Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Mortgage Loan Mod Scam

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - In yet another loan modification scam, a Florida man pleads guilty on Dec. 22, 2015 to he's nationwide scam.

Though the real estate market has seen a huge drop in foreclosures these scammers have not gone away.

Jonathan L. Herbert, 36, of Lighthouse Point, Florida, was charged in a criminal information with wire fraud, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2015.

Herbert would make cold calls to he's victims and represented himself as a 'federal loan officer' and made up loan modification programs. Any victims that showed interest were mailed fake loan modification approval letters. Herbert give them the information for where the victims to mail payments to. The mailing address was a Washington D.C. address here Herbert had a mailbox and he arranged for all he's mail to be mailed back to Florida. He robbed approximately $750k from desperate homeowners.

For the full DSNEWS article click HERE

Pomona students to perform with Tournament of Roses Honor Band

Diamond Ranch High School students Jasmine Villatoro, Ismael Rodriguez, Nicole Hernandez and Alissa Rodriguez, auditioned and were selected to perform with the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band on January 1st.


Garey High School students Miguel Saldana, Armando Santana, Angelica Arechiga, Christopher Chavez, Isabel Ibarra, Mireya Munguia and Jose Cachu auditioned and were selected to perform with the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band on January 1st.

For full Daily Bulletin New article click HERE

La Verne announced as a Special Olympics host city

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - The City of La Verne will be a host city of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles July 25 to Aug 2.

The games will feature 7,000 athletes from 177 countries.

For the full Daily Bulletin News click HERE

Real Estate Agent Communication

Loan Defaults Fall To Pre-Recession Levels!

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - With yet another sign that the market is recovering, loan defaults have plummeted to pre-recession levels. Short Sale and Foreclosures are still out there but are few and far in-between.

Another possible reason for the continued drop is that lenders are more willing help homeowners underwater with loan modification or principal reduction programs.

For the full RealtorMag Online article click HERE

Average Home Size Is Shrinking!

Loan Modification Scammers Sentenced to Jail Time

 

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - 500 homes owners' dreams are shattered as they fall prey to a loan modification real estate scam. On Sept. 2009 the L.A. Sheriff's Dept. Real Estate Fraud Team received a call from Pico Sheriff's Station. The Pico station was dealing with a group of people, all Spanish speaking, who claimed that they were scammed by company calling themselves "Safe Haven" (AKA "Your Dreams Come True").

 

The victims said that this company was announcing on an all Spanish Christian radio station and were claiming to help stop the foreclosure of their homes but the entire premise of their business was a scam!

 

On May 10, 2013 the District Attorney's Major Fraud, Real Estate Fraud Section filed a case against the scammers.

 

On Sept. 3, 2014, Suspect Alex Canjura accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to 5 years State Prison which he started serving immediately. Suspects Alex Jurado, Erika Perez and Oswaldo Flores each entered into a plea agreements and were released on bond.

 

On Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, suspects Alex Jurado, Erika Perez and Oswaldo Flores were sentenced in L.A. Superior Court for their roles in the "Safe Haven" and "Your Dream Come True" real estate fraud case. Suspects Alex Canjura and Alex Jurado wach accepted a plea agreements to serve 5 years in State Prison, while Erika Perez and Oswaldo Flores each accepted plea agreements to serve 16 months in local custody. Restitution was ordered in the amount of 4.5 million dollars.

 

Additionally, one of the attorneys involved in the operation, Tanmay Mistray was charged with 13 counts of professional misconduct, with mitigating and aggravating factors and was disbarred from the practice of law.

 

Suspect Candy Cabrera, who was also filed upon, fled Canada upon learning of her pending extradition, and is a fugitive in her native country of Nicaragua.

 

For the entire online article click HERE

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Announce Moratorium On Evictions for Foreclosed Properties

 

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced on Tuesday a moratorium on evictions for single-family foreclosed homes for the holiday season. Evictions will not be executed from 12/17 to 1/2/15.

 

Freddie Mac's suspension will also apply to 2-4 unit properties that have Freddie Mac owned or guaranteed mortgages.

 

For the full DSNews online article click HERE

San Bernardino County - Market At A Glance Q3-2014

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY OVERVIEW
 
The Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS produces Market At A Glance to provide our members and their clients with local market data as an added member benefit. Market At A Glance is produced on a quarterly basis and includes data from three counties including Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County and Riverside County. The cover page provides an overview of the market data, but your can review data by zip code on the next page.

To see the entire report click HERE

L.A. County - Market @ A Glance Q3-2014

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - LOS ANGELES COUNTY OVERVIEW

The Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS produces Market At A Glance to provide our members with local market data as an added member benefit. Market At A Glance is produced on a quarterly basis and includes data from three counties including Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County and Riverside County. The cover page provides an overview of the market data, but your can review data by zip code on the next page.

To see the full report click HERE

Yard Sale Weekend in Pomona!

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - Start today is the final quarterly yard sale weekend of 2014 in Pomona! This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are okay to have your yard sales. Enjoy the bargains and wonderful weather.

U.S. Marines Training in Downtown L.A.

 

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - The US Marines will be conducting urban training in and around Downtown L.A. from now until Dec. 12th. This will involve 2,400 Marines from Camp Pendleton, CA of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, according to the Associated Press.

 

L.A. residents will see as many as six military helicopters flying over different areas of downtown throughout the week.

 

The training location are undisclosed and are not open to the public for safety reasons.

 

Similar exercises will also take place at various California military bases, at a site near Las Vegas, and another site outside Flagstaff, Ariz., according to officials.

 

To Read the Entire CBS Los Angeles online article click HERE

 

 

 

Sixteen Charged in Nationwide House Flipping Telemarketing Scam

 

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - Based out of Florida and New York, 16 people were indicted for a nationwide home flipping telemarketing scam. The victims were from Canada and 46 states. The scammer would tell their victims that the homes they were buying were bank owned and that they were purchasing them with substantial equity. The reality was that these homes were not bank owned, they were already purchased from the bank for as little as $500 and the scammers sold them for up to $7,000 to $15,000.

 

Those arrested and charged were Izhak Halbani, Antawn Reid, Scott Amster, Richard Silverstein, Michelle Pintado, John Trumble, Wayne Scott Thompson, Theodore Jacobs, Joseph Haden, Scott Lipman, and Steven Goldstein, all of Florida; Richard Pierce and Matthew Golden of Michigan; and Erez Arsoni, Gregory Swarn, and Joseph Arsenault of New York.

 

For the full DS News article click HERE

Customer Satifaction Is Key

10 Ways to Improve Your Home's Resale Value

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - There are many ways to improve the value of your home. I always like to share ideas from blogs and other professionals. Here are 10 from the Huffington Post online blog:

1. Hardware is Easy - Replace your kitchen hardware and fixtures...
2. Stack the Deck - A deck can provide a great return on investment...
3. It's Getting Hot in Here - A heated floor isn't just a luxury, it can also deliver a good ROI...
4. Upper Echelon - One of the easiest ways to get a high-en look at a low price is with applied molding...
5. Industry Standard - Don't waste money on a custom kitchen. Instead, just customize standard cabinets...
6. Door Jam - Dollar for dollar, a new front door delivers a terrific ROI...
7. Garages Rock - If you have a garage, don't get rid of it...
8. Warm and Toasty - A heated towel rack isn't cheap, but it does add a surprising amount of value...
9. Use Protection - Add insulation...
10. Get Your Fix - The numbers one way to hold and increase the value of your home: thorough and consistent maintenance...

For the full and complete blog click HERE

Crime Prevention: Tip of the Month - December from Our Friends at LAPD

The following Holiday Safety Tips were compiled, in cooperation with the LAPD Crime Prevention Section, to contribute to the safety and security of people during the holiday season. The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. Please share this information with family, friends and neighbors. The Los Angeles Police Department wishes you a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season.
Driving

• Avoid driving alone or at night.
• Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car.
• If you must shop at night, park in a well-lighted area.
• Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.
• Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside.
• Do not leave packages on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves.
• When approaching and leaving your vehicle be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.
• Ask mall or store security for an escort before leaving your shopping location.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

• If you must use an ATM, choose one that is located inside a police station, mall, or well-lighted location. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need.
• Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you.
• Do not throw your ATM receipt away at the ATM location.

Shopping

• Dress casually and comfortably.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
• Always carry your California Driver License or Identification Card along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.
• Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert of your surroundings.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
• Keep cash in your front pocket.
• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.
• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
• Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

Children

• If possible, leave small children at home with a trusted babysitter.
• Teach your child to go to a store clerk and ask for help in case your child is separated from you.
• Teach children to stay close to you at all times while shopping.
• Never allow children to make unaccompanied trips to the restroom.
• Children should never be allowed to go to the car alone and they should never be left alone in the car.
• Teach children their full name, address and telephone number to give to police officers or mall security. Teach children to immediately inform you if a stranger is bothering them.

At Home

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
• Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
• If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
• Place your Christmas tree in water or wet sand to keep it green.
• Never place wrapping paper in your fireplace.

Operation Identification
The goal of Operation Identification is to deter property-related crime and to assist the Los Angeles Police Department in their efforts to find and return stolen or lost property to its rightful owner. Remember the following:

• Mark gifts with your California Driver License or Identification Card number.
• Do not use your Social Security Number.
• For items that cannot be marked with an engraver, photograph or videotape the items.

Strangers at Your Door

• Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.
• It is not uncommon for criminals to take advantage of the generosity of people during the holiday season by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.
• Ask for their identification, and find out how the donated funds will be used.
• If you are not satisfied, do not donate.
• Donate to a recognized charitable organization.

Hosting a Party

• Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests.
• Find alternative transportation for intoxicated guests.
• Arrange for an official designated driver for your party who will not drink at all.

Attending a Party

• Have something to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages.
• Eat high protein foods that will stay in your stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol into your system.
• Remember only time will eliminate the alcohol from your body.
• Know your safe limit.
• Never drink and drive.

Source: LAPD Online

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bank’s Appeal in ‘Stripping Off’ 2nd Mortgage Cases

AlfonsoGomezBroker.com - The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear Bank of America's appeal (Bank of America v. Caulkett & Bank of America v. Toledo-Cardona) of the so called "stripping off" of 2nd mortgages. Bank of America is appealing against two underwater Florida homeowners who filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in order to eliminate the liability on their second mortgages, aka "stripping off".

I am not a fan of big banks but I have never understood how the courts can simply eliminate debt agreed to by homeowners in the case of 2nd mortgages. It never seemed fair... In this case, and probably the only time, I am on the side of the banks because if the homeowner agreed and understood what they were signing then how can the courts interfere with an agreed between two willing parties.

My 2 cents...

For the full DSNEWS.com article click HERE