real estate loan fraud
Inman Real Estate News - Loss from real estate loan fraud soars to $1 billion FBI launches mortgage fraud-fighting initiative Loss+from+real+estate+loan+fraud+soars+to+%241+billion FBI+launches+mortgage+fraud-fighting+initiative %3ca+href%3d'http%3a%2f%2fwww.inman.com'+target%3d'_blank'%3eInman+News%3c%2fa%3e 2005-12-16T00%3a00%3a00.0000000-08%3a00 49246 HOME | NEWS | JOIN | PRODUCTS | CONFERENCES | ADVERTISE | ADVICE | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | SUBMIT A TIP Member Resources Members Home Search Inman News Content Warehouse Cartoon Database Weekly Newsletter Special Reports Audio Files Inman Blog Feedback Connect Registration Audio Conference LETTERS TO THE EDITOR There's no denying real estate bubble Re: ' Worst-case scenario for housing next year ' (Dec. 28) Dear Editor: I have been a real estate investor since I was 19. I am now 54. To deny a real estate bubble is to ignore the obvious market fundamentals. Obviously, there are different factors in different markets, but as a longtime investor/Realtor/broker there is no logical argument against real estate prices declining 10 percent to 30 percent in the "hot markets." The South Florida condo market will be a blood bath. The median income cannot buy the median house in most markets; interest rates will continue creeping up; speculators have driven prices to insane levels and when the going gets rough they will walk from a lot of residential properties. Most "hot" areas are becoming alarmingly overbuilt with residential inventories rising; lenders have ticking time bombs in their ARMs, negative equity and interest-only mortgages. Do your homework. Be wary of those whose opinions are tainted by the fact that they or their company have a stake in this insane market continuing. Michael H. Mosieur Mosieur Business Brokers Re: ' America closes doors to architectural expression ' (Dec. 26) Dear Editor: This is one of the most insightful articles I've read in a long time. We might add, "And what are we doing to our children as we worship at the altar of the mundane?" Years ago I read that about 1,000 children were tested for creativity just prior to entering kindergarten. Eighty-five percent of the children tested "creative." Twelve years later the same group was tested, and only 35 percent of the students tested "creative." What happened to the children along the scholastic way, and does the country even care? Where's the outcry? Isn't the creativity of our generations one of our most precious resources? It's been said that we're only one generation away from losing our freedom. Could it be that with escalating offshore competition in view, and stultifying U.S. scholastic models utilized, that the above advisory could also apply to our economic freedom? A. Bruce Belfield III Associate real estate broker Hurricane, W.V. FREE website content! Make Inman.com your homepage Get the Inman News Toolbar Link to Inman News Consumer News Commercial News Real Estate Articles from Inman News Already a Member? Log in below to view full story: User ID: Password: Lost Password? Loss from real estate loan fraud soars to $1 billion FBI launches mortgage fraud-fighting initiative Friday, December 16, 2005 Inman News To read this article, become a Member of Inman News now! JOIN NOW TO BECOME AN INMAN MEMBER 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Group discounts available First Name: Last Name: E-mail: User Name: Call 1.800.775.4662 x128 8am - 5pm Pacific Time to order by phone or to get a discount group membership for your company or colleagues. View News Article Sample Hear Sample View Newsletter Sample Connect Info View Audio Conference Schedule Back Top © 2005 Inman News Home | Privacy | Editorial | Legal | Site Map
Land Loan Tools
-- Indymac Bank Construction Lending Indymac Bank home | about us | contact us | privacy | ID notice | security | careers 1-800-HCL-LOAN (425-5626) HCL for Individuals Main Page Get To Know Us Get Started Now! My Project Application My Loan Information Loan Products · Construction-to-Permanent Loan · Remodeler Loan · Bridge Loan · Lot/Land Loan Tools · Line Item Budget Calculator Find A Builder -- · Cost To Build Calculator -- Event Calendar -- Help · FAQs · Glossary Customer Service -- · Contact Us Lot/Land Loan Found the perfect location to build your dream home ...and now you need the perfect loan? Our Lot Loan is the right loan if you're looking to purchase a residential lot to build your primary residence or second home. Once you have purchased your land, you will have time to design your new home and choose a contractor. Best of all, Indymac Bank will fund your Construction-to-Permanent Loan once you're ready to build. · Loans to $500,000. -- Frequently Asked Questions Check to view all answers. Q. How do I know where I should build my home? A. Location may be one of the most important factors to consider. Although many people have a geographic location in mind, some are open to alternatives. It's important to consider your lifestyle (and those you'll be living with) as well as the cost. If you're planning a family, schools will be important. If not, you may want to consider other factors such as proximity to work, or accessibility to the beach, the mountains or leisure activities. Q. What is a "finished lot"? A. A "finished lot" refers to a portion of land that already has road access and utilities in place to the lot boundary. Additionally, it has been approved by the city or county as a separate parcel of land on a parcel map. Q. Can I buy a piece of land that is not a finished lot and save some money? A. While it may be possible to purchase an unfinished lot, generally this is not advisable for an individual building their own home. The costs of bringing roads and utilities to the first lot in a new area are usually very high. Typically, the first person to build pays for others who will build later. There are land developers who specialize in preparing lots for building (this may include zoning and/or soils issues, as well as bringing roads and utilities to the site, and creating a building pad). Often, these lots are in a planned community. Q. What do you mean by "planned community"? Aren't all communities planned? A. No, many older communities were not planned; they evolved. Certainly, as a city has grown, plans have taken shape. But in many cases the nucleus of a community was started many years before the community or city planning existed. In many instances, it is this unplanned characteristic that gives a community its charm. A planned community, in contrast, generally offers a specific style and certain amenities at a package price. Depending on the size and location of the community, these amenities may include greenbelts, landscaping, biking trials, swimming pools, even schools and shopping centers. Some amenities, such as the community pool and greenbelts, are paid for through a homeowners' association. Others are paid through taxes or mello roos. Still others are design enhancements intended to encourage potential buyers to purchase in an area or to attract more commercial business. Many of the more costly amenities included in a planned community may not be affordable for a homeowner on an individual basis. However, some of these amenities may not be important to you. After all, priorities, like lifestyle, vary. If you select a home in a planned community, you'll generally have a more structured community where decisions are made jointly rather than by the individual homeowner. These community decisions include individual home design and landscaping. While some homeowners may consider this an acceptable trade-off to ensure an attractive environment, others may consider it an infringement on their rights. It's important that you know how you feel before selecting the type of lot you want. Q. Can tax bases differ within the same community? A. Yes, they can. While some cities already have parks, schools, and streets, newer communities built within the same city may have special assessments that cover the costs to develop or maintain new or existing parks, schools, streets, etc. These assessments may be for a prescribed period of time or may continue indefinitely. A little research goes a long way. Here again, a good real estate agent or title company officer can often provide you with this information. Q. I've found the perfect location, but I'm not ready to build my dream home. Can I obtain financing for the land only? A. Yes, you can obtain a Lot Loan. Typically, this is short-term financing for the purchase of a residential lot suited for future construction. This loan allows you time to select an architect, builder, and design your dream home. IndyMac Bank's Lot Loan program allows you to finance up to 50 acres. And when you're ready to build, we offer a one-time close Construction-to-Permanent Loan. ^ back to top Still have questions? Call toll-free 1-800-HCL-LOAN (425-5626) to speak with a construction loan specialist, or downloada copy of our booklet (pdf) that answers the most frequently asked questions about building your own home. Information Center · Glossary · FAQs -- FAQs · Get To Know Us · Building Your Dream Home Magazine (pdf) · Owner Builder Guide (pdf) Consumer Guide to Construction Financing (pdf) Did You Know A Construction Loan Is A Reimbursement Loan? (pdf) subscribe now -- Get Started Now! Apply online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and get a loan approval in minutes! get started -- e-mail/mail us | 1-800-HCL-LOAN (425-5626) Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback -- Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback -- Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback -- ©2005 IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. Registered trade/service marks are the property of IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. and/or its subsidiaries.
Buy Home
Home Buying - Home Buying and Home Selling Advice - Buying a Home You are here: About > Home & Garden > Home Buying / Selling Home & Garden Home Buying / Selling Essentials 10 Things Home Buyers Shouldn't Do Best Tips for First Time Home Buyers "Must-Do" Tasks Before You Sell How to Buy a Home, Step by Step For Sale by Owner Advice Articles & Resources How To Buy a Home How To Sell a House Celebrity & Historic Credit Reports & Scores Design & Remodel Home Maintenance Inspections & Appraisals Investing & Foreclosures Modular & Manufactured Mold, Radon, Lead, etc. Mortgage Advice Moving & Relocation Real Estate Careers Real Estate For Sale Vacation Homes Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Home Buying Books Foreclosure Books Mortgage Books Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Home Buying / Selling newsletter! See Online Courses Search Home Buying / Selling From Janet Wickell , Your Guide to Home Buying / Selling . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Getting Ready to Sell Your House Guests and lots of activities make it difficult to show a house during the holidays, so home owners sometimes put off selling their homes until after the first week in January, when life starts returning to normal. If you're in that category take some time to evaluate the condition of your home before you list it with an agent or sell it by owner . Be sure to analyze your situation to determine if selling is your best move, then think about the home's curb appeal and get the interior and exterior in tip-top shape . It's not a bad idea to do a few inspections to make sure the house is ready for potential buyers. Handle as many tasks as you can now and you'll find that the sales process will be a breeze. Monday December 26, 2005 | permalink Before You Buy Gas Logs Gas logs are growing in popularity every year, so manufacturers have geared-up to offer us a wide selection of appliances. You'll find gas logs to put in a hearth, freestanding gas stoves, and fully contained fireplace units that are mounted to a wall. But did you know that the dangerous gas byproducts produced by gas logs is not always vented to the outside? It's important to understand the differences between vented and vent-free logs before you buy a gas log fireplace. Saturday December 24, 2005 | permalink Pros and Cons of Becoming a Real Estate Agent You've decided you want to become a real estate agent, but what's your motivation? Do you understand the type of work real estate agents do and are you savvy about the true pay they receive for their work? It can be a rewarding career choice, but it's definitely not the best option for everyone and there are lots of things to consider before you decide that a real estate career is right for you. Wednesday December 21, 2005 | permalink Step-by-Step Directions Help You Measure Square Footage Each year, home owners discover that their new home's square footage is not the figure that was stated when the house was advertised. Owners sometimes decide to sue the people who were involved in the transaction, especially if the difference is significant. Real estate agents and for sale by owner sellers can reduce their risks of encountering a lawsuit by knowing how use accepted standards to measure and calculate a home's square footage . Get it right the first time so that everyone's happy with the results. Wednesday December 21, 2005 | permalink Buying Land for Your New Home If you've looked and looked, but can't find the perfect combination of land and house, maybe it's time to consider building. And while buying land for your new home can seem intimidating at first, you'll find it really isn't a horrible task if you fine-tune your wants and needs before you start searching for real estate. Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Buying a Home with Great Resale Potential A few generations ago it wasn't unusual for people to live in the same home for many years, somtimes the rest of their lives after becoming homeowners. We're more mobile today, always "moving up" to a larger house or relocating to a new town. So it makes sense to put some thought into buying a home with good resale value , one that will sell easily and put extra dollars in your bank account if you do decide to move. Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink What's a Quit Claim Deed? Home buyers usually receive a general warranty deed when they purchase real estate, because it's a type of deed that offers several guarantees from the seller that the title to the property is good. Another document that's sometimes used is a quit claim deed . It works perfectly for some situations, but it's important to understand the limitations of a quit claim deed before accepting one when you purchase real estate. Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink How Credit Scores Are Calculated Everyone looking for a mortgage to buy a home--and that's most of us--finds out right away that credit scores play a huge role in the types of loans and interest rates that are offered to them. It's helpful to study your credit reports and scores before you apply for a mortgage, and to do it as early as possible to give yourself time to correct errors before a lender takes a look. Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Moving Tips and Timeline Buying a home is exciting, but let's face it... moving is a chore. A big one. The only way I know to get through it without an excess of stress is to manage the moving process in little steps instead of letting it overwhelm you at the last minute. Start early and stay organized and you'll be ready for the moving truck before you know it. Monday December 12, 2005 | permalink Typical Home Buyer Closing Costs Closing costs are the expenses associated with buying real estate. You can expect to pay a large chunk of your closing costs the day the trasaction is complete, when the property becomes yours, but some closing expenses are nearly always paid before that day. There's no single set of expenses that every home buyer must pay--every transaction is different--but it's a good idea to become familiar with typical closing costs so that you'll have a better understanding of the items billed to you on your HUD-1 settlement statement . Wednesday December 07, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Important disclaimer information about this About site. 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Around About Oprah's Life Vacation Ideas Shop Safely Online VIDEO: Craft Rooms VIDEO: Christmas Traditions What's Hot Coping with Unethical People How To Buy Land Real Estate Appraisal Before You Buy a Log Home Package Home Buying / Selling - GuideReviews Headlines Getting Ready to Sell Your House Guests and lots of activities make it difficult to show... Before You Buy Gas Logs Gas logs are growing in popularity every year, so manufacturers... Pros and Cons of Becoming a Real Estate Agent You've decided you want to become a real estate agent,... Step-by-Step Directions Help You Measure Square Footage Each year, home owners discover that their new home's square...
Real Estate Prices
Home price increases may have flattened - Nov. 15, 2005 Web CNN/Money Home News Markets Technology Commentary Personal Finance Autos Real Estate Real Estate Buying & Selling SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY | Outlook sours for real estate Many indicators point to a major slowdown in home prices. November 15, 2005: 5:47 PM EST By Les Christie, CNN/Money staff writer Most overvalued markets The real estate markets most vulnerable in a housing bust Metro market Median home price Percent overvalued Naples, FL $489,875 79.35% Santa Barbara, CA $609,999 73.69% Merced, CA $256,348 71.71% Salinas, CA $539,273 70.49% Stockton, CA $307,849 68.66% Medford, OR $246,245 64.78% Port St. Lucie, FL $210,727 64.17% Riverside, CA $291,170 62.92% Modesto, CA $287,030 62.77% Madera, CA $256,417 60.39% Source:National City NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Did homeowners who sold in September get out just in time? The latest report on third-quarter home prices, released Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors, showed continued strength. But increasingly there are signs that prices have plateaued. Of 147 markets tracked , 69 had gains from a year ago of more than 10 percent -- only six metro areas experienced declines. But from the second quarter to the third quarter, the national median home price rose to $215,900, up just 3.8 percent. That contrasts with a 10.4 percent jump in the prior quarter. And more and more leading indicators are pointing to a slowdown. In Boston, real-estate investor Matthew Martinez reports recently having spoken to five condo converters. "They all said the party was over," Martinez said. In Florida, Elena Filipa, vice president of the Corcoron Group in West Palm, said "We've leveled off. I would say prices will go up this year, but not as fast as they have." None of this surprises the many economists who have been waiting for a downturn. Richard DeKaser, chief economist for mortgage banker National City, has been reluctant to call the top, but thinks it has finally passed. "We're coming down the other side of the mountain," said DeKaser. The signs include: Builder pessimism The builders DeKaser surveys are less optimistic than they were even a few months ago. Separately, one leading builder, Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers, announced last week that expected demand for 2006 would be down, resulting in moderating price increases and fewer sales. New-home sales declining DeKaser also notes that the number of new homes sold have fallen sharply since peaking in July at an annual rate of 1.3 million units. DeKaser calls new-home sales (rather than existing-home sales) the canary in the coal mine. "Developers tend to be more sensitive to market conditions," he said. They have cash flow issues, payrolls, and loans that put more pressure on them to sell. Ordinary home sellers are often more selective than developers, even taking properties off the market if they don't get the price they want. Developers have to drop prices to move inventory. Inventories rising Supplies of new homes are way up, to nearly 500,000 units, from 350,000 a few months ago. "That's an all-time high for new homes," says DeKaser. The higher the inventory, the more likely prices will fall. Sell times are up Houses are sitting on the market longer. New homes now take about 4.1 months to sell and existing homes 4.7; both figures are up substantially. What to expect In a recent survey, NAR members say they predict home prices to rise only 5 percent in the next 12 months. Nearly half of the realtors predict prices will rise less than five percent and 6.4 percent actually expect prices to fall. "You can't expect double-digit price increases to go on forever," said Walter Molony, spokesman for NAR. "We're seeing a market in transition in which there'll be an easing of price increases in the future." While DeKaser expects a slowdown, he predicts an "orderly transition" for the most part, with some exceptions. "There will be busts in some markets," he said. "Mostly, we'll come out of it unscathed." For the most part, DeKaser doesn't envision losses on that scale. He thinks home prices will decline 1.7 percent during the fourth quarter of 2005 and stay almost flat all the way through 2007. But history shows that some over-valued markets could fare much worse. Molony points out that the most severe drops in real-estate prices are usually triggered by an underlying economic crisis. After oil prices went into a six-year decline in the late 1970s, housing prices in oil cities experienced steep drops. In Oklahoma City, prices plummeted 26 percent in real dollars from 1983 to 1988. With inflation, the "real" loss was more than 40 percent. Houses in many oil patch cities are worth less in real dollars than they cost more than 20 years ago. How to protect yourself It may already be too late to cash out at the top, which some residents of hot markets have already done. About 500,000 California residents moved out of state since 2001, according to economy.com, many to take advantage of lower housing prices elsewhere. But houses are not really investments in the same way stocks or bonds are. As an investment, timing the market is touchy -- miscalculate and it can cost you. If, for example, you cashed out a year ago in Los Angeles, expecting to buy back in at a lower price, you'd have to spend nearly 23 percent more for a similar house this year. Add closing and moving costs and commissions and it could cost 30 percent more to get back into the market. Cashing out just doesn't make sense except for retirees or others in a position to relocate or downsize. People looking to buy right now should shop carefully. Look at a number of homes, try not to fall in love, and be realistic about prices. Don't be afraid to bid low. The days of multiple bids may be over for a while. With interest rates rising, try to get into a fixed-rate loan. Adjustable rate loans could adjust to a much higher level when they come due, making monthly bills much costlier. ARMs rates are so close to fixed at this point, it costs little extra to forego the risk of higher rates in the future. ________________________________________________________ Latest prices for 147 markets. Housing affordability is at a low point. For more, click here . Just as the good times may be ending, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is beginning to offer futures trading in home prices. For more click here . For more articles on Real Estate, subscribe to MONEY Magazine . The Hot List Most profitable renovations How risky is your 401(k)? 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Colorado real estate available.
Telluride Real Estate, Telluride, Telluride Lodging, Colorado Land For Sale, Colorado Mountain Homes, Ski Resort Real Estate, Luxury Real Estate Featured Listings Search » Homes Fractional Condominiums Land Commercial All Regional Listings Services » Brokers/Agents Sales Statistics Colorado Mountain Homes and Colorado Land for Sale Alpine Lodging and Real Estate offers the some of the most amazing and luxurious Colorado real estate available. We list a wide range of land, homes and condos . Enjoy the luxury of your own Telluride lodging when you visit Telluride’s famous ski resort. Invest in Telluride Colorado real estate today and make an investment in your financial future with a beautiful home of your own. Experience and enjoy Telluride’s world renowned ski resort from your own backdoor. Search our selection of land for sale or Colorado mountain homes and you might just find the property of your dreams. Whether you want to have a panoramic mountain view, a woodland setting getaway or just a place where you can hop out of your front door and onto the slopes; Alpine Lodging and Real Estate in Telluride has all the properties you want. We list a great selection of stunning and beautiful Colorado real estate, Colorado Mountain homes and Colorado land for sale. STATS Monthly real estate reports HOMES The one you've been dreaming of CONDOS Your private little getaway Your Name: Email: Property Type: Homes Condo Land Business Opportunities Price range: $500,000 - $1 million $1 million - $2 million Over $2 million Home Plan Your Trip Hot Deals Things to Do About Telluride Real Estate Useful Info Events © 1994-2005 Multimedia Venture, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us Privacy Policy