Posts Tagged ‘the american dream’

The American Dream — Alive and Well

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

United States of AmericaI had the pleasure to speak to a spirited group of homeowners a few days ago in Delray Beach. I was invited to address a group of homeowners associations, but the group of 70 plus could easily have fit in with the people who walk through my doors every day.

They were frustrated, tired of hearing excuses, and they wanted answers on how the housing crisis will ultimately right itself.

Often the opinion that they conveyed to me, either directly or simply by the expression on their faces, was this — “What happened to the American Dream? Is it gone forever?”

And the answer is no. You may have to look extra hard for it, but it still remains; and it can be reached by everyone.

I found someone who is living the American Dream, and it made me smile. And in his story you will see the problem, but at the same time I think you will find the solution.

Why? Because the man, Eddy Kauffmann, lives in Switzerland. He is not an American citizen. At least not yet.

He is a retired banker who has found a way to turn this horrible mess of a housing market and use it to obtain his goal of becoming an United States citizen. At the same time, his success could have a positive impact on entire communities.

I in fact, come from Swiss lineage, as my mother was Swiss. The Swiss are extremely observant and methodical in nature. (See Swiss watches and banks!)

Perhaps that’s why this story caught my attention.
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Double Dip Recession? Why Not Bet on the Trifecta?

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Oppenheim Law tells all at 6 pm tonight with perspective on the state of Florida Real Estate via a free Webcast or be part of a live audience in Boca Raton.

Double Dip Recession

Homeownership will no longer define the American Dream. That’s because 30-year, fixed-mortgage loans that we’ve known since the 1950s may become a luxury if the federal government tightens constraints on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—the two lenders that historically backed home loans for the masses (even with far less than perfect credit scores). Indeed, a private mortgage finance market could emerge with entirely new rules—rules that make it harder and more expensive to get a loan.

Next, consider convicted Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernie Madoff’s comments from his prison cell. Madoff told New York magazine that Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney knew all along that he was working the system—and did nothing. Madoff suggested that the entire government is a Ponzi scheme. What if Madoff is right? It’s a disturbing thought…

That leads us to the question, “Why isnt Wall Street in Jail?” Where’s the accountability? Clearly, greedy banks did their dirty deeds and clearly American taxpayers are footing the bill. Wealth has been destroyed. Lives ruined. Yet Wall Street—and the prominent firms that make up the financial services industry—seem to be living above the law.

What’s an American homeowner—or foreclosure victim—to do?

Join Oppenheim Law tonight, March 9 at 6 p.m. Roy Oppenheim is holding a real estate workshop where he discusses how the aftermath of Wall Street’s greed is still affecting homeowners across the country and what you can do to pull yourself out of the hole the banks created. Oppenheim will also share how rising oil prices, continued unemployment and the possibility of an American double-dip recession is impacting the South Florida real estate market, as well as the pros and cons of how changes to mortgage options could impact South Florida foreclosures and short sales.
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