Foreclosure News

Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) of Sacramento, Calif., defaulted on her mortgage payments and her South Bay home was sold in a recent foreclosure auction, according to the Daily Breeze.

It’s actually the third property of hers to fall behind on bank payments — Richardson is also in jeopardy of losing real estate in Long Beach and San Pedro. She seems to have saved the Long Beach home from foreclosure; however the San Pedro residence is eight months past due and an auction date is already scheduled.

In addition to the various mortgage defaults, Richardson also failed to make almost $9,000 in payments for real estate taxes.

Here’s what she had to say about the mess:

“I should have moved forward in an earlier fashion. I acknowledge that. I intend never to conduct business in that fashion again…. I have financial obligations, and I will fulfill those financial obligations. - There will be no debts to the state of California…. I am not financially wealthy. I am not a millionaire. - Based upon what I was going through, changing four jobs in less than one year, I think any American would understand what that does in terms of a person’s financial stability.”

According to the report, Richardson makes an annual salary of $169,300 as a member of Congress. And as a member of the Assembly, she earned about $116,000 in addition to a per diem for living expenses in Sacramento.

We just want to quickly remind our readers that our monthly real estate newsletter, “Investment Exchange” was just emailed out to those who have already signed up to receive it.

The May edition covers foreclosure investing riches — it was the final installment of a two-part series that went back to April 2008.

“Investment Exchange” is a FREE resource that Foreclosure.com provides its site visitors. Sign up to receive the educational real estate newsletter each month at no cost right here.

To check the May 2008 installment and all of the others click here.

Learn how to sell homes fast even in down markets with expert marketing tips and strategies from Foreclosure.com Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen, during this FREE 60-minute online training presentation.

The educational workshop dubbed “Foreclosure Marketing Tools” will begin on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at 4 p.m. ET.

Brad will teach you how to:

• Sell terms and financing — not sale prices
• Coordinate open houses that receive multiple offers
• Write newspaper/Internet ads that generate leads
• Market on the Internet to millions for peanuts
• Use neighbors to help you find motivated buyers

It doesn’t matter if the real estate market is up or down because Brad combines the right mix of old and new marketing strategies that are successful under all circumstances.

It’s a money-making approach that Brad has dedicated the past 20 years of his career honing and perfecting. Now it’s time for him to reveal to you the effective foreclosure marketing programs that helped him become a self-made millionaire.

And it’s all FREE!

Sell, sell and sell more homes right now for remarkable profits regardless of current market conditions with  information contained in the “Foreclosure Marketing Tools” course. To register now CLICK HERE.

Webinars are LIVE  educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.

A United States Senate ad hoc committee — headed by Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL) — are currently spearheading a bi-partisan housing rescue bill that could include a $7,000 one-year tax credit for purchasers of foreclosed homes if the legislation is passed.

In addition, the federal government would earmark $4 billion in grants to allow local governments to buy and refurbish foreclosed properties for resale or for use as “low-income” rentals. And the bill includes $10 billion for local housing agencies to refinance subprime loans and provide new mortgages for first-time homebuyers.

That’s not all.

According to MortgageNewsDaily.com, $100 million more will be allocated to expand counseling for homeowners at risk of defaulting on their loans.

This is good news for the thousands of homeowners nationwide struggling to make ends meet and who are desperate for some sort of relief. The bill would also encourage buyers to purchase Real Estate Owned (REO) properties, helping lenders and other financial institutions get them off their books faster.

And more important, it gives you more of a reason to purchase foreclosed properties (not like you needed another one) with a huge tax break on top of already discounted homes.

So what are you waiting for? Start your foreclosure search today RIGHT HERE and be one of the first to take advantage of this great news!

Foreclosure.com is proud to announce its support of the “Foreclosure Assistance Center,” which is a first-of-its-kind cooperative effort between The City of West Palm Beach, Fla., and national organizations such as banks to create a resource that provides homeowners facing the loss of their properties with viable solutions.

Here’s a snip from Emelda Johnson from the the department of housing and community development via WPTV.com:

“The program we can up with anticipates all of the scenarios someone in trouble might experience and the various scenarios of getting them out of trouble.”

Those “troubles” could mean everything from divorce, adjustable rate mortgage interest rate increase, job loss, illness or any of the other unfortunate situations that can lead to foreclosure action.

Florida residents who require foreclosure help or need to avoid losing their homes should contact the center at (561) 822-1575 or stop in for a personal consultation at 464 Fern St. in West Palm Beach, Fla.

It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is FREE to the public. Distressed homeowners who seek assistance and don’t live in the area will be referred to other agencies.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FREE ONLINE PRESENTATION MENTIONED BELOW IS TAKING PLACE TODAY (MARCH 26) AT 4 p.m. ET. TO RESERVE A SPOT CLICK HERE.

That’s a silly question … we know.

We just had to ask it so we could inform you that our Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen, is going to hold a FREE online presentation TODAY (March 26) at 4 p.m. ET to tell you about how to achieve real estate riches beyond your wildest dreams.

He did it on his own before his 25th birthday thanks to smart foreclosure investing. Do you want to know exactly how he did it?

Brad’s going to reveal his millionaire investment strategies at an upcoming Foreclosure.com Three-Day One-On-One Real Estate Training Retreat.

Today, he has cleared his schedule just for you to discuss the enormous benefits of the retreat and to answer any questions that you may have directly.

It’s an opportunity of a lifetime … trust us.

To R.S.V.P. for the informational retreat teleconference and to talk to Brad directly TODAY please CLICK HERE.

Brad is excited to get you on the road to real estate riches -– this is a major step toward a life-changing career in real estate investing. And this presentation is FREE!

That’s hard to beat.

Join us for a LIVE online presentation tomorrow (Tuesday, March 25) at 4 p.m. ET to learn a powerful investment technique that lets you buy as many properties as you want regardless of your credit or financial situation.

“Ultimate Real Estate Investing” is an interactive 90-minute educational experience that will show you how to rake in huge monthly profits with a successful investment technique know as, “Sub2.”

Real estate investment guru William Tingle has taken the deeds over on more than 200 properties and continues to buy 20-25 properties per year in this manner. During this 90-minute online presentation, William is going to reveal one of the best kept secrets in successful real estate investing.

William will discuss:

• What is “Sub2″?
• What are the advantages of buying this way?
• How does this process work?
• How to create cashflow for LIFE
• The booming future of “Sub2″

Definitely tune-in to learn how to have sellers deed their properties to you and leave the existing financing in place for BIG money during this one-of-a-kind Foreclosure.com Webinar.

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session. Remember, if the timing is bad and you can’t make the LIVE presentation tomorrow please remember that we will email you the recorded version as soon as possible … there’s no excuse to miss this great training opportunity!

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.

We’ve got some good news that is a little bit off the beaten path:

Natalie Albert, Foreclosure.com Event Administrator, is one of 100 finalists in the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. Her recipe is a “Blue Cheesy Prosciutto Appetizer Pizza.”

And it’s good … trust me — she bribes shares it with us all the time.

To check out the recipe click here. And to support Natalie with a vote (she can win $1 million) click here.

Here’s a recent video of Natalie on a local radio station talking about the contest and her creation:

Good luck, Natalie!

Foreclosure.com Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen doesn’t seem to think that’s the case.

And he recently shared his thoughts — backed with the best foreclosure statistical data available — in a recent online Webinar press conference with members of the national media.

Here’s the press conference for those who missed it (feel free to share and embed the presentation below elsewhere):

| View | Upload your own

Please contact Tom Myers at (561) 981-5337 ext. 381 or tmyers@foreclosure.com with any questions about the presentation and/or to follow-up with Brad. We can also provide nationwide charts and data upon request.

*For those who require a hard link to view the slideshow above click here.

UPDATE: To watch the press conference described below right now click here.

Breaking more than one year of silence, Foreclosure.com Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen, recently hosted on online press conference with national media representatives to discuss the current foreclosure situation in particular and the overall U.S. housing market in general.

Foreclosure.com compiles the most accurate and comprehensive database of foreclosure properties and other distressed property listings available anywhere in the nation.

“The Truth Behind National Foreclosure Numbers” was designed to set the record straight once and for all. There’s been a ton of coverage dedicated to the issue, specifically during the last few months as things appear to get worse.

However, much of that has to do with misinformation and/or a lack of understanding of what we see happening on the ground. Too often we see reputable sources passing along bad data and “the sky is falling” statistics.

In reality, certain data sources count foreclosures multiple times, inflating the actual numbers and giving the media and general public an inaccurate picture of the real situation. Other factors also indicate that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.

Brad discussed an array of topics throughout “The Truth Behind National Foreclosure Numbers” presentation and answered specific reporter questions.

His take may contradict popular perception, but he’s got the data and supporting evidence to support his claim that we are just about at bottom of the market and it is going to start getting stronger.

To download the press conference and listen to it now click here. We’ll also work to get a slideshow of the presentation posted here in the next day or so.

Remember, for national and regional foreclosure statistics, charts and graphs, please contact Tom Myers at (561) 981-5337 ext. 381 or tmyers@foreclosure.com.

News recently cropped up that another celebrity foreclosure was in the works, naming Grammy Award-winning singer a cultural icon, Aretha Franklin, as the defendant.

Apparently, the “Queen of Soul” was recently informed that her expensive mansion located in Detroit, Mich., was on the verge of foreclosure because of $162.14 in unpaid taxes dating back to 2005, according to Reuters.com.

Talk about no r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

Fortunately, Franklin’s publicist mentioned in the report that the situation appears to have been resolved. That’s great news, of course, for Franklin, as well as the “Motor City,” which has one of the more troubling foreclosure rates in the nation.

For more celebrity foreclosure-related news click here.

Join us for a LIVE online presentation on Tuesday, March 18 at 4 p.m. ET to learn how to find partners to finance your real estate deals with little to no personal risk!

“Huge Profits with Other People’s Money” is an interactive 90-minute educational experience that will show you how to generate major profits without risking a dime of your own money or without borrowing a lot of cash.

Howard Small — a well-known and highly successful investor, author, trainer and mentor who has made a personal fortune in real estate thanks to other people’s money (OPM) — will share his expert tips and strategies.

Howard will teach you how to:

• Make money in foreclosures without investing your own money
• Purchase preforeclosures with nothing down
• Rake-in huge profits by referring deals to other investors
• Flip deals for super fast cash in less than 10 days

From first-time flippers to experienced investors alike, learning the ins-and-outs of leveraging OPM is an invaluable investment technique that is potentially life-changing.

Definitely tune-in to learn all about this rare opportunity to create wealth from nothing!

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session. Remember, if the timing is bad and you can’t make the LIVE presentation tomorrow please remember that we will email you the recorded version as soon as possible … there’s no excuse to miss this great training opportunity!

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.  

“I think we have [hit bottom]. I don’t think it’s going to get any worse…. I’m feeling by June, the market is going to be going very strong. And one thing that a lot of people don’t talk about is the election. A lot of people want to wait to buy until after the election. So, I think we’re going to see a surge after the election.”

– Foreclosure.com Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen, talks about the national foreclosure situation in a recent teleconference/Webinar with the media via BigBuilderOnline.com. To download the presentation and listen to it now click here.

Foreclosure.com Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen, will hold an online Webinar presentation for the media this Thursday, March 13 at 2 p.m. ET to address the growing foreclosure “crisis,” as well as the current and future condition of the national housing market.

This is the first opportunity for the media to discuss national foreclosure statistics with Foreclosure.com in more than one year.

Find out the reasons.

Webinar particulars:

Who: Foreclosure.com Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen

What: Expert speaker on national foreclosure situation and distressed real estate investing

When: Thursday, March 13 at 2 p.m. ET

Where: Via online Webinar presentation

Mr. Geisen will shed light on the massive disparities among providers that track nationwide foreclosure figures.

Who and what is right? Does the collective media know if the national foreclosure statistics that it reports are even accurate?

It’s time to find out the truth behind the numbers.

Charts, graphs and other visual evidence will be made available for reporters who tune-in to the online presentation. In addition, the floor will be opened up for specific reporter questions throughout the Webinar, which will be answered.

To watch or listen (or both) to the media Webinar with Brad Geisen please contact Tom Myers at (561) 981-5337 ext. 381 or tmyers@foreclosure.com for dial-in information and more details.

We just want to quickly remind our readers that our monthly real estate newsletter, “Investment Exchange” was just emailed out to those who have already signed up to receive it.

The March edition covers preforeclosure investing — it was the final installment of a three-part series that went back to January 2008.

To check it out and all of the others click here. “Investment Exchange” is a FREE resource that Foreclosure.com provides its site visitors.

Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, today revealed during a televised speech that the foreclosures and mortgage defaults will continue to climb “for a while longer,” according to a Yahoo!News.com article.

Bernanke called on lenders and servicers to do more to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure, suggesting that the financial institutions consider reducing individual loan amounts.

Here’s a snip:

“Although lenders and servicers have scaled up their efforts and adopted a wider variety of loss-mitigation techniques, more can, and should be, done…. Principal reductions that restore some equity for the homeowner may be a relatively more effective means of avoiding delinquency and foreclosure.”

It’s a plan that Beranke himself admits might not go over too well with lenders. In fact, he reveals that the lenders feel a move like this, in the long-run, could become something of a slippery slope with them writing down mortgages over and over if homes prices continue to slide.

Unfortunately, when housing prices fall it opens up the possibility that some homeowners will become “upside down” or “under water” with their homes, meaning they owe their lenders more money than the homes are actually worth.

That’s bad news according to Beranke, who feels that with no home equity to tap it will give distressed homeowners less financial incentive to try to remain in the home.

Already, the Bush administration has attempted to stunt the number of foreclosures with rate freezes on adjustable loans. However, that alone appears not to be enough.

Only time will tell, unfortunately, how this entire situation plays out. But if Beranke is correct, and more foreclosures are headed for the open market, then it’s best to keep your eyes peeled.

That’s because it more than likely means that lenders will be more eager than ever to unload their foreclosure inventory, which means better deals for you overall.

One of the best Foreclosure.com features is the contact information that we provide on our more than 1.2 million nationwide preforeclosure, foreclosure, bankruptcy, tax lien and FSBO listings.

That’s because a listing is essentially useless if it is difficult to find out more information about it.

It’s our goal to make the house hunting experience as simple and seamless as possible. And we achieve that by connecting buyers and sellers (or selling agents) directly.

Each month, more than five million motivated buyers search our Web site for the best deals in real estate. To ensure that each and everyone of these customers is satisfied we have created a dynamic real estate agent/broker network that markets local services in precise zip codes.

Let’s make one thing clear: We don’t sell the email addresses or other personal information of Foreclosure.com visitors — we value privacy. This is an opt-in marketing program designed for real estate agents and brokers to be the point of contact on select Foreclosure.com listings that are located in the areas in which they select.

It helps Realtors and agents:

• Gain massive exposure on every property listing page for the low rate of $20 a month per zip code
• Become the contact agent for all properties in a zip code on Foreclosure.com searches
• Benefit from more than 11 million page views each month on our nationwide real estate listing pages

It also helps our customers in certain areas find out more information about listings from knowledgeable and experienced real estate professionals.

If you’re a real estate agent or broker and want to learn more about the Foreclosure.com REO Agent Marketing Program (R.A.M.P.) click here or call us at 866.382.4445.

We’ll set you up fast!

Joe Lents of Boca Raton, Fla., apparently requested proof from Washington Mutual Inc. — the lending institution that claimed to own the promissory note to his home — that it was indeed the rightful mortgage owner when foreclosure proceedings were initiated.

Washington Mutual Inc. couldn’t come up with the proper paperwork, and Joe has been living in his $1.5 million home since 2002 without making a single mortgage payment, according to Tampa Bay Online.

Here’s a snip from Joe:

“If you’re going to take my house away from me, you better own the note.”

Apparently, short cuts when large “bundles” of mortgages were bought and sold from 2003 to 2006 resulted in more than a few clerical errors — the assignment of ownership wasn’t always properly completed.

And when the original lender no longer exists — more than 100 mortgage companies ceased operations in 2007 alone — unlucky homeowners can all of a sudden find themselves in very lucky situations.

Just ask Joe.

For those not fortunate enough to share these same circumstances (and the probability is low) feel free to take advantage of a free consultation about how to beat foreclosure right here.

Join us for a LIVE online presentation on Tuesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET to learn how to discover unbelievable real estate deals, flip them for huge profits and get rich fast

“Fortune at Your Fingertips” is an interactive 90-minute educational experience that will demonstrate how to put the Internet to work for you so you can make huge real estate profits.

“America’s #1 Real Estate Expert,” Robert Irwin, is personally going to show you how to find investment homes up to 50 percent off retail price to earn mind boggling riches.

Find unbelievable real estate deals on the Internet for up to 50 percent off retail price with proven tips and advice!

Robert will teach you:

• Everything you need you can find online
• The basics of investing in real estate don’t change
• Use the Internet to invest in foreclosures
• Use the Internet to invest in commercial and other types of real estate
• What you need do to get started

Robert is a superstar within the real estate industry because of his innovative investment techniques.

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session. Remember, if the timing is bad and you can’t make the LIVE presentation tomorrow please remember that we will email you the recorded version as soon as possible … there’s no excuse to miss this great training opportunity!

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.

“Real estate became very liquid especially in the condo market. People would buy pre-construction pricing and that’s before the building was out of the ground, and then they would sell the contract while the building was being constructed and for huge gain sometimes 200% gains…. They were selling anywhere from $600,000 to well over a million dollars, and now there is an active foreclosure in this building for $219,000.”

The sprawling 2,500-acre estate called “Neverland Ranch” owned by pop music icon, Michael Jackson, is set to go up for sale for more than $24.5 million at a public foreclosure auction on March 19 in Santa Barbara County, Calif., according to MSN.com.

We’ve been monitoring this process since about November 2007 when Jackson initially defaulted on the mortgage loan — he owes the lender approximately $24 million.

To check out the listing on Foreclosure.com click here.

Here’s the latest update on the situation:

“Financial Title Co. filed the notice of trustee’s sale with Santa Barbara County Superior Court, setting the auction date for March 19. Court documents … warn Jackson that he has until the date of the auction to take action to keep his lavish estate.”

It’s interesting to note that the foreclosure filing indicates that everything in the estate will be included in the sale if it happens, from the merry-go-round to locomotives to sculptures.

Neverland Ranch will not, however, come equipped zoo animals — Jackson reportedly sold most of his exotic pets to Lake Powell Waterworld months ago.

They’re HIStory … and his mansion could be next.

Have you signed up for the FREE online training presentation, “Real Estate Planning 101,” which is taking place TODAY at 4 p.m. ET?

If not … what’s the problem?

Our resident real estate pro, Glen Daniels — who has been working all sides of the business as an investor, broker and loss mitigation specialist throughout the last two decades — will detail how to analyze and approach deals from beginning to end during this 60-minute FREE interactive Webinar training presentation.

Glen will teach you:

• How to determine property leads
• How to select a good real estate agent
• How to read and understand the “comps”
• How to check on potential investors/partners
• Tips on getting contractor references

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

It’s critical that investors cover all their bases when it comes to real estate. Do your due diligence and put together smart real estate deals that will break the bank!

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session. Remember, if the timing is bad and you can’t make the LIVE presentation today you should still sign up.

Remember: We will email you the recorded version as soon as possible. Therefore, there’s no excuse to not sign-up for this great training opportunity … it’s FREE!

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.  

Foreclosure.com will sponsor the WebMasterRadio.FM “Affiliate Bash” next week on Monday, February 25 at the Tao Las Vegas at the Venetian.

The evening event, which features an exclusive performance by Blue Man Group, is open to all attendees of the sold-out Affiliate Summit West 2008 that takes place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino from February 26 through 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

We invite all of our affiliate partners and other friends who will be in Sin City for the tradeshow to join us for some “fantastic food, premium open bar, and one of the most dynamic networking opportunities at Affiliate Summit.”

Doors open at 8 p.m. and don’t close until the last guest leaves.

According to the Web site, the Affiliate Summit serves the affiliate marketing professional community as the leading global source of learning and networking opportunities surrounding industry.

What exactly is an affiliate?

For more information on the Foreclosure.com affiliate program or to start making fast money online as an affiliate today click here.

Join us for a LIVE online presentation tomorrow (February 19) at 4 p.m. ET. and get the most out of preforeclosure deals with insider money-making secrets and tips that are proven to work!

“Turn Pennies into Profits with Preforeclosures” is a 90-minute online real estate investing training presentation with industry guru, entrepreneur and instructor, Lance Young.

Get the inside scoop on how to invest in preforeclosures — widely considered the safest, most profitable deals available in the distressed real estate market — with assistance from an investor (Lance) who has achieved enormous financial success thanks in large part to a preforeclosure approach and philosophy that generates positive results almost instantly.

Lance will teach you:

• The five common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them
• How to find the right real estate agent and have him/her work for you
• How to find the right buyers for your preforeclosure deals
• Where to find the right homeowners in preforeclosure
• What and what NOT to say to homeowners in preforeclosure

This is an ideal educational experience for aspiring and experienced investors alike who want to get the most out of their preforeclosure deals.

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session. Remember, if the timing is bad and you can’t make the LIVE presentation tomorrow please remember that we will email you the recorded version as soon as possible … there’s no excuse to not sign-up for this great training opportunity!

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.

Michael Jackson is not the only celebrity facing a possible foreclosure.

Three-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star, Latrell Sprewell, is in danger of losing his half-million dollar home in River Hills, Wisconsin, according to USA Today. The report indicates that the former Golden State Warrior, New York Knick and Minnesota Timberwolve has not paid his $2,593 mortgage since September 2007.

Sprewell — who played 13 seasons in the league — earned an annual salary of $14.6 million in the final year of his career.

This is not the first time Sprewell is up against foreclosure. Last summer he defaulted on a $1.5 million yacht mortgage and lost the vessel at a public auction (it sold for $865,000).

It just goes to show once again that no one is immune to foreclosure — it can happen to anyone at anytime.

(Except for maybe Bill Gates and a handful of other zillionaires.)

Scott Burns from MSN Money thinks there is a connection:

“We were in the second year of a brutal three-year stock market decline when radical Islamic terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center. Even so, borrowed money wasn’t dirt cheap. The federal funds rate, down from nearly 6% during the Internet boom years, was 3.65% in August 2001. It fell to 1.75% within weeks of the terrorist attacks. Policymakers struggled to keep the economy from coming to a standstill. The federal funds rate continued to drop, hitting a low of 0.98% in December 2003. That was more than two years after the attacks. We were well into a powerful stock market recovery. The federal funds rate stayed around 1% long enough to set off a boom in low-cost mortgages and in home prices. Home buyers discovered that very ordinary paychecks could now buy extraordinary homes. People with cash to deposit learned their money earned virtually nothing. Interest rates on home mortgages dropped fast enough that the National Association of Realtors’ housing affordability index showed that almost anyone could buy a house somewhere in America…. During the same period, the Consumer Price Index rose only 2.9% annualized.”

He might be onto something … or he might not.

Distressed homeowners facing foreclosure and in jeopardy of losing their homes could receive a little extra time to cure the mortgage defaults thanks to an initiative proposed by United States President George Bush and his administration, according to Yahoo!News.com.

Six participating banks of the Hope Now Alliance — Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc., Countrywide Financial Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase and Co., Washington Mutual Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co — will delay the foreclosure process for their customers for an additional 30 days, using the extra time to try and make the mortgages more affordable.

Here’s the actual snip:

“Under the new program, six of the nation’s largest financial institutions said they will begin contacting homeowners who are 90 or more days overdue on their monthly mortgage payments. The homeowners will be given the opportunity to put the foreclosure process on pause for 30 days while the lenders look for a way to make the mortgage more affordable. The new program will be available to the holders of all types of mortgages from prime to subprime and represents a widening of an initiative announced by President Bush in December that offers a freeze on subprime mortgage rates that are scheduled to reset to sharply higher rates for borrowers who qualify for the assistance.”

Homeowners in foreclosure are encouraged to call 1-888-995-HOPE for assistance and more information about the 30-day moratorium.

However, please consider that homeowners will not qualify for the bail out program if they:

• are already in bankruptcy
• have a foreclosure sales date less than 30 days away, or
• if the home had been purchased as an investment property or was not occupied at the current time.

For more information and additional foreclosure assistance remember that professional consultants can be reached right here.

Google — perhaps the top Internet search engine on the planet — recently revealed that Web surfers from Miami, Florida, search for the term “foreclosure” more than any other city in the WORLD, according to Local10.com.

That’s right — we’re talking about the WORLD and not just the United States.

Here’s the snip:

“… when the search word is ‘foreclosure,’ Miami takes first place, looking for Web sites using the word “foreclosure” more than any other city on Earth.”

In addition, according to the article, “Miami Internet users are among world leaders Googling the word ‘condo,’ placing second only to web surfers in Singapore.”

Real estate in South Florida has always been a popular topic of discussion. However, it’s incredible to read hard evidence that so many people in one area are so interested in one term.

It indicates that perhaps real estate values are priced so high in the market that investors and future homeowners are looking for the best deals possible on distressed real estate.

Someone needs to let them know that their first stop should be Foreclosure.com. The names says it all.

To search the most accurate database of Miami foreclosure listings right now click here.

Join us for a LIVE online presentation tomorrow (February 7) at 4 p.m. ET. to pick-up the tricks of the trade to invest with confidence and make the most cash on every investment.

“Deals or Duds? How to Determine Real Estate Value” is an interactive 90-minute educational experience that will teach you how to spot real estate deals and duds with help from experienced industry leader and mentor, Nancy Spivey.

The fear of whether an investment is good or bad stops many investors in their tracks, which is the reason real estate investors must be able to properly find, analyze and determine the value of properties.

That critical knowledge is just what Nancy will reveal tomorrow, as well as:

• How “farming” real estate deals impacts determining value
• The important keys to farming deals
• How to determine proper value
• Tools and resource to help determine value
• Characteristics and situations that affect value

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session. Remember, if the timing is bad and you can’t make the LIVE presentation tomorrow please remember that we will email you the recorded version as soon as possible … there’s no excuse to miss this great training opportunity!

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here. 

Desperate times often call for desperate measures … just ask Vicki Gehlert of Port St. Lucie, Fla.

She moved into the house pictured above with her two dogs after a divorce in 2002. Shortly thereafter, Vicki lost a full-time job that helped her satisfy the monthly expenses.

Long story short, she’s fallen behind on her mortgage payments as a result of the turmoil (South Florida hurricanes only exacerbated the situation) and she’s asking for assistance in the form of donations to “Save Sunshine’s House.”

To learn more about Vicki’s story and to donate a few dollars to help her avoid foreclosure visit her Web site whenever you can right here.

This is a rather interesting public approach for a homeowner to stop foreclosure — most distressed homeowners live in denial right up until their properties are up on the auction blocks.

Put simply, foreclosure is a difficult situation to handle. It can ruin a person’s life in the short-term and damage his or her credit well into the future.

It’s for this reason the we always suggest contacting the lender the moment it becomes clear that a mortgage payment will be missed or unpaid altogether. Often times lenders will work with homeowners to resolve the situations and stave of foreclosure action.

In short, do yourself a favor and ask for help! Short of that — or a creative donation-based Web site — the options are bleak.

You asked for it and we listened … Foreclosure.com has made its industry-leading FREE email listing alerts even more convenient.

Not only have we consolidated all of the various property alerts into one email, but we redesigned the appearance of the email to include even more eye-catching, easy-to-use features.

Let’s back track for just a minute:

FREE email listing alerts, which include the latest foreclosure, preforeclosure, tax lien, bankruptcy and other distressed listing updates on our Web site, are conveniently delivered directly to your inbox.

In short, these notifications alert you to the latest property updates we list on our site in the precise zip codes that you pre-select.

There’s no obligation whatsoever to sign-up and receive FREE email listings alerts, which can be set up in literally just a few seconds thanks to our quick three-step process.

In real estate, timing is critical. Sometimes just one day — or even a few hours — can mean the difference between a huge profit and a missed opportunity.

And while our comprehensive nationwide database of more than 1.2 million listings is simple to search, we understand that it is sometimes hard to keep up with all the amazing bargains that we add to the site at least twice each day, including weekends and holidays.

Therefore, we want you to be the first one on the block to know about a hot property deal as soon as it is listed on Foreclosure.com.

Sign up to receive FREE email listing alerts today and let us do all the work — all you have to do is sit back check your email inbox from time-to-time for amazing real estate deals in your area.

It’s that simple.

Join us for a LIVE online presentation tomorrow (January 29) at 4 p.m. ET. when we reveal how to create instant equity with short sales and explain the reasons lenders will work with YOU to close these great deals!

“Short Sales: Create Equity from Nothing!” is a LIVE 90-minute educational Webinar training session that teaches you how to purchase properties in foreclosure for less than what the sellers currently owe their lenders.

It’s possible to score some major wallet-busting deals, especially now with more and more homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages.

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.This upcoming Webinar special will teach you:

• Why lenders short sale
• Why homeowners cooperate
• Step-by-step short sale instructions
• How investors can take advantage of the opportunities in this market to make big money in short sales
• Get all the forms you need for a short sale

Short sales are a relatively unfamiliar (yet extremely lucrative) real estate investment technique. And Sharon Restrepo — a successful foreclosure investor with more than 15 years experience and a nationally-acclaimed educator — will provide easy-to-understand instructions on how to capitalize on them in this special presentation.

From afar, negotiating a short sale seems like a tricky process. But as you’ll find out, there’s really nothing to it!

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session. Again, to reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. And if the timing is bad and you can’t make the LIVE presentation tomorrow please remember that we will email you the recorded version as soon as possible!

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.

We’ve already passed along the great news about The Foreclosure.com Three-Day One-On-One Real Estate Training Retreat and the enormous benefits that it contains.

Now we want to share what some of our students are saying about the experience:

Put simply, The Foreclosure.com Three-Day One-On-One Real Estate Training Retreat is the most comprehensive and intensive real estate training seminar available anywhere.

Don’t take our word for it … just listen to the positive reviews above.

We’ll take you by the hand, teach you everything you need to know about real estate, and stay in touch long after the information-packed event to ensure that you exceed your expectations.

And don’t worry about “current market conditions.” That’s because now, believe it or not, is the best time to invest in real estate – there are ridiculous deals on every corner!

Let us show you how to cash in on them at the Foreclosure.com Three-Day One-On-One Real Estate Training Retreat.

You’ve waited long enough … it’s time to turn over that new leaf and begin to reap the financial benefits of investing in foreclosure real estate. Because the longer you wait, the more money you’re missing out on.

“Imagine having the ability to view every crack and crevice that appears on a foreclosure property’s exterior without leaving the comfort of your own home?”

That’s from DSNews.com, which just yesterday picked up the good news that Foreclosure.com now provides cutting-edge aerial oblique image technology for most of its more than 1.2 million nationwide real estate listings thanks to a deal with Pictometry.

Pictometry allows users to view landmarks, roads and complete municipalities from multiple directions (North, South, East and West) and angles with just a few mouse clicks. In fact, features such as a house, building, street light — even a fire hydrant — can be seen in their entirety thanks to the leading-edge innovation.

For example, with Pictometry, Foreclosure.com visitors can drill down and see front doors, backdoors, windows and other home features.

“As a real estate investor, one of the most important details when searching for a great deal is the exterior condition of the home,” said Foreclosure.com President and CEO, Brad Geisen. “Even if it’s just a shot of the outside, that one photo provides a potential buyer with a good sense of what is for sale. Pictometry ensures that our visitors get this all-important first look.”

In addition, the aerial images provide a unique neighborhood perspective, which is uncommon for the traditional photos that brokers and Realtors® often upload to their listings. In short, Pictometry images are above and beyond traditional images on real estate listings.

To see Pictometry in action visit Foreclosure.com and search our industry-leading comprehensive foreclosure database right now.

Pictometry International Corp. is the worldwide leader in oblique aerial imagery and imaging software. Using its proprietary imaging process, Pictometry® captures geo-referenced, high-resolution oblique (at an angle, producing a 3-D like view) and orthogonal (straight down) Intelligent Images®, within which structures and land features can be accurately measured. Pictometry is a second order visualization tool that does not produce authoritative or definitive information (surveying) from its digital, aerial images. For more information on Pictometry, visit www.pictometry.com.

Learn to flip properties without even owning them and build a booming real estate business during an upcoming educational training presentation with savvy investor, Mike Collins.

“Earn Fast Cash Wholesaling Foreclosures” is a LIVE 90-minute presentation that is scheduled for Tuesday, January 22 at 4 p.m. ET. To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

This upcoming Webinar special will cover:

• What to look for in a deal
• How to have your houses SOLD before you buy them
• How to start with no money
• Why information beats money every time
• How to get over the fear of writing a contract

With more than 20 years experience wholesaling houses, Mike has mastered how to make an eye-popping amount of money without actually ever owning his investments.

In fact, he’s netted more than $100,000 in just two days on one deal!

If you’d like to learn the best way to find amazing financial opportunities and live with less stress then this course, “Earn Fast Cash Wholesaling Foreclosures,” is exactly what you need.

Of course, we will also open the floor up to you during an interactive question and answer session.

To reserve a spot now CLICK HERE. Spots are limited.

Webinars are LIVE 90-minute educational sessions that let participants see, hear and interact with real estate experts right from their personal computer screens. In fact, Webinars are driven in part by visitor feedback and questions that are posed during the sessions. For more information and course offerings click here.

Foreclosure.com is proud to announce that we are featured in the latest real estate investment help book by Robert Irwin dubbed, “The Armchair Real Estate Investor.”

To purchase the 224-page information-packed book right now CLICK HERE.

Irwin is widely considered “America’s #1 Real Estate Expert” in literary circles, authoring more than 60 books and having numerous articles featured in prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal.

“The Armchair Real Estate Investor” contains everything you need to profit from real estate, including how to find valuable properties, buyers, sellers, financing, closing solutions and more.

Here’s more on how even first-time investors can profit from the vast expertise available online:

• Locate preforeclosures, REOs (bank-owned repossessed properties) and auctions
• Identify successful FSBO Web sites where investors can sell direct and save thousands in commissions on almost every transactions
• Get started in commercial real estate and obtain commercial and private financing
• Understand the reasons title insurance and escrow servicing is so important
• Learn the best way to handle inspections and how to get qualified inspectors
• Use rental forms (included and available online) for landlording and why and how to network to get more power as an investor
• Check out hundreds of Web sites that are vital to the real estate investor and even how to build your own real estate Web site.

Put simply, “The Armchair Real Estate Investor” serves as your guide to every stage of real estate investing, from raising capital to landlording to buying and selling homes.

Get started today making money online in real estate and order “The Armchair Real Estate Investor” today! CLICK HERE.

The Foreclosure.com Three-Day One-On-One Real Estate Training Retreat is a LIVE hands-on learning experience.

From walking through actual foreclosure properties to role playing to analyzing potential deals, we’ll uncover the money-making real estate investment system of Foreclosure.com Founder, President, CEO and self-made millionaire, Brad Geisen, from A to Z.

Here’s a video “sneak peak” of what it’s like behind the scenes:

And here’s just some of what you will learn during a Foreclosure.com retreat:

• Where to find amazing home deals and how to work them
• How to determine the investment strategy that best suits your personality and time commitment
• What to say to distressed homeowners, brokers, agents and banks