Wells Fargo is once again putting a freeze on its foreclosure operation on certain dates throughout the 2011 holiday season, which runs from about Nov. 23, 2011 to Jan. 2, 2012, and includes widespread observances in the United States such as Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s Day, among others.

SFGate.com confirmed the holiday moratorium, adding that other financial institutions such as JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America are also implementing similar initiatives to reduce turmoil and/or displacement during such a family-oriented time.

Major government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie are expected to announce their eviction suspension policies as it relates to this holiday season very soon.

Check out the official Wells Fargo foreclosure moratorium statement after the jump:

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Abandoned, empty homes apparently do more than attract illegal squatters and vandals.

Foreclosed homes in Las Vegas, Nevada, and elsewhere are “going to pot,” literally, according to the Los Angeles Times. Marijuana “grow houses” are no longer set up in the seedy outskirts of society, but rather nestled among well-to-do, albeit distressed, neighborhoods.

And the nationwide housing crisis is apparently one of the many factors fueling the “pot home problem.”

William Sousa, a criminologist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, explains:

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Careful what you wish for!

It was all just a “ruse” to draw attention to his unfortunate foreclosure situation, not a serious threat that he intended to carry out.

However, sending a letter to a lender telling it that the house will go down in flames if the situation isn’t remedied is taking it too far. So far, in fact, that federal law enforcement was notified, stormed the custom-built home and removed the elderly couple from it.

The good news is they were not arrested. The bad news is that they now reside in a camper in the front yard, waiting for a resolution.

To check out foreclosures in Calaveras County and the surrounding region click here.

The 2011 real estate season may be mercifully winding down, but its investment scene continues to heat up.

If you ever dreamed of investing in a short sale, foreclosure, tax lien or any other type of distressed real estate situation, preparation is the key to success. And the sooner you get up to speed on whatever money-making plan you intend to hatch, the better it will be for your bottom line (savings or profit).

Even in this market climate, in which inventory is high and prices are at rock bottom, you can’t afford to be caught unaware.

It’s all about staying on top of what’s new and what’s changing in the real estate investment arena. That way, when that perfect property lands in your lap — the one that could be your forever home or your next big investment windfall — you’ll be ready to take action and scoop it up before someone else does.

The October 2011 edition of Foreclosure.com’s free educational newsletter, “Investment Exchange,” is now available, which shows you how to get your real estate investment career rolling right now.

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner and you know what that means: Real estate resolutions. Seize the opportunity to get rich with distressed real estate right now before the thousands of well-intentioned “resolutioners” crowd the competition pool come January 2012.

To read this month’s free educational newsletter from Foreclosure.com CLICK HERE.

Pictured above, Apple’s Steve Jobs from our resident Mac maniac.

Sure, Halloween is still a few days away, but at Foreclosure.com we decided to celebrate a little early to ensure a fun, frightening Friday.

Several (but not all) of our employees were up for the task, coming into work today all decked out and even decorating their collective departments in specific themes. Prizes will be awarded later for the best costume, as well as the department that best came together to demonstrate their spooky team spirit.

Check out how the employees at Active Data Technologies, umbrella company to Foreclosure.com, get ready for Halloween. From zombies to federal agents, the Foreclosure.com crew goes all out when any holiday comes around:

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