The Four Instant Tips to Avoid Foreclosure

March 5, 2010
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Countless problems and complications and most of them are financially-related was brought upon by the global recession. Mortgage foreclosure is just one of the primary problems faced by the homeowners nowadays and it is possibly the most damaging to the families as it could mean the whole family to end up living on the streets.

Nonetheless, there are still lifelines for those in this predicament of possibly losing their homes. Find out these tips here.

1. Utilize government help to stop foreclosure! In tandem with the current economic situation, President Obama and his cabinet has stepped up efforts to help those struggling with mortgage payments to deal with this situation effectively. Obama’s…

More Affordable Home Buying Through Low Rates

March 5, 2010
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The results of the Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.97 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending in March 4, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 5.05 percent is released. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.15 percent.

The 15-year FRM for this week averaged 4.33 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.40 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed fusion adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 4.11 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.16 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 5.08 percent.

The…

Ex-Texas Broker Sentenced for Mortgage Investment Scheme

March 4, 2010
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Houston, Texas – David Isaac Lapin is a former broker connected with the failed Premiere Holdings of Texas LLC that has been found guilty and sentenced to prison for failing to disclose a crime to authorities and covering up material facts from investors. Lapin pleaded guilty on February 16, 2010, to criminal information charging him with misprision of a crime.

He was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison without parole and fined $60,000 in connection with the operation of Lapin and Wigginton Asset Management, a subsidiary of Premiere Holdings LP – a real estate investment program. Lapin and co-defendants, attorney Ted Russell Schwartz Murray and Jeffrey Carl Wigginton Jr., were…

Higher Purchasing Power Through Previously Owned Real Estate

March 4, 2010
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The phrase “one man’s loss is another man’s gain” is true to the present economic situation. Unfortunately, many people have lost jobs, been laid off, had salaries slashed and the likes. One of the major aftermaths of this current situation has been the foreclosure of a larger number of homes. Undoubtedly, this is very tragic for the individuals who have suffered this loss, but it is also a bright spot for people who are looking to purchase a home.

What is a real estate owned property? It is a property owned by some sort of lending institution such as a mortgage company or a bank that was not able to be…

A Man Sentenced in Fraud Scheme to Acquire Mortgage Loans

March 3, 2010
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Rosemount, Minnesota – Eric Jason Sunsdahl was sentenced in federal court in connection with a scheme to acquire mortgages and funds fraudulently from a bank in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

Sunsdahl was sentenced to 24 months in prison on one count of bank fraud. He was charged on April 21, 2009 and pleaded guilty on September 9, 2009.

Sunsdahl admitted that on April 29, 2005, he caused Bremer Bank to create a home equity line of credit in the amount of $100,000 based on a fraudulent loan application. His scheme to defraud Bremer Bank, conversely, spanned from 2004 through 2007 and included $726,210 in loan proceeds.

In that period, Sunsdahl was employed as…

The Government Extends the Refinance Program for Another Year

March 3, 2010
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The government is giving homeowners another year to refinance their loans under a little-used program designed to help borrowers whose homes have fallen in value.

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Obama administration’s Home Affordable Refinance Program had been scheduled to end on June 10, 2010 but will now run until June 30, 2011.

The program allows borrowers who are indebted up to 25 percent more than their homes are worth to refinance to lower interest rates. It was initially projected to help 4 million to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or assured by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. So far, it has helped around 220,000, according to the…

$15.3 Billion More in Aid Sought by Fannie Mae

March 2, 2010
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Fannie Mae is in need of another $15 billion in federal assistance, which brings its total to more than $75 billion. The worse is that the mortgage finance company warned its losses will continue this year.

The salvage of Fannie Mae and sister company Freddie Mac is turning out to be one of the most expensive results of the financial meltdown. The new request means the total bill for the duo will top $126 billion.

The twinge is not yet over. Fannie warned last Friday that it will need even more money from the Treasury, as unemployment remains high and millions of Americans lose their homes through foreclosure.

Fannie Mae reported Friday that…

The Father and Son Tandem Pleaded Guilty of Mortgage Fraud

March 1, 2010
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Broken Arrow, Oklahoma – Gerald Wayne Snow, Sr., a.k.a Gerald Snow, has pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and five counts of Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, and Section 1343. The Superseding Indictment also contained a criminal forfeiture of $4,878,743.87.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Superseding Indictment, filed in February 2010, alleged that Gerald Snow and his son, Jerry Snow, built and sold houses in the Jordan Oaks and Megan Farms subdivisions of Wagoner County, Oklahoma. As previously reported on Mortgage Fraud Blog, Gerald Snow conspired with…

Changes to Mortgage Plans Considered by Obama

February 26, 2010
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The Obama administration is anticipated to reveal additional protections to guarantee homeowners are treated fairly and consistently under its mortgage relief program soon.

The policies, outlined in a draft Treasury Department document would address long-standing complaints from housing counselors. They have quoted cases of lenders continuing with foreclosures while homeowners were being evaluated for help. That practice would be forbidden under the new rules.

Government officials acknowledge treatment of homeowners has been a problem under the $75 billion mortgage relief effort.

Borrowers rejected from the program would also have 30 days to appeal the decision. In that period, lenders could schedule a foreclosure sale but will not conduct it. Mortgage companies would be…