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

House Rental Map [

California Alumni Association at UC Berkeley Search the CAA Web site: December 29, 2005 -- - CAA Program Links - Alumni Awards Alumni House Bear Connections Bear Merchandise Bear Treks Board Nominations Cal Advocacy California magazine Career Services Find a Group Find a Job Homecoming Lair of the Golden Bear Make A Gift Membership Benefits Mentoring Rent Alumni House Reunions Scholarships SoCal Student Services Young Alumni You are Here: Home > About_CAA > Rent Alumni House -- About CAA Contact Us Jobs at CAA Directions to Alumni House CAA Org Chart Rent Alumni House CAA Board of Directors Giving to CAA Volunteer CAA News and Press Releases "KCAA" Multimedia Cal Connection E-Newsletter Cal Advocacy Alumni House Room Rental Rates Effective February 2003 - Alumni House Reservation Form [ PDF ] - Alumni House Rental Map [ PDF , HTML ] If you plan on serving alcoholic beverages, you must also submit a permit form to UCPD: - UCPD "Permit to Serve Alcohol" Form [ DOC ] - UCPD Alcohol Policy [ DOC ] If youre involved with planning, sponsoring, or hosting an event, the California Alumni House may have just the right space for you! Located on the bustling UC Berkeley campus, its an unexpected oasis of tranquility. Through the generosity of more than 18,000 alumni to their Alma Mater, the building is dedicated to the service of the University. Of contemporary design throughout, featuring walls of brick, concrete, glass and steel, the Toll Room - living room style building contains a tastefully appointed lounge where alumni and their friends can meet before and after athletic events and on such occasions as Commencement, Charter Day and Homecoming. Since 1954, The Alumni House has enriched life on the Berkeley campus and served to build a bond of association and friendship among members of the University community. Alumni returning to the campus for visits are encouraged to use its facilities and invite their friends to meet them there. From conferences and receptions to seminars and weddings, the Alumni House is the perfect, versatile place for large or small gatherings. To inquire about the facilities for rent, or to make a reservation, please call (510) 642-1573, or send an e-mail message to asst_reser@alumni.berkeley.edu . Toll Room - lecture style Toll Room Most events are held in the Toll Room which, enhanced by walnut paneling and three fireplaces, feels like an ultra-spacious living room. Along one side, floor-to ceiling windows overlook a large slate patio, bordered by Japanese maples, oaks, redwoods, and ferns. Stephen Bechtel Conference Room At the far end of the Toll Room, a wall of sliding walnut panels separates it from the Stephen Bechtel Stephen Bechtel Conference Room Conference Room. When the panels are closed, the conference room is perfect for board meetings or as a breakout room. A 22-foot wood table, surrounded by blue leather conference chairs, dominates the space. A wall of glass offers natural light and a view of the patio. The conference room is also well suited for a buffet setup. Sibley Room Additional meeting space is available in the Sibley Room downstairs. It has a collection of yearbooks. Great for private meetings. Patio Because the patio is connected to the Toll Room and the Bechtel conference room, large events can flow freely between all spaces. The patio is especially nice in warmer weather. Space Usage & Capacity Toll Room Use: Conferences, weddings, banquets, lectures, receptions, workshops, seminars, forums, business meetings, and more. Toll Room - living room style Capacity: Theatre style: 120; Lecture style: 170; Standing Reception: 300*; Banquet: 125 or 150* *Greater capacity when used in conjunction with the Bechtel Room Stephen Bechtel Conference Room Use: Breakout space, conference room, business meetings with refreshments. Capacity: Seated around Conference table: 18-20 Extra chairs around the room: 30 The Patio Use: Luncheons, receptions, weddings, bar mitzvahs, parties, small fairs. Capacity: Theatre style: 100 Reception: 200 Banquet: 100 Presidents' Conference Room Presidents Conference Room Use: Breakout space, conference room, business meetings with refreshments. Ideal for private meetings away from the general flow of Alumni House foot traffic. Capacity: Seated around conference table: 8-10 Extra chairs around the room: 10 Sibley Room Use: Classroom, conference room, seminars, business meetings with refreshments. Capacity: Lecture style: 35 Reception: 50 The Alumni House from the Dana Court Entrance. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your event plans with you. Stop by the Alumni House (at the end of Dana Court) just off the Bancroft Way/Dana Street intersection, or... Call (510) 642-1573 and ask for Alumni House Reservations, or e-mail asst_reser@ alumni.berkeley.edu . About CAA Contact Us Update your Address CAA CareerOpportunities Privacy Policy ©2005 California Alumni Association. All Rights Reserved For questions about CAA: info@alumni.berkeley.edu Technical inquiries: webmaster@alumni.berkeley.edu Site design by: emdesign studio Site construction by: M&I Technology Consulting Alumni House Berkeley, CA 94720-7520 Toll-Free: (888) CAL-ALUM Phone: (510) 642-7026 Fax: (510) 642-6252

Buy Property

Buying Property in France Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living As seen in Transitions Abroad Magazine March/April 2000 Related Topics Living Abroad Related Articles Legal Living in France Moving to France Buying a Home in France Property in France How to Find It, Buy It, And Live in It By Phyllis Cohen Buying property in France is not just for movie stars and celebrities. Ordinary people with a passable knowledge of French (or a friend who speaks it) and a lot of patience can acquire a bit of magic too. But before you attempt it, arm yourself with knowledge of how to find your special place, how to buy it, and how to live in it. Finding the Place As you look for what you want, here are several things to bear in mind: Don’t expect American state-of-the-art appliances, floor layouts, or conveniences. Part of the charm of old buildings is that they are old, and that includes the kitchens and plumbing. Decide if you want a pied-à-terre (a small place where you can comfortably stay for several weeks or months at a time) or a year-round residence. Generally, an apartment is sold with an empty kitchen—four walls and a water outlet. There are stores that will help you design and install your own kitchen, ranging from pre-fabricated cabinets at IKEA to a kitchen created by cuisinistes . Get at least three estimates as well as references before selecting your vendor. If you will be in a city, decide whether or not you will have a car. Parking in Paris is difficult; having a parking place can greatly increase the resale value of your place. France offers a wide variety of locales. Before you go to the effort of buying something, you really need to explore. Paris itself is divided into 20 arrondissements , each with its own character. If you are willing to live in the banlieue , or suburbs, prices drop dramatically. Properties in the countryside are considerably cheaper. Finding the right house or flat is more complicated than in the U.S. There is no such thing as Multiple Listings in France. Only 30 percent of real estate transactions occur with the help of realtors; the rest are directly between buyer and seller. As a foreigner, you might be more comfortable working through an agent, or agent immobilier , who knows the laws of France. Getting Started Let’s say you’ve decided to buy an appartement in Paris. Walk the streets to find an area you like, then hunt down some agencies that look promising. You can also check out the listings and realtors in various magazines, newspapers, and on the Internet. There is relatively little new construction in Paris. Those apartment complexes that are being developed are usually sold when ground is first broken; in other words, you basically buy an apartment two years before it is completed. Occasionally, you will find almost-completed apartments listed in newspapers and real estate magazines.If you are truly brave, you can buy a place at auction. Notices appear in newspapers such as Le Figaro and the International Herald Tribune. Let the buyer beware. At least take an architect with you when you go to look at the offering. Reading Listings No matter where you find your listings, they will all be posted as À Louer (For Rent) and À Vendre (To Buy). They will also tell you what arrondissement (if in Paris) or département (if in the rest of the country) the property is located in. Perhaps most importantly, they will give you the size in square meters and the number of rooms. Most apartments in Paris are small. Studios are 100-200 square feet, some smaller. Three-bedroom apartments are frequently under 1,000 square feet. Listings will tell you how many rooms there are other than the kitchen. A studio is one room. A one-bedroom apartment will have two pièces, or two rooms, plus the kitchen. Bedrooms are almost uniformly small, while the living rooms are comparatively large. Bear in mind that the French follow the European convention of counting the first floor as the ground floor (Rez-de-Chauseé or RdC); the second floor in American terminology is the first floor in Europe. Generally, the higher the floor, the more expensive the property. Closing the Deal Once you have decided on a place you like at a mutually-agreed upon price, you and the seller sign a document known as a promesse de vente . This is a legally binding document that confirms that the seller must sell the property to the buyer. The buyer, however, has 11 days to change his mind. The seller must also provide to the buyer an accurate floor plan of the apartment or house. All sales in France are conducted with notaires. Both the buyer and seller has his own notaire and they confirm that all aspects of the sale are done according to law. If you are buying a condominium, there will be a set of rules that govern the building. As an owner, you are a co-proprietaire and are bound by the laws of the building. Owners collectively determine such things as whether you are allowed to install a satellite antenna on your balcony, whether the building as a whole will subscribe to cable TV, how often and how much money will be spent on repainting the walls, etc. Do not make the mistake (as we did) of not personally reading all regulations before you sign. As a foreigner, it is advisable to hire an avocat , or lawyer, who specializes in real estate. In case of a disagreement, you are far better off having someone who knows the law and knows how to speak French. Tax Considerations Before buying property in France, you should know that the Government of France has very specific inheritance laws. By law, on your death your property is divided equally between your spouse and your surviving children. There are some steps you can take to ensure that the surviving spouse can continue to live in the house or flat. Speak with a lawyer about this before you buy the property. You will pay between 8 and10 percent in taxes and fees. If you buy an apartment less than five years old, however, you will pay only 3 to 5 percent or less. Ask also about property taxes, which tend to be less in Paris than in the country. Generally, you will be responsible for both a land and a habitation tax. A larger question is your residency status. If you reside in France full time and earn a living here, you will become part of the French social system. The taxes are extraordinarily high (more than 50 percent). Again, you should seek the advice of a tax attorney who is familiar with both the American and French taxation systems. You can get a list of attorneys from the U.S. Consulate. Financing If you are able to pay cash for your new home, you will not need a mortgage, and many properties for sale in the country might well be within reach of your savings kitty. If you need a mortgage, things become a bit more complicated. A French bank will issue a mortgage to expats as long as you can show regular income. By French law the total of all of your mortgage payments worldwide cannot be more than 30 percent of your total income.Lastly, you must have mortgage insurance for a large mortgage and a physical examination at the bank’s expense. If you do not fall neatly into an income category (e.g., you are retired without a fixed income), Banque Woolwich is a good resource. The staff are used to dealing with expats and speak excellent English (Banque Woolwich, 9, rue Boudreau, 75009 Paris; 011-331-42-684-221, fax 011-331-474- 203-23; www.woolwich.co.uk ). Mary Fort is branch manager.The good news is that mortgages in France currently have excellent rates. Most mortgages (or “prets”) are for 15 years and currently run 4.5 percent annually. Once you are here in France, an excellent book to read is At Home in Paris , published by the Junior Service League of Paris. It gives all sorts of hints on differences of living in the States versus France (like how to make sure your laundry pipes don’t clog up with deposits). Living in France is a free publication, in English, that gives useful information on housing, employment, banking, insurance, etc. It can be found at various establishments around Paris that cater to foreigners. To absorb the flavor of a buying experience, read Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence or Francis Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun. Both give agonizingly accurate pictures of the adventure of buying property abroad. All in all, buying property in France might seem like a daunting experience, but it is not an unpleasant one. Contrary to France’s reputation of being inhospitable to foreigners, we have found the opposite to be true. With the notable exception of a few surly cab drivers, we have found the French to be polite and helpful. And as we take our evening walks across the Alexander III bridge we can’t help but be amazed that a small part of this City of Lights belongs to us! Real Estate Listings De Particulier A Particulier (From Buyer to Seller), published weekly on Thursdays, is the most popular nationwide resource. L’Hebdo Immobilier (Weekly Realtor), published weekly on Wednesdays, also has an Internet site at www.immobilierenfrance.com . Demeures de France, a bi-monthly publication that specializes in upscale offerings, is in English and in French and also has an Internet site at www.demeures.com . Demeures de Charme is similar to Demeures de France, and is also in English and in French. FUSAC , a bi-weekly free publication for English-speaking residents of Paris, has advertisements for rentals, purchases, and agencies which can help you do either. FUSAC is available at many locations around the city including W.H. Smith and Brentano’s, two English-language bookstores. PHYLLIS COHEN and her husband Bob have taken a year off from their software company, packed their bags, and moved to Paris (See " Moving to France " in the January February Issue of Transitions Abroad Magazine). Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad

Colorado Real Estate

Colorado Springs Real Estate - Colorado Springs Homes For Sale - Century 21 Academy Request Info Form | Links | Life @ Home Newsletter Home | Company Profile Property Info | Colorado Springs Info | Military Info | Multiple Listings Service | Mortgage & Financing | Foreclosures | Careers Looking at homes for sale in Colorado Springs ? Relocating to Fort Carson, Schriever Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, United States Air Force Academy, or NORAD? Interested in commercial properties or vacant land? Century 21 Academy Realty Inc. and our team of professional and award winning Realtors are ready to meet and exceed your Colorado Springs Real Estate expectations. We have been proudly serving the Pikes Peak Region since 1974. Our Colorado Springs Realtors specialize in first time homebuyers, foreclosure and investment properties. Featured Homes Featured Homes Listing Number: 10250 1695 Colgate Drive Listing Number: 8702 10570 Huntsman Drive CENTURY 21 Academy Realty, Inc. in Beautiful Colorado Springs, CO. Two Locations in the Pikes Peak Region 311 Main Street; 80911 Sales: 719.390.7865 School: 888.574.9701 4760 Flintridge Drive; 80918 Sales: 719.598.2000 Admin: 719.591.9889 "Colorado Springs Real Estate - Colorado Springs Homes For Sale " Created and Maintained by Creative Online Services 2003 Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. © and sm - trademark and servicemark of Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. Equal Housing Opportunity. "Each Office Independently Owned and Operated" A ssociates O nly The Best Sales Associates Find A Home Home Listing #

investment property. After entering

Should I buy an investment property or rental home? Investment Property or Rental Home Calculator Home | About Us | Have Us Call You | Free Mortgage Analysis | Apply Online | Find Realtors | Learn | Help Get Started Apply Online Apply for your mortgage online! We'll call you tomorrow to confirm the receipt of the information. Have Us Contact You Rather have a personal touch from the start? Have us contact you to start the process. Secured by click for information INSTRUCTIONS This calculator is designed to provide a guide to possible financial outcomes of the purchase and rental of an investment property. After entering your values, click once in any result box to calculate or update your results. ENTER TRANSACTION DETAILS HERE Purchase Price $ Homeowners Insurance $ Down Payment $ Yearly Taxes $ Loan Interest Rate % Monthly expenses/ Maintenance fees $ Loan Term in Years Monthly Rental $ Rent Increase Yearly % Inflation (for ins, taxes, expenses) % Your Gross Income (for tax calculation) $ Property Value Growth (real estate appreciation) % RESULTS Loan Amount $ Monthly Payment $ INCOME Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Rental Income EXPENSES Insurance Taxes Monthly Expenses/Fees Total Payments Total Expenses CASH FLOW Cash Flow TAX DEDUCTION Interest Expense + Depreciation* + Ins, Tax, other expenses - Rental Income Total Tax Deduction TAX SAVED ** NET WORTH After Tax Cash Flow Principal Paid (est) Property Value Yearly addition to Net Worth Assumptions: * 27.5 yr straight line depreciation, deduction may be limited with high gross income. Depreciation is based on the value of the home without the land. In this calculation we are allocating 10% of the purchase price to the land and the remainder to the residence. ** 2001 Federal Filing Status Single (most conservative tax rate) Keep in mind that your tax deduction may also be limited with an adjusted gross income over $100,000. See your tax advisor for details. Sound good? If you'd like a pre-approval to go home shopping, apply online now. Click Here to return to the calculator main menu.