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

Illinois Charges Wells Fargo Of Race Bias In Home Loan Originations; Minority Neighborhoods Became "Ground Zero For Subprime Lending" Says State AG

Posted on August 03, 2009
In Chicago, Illinois, the Chicago Sun Times reports:Illinois filed a lawsuit on Friday against Wells Fargo & Co. accusing it of discriminating against black and Latino homeowners by employing racially biased lending practices.(1) San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co...

Ohio AG Tags Loan Servicer With Suit For Failure To Work Out Delinquent Mortgages; Follows Thru On Promise To Sue Foot-Dragging Lenders On Loan Mods

Posted on August 03, 2009
From the Office of the Ohio Attorney General:Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray [Friday] filed a joint lawsuit with the Ohio Department of Commerce against Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC. The lawsuit alleges that Carrington breached its agreement with the state to offer reasonable loan modifications to eligible borrowers...

State High Court Slams Ohio Lawyer With "6-Month Time Out" For Bad Acts Committed While Associated With Loan Modification Foreclosure Rescue Operator

Posted on August 03, 2009
The Ohio Supreme Court announced last week:The Supreme Court of Ohio [Thursday] suspended the law license of Hamilton attorney John T. Willard for one year, with the final six months of that term stayed, for professional misconduct arising from Willard?s participation in a ?foreclosure rescue? business in which he accepted client referrals and shared legal fees with non-attorneys who engaged in

Report: Loan Modification Firm Used Craigslist To Round Up "Lawyer Renting" Prospects; "Rents" Ranged Between $125-$300 Per File

Posted on August 03, 2009
A recent lawsuit was filed jointly by the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorneys General for the states of California and Missouri against a group accused of clipping homeowners for upfront fees while purportedly peddling loan modifications through the use of an alleged boiler room operation, and the use of a relationship with a pair of attorneys to create the impression that lawyers were

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

Connecticut Feds To Form Mortgage Fraud Task Force; Focus To Be On Fraudulent Foreclosure Rescue Deals, Short Sale Scams

Posted on August 03, 2009
In New Haven, Connecticut, The Associated Press reports:Federal authorities are creating a mortgage fraud task force in Connecticut to investigate schemes that contributed to the economic crisis and emerging crime trends associated with the growing tide of foreclosures...

Supreme Court Nominee Faces Attack By Some Over Non-Issue Involving Homestead Tax Exemptions For Florida Property

Posted on August 02, 2009
In Broward County, Florida, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports:Political bloggers are demanding an investigation of property tax exemptions that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor?s family receives on a condo in Margate. But local officials say there is no problem...

Anaheim Woman Fights To Recover Home Lost To Scammers; Forged Documents Used In Refinancing Racket

Posted on August 02, 2009
In Anaheim, California, Southern California Public Radio (KPCC 89.3 FM) reports:Swindlers have been bilking homeowners in trouble since the housing market meltdown began. But some scam artist are getting bolder. They figured out a way to ?steal? houses through forged signatures and phony appraisals...

Arkansas Regulator Sues California Outfit For Illegally Targeting State Homeowners For Loan Modifications

Posted on August 02, 2009
In Little Rock, Arkansas, ArkansasBusiness.com reports:Avoid doing business with 21st Century Legal Services Inc., Arkansas Securities Commissioner A. Heath Abshure warned Thursday, after taking the company to court.The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., company promises mortgage loan modification services to people in foreclosure or in danger of foreclosure...

Florida Appeals Court OKs "Blanket Receiverships" In Condo Association Battle Against Rent Skimming Unit Owners, Deadbeat Investors

Posted on August 02, 2009
In Miami, Florida, the South Florida Business Journal reports:Condominium associations faced with increasing delinquencies now have an appellate court ruling that backs their right to appoint receivers to collect rent on delinquent condo units. Florida?s 3rd District Court of Appeal recently validated the use of "blanket receivership," which has been used by at least 18 condo associations in

RI State Cops Bust Alleged Flipping Fraud Investment Scam Coupled With Rent To Own Racket; Investors Left In Financial Ruin, Homes Fall To Foreclosure

Posted on August 02, 2009
The Rhode Island State Police recently announced:[Thursday], members of the Rhode Island State Police Major Crimes Unit, in conjunction with the United States Postal Inspector?s Office and Office of Attorney General, arrested Pierre (?Peter?) Chabot, age 75, of [...

Attorney For The Poor Squeezed By Philly Budget Cuts Now Faces Foreclosure; Says City Is Stiffing Him Out Of $10-15K For Work Representing Abused Kids

Posted on August 01, 2009
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Daily News reports:THIS WEEK, 1,500 frantic state workers rallied in Harrisburg to protest the state's budget impasse, which has resulted in them receiving only partial paychecks this month. Until a deal is done, future paydays may also be slashed or even postponed...

Unanswered Questions As To Possible Displacement Of Buried Bodies In Cemetery Facing Foreclosure Sale

Posted on August 01, 2009
In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, NewsOK.com reports:An Oklahoma City cemetery was foreclosed on recently, prompting questions about what will happen to bodies buried there. Adding to the plight is a possible FBI investigation into mortgage improprieties by the matriarch of the family that owns the cemetery...

Landlord's Troubles Leave Tenants Fearing The Boot; Water Bill Unpaid, Building Conditions Deteriorating, Mortgage Fraud Suspected

Posted on August 01, 2009
In Pickens, South Carolina, WSPA-TV Channel 7 reports:When we first met Windwood Gardens apartment manager Donna Bryant she was worried her tenants would have their water cut off. That all changed when the City of Pickens decided to work with the property owner and give him 30 days to pay off a $10,000 water bill...

Abrupt Shutdown For Purported Non-Profit, ?Christ-Centered Foundation? Peddling Loan Modifications After Feeling Heat From Florida AG Probe

Posted on August 01, 2009
In Fort Myers, Florida, The News Press reports:A Fort Myers foreclosure-relief business is a target in the state attorney general?s investigation of 81 mortgage help companies statewide. Foreclosure Help Center Inc., a nonprofit organization [...] faces allegations of collecting fees before completing services, according to the Office of the Attorney General...

Error In Condo Docs Could Leave "White Shoe" Law Firm Holding The Bag As Disgruntled Buyers Demand Deposit Refunds; Tab For Typo Could Run $100M

Posted on August 01, 2009
In New York City, the New York Post reports:The law firm that drew up a contract now at the center of a dispute between the residents and developers of a new apartment tower finds itself in hot water after a typo may cost the developers as much as $100 million...

Miami Feds Bag 41 Suspects In Fraud Scams Involving Double HUD-1s, Complicit Straw Buyers, "Shotgun" Apps, I.D. Theft, Forgery, Pocketing Loan Payoffs

Posted on July 31, 2009
In Miami, Florida, the South Florida Business Journal reports:State and federal agents announced that charges have been filed against 41 people in six separate cases(1) totaling more than $40 million in fraudulent mortgages. Tuesday?s announcement is part of a crackdown on mortgage fraud, begun in September 2007, that has targeted mortgage brokers, bank employees, title agents, attorneys and

Milwaukee Mortgage Scam Probe Triggered By Torched Home In Foreclosure; Owner Suspected In Attempt To Force Insurer To Pick Up Tab For Loan Payoff

Posted on July 31, 2009
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, WISN-TV Channel 12 reports:Milwaukee Police are trying to unravel a mortgage fraud scam involving rundown homes on the city's north side. The investigation started after a house fire investigators ultimately determined was arson...

Caretaker Holding POA Charged With Ripping Off ALS Victim; Failure To Make House Payments Leaves Home Facing Foreclosure, Say Cops

Posted on July 31, 2009
In New Orleans, Louisiana, The Times Picayune reports:A Kenner woman has been booked with theft for allegedly stealing money from a woman with Lou Gehrig's Disease that she helped take care of, Kenner police said. Cherri A. Desporte, 43, lived in the victim's house [...

SW Florida Man Accused Of Pocketing Cash At Real Estate Closings In Exchange For Seller-Held Promissory Notes, Then Stiffing Sellers With Hot Checks

Posted on July 31, 2009
In Collier County, Florida, the Naples Daily News reports:After he was charged with felonies relating to alleged shady real estate practices twice in a week?s time, it appears that things may still get worse for Douglas Lee Carter. [...] Carter, 63, 1100 Dana Court, Marco Island, who was charged [...

Taxable Income From Debt Cancellation Not An Issue For Many "Underwater" Homeowners Where Lender Refuses To Cancel Unpaid Loan Balance On Short Sales

Posted on July 31, 2009
Many people owing more on their mortgages than what their homes are worth are often concerned about the income tax they may have to pay in a short sale if their mortgage lender agrees to accept less than what is owed in order to agree to such a sale.However, before a homeowner starts wondering how much income tax may have to be paid on such a transaction, he/she must first find out if the lender

Foreclosure Rescue Bailout Schemers Are "Opportunistic Thieves" Says NJ FBI Agent As Charges Are Filed Against Equity Stripping, Straw Buyer Operation

Posted on July 30, 2009
From the Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: (Newark, New Jersey):FBI Special Agent In Charge Weysan Dun announced [Monday] the arrest of Daniel Verdia, Don Apolito, Jaye Miller, and Chrystal Paling (all on Tuesday, July 21), as well as the surrender of Robert Gorman and Philip Blanch (on Friday, July 24)?all in connection with a mortgage fraud scam(1) operated out of an office in

Court Stalls Eviction Of Elderly Chicago Woman Victimized In Sale Leaseback, Foreclosure Rescue Ripoff While She Fights To Recover Home

Posted on July 30, 2009
In Chicago, Illinois, WLS-TV Channel 7 reports:A 75-year-old Chicago woman will be allowed to stay in her South Side home - at least for now. Lessie Town's bungalow is threatened by foreclosure. Towns and others say she is the innocent victim of mortgage rescue fraud...

Schumer To Private-Equity Landlord That Abandoned 19 Bronx Buildings: "You Are The Lowest Of The Low!" - Also Slams Fannie For Facillitating Bad Deals

Posted on July 30, 2009
In The Bronx, New York, the New York Daily News reports:The vultures are coming home to roost. Affordable housing advocates sounded the alarm during the real estate boom, as private equity firms bought up dozens of rent-controlled buildings across the Bronx...

West Virginia Woman Accuses Ex-Fiance Of Swiping Her Interest In Real Property Through Forgery, Then Pledging It As Collateral For Mortgage Loan

Posted on July 30, 2009
In Ripley, West Virginia, The West Virginia Record reports:The ex-fiancee of a Charleston businessman says she never really was his fiancee, and before he claims any interest on property they own in Jackson County, he needs to account for an alleged slight-of-hand he pulled on another piece of property they own in Kanawha County...

Soon-To-Be Ex-Real Estate Agent Cops Plea To Forging Name Of Unwitting Victim On Loan Documents To Acquire & Finance Home Purchase

Posted on July 30, 2009
In San Bernardino, California, the Contra Costa Times reports:Chino Hills real estate agent who forged more than $900,000 in loan documents to purchase a home pleaded guilty to two felonies Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court. As part of a plea bargain reached with prosecutors, Anita Andres Mendoza, 44, will be sentenced to 90 days in jail and be placed on probation for three years, Deputy

Lenders, Mortgage Servicers Continue To Force Borrowers To Waive Legal Rights As Part Of Loan Modification Process

Posted on July 30, 2009
The Washington Independent reports:Even as the Obama administration presses the lending industry to get more mortgage loans modified, the practice of forcing borrowers to sign away their legal rights in order to get their loans reworked is a tactic that some servicers just won?t give up on...

Lust For Late Fees Keeping Mortgage Servcing Companies From Making Loan Modifications?

Posted on July 30, 2009
The New York Times reports on what many industry insiders are saying as the real reason mortgage servicers are dragging their feet on modifying delinquent home loans:[I]ndustry insiders and legal experts say the limited capacity of mortgage companies is not the primary factor impeding the government?s $75 billion program to prevent foreclosures...

Admistration, Mortgage Servicers Meet; Agree To Increase Pace Of Loan Modifications

Posted on July 29, 2009
Bloomberg News reports:Mortgage servicers meeting with Obama administration officials pledged to step up the pace of loan modifications, according to the U.S. Treasury. ?With over 200,000 trial loan modifications already under way, we are on track to meet our goals,? Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in a statement today...

Change In Arizona Foreclosure "Anti-Deficiency" Law Has Homeowner Advocates Howling

Posted on July 29, 2009
In Phoenix, Arizona, The Arizona Republic reports:A new law passed by the Arizona Legislature that makes homeowners liable for tens of thousands of dollars on homes lost to foreclosure is now the focus of an intense repeal battle. An amendment to the state's foreclosure laws, passed in the recent legislative session, was designed to protect small community banks from people buying speculative new

California AG Continues Assault On Loan Mod Rackets; Exposes Outfit Said To Be A "Well-Appointed Boiler Room" Operation Holding Itself Out As Law Firm

Posted on July 29, 2009
In LosAngeles, California, Legal Newsline reports on H.E. Servicing Inc., a loan modification company that was sued last week jointly by the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorneys General for the states of California and Missouri . The outfit is accused of using aggressive telemarketing tactics to swindle homeowners out of thousands of dollars, and is briefly described below in the following

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 ...