Yardi multifamily clients are now able to offer fraud protection and credit reporting services to the people that rent residences from them. These consumer protection amenities are provided by Resident-Link and included in RentCafe, Yardi's property marketing, leasing and resident services platform. Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for real estate companies.

Resident-Link, which is integrated with the Fraud Protection Network, delivers identity theft protection services using industry security protocols. It promptly alerts subscribers if their identity is being used suspiciously, for example, to apply for a new line of credit or request a change of address.

"With identity theft clocking in as America's fastest growing crime, protecting your identity has never been more important. Resident-Link and RentCafe help property managers proactively offer affordable protection to their renters with proprietary monitoring and alerting systems," said Ed Margolin, CEO of the Fraud Protection Network.

In addition to monitoring for identity fraud, Resident-Link works with Experian to provide credit reporting services. Experian is the first credit bureau to recognize the importance of and incorporate positive rental payment data disclosed to Experian Rent Bureau in consumer credit reports. Residents can build credit history by paying rent responsibly each month.

"Working with Fraud Protection Network and Experian, Yardi is now able to help our clients' residents improve their credit. For those who already have good credit, this enhancement helps protect and monitor it," said Terri Dowen, senior vice president of sales at Yardi. "Better still, through RentCafe, we're able to do it in a way that is seamless and simple for both the property management company and the renter."

Residents can sign up for Resident-Link as part of the RentCafe leasing workflow. After signing a lease, renters will have the option to opt into the service, the same way they might sign up for a parking space or storage unit.

Hunt Real Estate Capital has provided two Freddie Mac Small Balance Loans totaling $7.42 million to finance the acquisition of two multifamily portfolios located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago.

The hybrid loans are structured as 20-year fixed-to-floating rate loans with three-years interest only, followed by a 30-year amortization schedule. Both proposed transactions will have a Tenant in Common, structure with both parties owning 50% of each property. Jeffrey and Susan Drawdyare the transaction guarantors.

The properties include:

• Bronzeville North Portfolio. Hunt Real Estate Capital provided a $4.18 million loan to finance the acquisition of Bronzeville North Portfolio, a multi-property, walk-up portfolio totaling 53 residential units located at 4340, 4343, 4501 and 4846 South Michigan Avenue, and 4915 and 4919 South Calumet Avenue in Chicago. The portfolio was built from 1896-1911 and is 94% physically occupied. Hunt Real Estate Capital provided a $4.18 million loan to secure this property. Property amenities include parking and in-unit washers and dryers.
• Bronzeville South Portfolio. Located at 5726, 5730, and 5901 South Prairie Avenue, 5216 South Michigan Avenue, and 6152 South Evans Avenue in Chicago, Bronzeville South Portfolio is a multi-property, walk-up portfolio totaling 37 residential units. The portfolio was built from 1895-2014 and is 92% physically occupied. Hunt Real Estate Capital provided a $3.24 million loan to secure this property. Amenities include parking and in-unit washers and dryers.

"The borrower is a quality, seasoned sponsor that has closed seven transactions with both Hunt Real Estate Capital and Freddie Mac, and all of their properties are performing well," noted Owen Breheny, managing director at Hunt Real Estate Capital. "We were pleased to secure the financing for the acquisition of these two properties and to provide quality multifamily options to residents of the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago."

Myra from Georgia asked: "I have been told that the President’s tax credit has been passed. How can my prospects get the $15,000 which will help tremendously for a down payment? I have not seen many details published, but all of my real estate agents are excited." 

Maxwell, a digital platform serving small to mid-size mortgage originators, has raised $16.3 million that it plans to use for product development, market penetration and hiring. So reports Crowdfund Insider.