Going once, going twice, SOLD! back to Chippewa Valley Bank of Wisconsin for $2.6 million.

That’s basically how the foreclosure auction went last week for Al Capone’s alleged 407-acre 1920s-era “hideout” in Couderay, Wisc., which was on the block after its previous owners defaulted on the mortgage.

Despite a Chicago-area advertising campaign (where Capone rose to fame and fortune more than 60 years ago as America’s most notorious gangster ever) to market the two-story stone lodge, it appears that no buyers were interested in plunking down bids.

Indeed, the bank that issued the $4.25 million mortgage back in 1959 officially repossessed and took ownership of the historic slice of backwoods real estate. There is currently no indication as to what will now happen to the property, according to a recent CNN.com report.

However, Leslie Strapon, assistant executive director of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, holds out hope that it will remain a tourist destination.

Here’s a snip:

“Everyone is patiently waiting to see what’s going to happen with the place,” she said. “It would be nice if it fell into the hands of someone who was wiling to reopen and carry on the tradition [of hideout tours].”

We’ll keep you posted as soon as new details emerge regarding this unique listing on Foreclosure.com (click the link for pic and description).

Mortgage lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are offering special programs to spark home sales nationwide, according to the New York Times.

And according to Brad Geisen, Foreclosure.com founder, president and CEO, big banks might not be far behind:

“We’re starting to see banks loosen up on financing and consider a number of different incentive programs to move their inventory. I know a number of banks who are getting ready to release programs like this, between now and the end of the year.”

Deep discounts on prices and insurance, as well as closing cost and home repair assistance, are several of the perks that buyers can take advantage of right now.

Remember that Fannie Mae-owned properties can be found on HomePath.com and Freddie Mac lists its homes on HomeSteps.com. Both sites are free to search and offer complete property details.

Hollywood superstar Nicolas Cage owes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more than $6 million in unpaid back taxes, according to People.com.

In addition to being an “A-list” actor, Cage is a prolific real estate collector. He owns multiple properties in Los Angeles, Calif., and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as others in major cities such as New York, New Orleans, San Francisco and elsewhere.

However, he now has two outstanding tax liens attached to the portfolio — one that dates back to 2007 and another from 2002.

Cage actually sold a 28-room castle, Schloss Neidstein, which sits on 395 acres of forest in the Oberpfalz region of Bavaria, Germany, earlier this year because of what he described as a “difficult economic situation.” He is also reportedly shopping a $7 million island in the Bahamas.

The 45-year-old Academy Award winner was recently ranked 45 on “The 2009 Celebrity 100″ from Forbes.com, earning an estimated $40 million from June 2008 to June 2009.

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More good news coming from the Foreclosure.com Community Expert Program (CEP).

We’ve already detailed several testimonials from busy, profit-earning CEP agents here, here, here and here. Today we have more positive experiences to share below from satisfied members of our nationwide network.

Our formula for success is as simple as 1, 2, 3:

1. Get noticed — Thousands of buyers search for properties in your area and recognize YOU as their go-to person.
2. Get connected — Buyers connect with YOU as a real estate expert. Calls and emails start pouring in.
3. Close deals — Build relationships today and close the deals tomorrow. Earn more money.

CEP is straightforward and effective. No nonsense, just solid leads from motivated buyers.

On the flip side, buyers benefit from knowledgeable and helpful real estate professionals who all go the extra mile to ensure total client satisfaction.

It’s the perfect real estate tool.

But enough of that, let’s hear what the latest batch of agents have to say about our CEP:

Read the rest of this entry »