Posts Tagged ‘Florida real estate’

Video Interview: Roy Oppenheim on Florida Real Estate Double Dip

Monday, August 1st, 2011

South Florida Law Blog’s Roy Oppenheim says we’re not out of the woods yet! A second wave of Florida foreclosures will hit in the third quarter of this year, Florida Double Dip? Foreclosures, Zombie Foreclosures, Fraud-closures from Oppenheim Law on Vimeo.

Oppenheim Law Predictions:

  1. Government programs such as unemployment benefits as well as the reduction in payroll tax benefits are coming to an end.
  2. Florida banks have supposedly gotten their “fraud-closure” crisis and issues of robo-signing under control and are going to submit many new foreclosures.
  3. If that wasn’t enough, foreclosures that were initially dismissed by the courts due to incomplete and inaccurate paperwork are now being “revived” and will also contribute to the tidal wave of foreclosures.
  4. Sustaining housing prices will be difficult with the ending of government programs, new foreclosures hitting, and “Zombie” foreclosures coming in because there simply isn’t enough economic support.

Unless there is a surge in Florida employment, Oppenheim predicts we are heading towards another drop in Florida real estate values until early 2012.

Special note: Just don’t shoot the messenger!

Robo-Signing Returns, Raising Eyebrows and Acid Reflux

Sunday, July 24th, 2011


Oppenheim Law would never accuse the banks of committing fraud, perjury, impersonation, notary fraud, contempt of court, lying, violating Constitutional protections, or being tax cheats. Nevertheless, we do make this advisory: Be careful of what you sign.

Why?

As soon as you think the coast is clear, it’s the return of the robo-signers.

Suspected robo-signed documents are cropping up again in county deed records, according to the Associated Press. These new documents suggest the previous document mill scandals are part of an endemic problem at banks, not a one-off affair like the banks would have you believe.

In explaining the document mill scandals, banks claimed they were crushed by a gigantic amount of paperwork. It was while attempting to deal with such a large amount of paperwork that “mistakes” were made, according to the banks. Such claims are now being met with a raised eyebrow.

Registrars in several states have reported seeing suspicious documents. But now, the banks can’t claim they are under a mountain of paperwork: foreclosures, sales, and refinances are all at lower levels than they were in the past several years. Most of the documents under suspicion now are not even related to foreclosures. Rather, they mostly deal with new home purchases and refinances.

The banks are even using some of the exact same names heavily publicized when the scandals first broke like Linda Green and Crystal Moore. Such behavior points to an industry that sees itself as untouchable: too big to fail and too big to be regulated.

The proposed settlement between the banks and the states includes no criminal charges. Critics say that such slaps on the wrists only foster a culture of impunity, and they appear to be right.
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The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow? Homeownership Still Vital To Americans

Sunday, July 10th, 2011

Even though it is a risky proposition, 9 in 10 Americans polled still say that owning your own home is an important part of the American dream.

The latest New York Times/CBS poll shows that nearly 90% of those polled believe that it is important to own your own home, even though less than half of them think owning a home is a safe investment.

Public sentiment in favor of support for homeowners in trouble is also high. More than half of those surveyed believe that the government should provide direct financial assistance for homeowners in financial trouble.

The poll provides a fascinating insight into the American psyche: home ownership remains the number one factor in defining what it means to be successful in America. This is a representation of America’s intrinsic unease with renting. The idea of paying someone money every month and having nothing to show for it at the end of the day still reigns powerfully over the American mind.

There is also a strong belief that the economy will eventually get better. Taking a cue from Annie, this belief in the ability of our country to bounce back shows that the current crisis has not permanently scarred us.

Americans are still an optimistic people, and traditional values like home ownership and a belief that things will always get better remain strong. This is the magic and mystique of America!

No matter what, Americans still believe “the sun will come out tomorrow.”

From The Trenches,

Roy Oppenheim

3 Tips on Florida’s New House Rules and the American Dream

Friday, July 8th, 2011

State of the American Dream (2009-2011)

Is homeownership still part of today’s American Dream? A recent article in the Wall Street Journal shared some old school advice on buying a home in today’s economy, more along the lines of Depression Era thinkers versus Baby Boomer spenders.

1. Buy what you can afford without scrimping on other needs. If you need to save for retirement or college, save. Don’t think your Florida home is going to pay for them.

2. If you need to move in less that seven years, then rent, don’t buy. You will be hard pressed to break even on your Florida home unless you live in it for a long time.

3. Values could stay depressed for many years. The only way you can plan to build equity in your Florida home is to pay down the mortgage.

Whether buying or selling a Florida short sale or foreclosure or renting; make smart decisions in light of today’s economy. Today’s housing market is still unraveling.


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