Loan servicers should notify neighborhoods when abandoning a foreclosure, report says

By Laurel Adams

To prevent the detrimental effects of abandoned home foreclosures, the Federal Reserve and the Office of Comptroller of the Currency should

Rebuked appraisers reborn as real estate agents

By Joe Eaton

In 2007, a mortgage lender flagged the work of veteran Florida home appraiser Jerome Woolf for review, a process that often leads to an appr

Excerpts from this story referencing "real estate":

"… ispute the complaint.The board revoked Wainer’s trainee license, but the real estate community was not rid of him. Neither were Florida homebuyers.Like many ap …"

"… Florida and other states hit hard by the foreclosure crisis, Wainer held a real estate broker and sales license along with his appraiser’s trainee license. Ban …"

"… ainee license. Banned from performing appraisals, Wainer hung his hat at a real estate agency and began selling homes.A Center for Public Integrity investigation …"

"… ne in six appraisers whose licenses were revoked or surrendered kept their real estate sales or broker’s licenses. The violations that led to these appraisers …"

Despite new rules, appraisers say pressure remains

By Joe Eaton

It’s been more than six weeks since new rules went into effect to clean up systemic abuses in the home appraisal business, but don’t ask an

Excerpts from this story referencing "real estate":

"… eading to bigger mortgages, bigger commissions for mortgage brokers, and a real estate bubble that nearly destroyed the U.S. economy.The code — an agreement be …"

"… s were revoked for ethical or legal abuses but who continue to work in the real estate business.CORRECTION: This article originally stated that appraiser Don Mar …"

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The appraisal bubble

By Joe Eaton

In 2004, years before plummeting real estate values turned Fort Myers, Florida, into a top five foreclosure capital, appraiser Mike Tipton f

Excerpts from this story referencing "real estate":

"… ey don’t want good numbers, even now.” …"

"… roperties, often worked backwards from that estimated price to find recent real estate sales that would “make the value,” he said. Working backwards from the …"

"… questions about how it compiles its blacklist.Unheard warning bellsBefore real estate prices began to plummet in 2006, some sounded the alarm on fraudulent appr …"

"… nd appraisers to pursue inflated appraisals. The goal of lenders, brokers, real estate agents and developers was to ensure that a home loan closed without a prob …"

Why won’t FTC name suspected scammers?

By Joe Eaton

The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on predators who prey on distressed homeowners facing foreclosure. The Commission has filed ci

The 'curative challenge'

By Joe Eaton

The curative challenge
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Obama won't sign notary bill that might speed home foreclosures

By Michael Hudson

The White House announced this afternoon that President Barack Obama would not sign a bill to ease restrictions on interstate commerce, whic

Coming soon: Simpler mortgage paperwork

By Michael Hudson

Now that she has a new job, Harvard law prof Elizabeth Warren isn't wasting time getting started. In her first week as an assistant to Presi

Fed, GAO move ahead on home appraisals

By Julie Vorman

As controversy rages over whether foreclosure documents were pushed through the system by lenders' robo-signers, the government is moving ah

Big banks can fund mortgage aid programs If government won't, says Democrat

By Julie Vorman

As budget-conscious House Republicans try to kill a $1 billion program to help unemployed Americans avoid foreclosure, Democrat Barney Frank

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