60http://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.comFri, 10 Feb 2012 18:42:52 GMTFri, 10 Feb 2012 18:42:52 GMTenjobrien@mansfieldtanick.comnohttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/08/real-estate-news--february-8-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienNew York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems and three big banks, alleging errors in the handling of foreclosures (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/AAd8bx About 11 / 2 years after pervasive problems with lax foreclosure practices came to light, state attorneys general may be close to a settlement with big banks. With a deadline looming for reaching a deal, here’s a summary of who’s involved and what’s happened so far (via WashingtonPost.com): http://wapo.st/yAmYHU At least 8 more years in prison for NY mortgage scammer who then planned to ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/08/real-estate-news--february-8-2012.aspx#Commentsb2cb4153-28d4-4dce-ba9b-97fc4c58e31bThu, 09 Feb 2012 04:40:36 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/06/real-estate-radio-hour-legal-minute--february-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienWhat do mortgage due on sale clauses, Minnesota’s foreclosure reconveyance law and well and septic disclosures have in common? Plenty. Given the proliferation of real estate investors acquiring residential properties with an eye towards rehabilitation and/or rental, these seemingly disparate issues can trip up an otherwise seamless transaction. That’s why it is imperative for today’s real estate investor – especially those seeking to take advantage of the depressed housing prices by acquiring distressed residential properties – to work with a knowledgeable real estate attorney who can navigate these issues. Click on ...Real Estate LawReal Estate Radio Hour Legal Minutehttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/06/real-estate-radio-hour-legal-minute--february-2012.aspx#Comments7a8d52d8-3ef7-47a7-b8e0-17a73f80a114Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/05/real-estate-news--february-5-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienThe tightened lending standards are keeping a lot of young professionals on the sidelines in home buying today. That’s where more parents are stepping in (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/xC2bzQ The USDA is launching the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Rural Refinance Pilot Program, which is designed to help rural home owners refinance their mortgages in order to reduce monthly payments (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/zCSBJt A New Alternative For Real Estate Investors (via Forbes.com): http://onforb.es/ApSSNi Bill being considered by Florida Legislature would eliminate HOA unit owner rights (via blogs-sunsentinel.org): http://sunsent.nl/wVMj91 Five mortgage insurers have granted ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/05/real-estate-news--february-5-2012.aspx#Comments2dc1f2fa-ab75-41ad-8cce-c1604bc3e3a3Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:00:58 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/01/real-estate-news--february-1-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienThe Treasury Department is investigating allegations against Freddie Mac that accuse the government-sponsored enterprise of “betting against home owners’ ability to refinance their loans” while also putting in roadblocks to make it more difficult refinance at today’s lower rates, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/wVMInk Federal and state officials negotiating with major banks on a settlement over allegedly improper foreclosures have given state attorneys general until Feb. 3 to opt in to a potential deal. The number of states participating could affect the value of the deal or whether an ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/02/01/real-estate-news--february-1-2012.aspx#Commentsefdf4869-7d91-429d-8b45-fd1b869c240bThu, 02 Feb 2012 03:53:06 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/31/real-estate-news--january-30-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienHomeowner wins back her house after fighting foreclosure (via LATimes.com): http://lat.ms/ygVqwd Tulsa couple fights to avoid foreclosure (via TulsaWorld.com): http://bit.ly/A2Ohon FHA increases size of mortgages it will insure (via DelawareOnline.com): http://delonline.us/xLkmsl Chris Paul buys Avril Lavigne's Bel-Air mansion for $8.495 million (via LATimes.com): http://lat.ms/z56WGm Why Have Banks Really Tightened Lending Standards? (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/yJDgdU The Obama administration will be expanding eligibility requirements for its foreclosure prevention program, the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), to help more struggling home owners participate (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/yucJzO HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan is set to ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/31/real-estate-news--january-30-2012.aspx#Commentsedebef76-aad3-486d-b6f0-2f791b9c2d11Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:11:26 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/29/real-estate-news--january-29-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienRobo-Reality: Final Foreclosures Fall as Pipeline Swells (via CNBC.com): http://bit.ly/wzBJRU CEO of Virginia Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Sentenced to Prison (via LoanSafe.org): http://bit.ly/zzirPE Foreclosure watch: In latest banking debacle, homeowners fight mortgages they thought they'd paid off (via oregonlive.com): http://bit.ly/yvjR6k Attorney General Eric Holder announces the formation of the Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group, a joint federal and state initiative to investigate the mortgage-backed securities that triggered the housing market collapse and the economic recession (via c-span.org): http://cs.pn/yoSZkE Colorado bill targets foreclosures based only on a lawyer's OK (via denverpost.com): http://bit.ly/xaPSUr ...Real Estate Lawforeclosurehttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/29/real-estate-news--january-29-2012.aspx#Commentsd5de634f-6f0e-456c-b611-6868bea9844fSun, 29 Jan 2012 18:02:33 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/26/real-estate-news--january-26-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienForeclosures are getting faster at JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. The two big banks trimmed their foreclosure timelines by as much as 100 days in the third quarter of 2011, helping to work through major backlogs of foreclosed loans, according to a Moody’s Investors Service report (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/zq30Zc Fighting foreclosures, one home at a time: New group helps Duluth woman keep her home (via duluthnewstribune.com): http://bit.ly/zXb0kh Federal prosecutors have filed charges against six Charlotte-area defendants over mortgage fraud-related offenses and a “builder kickback” scheme, the latest fallout from the housing ...Homeowners Associationscommercial leasesReal Estate Lawforeclosurehttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/26/real-estate-news--january-26-2012.aspx#Comments692b77d2-632b-4581-a504-a6b25af4e7bfFri, 27 Jan 2012 04:52:58 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/23/real-estate-news--january-23-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienThe parents of a Pittsburgh boy who has health aversions to sunlight can add a retractable awning to the front of their home in settling a federal lawsuit against their neighborhood homeowner’s association (via WashingtonPost.com): http://wapo.st/xyEtwY Philip Villasis, age 41, and Ray D. Gata, age 56, both of Chesapeake, Va., were indicted by a Norfolk federal grand jury on nine charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering (via LoanSafe.org): http://bit.ly/zTsisB Federal authorities are investigating possible fraud at General Electric Co.'s former subprime mortgage arm amid increased public pressure to ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/23/real-estate-news--january-23-2012.aspx#Comments40940ad5-9676-4ac7-8cb6-f05aa854e5f6Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:40:57 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/18/real-estate-news--january-18-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienNevada Foreclosure Law Slows Bank Repos (via HousingPredictor.com): http://bit.ly/xnfO2G Can China's Rich Solve America's Real Estate Problem? (via Forbes.com): http://onforb.es/yjBNvt District judge to weigh in on family's HOA fight (via Austin.YNN.com): http://bit.ly/wcfJDi A Lincoln, Neb., area housing inspector says he resents being described as a “total idiot” in an e-mail that was reportedly sent to more than 400 real estate agents, and he’s suing a real estate agent and her company for the name-calling (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/zOEd3B A South Florida radio and TV host who shared with listeners how to make it ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/18/real-estate-news--january-18-2012.aspx#Commentsf6bdc05b-4cb2-4315-bd74-e5f2f5c928d9Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:51:34 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/16/real-estate-news--january-16-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienA 53-year-old Mount Pleasant, S.C., woman was released this week after spending six days in jail for failing to pay a $480 city fine for having a messy yard (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/w2sfJf Reviews of hundreds of thousands of foreclosure cases ordered by regulators last year will take months longer to complete than first expected, according to documents filed with federal banking regulators (via USAToday.com): http://usat.ly/zjYAvy Vanilla Ice Stops Foreclosure Collaborates with Lawyers (via TMZ.com): http://bit.ly/AqvlHy A Bethesda man was sentenced Thursday to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release ...http://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/16/real-estate-news--january-16-2012.aspx#Commentsbc32bbf4-a501-48e1-b818-45f5323aa7abTue, 17 Jan 2012 04:21:43 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/12/real-estate-news--january-12-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'Brien2012 has brought more litigation to a Lake County retirement community that thought it had put its holiday-related troubles behind them (via SunSentinel.com): http://sunsent.nl/wcYanC Neighbors pitted against neighbors in subdivision fight (via weatherforddemocrat.com): http://bit.ly/xweJN7 Chicago Finds New Purpose for Foreclosed Condos (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/w4Luxs Deed typo haunts couple in foreclosure suit years after they sold (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/zdYRdw Issue of Age Restriction Holds Up Savoy Club Purchase (via burridgepatch.com): http://bit.ly/y5oOCg Man Nearly Loses Home Over 80 Cents (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/yvePeM ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/12/real-estate-news--january-12-2012.aspx#Comments40364f76-7156-449a-99ad-dd4e07bfbe43Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:51:42 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/09/real-estate-news--january-9-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienA marijuana growing operation discovered when the locks on a house were changed during foreclosure led to charges Friday for a 43-year-old Sheboygan Falls man (via SheboyganPress.com): http://shebpr.es/z3jiuJ Federal Reserve Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin on Saturday said the Fed must impose monetary penalties on banks who entered into an April agreement with regulators over how to fix problems in their mortgage servicing businesses (via Reuters.com): http://reut.rs/wQRB6y The foreclosure crisis that has spread across the country is producing another epidemic: mortgage modification scams that have cost desperate borrowers thousands of dollars — even their homes ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/09/real-estate-news--january-9-2012.aspx#Commentseff756d0-7f1f-4cf6-806b-e59d1a868476Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:37:40 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/09/the-social-media-lawyer-social-media-and-other-sites-that-can-save-you-time-and-money.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienIn my latest “Social Media Lawyer” column, I discuss how contrary to what many believe, use of social media and other technology sites can actually save you time and money. You can read the article here. To read prior editions of “The Social Media Lawyer”, please visit this page of the website. ...Marketingsocial mediahttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/09/the-social-media-lawyer-social-media-and-other-sites-that-can-save-you-time-and-money.aspx#Comments277f89fe-926f-4fb4-895f-adfd4c35d9faMon, 09 Jan 2012 16:30:00 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/07/real-estate-radio-hour-legal-minute--january-2012-federal-laws-affecting-real-estate.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienThe theme of my first Legal Minute segments for 2012 is “Federal Laws Affecting Real Estate”: Click on the links below to listen: Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (January 7, 2012) Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (January 14, 2012) The Patriot Act and Real Estate Transactions (January 21, 2012) Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (January 28, 2012) For older segments, please visit the Real Estate Radio Hour page of my website. Also, be sure to tune in to the show live every Saturday from 10 ...Real Estate LawReal Estate Radio Hour Legal Minutehttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/07/real-estate-radio-hour-legal-minute--january-2012-federal-laws-affecting-real-estate.aspx#Commentsb9cef8a7-9d0a-4826-a212-408490acf1acSat, 07 Jan 2012 20:00:00 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/07/real-estate-news--january-6-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienFed Advocates REO Rental Program (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/xEJMM4 Several real estate professionals say cash-back incentives that some lenders are using to tempt delinquent borrowers to do a short sale over a foreclosure are not very effective because it’s not clear on who qualifies for the program (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/ApxD1h The Nevada Supreme Court weighed arguments Wednesday on whether U.S. Bank can foreclose on a Douglas County couple's home despite findings by a mediator that not all required documents were presented during mediation (via cbsnews.com): http://bit.ly/Ae7Jqs Bondi sues foreclosure rescue firms accused of defrauding ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/07/real-estate-news--january-6-2012.aspx#Comments646f81b0-ea4d-404b-affd-f812427e4434Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:03:23 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/04/real-estate-news--january-4-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienFarmland values continue to soar in the Midwest, climbing 25 percent higher than a year ago, according to the Federal Reserve of Chicago. Rising prices in corn and other agriculture has sent land prices soaring (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/ySqNl0 As the foreclosure crisis continues, experts predict that nonprofit organizations will receive even more donated homes. Bank of America plans to increase its home donations to more than 1,200 in 2012 from 150 in 2011, and Wells Fargo donated over 1,120 homes last year (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/yduM5j US Foreclosure Inventory Still Looms in 2012 (via ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/04/real-estate-news--january-4-2012.aspx#Comments4ab4db10-b037-4c58-ab17-9382d09af4ffThu, 05 Jan 2012 04:12:09 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/03/real-estate-news--january-2-2012.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienRhode Island State Police Arrest Two Brothers for $2.28 Million Mortgage Fraud (via LoanSafe.org): http://bit.ly/sWdK1E The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Santa Rosa City Hall and a local condo board for their efforts to prevent the developer of a senior housing project from renting to non-seniors (via PressDemocrat.com): http://bit.ly/s8EuGo Foreclosed properties being used to scam renters (via SeattleTimes.nwsource.com): http://bit.ly/s5kxIk Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi wants the Supreme Court to weigh in on her failed bids to investigate foreclosure law firms, saying unlawful practices have put homeowners "at considerable risk” (via PalmBeachPost.com): http://bit.ly/rK42Li ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2012/01/03/real-estate-news--january-2-2012.aspx#Comments0337e84f-55ec-4682-9af9-f3b77f526106Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:09:03 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2011/12/30/real-estate-news--december-30-2011.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienNew homeowner association laws in Texas designed to curb abuses (via star-telegram.com): http://bit.ly/vNskcy KUSI's Michael Turko got the call when a homeowners association decided to go to war over a new set of front doors. Turko says the HOA claims the doors are inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood, and must be removed (via KUSI.com): http://bit.ly/stAJ14 Home Owners Try Delay Tactics to Stall Foreclosures (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/rWET2C A U.S. appeals court agreed to resolve a dispute among institutional investors over whether Bank of America Corp's $8.5 billion mortgage debt settlement should be ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2011/12/30/real-estate-news--december-30-2011.aspx#Commentscf1253c2-ab5d-4292-9ff0-2c299ba76e88Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:57:22 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2011/12/27/real-estate-news--december-27-2011.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienForeclosure Relief? Don’t Hold Your Breath (via nytimes.com): http://nyti.ms/rZb1YZ The new mortgage fee to fund the temporary extension of the payroll tax cut could damp the still-sluggish real estate market and complicate efforts to overhaul the nation's wounded housing finance system (via latimes.com): http://lat.ms/vbHMJq Eleventh Circuit Vacates Restitution Orders in Mortgage Fraud Case (via uspolitics.einnews.com): http://bit.ly/vWITMm NBA journeyman Jarron Collins claims he saved his entire condo complex from a possible TOXIC MOLD invasion ... only to get the shaft in a big time settlement ... this according to a new lawsuit (via TMZ.com): ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2011/12/27/real-estate-news--december-27-2011.aspx#Comments4885fa6b-242c-4cf3-9053-0d61a3fc2ec6Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:28:34 GMThttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2011/12/23/real-estate-news--december-23-2011.aspx?ref=rssJeffrey O'BrienThe “shadow inventory” -- properties that are in foreclosure limbo and have not yet come to light on banks’ balance sheets -- has fallen slightly over the last year (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/vnjsuC California’s attorney general filed lawsuits against mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Tuesday, demanding that the companies that own some 60 percent of the state’s mortgages respond to questions in a state investigation (via WashingtonPost.com): http://wapo.st/smCHwl Lender Processing Services Inc., the company targeted by Nevada’s attorney general in a foreclosure robosigning investigation, has been hit with a class-action lawsuit filed ...Real Estate Lawhttp://blog.jeffreyobrienesq.com/2011/12/23/real-estate-news--december-23-2011.aspx#Commentsc8a37ab4-c4fc-40d7-be6b-f87c03137f92Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:24:04 GMT