Gone to the Dogs....

One of my favorite holiday events is the Haute Dog Parade in Belmont Shore. This is not your typical parade... but then too it is in Long Beach and we know that Long Beach is not typical. The Haute Dog parade is sponsored each year by Justin Rudd and is the largest dog parade in the world.

So this afternoon people dressed up their best friends and the parade began... Lots of fun for everyone. One of those events that is fun every year.

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

No Advance Fee Loan Modifications:

I just read this and and wanted to share it as I know personally people who have or are considering paying Advance Fees to save their homes.

Starting October 11, 2009, a new law prohibits anyone from claiming any compensation for negotiating or arranging a loan modification until after that person fully performs each and every service as promised. Aimed at combating loan modification scams, this ban applies to upfront fees collected by real estate agents and attorneys. The ban expires on January 1, 2013. Also effective immediately, anyone who negotiates or arranges a loan modification must give the borrower a specified notice that paying a third-party for loan modification services is unnecessary. These new requirements apply to mortgage loans secured by residential property up to four units, with certain exceptions for lenders and loan servicers acting on their own behalf. Violations can be penalized by, among other things, a $10,000 fine plus one-year imprisonment for individuals, or a $50,000 fine for businesses. Real estate brokers with existing Advance Fee Loan Modification Agreements reviewed by the Department of Real Estate (DRE) can no longer, as of October 11, 2009, enter into these agreements or collect advance fees. Agreements entered into and advance fees collected before October 11, 2009 are not affected. For the DRE announcement, go to http://www.dre.ca.gov/pdf_docs/SB94WebAnnouncement(brokers).pdf. Senate Bill 94.

Up... Up and away....

This past Monday I completed an item on my to do list... To take a Hot Air Balloon ride. Earlier this spring I bought the tickets at a silent auction event held by The Latin Museum of Art in Long Beach. They were just sitting there saying buy me....

Taking a ride in a balloon goes way back to being a child and seeing them on T.V. I am not sure if the first impression goes to the Wizard of Oz or Lassie. But it seemed mystical then and it really was that type of experience.

The assent into the clouds in the morning air was soft and you have almost no feeling of movement. We floated for almost seven miles and landed smoothly on the edge of an air field. I wondered what it would feel like to be in the small gondola... would there be any fear? Not for me but for some. I felt safe and very secure.

It was fun to look over the vineyards and more importantly into peoples backyards. Kind of like playing I spy, but the people who saw us waved and we waved back.

Many times we have things we yearn to do.... I suggest you find a way to do some of them before it is too late.

Have a great week,

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

LOAN MODIFICATION ATTORNEYS UNDER INVESTIGATION

The following article once again is a Red Alert to my friends out there....

I keep hearing these promises in the news on the radio... this is about being careful. The State Bar of California has recently launched numerous investigations against attorneys for misconduct related to loan modifications. In a rare move, the State Bar has released the names of 16 attorneys under investigation, by opting to waive investigation confidentiality in favor of public protection. These attorneys have allegedly taken fees for promised services, but failed to perform those services or even communicate with their clients who face the possible loss of their homes. Their non-attorney staff may also be under investigation for unlawfully practicing law.

Not all attorneys engaged in loan modifications are unscrupulous. However, this announcement from the State Bar serves as a good reminder for REALTORS® and their clients to be careful when dealing with attorneys and others for loan modifications. Scam artists may intentionally associate or affiliate themselves with attorneys in an attempt to lend credence to their fraudulent schemes. The list of attorneys currently under investigation is available at Bad People. Article from the California Association of Realtors.

Be careful,

Jeff Hall
Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com