The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, released their 2009 Mortgage Loan Fraud (MLF) study which found the number of mortgage fraud suspicious activity reports (SAR’s) filed in 2009 grew 4 percent compared to 2008.

California Top State for Mortgage Fraud Suspicious Activity in 2009

In terms

Continue reading... California at top of list in 2009 for Mortgage Fraud Reports

1. Six Charged with Wire Fraud Based on $20 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme A 10-count indictment has been unsealed charging six individuals with...
2. Mortgage Fraud Trend Down; Still $14 Billion in 2009 Losses Dennis Norman Worst Street In America for Mortgage Fraud is...
3. Former Mortgage Broker, California Woman Plead Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of...

Asking this question now is about like asking a newly divorced person their thoughts on marriage….nonetheless in challenging times many of us reflect upon our past investment decisions, investment philosophy, etc and see what can be learned from our past to help us in the future.

Is the American Love Affair with Home

Continue reading... Is a home a good investment?

1. Investment-Home Sales Fell 15.9 Percent in 2009 Dennis Norman According to a Survey conducted by the National...
2. Survey shows shift in consumer real estate decisions; more making move for the better Dennis Norman By: Dennis Norman Relocation.Com conducted a survey in June...
3. Not All Home Improvements Lead to Higher Value Dennis Norman Homeowners looking to upgrade or sell their home...

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday that a HUD Administrative Law Judge has ordered an Iowa landlord to pay $52,150 in damages and civil penalties for retaliating against a single mother of three by threatening to evict her because she

Continue reading... Judge Orders Iowa Landlord to Pay $52,150 To Resolve Discrimination Case

1. DOJ Files Discrimination Lawsuit against Property Manager and Owner in Missouri The Justice Department announced it has filed a lawsuit today...
2. Justice Department Resolves Lawsuit Alleging Disability-Based Housing Discrimination in Davenport, Iowa The Justice Department today announced a settlement of a lawsuit...
3. Orange City Landlord and Property Manager Pay $415,000 to Settle Discrimination Suit The Justice Department today announced that landlord James Stevens, his...

The

Continue reading... DOJ Files Fair Housing Lawsuit Against Apartment Complex in Renton, Washington

1. Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Racial Discrimination at Ann Arbor, Michigan, Apartment Complex The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the owner...
2. DOJ Files Discrimination Lawsuit against Property Manager and Owner in Missouri The Justice Department announced it has filed a lawsuit today...
3. Justice Department Settles Fair Housing Suit Against Condo Association Author’s Note: I frequently publish stories on actions of the...

UPDATE -July 2 – The President has signed the bill into law….It’s official, the deadline is September 30th to close..

UPDATE-July 1- GOOD NEWS!  I Stand Corrected!  Yesterday, before ending session, the Senate did PASS H.R. 5623 by Unanimous Consent…the bill now goes to the President for his signature and then will

Continue reading... House Passes Bill To Extend Closing Deadline For Home-Buyer Tax Credits

1. Senate Passes Key Amendment to Extend Closing Deadline for Homebuyer Tax Credit Dennis Norman UPDATE-July 1- GOOD NEWS!  I Stand Corrected!  Yesterday,...
2. Closing Deadline For Homebuyer Tax Credits May Be Extended Dennis Norman The deadline to purchase a home to qualify...
3. Home buyer tax credit extension update; House Passes Bill…On to President for approval Dennis Norman UPDATE 11/06/09 5:14 p.m. – Thanks to Denis...

While there are many factors that go into what makes for a good or bad housing market and ultimately how well an investment in real estate will do in a market, two things in my book are key; population growth and job growth. Actually job growth brings population growth so perhaps it

Continue reading... Population Growth Equals Housing Demand; Which States are Growing?

1. Record Foreclosure Rate Could Hurt Demand For Homes and Slow Recovery Dennis Norman In a report just issued by Radarlogic there...
2. More good news; Home sales rise in 39 states in 2nd quarter Dennis Norman The good news about the real estate market...
3. Federal Government Is Largest Owner of Foreclosed Properties; Over 200,000 and Growing Dennis Norman According to a report issued by Radar Logic...

Last week both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced relief for homeowners with a mortgage insured by either agency (which accounts for over 90 percent of the home loans in the U.S.) that either have drywall problems (the Chinese drywall issue) or are in the Gulf coast area and are affected by the

Continue reading... Relief Available For Homeowners with Drywall Issues or Affected by Gulf Oil Spill

1. HUD may assist homeowners that have problem drywall issues According to a press release from the U.S. Department of...
2. Fannie Mae Issues Guidelines For HAFA Short-Sales and Deed-in-Lieu UPDATE- June 2, 2010: The National Association of REALTORS obtained...
3. Mortgage Programs Fall Short in Keeping Homeowners out of Foreclosure To alleviate some suffering by homeowners, the Obama Administration introduced...

Continue reading... Fannie Mae Issues Guidelines For HAFA Short-Sales and Deed-in-Lieu

1. Can your buyers obtain a mortgage if they have done a short sale or deed-in-lieu? Dennis Norman No doubt over the next couple of years...
2. Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) Launched Dennis Norman Last week the Treasury Department announced the Home...
3. Help for homeowners facing foreclosure or are underwater Dennis Norman Back in early December I did a post...

Continue reading... Former Mortgage Broker, California Woman Plead Guilty to Mortgage Fraud

1. Former Highgate Manor Operator Pleads Guilty in $11 Million Multi-State Mortgage Fraud Scheme The Office of the United States Attorney for the...
2. Accountant and Realtor Plead Guilty to Mortgage Fraud WASHINGTON – Dennis G. Sartain of Hilliard, Ohio; and...
3. Texas Real Estate Investor Sentenced for Mortgage Fraud Scheme Real Estate Investor ordered to pay over $4.1 million in...

Continue reading... Six Charged with Wire Fraud Based on $20 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme

1. Four Broward and Palm Beach Residents Charged in Multi-Million-Dollar Mortgage Fraud Scheme Defendants Include a Mortgage Broker and Loan Processor This week...
2. Forty Indicted in Major East Texas Mortgage Fraud Scheme U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced that 40 individuals have...
3. Former Highgate Manor Operator Pleads Guilty in $11 Million Multi-State Mortgage Fraud Scheme The Office of the United States Attorney for the...