Category: Florida

Florida housing market

Three Mortgage Officers Sentenced to Federal Prison

By Mike Colpitts Three mortgage officers and a title agent have been sentenced to federal prison for their parts in a nationwide reverse mortgage fraud scheme that lasted nearly a year, and took advantage of dozens of senior citizens, taking in more than $2.5-million. Louis Gendason, 42, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison… Continue reading Three Mortgage Officers Sentenced to Federal Prison

Real Estate Markets Most Likely To Recover

The five most likely U.S. metropolitan real estate markets to recover in 2012 are demonstrating signs of economic recovery in at least a couple of areas, despite the troubled U.S. economy. However, there are few other similarities aside from growing employment and a climate for change. A sense of cautious optimism prevails in Miami, Florida… Continue reading Real Estate Markets Most Likely To Recover

SEC Charges Bank CEO with Misleading Investors

By Mike Colpitts Almost five years after the housing market collapse, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged a bank CEO with misleading investors about growing problems over its real estate loan portfolio. The SEC said BankAtlantic Bancorp CEO Alan Levan made misleading statements in public filings and earnings calls in order to hide the… Continue reading SEC Charges Bank CEO with Misleading Investors

Timeshare Bill Proposed to Reduce Fraud

By Kevin Chiu A state bill proposed to reduce fraud in timeshare resales has made it through the Florida state senate and could be the first law enacted in the U.S. intended to eliminate one of the oldest lies in real estate. Florida’s Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, also known as SB 1408, sponsored by Senator… Continue reading Timeshare Bill Proposed to Reduce Fraud

Real Estate Sales Manager Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges

By Mike Colpitts The former real estate sales manager of a property management company and two fellow workers were indicted by a U.S. grand jury in connection with a housing repair scheme for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The 10-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Rockford, Illinois against Ryan J.… Continue reading Real Estate Sales Manager Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges

Home Sales to Soar in 2012

By Mike Colpitts Home sales are already picking up in many areas of the U.S. and are forecast to increase even more in 2012 as pent-up buyer demand plays a critical roll in the housing market recovery. Improving market conditions in the Mid-West and Upper Northern regions of the country are expected to spread into… Continue reading Home Sales to Soar in 2012

Big 55 U S Housing Markets in Recovery

Chill the bubbly. More U.S. cities are forecast to inflate in home values in 2012 than in the past five years as communities in fifteen states move towards more stable housing markets with increasing home sales and higher values. These 55 cities are from states all over the nation and they have the ingredients to… Continue reading Big 55 U S Housing Markets in Recovery

Attorney General Moves to Recover Homeowner Damages

By Kevin Chiu Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is going after foreclosure attorney David J. Stern in state court in an aggressive effort to speed up the court case against the foreclosure kingpin. The state’s top prosecutor has filed a motion asking the Fourth District Court of Appeal to certify a decision that makes a… Continue reading Attorney General Moves to Recover Homeowner Damages

Riskiest Real Estate Bet in 2012

By Kevin Chiu Vacation destination housing markets like Honolulu, posh Hilton Head, South Carolina or beautiful Miami Beach have challenges of their own, and they may be the real estate industry’s riskiest bet in 2012. Each hold traditional housing markets with year-round residents, but the condominium and vacation homes that are sought by vacationers and… Continue reading Riskiest Real Estate Bet in 2012