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Unusual Home Conversions

post from sellsius real estate blog - real estate, blogging, business, advertising, marketing, and technology on 09 March 2007 10:19:00 PM. © sellsius real estate blog - real estate, blogging, business, advertising, marketing, and technology

Home conversions are creative adaptations of existing non-residential structures. Here are places that were called something else before they were called home.Church conversions are very popular in the UK. This English chapel home has lovely windows and high ceilings. You pray the electric bills are not hell to bear.From self-defense to self-expression, a [...]

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http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/unusual-homes/unusual-home-conversions/2007/03
/09/


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Girly-Girl Loans!

post from OC FlipTrack - Orange County Housing Bubble Blog on 09 March 2007 09:31:00 PM. © OC FlipTrack - Orange County Housing Bubble Blog

Girly Girl Seeking...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: pers-291544554@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-03-10, 2:19AM PST

Greetings gentlemen and thank you for reading my posting. I have many more pics to show once I receive your response.

Seeking a guy who is tall. A guy who is a Christian or beliefs in Judaism. He must be very good looking, confident, and successful. A guy who knows how to pamper and spoil a lady and have no problem with giving.

Let's develop a friendship and see if there is any chemistry between us before things develop on a romance level. I love to kiss!

I am a succesful mortgage banker who is confident and strong will. I enjoy the finer things in life God has given us on earth and hope you do too. I have zero tolerance for game playing. Age is not a factor if you meet the above requirements.


About Myself:

* I have been working professionally in the mortgage industry the last few years and absolutely LOVE it.

I love helping folks save money on their monthly payments, so by all means, definitely get back to me if you need help with a refinance- if you need to lower your mortgage payments, cash out some equity, or consolidate some higher interest debt, leave me a name and contact number and we'll take it from there.

-- K --

P.S. I originate home loans in all 50 states, purchases, refi's, and equity lines of credit. Definitely get in touch with your name and contact number and I'll be SURE to get back to you ASAP !

Link to CL.

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http://www.oc-fliptrack.com/2007/03/girly-girl-loans.html


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Apella's Friday Community Connection - NEA's Read
Across America

post from Table Talk With Apella on 09 March 2007 08:01:16 PM. © Table Talk With Apella

2007 is the tenth anniversary of The National Education Association Read Across America.

Read Across America is a program sponsored by The National Education Association where pledges are taken from students in schools from across the nation declaring how many books they will read and are in turn recognized for their efforts.

The Read Across America is a yearlong program promotion designed to get kids excited about reading. Some of the larger company sponsors are Target and Saturn among others and countless small business throughout the Country. Apella is pleased to bring awareness of the program and encourages others in the real estate industries to visit The National Education Association web site where they can learn more about the program, gain access to the Read Across America Toolkit and consider contributing to the goals of the Read Across America program.

This year is also the 50th year for Dr. Seuss The Cat In The Hat. Please feel free to visit the Dr. Seuss National Memorial web site to learn more on this American Icon and other information. The National Education Association has tied into this year?s Read Across America program the 50-year birthday of Cat In The Hat and is holding weeklong Seussian celebrations.

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Insider Q&A gets a bank economist's housing
outlook

post from Lansner on Real Estate on 09 March 2007 05:53:00 PM. © Lansner on Real Estate

blog-keiHousing and California’s overall economy interact in an often curious partnership. Keitaro Matsuda, senior economist at Union Bank of California, recently issued a housing outlook (to read it, CLICK HERE) and we figured we’d drill down on some of the big questions hanging over the real estate market.

Us: You seem relatively optimistic about California's real estate market. Why?
Matsuda: The most important thing is that job growth in the Golden State remains robust. As of January 2007, 12-month non-farm payroll growth in California was 2 percent – much stronger than the national average of 1.7 percent. More jobs means increased demand for housing.

Us: Any specific regional outlooks on home prices?

Matsuda: In recent years, the housing boom was more dramatic in Southern California, because the San Francisco Bay Area market suffered a setback from the dot-com debacle. No guesses for home prices in individual counties, but what I expect is that the market correction will be more pronounced in some of the nouveau markets, which attracted first-time buyers in large numbers in recent years. The Central Valley region and parts of the Inland Empire fit this profile. Those markets have a much larger ratio of new homes. The price correction is more likely to occur in the new-home segment and that can keep home prices in those areas from rising for quite a while. Los Angeles and Orange counties are urban, built out, and existing homes dominate the market. These urban markets tend to be more stable.

Us: How does the subprime lending meltdown figure into your math? Any fears it become a broader credit crunch than just problems in one risky niche?
Matsuda: My view is that the subprime market has its own distinct characteristics and its problems are unlikely to spill over to the rest of the market. Users of subprime products are almost exclusively first-time buyers (though there are exceptions) and tend to be spatially concentrated. Similarly, investors in asset-backed securities who provided funds to the mortgage market have always regarded subprime- and prime-loan obligations as completely separate investment options. In my opinion, there is little chance of “contagion,” unless something totally unexpected happens and changes the risk appetite of the entire market.

Us: How does the housing slowdown from its frenetic pace hit California's overall economy? Any chance that housing's cooling will slow the state business climate, which – in turn – boomerangs back to housing?
Matsuda: There is no doubt that the construction sector was a turbo-charged job-growth engine in the state between 2003 and 2006. In that regard, the end of housing boom will slow the economy. Fortunately, we have another growth engine still working hard – the service sector. Growth of service jobs has not been as spectacular as construction job growth, but it’s been very, very steady. California had two job growth engines, construction and service sectors, at work since 2003. We have now become a one-engine economy, but the service sector engine is well-oiled and will keep on propelling the state’s economy forward.

Us: What might change your outlook? Do you watch any less-than-obvious indicators as early warning signs?
Matsuda: If long-term interest rates shoot up, that can push up mortgage rates and can trigger a dramatic housing market correction, perhaps one with widespread price reductions. The likelihood of such an event, however, seems quite small at the moment. Regarding early warning sings, someone recently told me that the number of tax liens filed on residential properties might indicate the level of homeowners’ financial distress. I may look into that.

Real Estate Blogs - Blog Top Sites



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Blog list

post from Table Talk With Apella on 09 March 2007 05:34:17 PM. © Table Talk With Apella



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http://apellatabletalk.spaces.live.com/Lists/cns!279E88EA9A2B42C5!106


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6 indicted in Arizona foreclosure scam that
targeted home owners in financial trouble

post from Daily Mortgage Fraud News on 09 March 2007 03:53:00 PM. © Daily Mortgage Fraud News

In the following press release from Phoenix, AZ United States Attorney Daniel G. Knauss and HUD Inspector General Kenneth M. Donohue announced that six individuals have been indicted here for conspiracy and separate counts of mail and wire fraud violations in connection with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “Pre-Foreclosure” sale program.

az usattorney.jpgdonohue.jpg

 

 

 

 



      Daniel G. Knauss              Kenneth M. Donohue 
 
The charged defendants are:
• Trudy M. Peters, 43, of Peoria, Az, formerly an Escrow Officer for Ticor Title Agency, Phoenix, Az.
• John M. Soto, 35, of Moreno Valley, Ca., formerly a Service Representative for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
• Larry M. Smith, 28, of Rancho Cucamonga, Ca, formerly a Service Representative, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
• Maria A. Felix, 47, of Glendale, Az, formerly a Housing Counselor for Acorn Housing, Phoenix.
• Tony S. Vasquez, 54, of Tolleson, Az, formerly a Housing Counselor for Chicanos Por La Causa, Phoenix, Az.

Also listed in the indictment as an un-indicted co-conspirator is Edward Carrillo, Jr., currently serving a five year prison sentence arising from a state conviction for Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices. He ran a company called Sahara Investments.

According to the charging documents filed in the District of Arizona, the defendants conspired with Carrillo, doing business as Sahara Investments, Scottsdale, Az, to purchase and sell 65 properties in the Phoenix area using the HUD “Pre-Foreclosure” sale program. The program was designed to reduce foreclosures cost to the government by allowing homeowners to sell their homes for less than what they owed on the mortgage, often referred to as a “short sale.” The “Pre-Foreclosure” sale program had strict guidelines among which required that property owners receive homeowner counseling, and that an independent appraisal had to establish the market value of the home.

The indictment alleges that homeowner counseling certifications were falsely created by Felix and Vasquez to show that other housing options were discussed with the owners in accordance with the program regulations. Another allegation is that appraisals were fraudulently created or altered to allow Carrillo to purchase the homes for less than the actual market value of the homes. The properties were normally sold the same day they were purchased for thousands more than Carrillo paid for the homes. Felix and Vasquez were paid thousands of dollars for their services by Carrillo according to the indictment.

The charging document further alleges that Soto and Smith as employees of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, accepted thousands of dollars from Carrillo for the referral to him of homeowners whose mortgages were in default. In addition, the two men replaced independent appraisals that had been ordered by Wells Fargo with appraisals that had been fraudulently altered and sent to them by Carrillo.

The charging document also states that Peters, as an Escrow Officer for Ticor Title, failed to disclose on the real estate settlement statements that second and third mortgages were encumbering the properties. Peters also received thousands of dollars from Carrillo for her part in the conspiracy.

The following Arizona properties mentioned in the indictment are:
12202 W. Corrine Drive, El Mirage,
1277 W. Linda Lane, Chandler
1542 W. Carol Avenue, Mesa
10938 E. Catalina Avenue, Mesa
17807 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix
4031 N. 8oth Avenue, Phoenix
17807 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix
10868 W. Devonshire Avenue, Phoenix

“HUD paid $1,878,163 in claims from the FHA insurance fund as a direct result of this fraudulent scheme and conspiracy,” said HUD Inspector General Kenneth M. Donohue. Inspector General Donohue added, “This type of mortgage fraud undermines all of the professionals that work hard to keep the real estate industry honest and fair. We will continue to aggressively pursue real estate fraud cases in Arizona.”

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by Special Agent James Carrieres of the HUD Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Richard I. Mesh, Assistant United States Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona.



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http://www.mortgagefraud.org/journal/2007/3/9/6-indicted-in-arizona-foreclosure-s
cam-that-targeted-home-owners-in-financial-trouble.html


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Las Vegas Homes Sales Figures And Las Vegas MLS
Numbers For February

post from LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE | HOMES FOR SALE IN LAS VEGAS | LAS VEGAS NEW HOME on 09 March 2007 02:47:00 PM. © LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE | HOMES FOR SALE IN LAS VEGAS | LAS VEGAS NEW HOME



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http://www.finehomeslv.com/blog/las-vegas-homes-sales-figures-and-las-vegas-mls-n
umbers-for-february/


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Twist vs. Lereah in the Washington Post

post from Housing Doom Housing Bubble Blog on 09 March 2007 02:06:16 PM. © Housing Doom Housing Bubble Blog

I’ve been wondering for some time why David Lereah  was not taken to task for his reporting methods by the mainstream media.  I must confess I was very pleased when  Rachel Beck decided to do so with an AP article in this morning’s Washington Post, [online] with a quote from yours truly:Bloggers have been quick [...]

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Atlanta Investor Charged in Real Estate
Development Ponzi Scheme

post from Mortgage Fraud Blog on 09 March 2007 01:01:00 PM. © Mortgage Fraud Blog

Gene A. O’Neal, 36, Atlanta, Georgia, has been charged with 19 counts of mail and wire fraud. O’Neal allegedly ran a scheme that defrauded investors in Pinnacle Development Partners, LLC , a purported real estate investment fund based in Atlanta, Georgia.

”O?Neal?s promises of huge returns in a short period opened the floodgates to investment,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. ”He allegedly raised more than $69 million in …

Read More...

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Why do ramen eating real estate clerks and
desperate homedebtors troll HousingPANIC

post from HousingPANIC - The Housing Crash Blog with an Attitude Problem on 09 March 2007 12:23:00 PM. © HousingPANIC - The Housing Crash Blog with an Attitude Problem


I know out-of-work realtors have nothing to do these days (hint - work on that resume!), and I know desperate homedebtors blame the bubble blogs in part for the end of the Great American Housing Ponzi Scheme, but man, give it a rest folks. Go outside, enjoy some fresh air, and take your anger out on the person who's really responsible for your dire straits.
Yourself.
Meanwhile, Bubble Sitters, I see that HSBC (yes, of $11 billion subprime write-off fame) is offering 6% interest on your sold-at-the-peak loot through April. Nice monthly cash flow bonus I'd say on that housing loot sitting in your bank accounts. Just don't put more than the FDIC max $100,000 in any one account. You just never know...
Bitter Renters - with all the money you're saving per month renting that beautiful new home vs. owning (oops, "renting money from a bank"), I'd recommend you take a look at spending some time this summer in Japan, where the yen is still artificially low (for a few more months at least).
And for the over-leveraged, over-spending, no-money-left-after-that-massive-upwardly-adjusting-mortgage-payment-is-made-on-your-rapidly-depreciating-home Desperate Homedebtors, I hear Safeway is running another special on ramen noodles this weekend. Although you'll have to beat "why don't I have any listings" Greg Swann there to get the best flavors.
Yum! Beef ramen!


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http://housingpanic.blogspot.com/2007/03/why-do-ramen-eating-real-estate-clerks.h
tml


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