Sunday 11th May
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GUEST POST: President Obama, please don’t let them take Grandma’s house!
Written on 17 Jun, 2011 at 21:00
A Guest Post by Chicago attorney, Rick Rogers of Rogers Law Group. Rick and I met last year when we attended Max Gardner's Boot Camp in North Carolina last year; we actually shared the Riverview Cabin on Max's ranch... (Continue reading)
Mandelman’s Monthly Museletter – Version 13.0
Written on 12 Jun, 2011 at 3:11
In this issue: 1. Banker-Speak... A new language. 2. An Interesting List. 3. Lessons from History... How we handled foreclosures during the 1930s. 4. I wanted to like Bruce Marks of NACA... but I can't. 5.... (Continue reading)
Fannie Responds to Hawaii’s New Foreclosure Law – Says… WE’RE OUT!
Written on 12 Jun, 2011 at 0:35
So, I really didn't know what the banking industry was going to do... I only knew one thing with certainty, even if everyone didn't agree... no way would they conform to the new law governing non-judicial foreclosures. Mediation sounded... (Continue reading)
NBC/MSNBC.com Try to Cover the Foreclosures Crisis
Written on 10 Jun, 2011 at 6:34
No matter, at least you're understanding that today the people falling into foreclosure did nothing to cause their fate. It's now happening at every socio-economic level of our society, and you may be assured that it will spread and... (Continue reading)
Please Call the White House Today for Elizabeth Warren… Here’s the Number and a Script. Please Call.
Written on 9 Jun, 2011 at 14:06
I had the privilege of meeting Elizabeth Warren about a month ago when she was in San Diego and here are a few of the things she said to me... I wrote them down at the time so I'd have... (Continue reading)
Bank of America forecloses on un-mortgaged Florida home… that’s hardly news. Is EVERYONE missing the point here?
Written on 8 Jun, 2011 at 18:50
What the heck is going on around here? We're now passing around a story about a stupid PR stunt by a lawyer that ended up making Bank of America look REASONABLE? Oh my God, people... listen to me... (Continue reading)
Earth to Bankers, Earth to Bankers… Your Planet is Dying, You Must Evacuate, It’s Time to Come Home.
Written on 7 Jun, 2011 at 7:39
The bankers... yes, the very same bankers who leveraged up on garbage CDOs as if housing prices would never ever go anywhere but up are now supposedly shocked and dismayed that mortgage lending volumes don't seem to be "coming back,"... (Continue reading)
MAX GARDNER from the Front Lines of the Battle… A Mandelman Matters PODCAST!
Written on 5 Jun, 2011 at 16:43
Click the button below... and you'll hear a Mandelman Matters PODCAST... A PODCAST THAT MATTERS, if you will. From start to finish, it's unquestionably MAX GARDNER at his candid best. ... (Continue reading)
Hey Everybody… It’s “Pretend You’re Surprised About the Economy Day!”
Written on 1 Jun, 2011 at 9:51
Falling Home Prices, the Next Financial Crisis is Near, Defaulters Aren't Deadbeats After All, the Economy with Gwen Ifill and MERS has No Clothes.... (Continue reading)
Dylan Ratigan on “Fraudclosure” Still Seems to be “Lite” on Servicers
Written on 1 Jun, 2011 at 4:59
I'm not kidding about this... every morning I wake up, get my coffee, turn on some cable news show, look over at my wife and say: "Look at that, honey... BofA didn't blow up again today! Will wonders never... (Continue reading)
Today’s New… “But, You Didn’t Make Your Payment” Exemption to the Law
Written on 29 May, 2011 at 19:20
Don't make this more complicated than it need be. If you came and repossessed my car but were NOT the person or entity holding my pink slip, then we had a phrase to describe that occurrence as well ...... (Continue reading)
If You Think the Meltdown Was the Fault of Homeowners, Think Again…
Written on 25 May, 2011 at 18:46
So... in "Pillage," Nomi Prins explains in terms anyone can understand that factoring in the leverage at 11:1, we're looking at a $140 TRILLION economic problem... yes, you read that correctly... that's trillion, with a 'T'... (Continue reading)
Marques LIVES! Homeowner wins, then loses, then WINS!
Written on 25 May, 2011 at 8:11
Okay, so Mr. Marques is nothing if not persistent, apparently, and God bless him for that, because this time out... his third time at bat... he hits one out of the park! ... (Continue reading)
Breaking Down the Real Cause of the Foreclosure Crises
Written on 23 May, 2011 at 7:29
In 2014, it will be seven years since the meltdown began in the summer of 2007, and something in the neighborhood of 15 million homes will have been lost to foreclosure. And there's no reason to believe that foreclosures... (Continue reading)
When Auditing Foreclosures, the OCC’s Definition of the Word “Thorough” is “Hidden”
Written on 21 May, 2011 at 9:50
The findings of the independent reviews will be... sealed... closed to the public... whatever the independent reviews uncover or determine will remain a well-publicized secret. ... (Continue reading)
KILL BILL: Arizona Mortgage Lender’s Association Takes Credit for Killing SB 1259
Written on 19 May, 2011 at 6:33
Hagen went on to explain that he had lobbied "the individual that issued the strike everything amendment, which I would say would have to be Rep Nancy McClain, but I suppose it could also have something to do with Sen.... (Continue reading)
FDIC Chair Sheila Bair Warns Senate Committee about “Millions of Infected Foreclosures”
Written on 14 May, 2011 at 1:17
Well, perhaps it's because Sheila is now a short-timer and will be retiring from her post at the FDIC this July, that she is now feeling a little more comfortable telling the truth, even if that means disagreeing with Walsh... (Continue reading)
KPHO Channel 5 Arizona Airs Story on Rep. Seel’s Principal Reduction
Written on 12 May, 2011 at 10:46
Spolier Alert: Rep. Seel, who wonder of wonders... serves on the... wait for it... BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE... DENIES that his $100,000 principal reduction had anything to do with his decision to run late that day and not propose the... (Continue reading)
Mandelman Responds to SF Chronicle Article: Fighting Banks and Winning – How Homeowners Did it
Written on 12 May, 2011 at 10:00
Why did you become a reporter, Carolyn? Because if it was to write about events such as these in the style and tone of your article, then I'd suggest you consider looking for a copywriting gig at an ad agency.... (Continue reading)
The Care Bair – FDIC’s Sheila Bair Wants Principal Reductions from Banks With Loss Sharing Agreements
Written on 12 May, 2011 at 6:22
I know... you think not modifying those loans is punishing the homeowners for getting in over their heads... but in realty, it's not punishing them... it's punishing you... you are running about, commenting on blogs, advocating the kicking of your... (Continue reading)
GAO Study Published May 5th Discovers Illegal Foreclosures
Written on 8 May, 2011 at 6:49
Personally, I'm holding out for the U.S. Post Office's study of mortgage servicer performance, which I hear is going to be followed up by a scathing report being issued by the Bureau of Land Management in conjunction with the Department... (Continue reading)
Governor Abercrombie Signs SB 651 – Toughest Foreclosure Bill in Nation NOW LAW!
Written on 6 May, 2011 at 0:17
The new law makes mediation prior to foreclosure MANDATORY if requested by the borrower, and requires mortgage servicers attempting to foreclose to submit to the mediation board, 14 days prior to mediation, proof that the chain of title is intact,... (Continue reading)
The Most Damaging Propaganda Campaign in History. And its Aimed at You and Me
Written on 4 May, 2011 at 1:12
Debt is a status symbol... debt is a sign of success... debt is cool... you should want as much debt as you can get... being approved for more debt means you've made it. I want to be a gold... (Continue reading)
Hawaii 2011 – My Prayer for Hawaii’s Homeowners and SB 651
Written on 3 May, 2011 at 0:16
But then... the people in Arizona... well, they don't have Brudda IZ... now do they? Click play... turn up your speakers... close your eyes... and pray for SB 651 to pass tomorrow. Amen.... (Continue reading)
Mandelman U. Presents: There’s Credit Default Swaps & then there’s Credit Default Swaps
Written on 23 Nov, 2010 at 12:24
Seventy percent of the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending, which has been driven by borrowing over the last ten years. Even if we wanted to do so, we can't borrow our way back to prosperity this time... (Continue reading)
Mandelman’s Uncommon Advice for Getting Through the Loan Modification Process Without Losing It
Written on 17 Oct, 2010 at 8:06
There's no point in sugarcoating this... getting a bank or mortgage servicer to agree to modify a mortgage is never a pleasant experience. In fact, it's pretty much horrible, even when it's good. You may finish the process... (Continue reading)
Bringing Up the Rear: Treasury Secretary Tim “Transparency” Geithner and his Band of Banking Sadists
Written on 27 Sep, 2010 at 5:49
But Treasury officials told the bloggers that they knew all along that it wouldn't work, that homeowners would be foreclosed on left and right, but, they explained, that was okay with them. In fact, it was a good thing.... (Continue reading)
PROFILES IN BANKING: If Your Mortgage is With Wells Fargo, Watch Out … No Delays Ahead!
Written on 19 Sep, 2010 at 21:26
I don't know Wells Fargo... you do whatever you want, but it looks to me like you're losing friends in Congress and even in the White House. As are your pals, by the way. You can just go... (Continue reading)
INSIDE CHASE and the Perfect Foreclosure
Written on 11 Sep, 2010 at 7:44
"And we documented what went on with each file so that if the investor came in to audit the files, everything would be accurate in terms of what had transpired and in what time frame. It was all about... (Continue reading)
NEW! Mandelman in the Morning… Podcast!
Written on 5 Sep, 2010 at 15:04
Click on the link to tune in to the Mandelman in the Morning Podcast for September 3, 2010... ... (Continue reading)
AMERICA LOST: Treasury’s meetings with bloggers tells a story that I didn’t want to hear.
Written on 30 Aug, 2010 at 10:34
It made me sad to know what Treasury Department officials had said about the foreclosure crisis and HAMP... very, very sad. In fact, I can't think of another time in history when my government acted as these guys have... (Continue reading)
It’s a Matter of Principal – HAMP’s New PRA
Written on 6 Aug, 2010 at 7:31
And NPV 4.0 is what drives the PRA, which is a "deferred principal reduction program" that allows the homeowner to earn a principal reduction over a three-year timeframe by making all payments in accordance with the loan's modified terms. According... (Continue reading)
GM, GMAC & the US Government… Have You No Shame?
Written on 3 Aug, 2010 at 12:23
The workers at the NUMMI plant were quite familiar with GMAC, because the mortgage lender was the only mortgage lender given access to the plant employees to sell them on refinancing their homes. "Put your cars, your credit cards... everything... (Continue reading)
Mandelman on the News Dissector Radio Show
Written on 29 Jul, 2010 at 3:27
My goodness, I've been doing quite a few radio programs on the foreclosure crisis and loan modifications and the economy lately, have you noticed? I really like doing the radio show thing, it's a lot easier than writing long,... (Continue reading)
Apparently Europeans Handle Bad News Better Than We Do
Written on 26 Jul, 2010 at 17:49
Because, believe it or not, not everyone agrees with our Treasury Secretary, or our President for that matter, when they say that our economy is "on track". In fact, many think that quite the opposite is the case, and... (Continue reading)
I Think It’s Now Safe for Me to Speak Out About Loan Modifications and the Secret NPV
Written on 24 Jul, 2010 at 9:51
I've been waiting for this day for almost a year. The day I could stop beating around the bush and come right out and talk about the "secret" NPV and loan modifications. Because I've known about the "secret"... (Continue reading)
Elizabeth Warren’s Appointment In Jeopardy-We Have to Act Now
Written on 23 Jul, 2010 at 5:37
Elizabeth Warren's appointment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency she conceived of and has lobbied for since 2007, is by no means assured, and in fact, sources on The Hill say they don't think Warren will get the... (Continue reading)
The Real Estate Guys Radio Show, Mandelman Take 2!
Written on 22 Jul, 2010 at 3:02
I talked about... can you guess... right! The foreclosure crisis and loan modifications... and the economy... and some recent court decisions... a regular fountain of knowledge, I was. I haven't listened to it, but I figured some of you... especially... (Continue reading)
Elizabeth Warren on the Foreclosure Crisis
Written on 19 Jul, 2010 at 8:58
Elizabeth Warren: "It's about respect. I believe that the American people ought to be part of the conversation about what's happening in our economy, and what's happening in Washington D.C. and what's happening on Wall Street. I truly... (Continue reading)
Elizabeth Warren or Bust, I’m Drawing the Line
Written on 18 Jul, 2010 at 5:11
Ms. Warren should unquestionably be asked to head up this new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, bribed, begged and/or pleaded with, if need be. Without her philosophy and leadership setting the standards and tone of this new bureau as it... (Continue reading)
Once in a Great While You See Something That Means Something
Written on 17 Jul, 2010 at 17:33
It doesn't happen every day... far from it, perhaps... but, once in a great while you see something that really means something... something that you are unlikely to ever forget. This video is one of those types of things. ... (Continue reading)
Mandelman a Guest on Short Sale Power Hour!
Written on 16 Jul, 2010 at 5:52
Actually, Kevin Kauffman and Fred Weaver are the two guys behind and in front of the camera on Short Sale Power Hour, an Internet video show that airs every day online, 5 days a week. They're smart and funny... (Continue reading)
BANKERS: Count on them to be petty and offensive, every single time.
Written on 16 Jul, 2010 at 5:21
The bill is important at a time like this, because it would clearly encourage more lawyers to represent homeowners in foreclosure actions "because attorneys can be confident, if successful, that they will be paid for their work." And, as... (Continue reading)
California Court Rules: MERS Can’t Foreclose, Citibank Can’t Collect
Written on 16 Jul, 2010 at 3:39
This decision means that if a foreclosing party in California, that is not the original lender, claims that payment is due under the note, and that they have the right to foreclose on the basis of a MERS assignment, they're... (Continue reading)
JPMorgan Chase: We Had So Many Buy-Backs That We Had to Put This Policy in Place
Written on 15 Jul, 2010 at 2:06
CHASE now says that their new policy prohibits the postponing of sales, regardless of the reason, if the request to postpone is made within 7 days... or maybe 5 days... or it could be 2 days (depending on who you... (Continue reading)
For Bankers of Failed Financial Institutions… the Pain Is Not Over Yet
Written on 13 Jul, 2010 at 22:11
Shiela! There you are! Where the heck have you been girl? Last I heard, Hank Paulson sent you for coffee, and you've been standing in Geithner's shadow ever since. It's about damn time, girl! ... (Continue reading)
FHFA Subpoenas Data from 64 Issuers of Mortgage Backed Securities
Written on 13 Jul, 2010 at 5:25
Uh oh. Someone's gonna' be in big trouble... as in... Lucy, you got some "˜splainin' to do. Is it warm in here all of a sudden?... (Continue reading)
15 Texas Homeowners Sue Bank of America for Abusive Practices – Don’t Mess With Texas
Written on 12 Jul, 2010 at 4:02
RESPA is a federal statute so I would think that this sort of thing could be happening all over the place... like in all 50 states. And it's also worth mentioning that what Bank of America is accused of... (Continue reading)
Have a “Plunder Party” and Help Change Our World
Written on 8 Jul, 2010 at 13:15
PLUNDER - The Crime of Our Time, is a movie produced and directed by Danny Schechter, that shows what Wall Street did to destroy our economy. It's the first movie that clearly shows that what's happened over the last... (Continue reading)
House Hearings to Answer Question: Are Loan Servicers Honoring Their Commitments to Help Preserve Homeownership?
Written on 6 Jul, 2010 at 11:06
Everything's going just fine. There are no real problems with HAMP or with the servicers who are implementing HAMP. Oh sure, there have been a few challenges, but most of them have been caused by the borrowers who... (Continue reading)
A Conversation Between MANDELMAN and a Reader About New $1 Billion Fund For Unemployed Homeowners
Written on 1 Jul, 2010 at 20:14
Everyone knows how much I love sarcasm... or at least have come to love sarcasm writing about the foreclosure crisis... and on this article I think I might have taken my sarcasm to such a level that readers, especially those... (Continue reading)
MANDELMAN’S MONTHLY MUSELETTER – VERSION 8.0
Written on 30 Jun, 2010 at 9:05
This month in Mandelman's Monthly Museletter: 1. Oregon Woman Accuses Vice President Al Gore of Sexual Misconduct in 2006. 2. Fear Deflation, Pray for Inflation. 3. The latest from Nobel Prize Winning Economist, Paul Krugman. 4. HAMP's UP Program... (Continue reading)
New Legislation to Offer $1 Billion in Federal Loans to Help Unemployed Homeowners Pay Mortgages
Written on 30 Jun, 2010 at 7:58
Plus, if I was at all unsure of my position on this program, the clincher was finding out that the cost of both programs is being covered by a tax on large banks and hedge funds contained in the bill.... (Continue reading)
Banks Obviously in Trouble, 91 Banks Missed May Payments to Treasury
Written on 17 Jun, 2010 at 23:00
In some cases, banks are attempting to renegotiate or modify their loans. For example, Midwest Banc Holdings offered to swap $84.8 million in preferred shares issued under the TARP program for $15.5 million in common shares, but that would... (Continue reading)
The Article that Started it All: Pigs, Puppets and People in Peril
Written on 4 Jun, 2010 at 4:50
Here it is... the first article I ever wrote for The Niche report magazine. Click the linked title below: Pigs, Puppets & People in Peril. Seems like soooo long ago... ... (Continue reading)
My Year in A-Trance: What I’ve Learned About Loan Modifications
Written on 4 May, 2010 at 1:50
Why the banking lobby starts to look downright puny next to millions of American homeowners all shouting at the same time... "Congress better take note! We intend to use our VOTE!" Yep, after that the foreclosure crisis would... (Continue reading)
HAMP’s New Enhancements are Stupid and I’m Getting Tired of Stupid
Written on 10 Apr, 2010 at 20:43
They did it again, damn it. The Harvard contingent that's packed in like sardines in this administration once again demonstrated that they have no idea what they're doing when it comes to the foreclosure crisis.... (Continue reading)
What We All Should Have Learned by Now About Loan Modifications
Written on 7 Apr, 2010 at 4:33
Okay class... if you've been keeping up with your reading assignments, then the following should be no problem for you to keep up with... but it also may cause motion sickness.... (Continue reading)
Green Credit & Me
Written on 24 Mar, 2010 at 2:00
If the guys in Sacramento or Washington D.C. think that I view ANYTHING they've done to-date as being even remotely competent, let me be oh so clear... I DON'T. As far as I'm concerned, our government is functioning just... (Continue reading)
THE JURY IS IN: Obama’s Foreclosure Program Run by Morons… and Trial Modifications are the Biggest Loan Mod Scam Ever
Written on 3 Dec, 2009 at 19:11
I don't know about you, but 1700 out of 650,000 makes me want to believe that the 1700 were mistakes that slipped through. It makes more sense to think that the HAMP program was designed to create foreclosures... and... (Continue reading)
JUDGING INDYMAC – New York Supreme Court Judge Finds IndyMac’s behavior “repugnant, shocking, repulsive and completely devoid of good faith”.
Written on 24 Nov, 2009 at 12:52
IndyMac/One West Bank... Mortifying abuse... completely devoid of good faith... harsh, repugnant, shocking and repulsive. Bravo, Judge Spinner... Bravo! When I read it for the first time, it literally brought tears to my eyes. ... (Continue reading)
Liberal Billionaire George Soros… Major Shareholder in IndyMac/One West Bank
Written on 12 Sep, 2009 at 23:21
They declined to participate. Am I the only one that feels like a 5 year-old just told me he or she wasn't going to take a bath as requested? Oh really? Get in the damn tub now...... (Continue reading)
Wells Fargo’s Exec Forecloses on $12 Million Malibu Beach House – Then Moves in for Summer Fun. And why not?
Written on 12 Sep, 2009 at 19:59
First of all... I'm sure the house-sitting Wells executive that hosted parties throughout the summer never invited anyone from Wells Fargo... or B of A... or Chase, IndyMac, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. I'm sure most of the exec's friends are... (Continue reading)
Wells Fargo’s “Ghetto Loans” and the “Mud People”
Written on 28 Jun, 2009 at 22:40
Beth Jacobson says that she and fellow loan officers at Wells Fargo Bank systematically singled out blacks in and around Baltimore in order to sell them high-interest sub-prime mortgages, whether they would have qualified for prime loans or not. ... (Continue reading)
Former sub-prime lenders are back to profit off the mess they made. Seriously?
Written on 9 Jun, 2009 at 15:22
Apparently, they were not quite satisfied with the hundreds of millions they stole... I mean made, so they've launched a company that will buy distressed mortgages from banks and the government at a discount, modify the loans so that the... (Continue reading)