New federal indictment coming soon in HOA scheme - News - ReviewJournal.com:
"Federal prosecutors are preparing to seek a long-awaited indictment as early as next week in their final push to charge conspirators in a massive scheme to take over Las Vegas Valley homeowners associations. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has previously reported that as many as a dozen defendants could be named in the corruption indictment being sought by attorneys with the Justice Department's Fraud Section in Washington, D.C."
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There have been 28 guilty pleas so far. If the article is correct in saying that as many as twelve new indictments are coming, it would make the network of schemers as many as forty people. Contemplate that: an industry so troubled that, in a single mid-sized city, there is a fraud network encompassing forty people.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Brockton, Massachusetts, Considers Eminent Domain To Address Foreclosures
Brockton, Massachusetts, Considers Eminent Domain To Address Foreclosures:
In a move that’s pitting grassroots housing activists against Wall Street interests, the City Council of Brockton, Mass., decided this week to commission a study into the feasibility of using eminent domain powers to seize the mortgages of local residents struggling to pay off their loans.
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This idea has popped up elsewhere. It will be interesting to see what happens if and when a city does this and it gets challenged in court.
In a move that’s pitting grassroots housing activists against Wall Street interests, the City Council of Brockton, Mass., decided this week to commission a study into the feasibility of using eminent domain powers to seize the mortgages of local residents struggling to pay off their loans.
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This idea has popped up elsewhere. It will be interesting to see what happens if and when a city does this and it gets challenged in court.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Former Clinton Township housing cooperative employee gets 3 years for theft - The Macomb Daily
Former Clinton Township housing cooperative employee gets 3 years for theft - The Macomb Daily:
A 36-year-old woman was ordered to spend more than three years in prison and pay $79,000 in restitution for stealing from the Clinton Township housing cooperative for which she worked.
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Yet another one of those isolated instances...
A 36-year-old woman was ordered to spend more than three years in prison and pay $79,000 in restitution for stealing from the Clinton Township housing cooperative for which she worked.
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Yet another one of those isolated instances...
Mayor Rahm Emanuel to announce Midway privatization committee - Transportation News - Crain's Chicago Business
Mayor Rahm Emanuel to announce Midway privatization committee - Transportation News - Crain's Chicago Business:
Midway is one of Chicago's two major airports. The first attempt to privatize it failed before the deal could be consummated. Probably a good thing when you consider the disastrous parking meter privatization deal. Now, here they go again. Here's my favorite line: "The committee will be given the authority to hire an independent auditor to make sure the arrangement bears little resemblance to the botched parking meter deal, according to the source."
Midway is one of Chicago's two major airports. The first attempt to privatize it failed before the deal could be consummated. Probably a good thing when you consider the disastrous parking meter privatization deal. Now, here they go again. Here's my favorite line: "The committee will be given the authority to hire an independent auditor to make sure the arrangement bears little resemblance to the botched parking meter deal, according to the source."
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New mortgage rules block no-doc loans, limit debt - Chicago Sun-Times
New mortgage rules block no-doc loans, limit debt - Chicago Sun-Times
"Lenders will be required to verify and inspect borrowers’ financial records. The rules discourage them from saddling borrowers with total debt payments totaling more than 43 percent of the person’s annual income. That includes existing debts like credit cards and student loans...The rules limit features like teaser rates that adjust upwards and large “balloon payments” that must be made at the end of the loan period. They include several exceptions aimed at ensuring a smooth phase-in and protecting access to credit for underserved groups. For example, the strict cap on how much debt consumers may take on will not apply immediately. Loans that meet separate federal standards also would be permitted for the first seven years. Balloon payments would be allowed for certain small lenders that operate in rural or underserved communities, because other loans may not be available in those areas."
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9 Worst Recession Ghost Towns in America
9 Worst Recession Ghost Towns in America:
"America has a new kind of ghost town, haunted by the spirits of the recession. Developers caught up in the runaway housing boom overbuilt and oversold lots, houses and condos, leaving neighborhoods barren with uninhabited model homes, eerily desolate luxury condos, and abandoned McMansions in the aftermath of the collapse."
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These are reminders of lessons that will be quickly forgotten.
"America has a new kind of ghost town, haunted by the spirits of the recession. Developers caught up in the runaway housing boom overbuilt and oversold lots, houses and condos, leaving neighborhoods barren with uninhabited model homes, eerily desolate luxury condos, and abandoned McMansions in the aftermath of the collapse."
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These are reminders of lessons that will be quickly forgotten.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Illegal short-term rentals flood N.O. market ahead of Super Bowl | wwltv.com New Orleans
Illegal short-term rentals flood N.O. market ahead of Super Bowl | wwltv.com New Orleans
"With Super Bowl 2013 just weeks away, acquaintances from out of town are asking the Uptown resident if he will be renting out his place."The houses in our neighborhood have been going for wild amounts of money, up to $20,000 for the weekend," said Blaine, who knows short-term rentals are illegal in the city."
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Interesting property rights issue...
"With Super Bowl 2013 just weeks away, acquaintances from out of town are asking the Uptown resident if he will be renting out his place."The houses in our neighborhood have been going for wild amounts of money, up to $20,000 for the weekend," said Blaine, who knows short-term rentals are illegal in the city."
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Interesting property rights issue...
Saturday, January 05, 2013
The 40,000 pound battle of the wheelie bins: Homeowner slapped with massive legal bill after row with neighbour ends up in court | Mail Online
The 40,000 pound battle of the wheelie bins: Homeowner slapped with massive legal bill after row with neighbour ends up in court | Mail Online
"When Liaquat Ali’s next door neighbour complained that his wheelie bin was blocking the narrow alleyway between their homes, he agreed to move it.But its new position at a wider point of the shared access route prompted a solicitor’s letter stating it was still causing problems. The dispute developed into a bitter feud between Mr Ali, 47, and neighbour Iqbal Suleman, which ended in a court ruling that neither homeowner could keep a bin there. But they still ‘refuse’ to see eye-to-eye after Mr Ali was ordered to pay both of their legal bills, totalling almost £40,000."
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It is amazing to see how many neighbor disputes over minor issues end up costing people a fortune.
‘Disciplinary fees’ show the trouble with charter schools and privatization — MSNBC
‘Disciplinary fees’ show the trouble with charter schools and privatization — MSNBC:
"Chicago’s Noble Network of Charter Schools is making some cash on the side by charging “disciplinary fees” to unruly students. The parents of one teenager, writes Traci Lee, had to pay close to $2,000 in fines for infractions including “an unkempt appearance and not making eye contact.”
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Another example of using contracts and privatization to soak people for acts that would be OK except for private tyranny.
"Chicago’s Noble Network of Charter Schools is making some cash on the side by charging “disciplinary fees” to unruly students. The parents of one teenager, writes Traci Lee, had to pay close to $2,000 in fines for infractions including “an unkempt appearance and not making eye contact.”
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Another example of using contracts and privatization to soak people for acts that would be OK except for private tyranny.
Corporate personhood advances – in carpool lane - Political Blotter - Politics in the Bay Area and beyond
Corporate personhood advances – in carpool lane - Political Blotter - Politics in the Bay Area and beyond: "Corporate personhood takes a new leap forward Monday as a Marin County motorist challenges his traffic ticket by arguing it was OK to drive in the carpool lane because his corporation was with him.
Jonathan Frieman, a local activist and nonprofit consultant, was ticketed Oct. 2 for driving in the carpool lane during restricted hours; the officer apparently wasn’t impressed when Frieman showed him his incorporation papers. A traffic court hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
The fine for such a violation is $478, but Frieman, 59, of San Rafael, says that if the court rules against him Monday, he’s prepared to appeal the case all the way to the California Supreme Court in an effort to expose the impracticality of corporate personhood."
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Great argument. Just cite Citizens United v. FEC
Jonathan Frieman, a local activist and nonprofit consultant, was ticketed Oct. 2 for driving in the carpool lane during restricted hours; the officer apparently wasn’t impressed when Frieman showed him his incorporation papers. A traffic court hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
The fine for such a violation is $478, but Frieman, 59, of San Rafael, says that if the court rules against him Monday, he’s prepared to appeal the case all the way to the California Supreme Court in an effort to expose the impracticality of corporate personhood."
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Great argument. Just cite Citizens United v. FEC
Friday, January 04, 2013
HOAs in the Media: 5 Scandals affecting community associations in 2012
HOAs in the Media: 5 Scandals affecting community associations in 2012
Interesting piece that finds five big "scandals" relating to HOAs:
1. George Zimmerman and the Trayvon Martin shooting
2. Embezzlement and fraud
3. Erroneously blaming the actions of a historic district on HOAs (this isn't a scandal--let's not get hypersensitive)
4. Banks not paying assessments on foreclosed properties
5. Citizens' Property Insurance in Florida
Interesting piece that finds five big "scandals" relating to HOAs:
1. George Zimmerman and the Trayvon Martin shooting
2. Embezzlement and fraud
3. Erroneously blaming the actions of a historic district on HOAs (this isn't a scandal--let's not get hypersensitive)
4. Banks not paying assessments on foreclosed properties
5. Citizens' Property Insurance in Florida
Think tank to study privatizing most Postal Service operations - The Washington Post
Think tank to study privatizing most Postal Service operations - The Washington Post
"As members of Congress pledged Thursday to revive legislation to save the financially ailing U.S. Postal Service, a Washington think tank announced it will conduct an independent study of how the quasi-government agency could cede much of its operation to private companies. The review by the nonprofit National Academy of Public Administration will analyze the benefits of restoring the agency’s financial health by using a “hybrid” model, which would farm out to the private sector postal operations other than the last delivery mile. A letter carrier would still drive or walk that last part, dropping letters and packages in mailboxes."
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So the easy part would be privatized, and the hard part would be left to the the quasi-public Postal Service. Sounds like the usual cream-skimming that characterizes many privatization arrangements.
"As members of Congress pledged Thursday to revive legislation to save the financially ailing U.S. Postal Service, a Washington think tank announced it will conduct an independent study of how the quasi-government agency could cede much of its operation to private companies. The review by the nonprofit National Academy of Public Administration will analyze the benefits of restoring the agency’s financial health by using a “hybrid” model, which would farm out to the private sector postal operations other than the last delivery mile. A letter carrier would still drive or walk that last part, dropping letters and packages in mailboxes."
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So the easy part would be privatized, and the hard part would be left to the the quasi-public Postal Service. Sounds like the usual cream-skimming that characterizes many privatization arrangements.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Essex says the pigs must go | Burlington Free Press | burlingtonfreepress.com
Essex says the pigs must go | Burlington Free Press | burlingtonfreepress.com
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No, Essex is not an HOA. And we're not talking about just one pet pig but two dozen oinkers.
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No, Essex is not an HOA. And we're not talking about just one pet pig but two dozen oinkers.
Python purge: Florida contest turns public loose in Everglades | Fox News
Python purge: Florida contest turns public loose in Everglades | Fox News
Privatization in action. Pay $50, take a 30 minute course, and head off into the Everglades to kill Burmese Pythons. What could possibly go wrong?
"The Sunshine State is hosting a month-long “Python Challenge
" beginning Jan.12 with cash prizes of up to $1,500 for the biggest snakes caught. Wildlife officials urge caution, but beyond the online course and the fee, there are no other requirements to hunt down the Burmese pythons, which can reach nearly 18 feet in length and have devastated much of the southern Florida ecosystem...The commission’s website includes tips on how to identify Burmese pythons -- and how to kill them. Recommended methods for dispatching the animals include hacking off their heads with a machete or shooting them with a gun."
" beginning Jan.12 with cash prizes of up to $1,500 for the biggest snakes caught. Wildlife officials urge caution, but beyond the online course and the fee, there are no other requirements to hunt down the Burmese pythons, which can reach nearly 18 feet in length and have devastated much of the southern Florida ecosystem...The commission’s website includes tips on how to identify Burmese pythons -- and how to kill them. Recommended methods for dispatching the animals include hacking off their heads with a machete or shooting them with a gun."Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Reagans' 'Home of the Future' for sale for $5 million - Washington Times
Reagans' 'Home of the Future' for sale for $5 million - Washington Times:
In 1956, Ronald and Nancy Reagan helped design their onetime residence: a 4,764-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bath ranch house in the tony Pacific Palisades neighborhood in west Los Angeles — now up for for sale.
It is, in real-estate parlance, "midcentury modern." There are glass-walled rooms, fabulous views, an indoor courtyard, vaulted ceilings, streamlined cabinets, granite walls, den with wet bar, all manner of electric gadgetry, an octagonal swimming pool and sprawling open spaces for entertaining.
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That's where he got The Call from Jimmy Carter conceding the 1980 presidential election. Carter famously conceded while the polls were still open in ten western states, costing a lot of Democrats their jobs.
In 1956, Ronald and Nancy Reagan helped design their onetime residence: a 4,764-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bath ranch house in the tony Pacific Palisades neighborhood in west Los Angeles — now up for for sale.
It is, in real-estate parlance, "midcentury modern." There are glass-walled rooms, fabulous views, an indoor courtyard, vaulted ceilings, streamlined cabinets, granite walls, den with wet bar, all manner of electric gadgetry, an octagonal swimming pool and sprawling open spaces for entertaining.
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That's where he got The Call from Jimmy Carter conceding the 1980 presidential election. Carter famously conceded while the polls were still open in ten western states, costing a lot of Democrats their jobs.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Raleigh woman, HOA in stare-down over backyard staircase :: WRAL.com
Raleigh woman, HOA in stare-down over backyard staircase :: WRAL.com: The Stowecroft Owners Association Inc. sent Daniel letter after letter telling her to tear the staircase down. She refused, saying she spent thousands of dollars on it.
"They say they're going to fine me $100 every day, and if I don't pay, they're going to foreclose on my home," she said recently. "When they say 'foreclosure,' I was so sad. These people are going to foreclose on my home just for building some steps."
"They say they're going to fine me $100 every day, and if I don't pay, they're going to foreclose on my home," she said recently. "When they say 'foreclosure,' I was so sad. These people are going to foreclose on my home just for building some steps."
Monday, December 31, 2012
The Death of the American Shopping Mall - Jobs & Economy - The Atlantic Cities
The Death of the American Shopping Mall - Jobs & Economy - The Atlantic Cities:
"I believe we’re seeing clear signs that the e-commerce revolution is seriously impacting commercial real estate. Online retailers are relentlessly gaining share in many retail categories, and offline players are fighting for progressively smaller pieces of the retail pie. A number of physical retailers have already succumbed to online competition including Circuit City, Borders, CompUSA, Tower Records and Blockbuster, and many others are showing signs of serious economic distress. These mall and shopping center stalwarts are closing stores by the thousands, and there are few large physical chains opening stores to take their place. Yet the quantity of commercial real estate targeting retail continues to grow, albeit slowly. Rapidly declining demand for real estate amid growing supply is a recipe for financial disaster."
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Borders wiped out independent book stores, then got wiped out by Amazon. Shopping malls wiped out Main Street and now the malls are in the crosshairs of e-commerce.
"I believe we’re seeing clear signs that the e-commerce revolution is seriously impacting commercial real estate. Online retailers are relentlessly gaining share in many retail categories, and offline players are fighting for progressively smaller pieces of the retail pie. A number of physical retailers have already succumbed to online competition including Circuit City, Borders, CompUSA, Tower Records and Blockbuster, and many others are showing signs of serious economic distress. These mall and shopping center stalwarts are closing stores by the thousands, and there are few large physical chains opening stores to take their place. Yet the quantity of commercial real estate targeting retail continues to grow, albeit slowly. Rapidly declining demand for real estate amid growing supply is a recipe for financial disaster."
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Borders wiped out independent book stores, then got wiped out by Amazon. Shopping malls wiped out Main Street and now the malls are in the crosshairs of e-commerce.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Brian Collister’s Blog: Ousted HOA president demands millions | WOAI: San Antonio News
Brian Collister’s Blog: Ousted HOA president demands millions | WOAI: San Antonio News
She's back. And you have to hand it to Lisa Pfeiffer, if nothing else, she is persistent. The former president of the Ventura Homeowners association and other former board members have filed a claim against the HOA's insurance for more than $4,000,000 dollars. Pfeiffer was forced to resign last November after I reported she had closed all board meetings, spent more than $100,000 to sue several homeowners and then rigged her own re-election. In the insurance claim Pfeiffer and her board cronies claim they were discirminated against, harassed and unfairly thrown out of office.
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Wow. The video is quite a treat.
She's back. And you have to hand it to Lisa Pfeiffer, if nothing else, she is persistent. The former president of the Ventura Homeowners association and other former board members have filed a claim against the HOA's insurance for more than $4,000,000 dollars. Pfeiffer was forced to resign last November after I reported she had closed all board meetings, spent more than $100,000 to sue several homeowners and then rigged her own re-election. In the insurance claim Pfeiffer and her board cronies claim they were discirminated against, harassed and unfairly thrown out of office.
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Wow. The video is quite a treat.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Oxford graduate quit mainstream society to live a hobbit-style existence in mud hut in the Welsh hills | Mail Online
Oxford graduate quit mainstream society to live a hobbit-style existence in mud hut in the Welsh hills | Mail Online
"Her daily chores involve tending to her vegetable plot and collecting fruit, looking after her three goats, seven chickens and two horses and chopping firewood. She gets her drinking water from a nearby stream and only rarely ventures to the shops for treats like rice and chocolate."
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Nice digs.
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