting of young nuns and monks who calls for the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet and the ousting of Chinese rule over their nation.

Chinese government accuses the Dalai Lama of starting the protests as the latter blame the ruthless policy of China as the real reason for a number of self-immolation. The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against the Chinese rule.

China insists that Tibet has always been a part of their territory while Tibetans argue that the Himalayan region is practically independent for centuries already.

Authorities in New Delhi are preparing themselves for protests by thousands of Tibetans living in India after they were exiled. In addition, security around the location of the summit has also been stepped up while the nearby roads are set to be closed one day before the Springhill Group Home Loans meeting.

Self-immolation is a form of protest common for Tibetans who are striving for true autonomy from China.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Springhill Group


Springhill Group Counselling

By casperpuss on March 28, 2012

http://springhillgroupcounselling.com/    Springhill Group Counselling believes it is significant that each of us needs to understand what counselling and psychotherapy is about and what they should anticipate from the procedure of therapy. Nurturing knowledge among community is a significant purpose for every organization. This website has been aims to help people find out more about counsellingRead Full Story


Russian and South Korean Scientists Team Up to Clone Woolly Mammoth

By casperpuss on March 27, 2012

http://www.geekosystem.com/russian-south-korean-clone-woolly-mammoth/   Russian and South Korean scientists have agreed upon joint research and signed a deal on intended to recreated the extinct woolly mammoth via the only means (somewhat) currently available when trying to recreate a species that is no more: Cloning . Hwang Woo-Suk , of South Korea’s Sooam Biotech Research Foundation, and Vasily Vasiliev , vice rector of the North-Eastern Federal University of the Sakha Republic, both signed...Read Full Story


Springhill Group Home: Top 10 Fraud Schemes

By asiavarmen on March 27, 2012  From springhillgroup.livejournal.com

http://newscenter.springhillgrouphome.com/2012/03/springhill-group-home-top-10-fraud-schemes/ For the twelfth successive year, identity theft topped the consumer complaint database of the Federal Trade Commission with the largest number of complaints, perhaps owing to the rampant use (and misuse) of online services such as social networking and e-commerce websites. From the 1.8 million complaints the FTC got in 2011, almost 300,000 are about identity theft. The information of FTC has included...Read Full Story


Springhill Group Home: Top 10 Fraud Schemes


http://newscenter.springhillgrouphome.com/2012/03/springhill-group-home-top-10-fraud-schemes/ For the twelfth successive year, identity theft topped the consumer complaint database of the Federal Trade Commission with the largest number of complaints, perhaps owing to the rampant use (and misuse) of online services such as social networking and e-commerce websites. From the 1.8 million complaints the FTC got in 2011, almost 300,000 are about identity theft. The information of FTC has included...Read Full Story


Springhill Group Home: Top 10 Fraud Schemes

By FaithPiper on March 27, 2012  From springhillgrouphome.tumblr.com

http://newscenter.springhillgrouphome.com/2012/03/springhill-group-home-top-10-fraud-schemes/ For the twelfth successive year, identity theft topped the consumer complaint database of the Federal Trade Commission with the largest number of complaints, perhaps owing to the rampant use (and misuse) of online services such as social networking and e-commerce websites. From the 1.8 million complaints the FTC got in 2011, almost 300,000 are about identity theft. The information of FTC has included...Read Full Story

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

News Center - Springhill Group Home Loan | Impact of Budget Cuts on Rural Housing and Availability


The budget cuts on rural housing finance are raising many significant questions. In the present economic situation, where federal funding for the rural housing projects is much needed, the budget cut is really distressing. According to the rural market experts, Section 538 Rural Rental Loan Guarantee Program has offered the most effective service in this regard. However, the recent budget cut is much likely to affect the proceeding of this program and home loan rate for buying a rural property.

Rural economics – Demand vs. supply

Only about 19% Americans live in rural areas. The average yearly income of a rural household is lower than an urban one. The poverty rate in the rural America is about 15%, whereas the rate is almost 13% in urban America. Section 538 by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the largest mortgage lender in rural America. Till the end of 2011, the program funded about 700 rural housing projects. Unfortunately, this program has become the primary victim of budget cut. It received 130 million USD in FY 2010; while in FY 2011, the Congress appropriated only 30 million USD. The appropriation for FY 2012 is zero. If Section 538 does not get any funding in this year, the prospect of the program is going to be doomed.

Difficulties faced by rural housing development

Considering budget deficit, one can say that it is difficult to construct affordable housing units in rural areas and thereby the obvious option of rental housing comes into play. Interested banks to offer mortgage loans in less developed rural areas with limited facilities are hard to find. So only a very few affluent developers, who won’t require mortgage loans, will be left to build housing units in rural areas and rent them out. Rural Americans are switching to rental units due to the scarcity of mortgage lenders. Although some organizations like HUD are getting some interest in investing in rural housing projects, yet urban and suburban areas seem more interesting to them.

Choices other than Section 538

Present economic situation challenges the government to cut spending by all means. Section 538 is not likely to become active at this point of time, but still there are few alternatives to this popular program and those are,

A TX-based rural project with tax credit allocation has been accepted by HUD into FHA 221(d) (4) program and the borrower was allowed to pay back his mortgage over a timeframe of 40 years. The borrower got the loan with low rate of interest.
Some Section 515 apartments were preserved through 4 percent credits, bonds and also 538 guarantee. The same thing can be done with other government funded entities in place of Section 538.
Challenges are everywhere; lenders should accept the challenge of investing in rural projects. The borrowers should also come up. They must look for ways to take out home mortgage loan and buy a home in rural America.

– by Chris

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Sensex tumbles 405 pts on weak Re, coal block scams



 Mumbai: The BSE Sensex plunged to 2-week low of 17,196.47 Thursday, down 405 points as investors sold stocks amid weakening rupee, allegations of massive losses to the government in coal blocks allocation and shaky overseas markets.



Of the 30 Sensex scrips, 28 tumbled. All the 13 sectoral indices closed in losses, with realty, power, banking, capital goods, metal and refinery stocks being hit hard.

Market heavyweight Reliance Industries dropped 4.15 percent, and Infosys by 1.39 percent. The two carry 20 percent weight on the Sensex.

The rupee's sharp decline against the US dollar to Rs 51 level worried investors that it will inflate government's import bill, especially on account of oil, worsening fiscal deficit situation.

Besides, reminiscent of the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the Comptroller an Auditor General (CAG) said in a draft report that the government lost Rs 10.67 lakh crore on account of allotment of coal blocks to 100 private and public sector companies without auction during 2004-2009.

However, CAG later informed the Prime Minister that media reports on alleged coal scam were "exceedingly misleading".

Sensex moved in a narrow range till late afternoon, but last hour selling pulled it down sharply to 17,196.47, erasing 405.24 points or 2.30 percent. In last two days, it had risen 328.34 points or 1.90 percent.

Similarly, NSE 50-scrip index Nifty tumbled 136.50 points or 2.54 percent to two-week low of 5,228.45.

"A mix of domestic and global factors hurt investor sentiment. The leakage of a draft CAG draft report weighed markets down. The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar further spooked sentiments," said Paras Bothra, Research Head, Ashika Stock Brokers.

Globally, European markets were trading weak, adding to investor woes, he said.

As per Sebi data, FIIs bought shares worth Rs 651.70 crore yesterday.

Asian stocks were down in early trade after a survey showed China's manufacturing has shrunk. Key indices in China, Singapore and South Korea finished with marginal losses, although Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan ended with gains.

European markets were trading sharply lower in the afternoon. CAC (France), DAX (Germany), FTSE (UK) were down by up to 1.52 percent. The US index futures too were indicated weak opening today.

Major losers from the Sensex pack were Jindal Steel (7.26 percent), DLF (5.01 percent), Tata Steel (4.55 percent), Tata Power (4.42percent), Reliance (4.15 percent), ICICI Bank (3.84 percent), L&T (3.76 percent), SBI (3.27 percent), BHEL (3.24 percent), Hindalco (3.13 percent), Bharti Airtel (2.63 percent), HDFC Bank (2.48 percent), Bajaj Auto (2.36 percent), NTPERCENT (2.31 percent), M&M (2.19 percent), Maruti Suzuki (2.19 percent), Tata Motors (2.17 percent), Cipla (2.06 percent), ITC (1.75 percent), Sterlite (1.60 percent), Gail India (1.55 percent), HUL (1.48 percent), Infosys (1.39 percent) and Wipro (1.25 percent).

However, Coal India shot up 2.40 percent and Hero Motoco 0.48 percent.

Among the sectoral indices, the BSE-Realty fell 4.25 percent, Power - 3.62 percent, Bankex - 3.41 percent, Capital Goods - 3.37 percent, Metal - 3.29 percent, Consumer Durables - 3.15 percent, Oil&Gas - 2.74 percent, Auto - 1.89 percent and PSU - 1.48 percent.

The total market breadth turned negative as 2,019 stocks finished with losses, while 879 stocks ended with gains. The total turnover declined to Rs 2,984.72 crore from Rs 3,302.43 crore yesterday. 

PTI 
First Published: Thursday, March 22, 2012, 16:19

Monday, March 12, 2012

Springhill Group Home :Demand For Personal Care Aides Expected To Grow

As the American population grows rapidly, the field of healthcare becomes alert of the upcoming strong demand for senior healthcare providers.

Personal care providers do not really do physically invasive therapies and are not under the supervision of a nurse, there are no existing federal qualifications in place for this profession.

However, nursing aides are required by government to have certain certifications to ensure their capabilities. It is an essential measure to protect the senior population. For instance, a caregiver who is not alert may effectively endanger his charge and lead to disastrous results.

Several states do have regulations in place to address the caregiving sector. In California, each county has to keep a record of healthcare providers that consists of background checks and referrals. While in Washington, aides should have finished 75 hours of basic training and pass an exam.

However, others seem to be more focused on direct care providers in general when establishing relevant legislation. Actually, most of the elderly only needs assistance in day-to-day activities and do not need a medical professional to look after them. This is where the legislators need to address.

Creating policies that concern caregivers is essential to the long-term care policy of any country. With the growing number of elderly people, the need for safe and effective caregiving for seniors is imperative.
  

Springhill Group Home : Fake Pokemon Games Top App Store

Apple’s reputation for protecting big-time developers has suffered yet another rap as a fake Pokemon game that does not even work was approved for sale on their App Store and even managed to rank 2nd on the iTunes charts.

Considering the developer’s description of the app as ‘just like the original’ as opposed to the terrible user ratings, the whole thing is simply a scam.
The Pokemon Yellow app first appeared in the App Store of iOS this weekend and tons of users quickly jumped at the thought that Nintendo finally joined in the app sector, never mind that the developer name under the app is a certain ‘House of Anime’. Soon enough, people who bought the 99-cent app ended up disappointed as they discovered the game does not work because it’s just an unauthorized copy.

The developer, Daniel Burford aka House of Anime, also authored other questionable apps like YuGiOh+ and Digimon+. In his entries, he is claiming that ‘all copyrights and trademarks are owned by their respective owners’, obviously taking intellectual property rights lightly.



And most of the people who downloaded the game does not even know the it’s not official, which just shows how popular the Pokemon franchise is even after 10 years of being in the market and its first appearance in the Game Boy.

User reviews that rated the app with just one star and commented that the game does not do anything except display the title screen. And according to further reports from victims, it crashes on practically every device. It won’t be surprising if the game’s code only contains a bit of user interface to show that splash screen.

The scam has put into the spotlight Apple’s current approval procedures and guidelines that app developers always deem as mysterious and strict. Since a fake game passed their app review, Apple’s policy is not so thorough after all. They do not seem to perform any kind of legal or technical check prior to putting an app for sale on their iTunes

While it is understandable that Apple will not be able to do an extensive copyright search for each app submitted on them as it would be very difficult for reviewers to handle tons of submissions each day, it is also not good to just rely on complaints from copyright holders before they find out there are infringing apps on their store.

Fortunately, there are lessons to be learned from both parties involved after this incident. For one, Apple should not be lax in their security procedures that protect developers like Nintendo from scammers. Moreover, this should be a good proof for Nintendo that there is a lucrative market if they will only invest in making iOS versions of their bestsellers.

Eventually, Apple noticed all the commotion and pulled out the offending game from their store. Good thing they offered a refund for everybody who was tricked — just contact their customer service desk.
  

Springhill Group Home: Housing Prices Decline In China

Housing prices in Chinese cities has decreased while the government still curbs the property market, according to figures from their biggest real estate website last week.

China Real Estate Index System, connected with SouFun Holdings, issued an alert that property prices has last month has marked the biggest fall since September.


Prices of residential houses slip in 72 out of 100 cities surveyed by the firm in the previous month which is 12 more than in January. It basically dropped by 0.3%, according to SouFun. The average housing price is now at USD 1,390 for one square meter, compared to the rates in January.

The report from CREIS shows that the decline size is set to be even bigger in the coming months as more developers offer discounts.

According to a manager of Beijing WorldUnion Properties Consultancy, there is a possibility that the market may bottom out on the middle of the year and price declines might pick up pace. They are estimating that house prices could slide 20-30% on average this year and that the fall will affect the whole nation, including the 3rd- and 4th-tier cities that are previously less affected.

Several developers in China are permitting first-time homeowners to postpone their downpayments in order to boost their sales. Sellers did advance the 20% left, something that buyer don’t have to return for up to 3 years.

Although there has been a widespread price fall, deals in Shanghai and Beijing have rebounded in February. Despite of this, property developers are still pessimistic. While the market correction continues, several developers of property is set to alter their business portfolios to adapt in the changes.

According to the China Real Estate Index System, housing prices in 100 prime cities in China is significantly lower for the 6th consecutive month in February. This decline in housing prices has increased in February, showing that the nation’s real estate market is facing a negative outlook inspite of pressures in a cash-starved developer.

Wen Jiabao has earlier said that China will not waver on its control in the real estate sector and its efforts to reduce the prices to a more manageable level.

Housing prices is expected to continue falling in the coming months as it is becoming obvious that the government will not alter their tightening in the near future and those developers will be launching more projects. The real estate market will likely stay challenging this year but the possibility of a collapse is low while their cities prove to be resilient. 
  

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Springhill Group Care Will Open Branch on South Korea

Sometime in the second quarter of this year, springhill group will open a new branch in South Korea. Springhill group Korea will provide many services in the area with new opportunities for those around. Springhill group south Korea will bring new life to the south Korean areas. There will be many career openings in the area as well as new opportunities for everyone alike. The branch will as stated earlier, become open sometime in the second quarter of this year and will expand the company by growing into a more international company. This will bring more opportunities to many areas and will increase the workforce of the company. Springhill group is a growing company and will continue to expand over the years. You can try to contact the group for more information or read about them on news sites. They are trying to expand their market so that they can bring an influence to south Korea and make it so that their company gets bigger every day. By expanding, they are offering many new jobs and careers while also trying to obtain more customers in new, international areas around the world. Opening up a branch in south Korea is a big step for this company and will influence many.