The Home Equity Theft Reporter: Real Estate & Property Law

Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Real Estate & Property Law Blogs

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Real Estate & Property Law

The Home Equity Theft Reporter

Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues.
By r morris

Post Frequency: 25.7/day

Last Entry: September 06, 2017 at 04:02:00

Arizona AG Squeezes Duo For $120K Settlement In Civil Suit Alleging Flipping Racket Combining Use Of Straw Buyer Investors, "Rent-To-Own" Homebuyers

Posted on March 19, 2010
In Pima County, Arizona, the Arizona Daily Star reports:Two Tucson real estate agents and their affiliated companies agreed to a $120,000 settlement for their role in a deal that state prosecutors say deceived novice investors, lenders and unqualified home buyers...

California Authorities Apply Heat On Now-Defunct Suspected Loan Mod Racket With "Loose Affiliations" w/ Lawyers; Outfit Took In $20M, Bar Probers Say

Posted on March 19, 2010
In Fresno, California, KFSN-TV Channel 30 reports:Last may, we investigated a company called Green Credit Solutions. It sold loan modification services for $3,495 dollars through local brokers. The state bar raided its Southern California offices this past December...

As HOA Maintenance Fee Delinquencies Increase, Financial Burdens Of "Bulk Billing" Contracts Grow For Fee-Paying Unit Owners

Posted on March 19, 2010
In Virginia Beach, Virginia, WVEC-TV Channel 13 reports:Marilyn Castro wants to get rid of her telephone land line, but if she does, she still has to pay for it. She's one of many residents in a subdivision developed by LM Sandler of Virginia Beach. Many Sandler developments are under bulk billing contracts for communications services...

NJ Consumer Says Texas-Based Debt Workout Outfit Pocketed Thousands In Fees While Failing To Negotiate Satisfactory Settlements

Posted on March 19, 2010
In Nutley, New Jersey, The Star Ledger reports:Sharon Lemma Bozza charged her way to big-time debt. [...] Nearly $60,000 in debt and 12 delinquent credit cards later, Bozza decided to get help. In July 2008, she found Texas-based American Financial Concepts (AFC), a debt-settlement company that promised to negotiate lower payoffs for her debt...

To access this complete feed in the blog feed reader login or register for free.

BofA Continues Pocketing Mortgage Workout Payments While Refusing To Recognize Predecessor's Loan Mod Deal, Says Kentucky Couple Now Facing F'closure

Posted on March 18, 2010
In Louisville, Kentucky, WAVE-TV Channel 3 reports:Jason and Melissa Mattingly are finding out that mortgage modifications can become nightmares. Two years ago they fell behind on a couple of mortgage payments and received a mortgage modification through their lender, Countrywide Homes...

Ten Facts About Mortgage Debt Forgiveness

Posted on March 18, 2010
Syndicated real estate columnist Kenneth R. Harney writes:With the Obama administration and private lenders now actively considering mortgage-principal-reduction programs to help financially distressed homeowners, the Internal Revenue Service has issued a new advisory to taxpayers who receive - or seek to receive - such assistance if it?s offered...

Bank President Laments: "Never Do Business With Family!" As Improper Notarization Allows Brother-In-Law/Borrower To Successfully Void Lender Mortgage

Posted on March 18, 2010
The following facts have been extracted from a recent court ruling by a Federal Bankruptcy Court in Nebraska that resulted in a borrower successfully voiding a mortgage:Businessman borrows approximately $8,000,000 from Bank.Businessman signs all loan documents...

Feds Get AIG Units To Cough Up $7.1M To Settle Race-Based Discrimination Claims In Home Mortgage Lending Practices

Posted on March 18, 2010
The Washington Post reports:Two AIG units settled federal charges that they discriminated against black home buyers on fees for mortgages and will pay $7.1 million for restitution and education efforts, the U.S. Justice Department said.(1)The units, AIG Federal Savings Bank and Wilmington Finance Inc, will provide $6...

Philly Candidate For State Legislature Once Served As Notarizing Dupe For Convicted Scammer In Deed Theft Racket

Posted on March 18, 2010
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Daily News reports:Michelle Brownlee, an aide to state Rep. Frank Oliver for 37 years, says she forgot all about the criminal trouble she got into in 2002 until somebody told her the other day that info about the case had been circulating in the 195th District...

Another One West Bank / IndyMac Horror Story: Lender Approves Loan Modification For Couple Several Months After Foreclosing & Giving Them The Boot

Posted on March 17, 2010
In Las Vegas, Nevada, KLAS-TV Channel 8 reports:One local family believes what happened to them may be happening to others facing foreclosure. The Stelton family tried for months to get a home loan modification after they fell on tough times but it didn't work and they were evicted...

North Texas Feds Sack NFL Defensive Line Coach, 39 Others In Alleged Mortgage Fraud Scam; Losses Close To $19M Involving 114 Homes: Authorities

Posted on March 17, 2010
In North Texas, CBS-TV Channel 11 reports:A federal task force has uncovered a massive mortgage fraud conspiracy operating in North Texas. And an NFL coach is among the 40 people who have been indicted. [...] In this case, officials say some of those indicted collected a large volume of fees, while others took kickbacks to participate in the scheme...

Mortgage Fraud Racket Used 3rd Party Payouts, "Double Escrows" In Straw Buyer, Flipping Scam, Say Las Vegas Feds

Posted on March 17, 2010
From the Office of the U.S. Attorney (Las Vegas, Nevada):Brett Depue, 36, a former resident of Las Vegas, but currently a resident of Gilbert, Arizona, Brian Barney, 36, of Fairfield, California, and Maria Ornelas, 32, of Las Vegas, are charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud, 11 counts of wire fraud, and criminal forfeiture...

National Call For Loan Documents Signed By Multiple Corporate Hat-Wearing Vice Presidents

Posted on March 17, 2010
From Florida Attorney Lynn E. Szymoniak, Esq.(1) in the March 12, 2010 entry on Fraud Digest:MORTGAGE DOCUMENTSAction Date: March 12, 2010Location: WEST Palm Beach, FLCALL FOR MORTGAGE ASSIGNMENTS & AFFIDAVITS - March 12, 2010:Researchers at Fraud Digest are comparing the job titles on Mortgage Assignments and Affidavits of the individuals listed below...

Creditor's Failure To Record Request For Notice Allows Ex-Homeowner To Snatch Away Surplus Out From Under Subordinate Lienholder After F'closure Sale

Posted on March 17, 2010
In Southern California, Lexology reports:In Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC v. 3 Arch Trustee Services, Inc. (2009) 180 Cal.App. 4th 1090, defendant 3 Arch Trustee Services (?Arch?) properly conducted a nonjudicial foreclosure. After Arch recorded notices of default and sale, a creditor recorded an abstract of judgment against the property owner...

Forced Placed Insurance Causes Unit Owner's Mortgage Payment To Skyrocket After HOA Drops Windstorm Coverage; Suit Filed Seeking Reimbursement

Posted on March 17, 2010
In Oakland Park, Florida, The Miami Herald reports:Carla Gemmati, 45, a resident at the Lake Pointe Condominium in Oakland Park, saw her mortgage almost double from $975 to $1,700 in December. The additional cost was to cover a windstorm insurance that her condominium's association had just eliminated,(1) forcing her mortgage lender, Bank of America, to purchase a policy of more than $4,500 on

Arizona Couple Seeking Help With House Payments Accuse Loan Modification Outfit Of $2500 "Hit & Run" Fleecing

Posted on March 17, 2010
In Sun City West, Arizona, KNXV-TV Channel 15 reports:A Sun City West couple trying to get help with their mortgage was apparently scammed out of $2500 by a company they thought was legit. Noah and Joan Adams said they paid a company called Choice out of Mesa to help them negotiate they're mortgage...

Ex-Granite State Lawyer Gets 51 Months In $2.3M+ Ripoff Of Deceased Client's Estate; Handiwork Included Selling Family Home Out From Under Heirs

Posted on March 16, 2010
In Concord, New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports:A longtime Manchester attorney and city water commissioner was sentenced [] to four years and three months in a federal corrections facility. Thomas J. Tessier, a partner in the now shuttered Christy & Tessier law firm, pled guilty in November to bank fraud, mail fraud and money laundering in an agreement with U...

Five Named In 327-Count Indictment In Alleged NYC Mortgage Fraud Scam Using Stolen IDs; Deceased Woman?s Home Allegedly Sold Out From Under Her Estate

Posted on March 16, 2010
From the Office of the Queens County District Attorney:Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown [] announced that five individuals [...] have been charged in a 327-count indictment in connection with an approximately $2 million mortgage fraud scheme in which stolen identities were allegedly used to buy and sell three properties in Queens...

Family Friend Charged With Swindling $130K+ Proceeds From Sale Of Investment Home Sold Out From Under Grieving, Recently-Widowed Senior

Posted on March 16, 2010
In Naples, Florida, the Naples Daily News reports:A man who claimed he was a broker is accused of bilking a long-time family friend out of more than $130,000. Brian William Cramer, 33, who used to live in [...] Marco Island, was arrested [...] at his house [...

R/E Agent Faces Charges Of Using Downpayment Cash From Would-Be Homebuyers To Take Title To House; Unwitting Couple Left As Tenants In Own Home

Posted on March 16, 2010
In Newman, California, The Modesto Bee reports:Carlos Gonzales and Ernestina Valladarez said they have faced 13 judges in criminal, civil and bankruptcy courts in what's become a five-year fight to save their home. The couple said then-PMZ agent Erica Burdg of Modesto took $350,000 from them, including a down payment and monthly mortgage payments on their Newman house...

Ex-Agent Charged w/ Theft By False Representation In Contract For Deed Home Sale; Collected Cash From Would-Be Buyer, Failed To Pay Pre-Existing Loan

Posted on March 16, 2010
In Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Kenosha News reports:Arraignment has been set for April 14 for a former real estate salesman accused of embezzlement and theft. Michael H. Granger, 50, appeared Wednesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court for his two felony files ? one for allegedly pocketing a $12,000 commission, the other for allegedly taking more than $7,800 from a would-be home buyer, according to

How Some Of Wall Street's Finest Minds Managed To Destroy $1.75 Trillion Of Wealth In The Subprime Mortgage Markets

Posted on March 15, 2010
CBS News' 60 Minutes reported last night:If you had to pick someone to write the autopsy report on the Wall Street financial collapse 18 months ago, you couldn't do any better than Michael Lewis. He is one of the country's preeminent non-fiction writers with a knack for turning complicated, mind numbing material into fascinating yarns...

New Washington State Law Targets Foreclosure "Surplus-Snatching" Scams; Caps "Overage-Chaser/Scavenger" Fees At 5% In Tax Sales

Posted on March 15, 2010
In Olympia, Washington, LegalNewsline reports:Washington residents who lose their home because of back property taxes could get a little extra money in the end thanks to a bill championed by state Attorney General Rob McKenna that was signed into law Friday...

Ex-Lawyer Gets 21 Months In $2.4M+ Escrow Swindle; Issued Title Policies, Pocketed Payoff Proceeds Leaving Existing Mortgages Unpaid In R/E Closings

Posted on March 15, 2010
In Atlanta, Georgia, Forsyth County News reports:A Forsyth County man who kept a law practice in Sugar Hill will spend nearly two years behind bars on a federal mail fraud conviction. Trent Edward Wright, 38, was sentenced Friday to one year and nine months in federal prison by U...

Loan Mod Scammer Serving 2 To 5 Years Gets Another 6 To 24 Months On Theft By Deception Charge As "Poor Business Decisions" Defense Falls On Deaf Ears

Posted on March 15, 2010
In Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, The Times Tribune reports:A New Jersey woman who claimed to help people with potential foreclosure problems was sentenced in Wyoming County on Thursday for theft by deception. Shirley Matthews, 54, of Willingboro, N.J...

Effort To Curb "Sewer Service" May Require NYC Process Servers To Use GPS To Electronically Record All Attempts To Deliver Lawsuit Notice To Defendnts

Posted on March 15, 2010
In New York City, The New York Times reports:In a proposal aimed at unscrupulous debt collectors, the City Council is considering legislation that would require process servers to use global positioning systems to show that they have actually visited consumers? homes or workplaces to deliver notices of collection proceedings...

BofA's Recent Illegal Padlocking Of Home Not In Foreclosure, Coupled With Abduction Of Homeowner's Pet Parrot Hits Major National News Media

Posted on March 14, 2010
In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Bank of America's recent blunder of improperly padlocking and taking possession of a home believed to be in foreclosure and taking the owner's pet parrot, Luke, has hit the major national media outlets, evidenced by the following stories:(1)ABC News' Good Morning America: Bank of America Apologized for Accidentally Repossessing Home (Experts Say More Wrongful

Cal. Federal Judge Ditches Cash Bond Requirement In Granting Injunction Blocking F'closure; OneWest Unilaterally Xcelled Loan Mod Agreement, Says Suit

Posted on March 14, 2010
In Sacramento, California, News 10.net reports:A Fair Oaks homeowner suing OneWest Bank in Sacramento federal court achieved a notable victory last week. Judge John Mendez granted a preliminary injunction March 3 blocking a foreclosure auction while not requiring the homeowner to post a cash bond equal to the home's value...

Use of Adverse Possession "Defense" By Vacant Home Hijackers Now Drawing Attention From Florida Lawmaker

Posted on March 14, 2010
In Tallahassee, Florida, The Tampa Tribune reports:State lawmakers may beef up protections of property owners' rights by rewriting a law this spring that is at the center of a case of alleged fraud in Pasco County. Florida, like most states, has a statute enabling people to stake a legal claim to property that already belongs to someone else...

LA Law Firm Accused Of Foreclosure Defense Ripoff Of 2+ Dozen In Civil Suit; Accused Of Clipping Homeowners For Close To $7K In Upfront Fees

Posted on March 14, 2010
In Los Angeles, California, JD Journal reports:Attorneys with the Asian Pacific American Legal Center have filed a lawsuit accusing a Los Angeles law firm, Trinity Law Associates Inc., of defrauding nearly 30 Korean immigrants out of thousands of dollars by falsely promising their services would prevent foreclosures...

Previous | Next

Related Law Bulletins

Home is where the trailer is: Trailer on lot sufficient to destroy grandfathered lot status
The Appeals Court, in an unpublished decision, has determined that...

Real Estate Agents, Lenders, Appraisers & Home Inspectors: ARE BUYERS WASTING TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME?
PREQUALIFY, PREQUALIFY, PREQUALIFY. It cannot be said enough times...

Going Home: Remembering Long Branch eminent domain activist Anna DeFaria
While she waited for the next round in the eminent domain fi...

Pennsylvania Nursing Home Director Admits Criminal Neglect of Patient
Donna Cameron, of Ashton Pennsylvania, who was the former Director...

Nursing Home Abuse: Organizations Defend Seniors
Boston, MA: Nursing home abuse is, unfortunately, not an uncommon ...