Wednesday 15th January
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It’s Gretchen Morgenson from The New York Times – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 21 Feb, 2012 at 7:47
Lately, Gretchen has been really going strong on foreclosure-related topics... the fraudulent document scandal, the Fannie report, DocX, the AG settlement, so I thought now would be a good time to have her on a Mandelman Matters Podcast.... (Continue reading)
Stuff Ex-Homeowners Can Buy for $2,000
Written on 14 Feb, 2012 at 7:28
The monetary terms aspect of the mortgage settlement agreement is completely worthless to everyone. Three billion to provide refinancing for underwater mortgages? If that was executed perfectly, it MIGHT refinance 15,000 homes nationwide. Why even bother doing... (Continue reading)
Greece Will Leave EU… They Should Do It Now.
Written on 13 Feb, 2012 at 8:51
Dear Greece... The Dracma will be fine and so will the people, but not if you wait too long, or if you continue with a prime minister who is an ex-central banker. Toss him out, re-shuffle the deck and... (Continue reading)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Mortgage Settlement
Written on 12 Feb, 2012 at 17:37
The settlement agreement is supposed to help one million households by reducing their loan balance reduced. There's no way is there enough money in this settlement to do all that much for anyone. But Obama has said it's... (Continue reading)
The Top Twelve Reasons Why You Should Hate the Mortgage Settlement – Yves Smith
Written on 9 Feb, 2012 at 12:09
Here's the deal... I wrote a year ago when the whole AG/banker political circus started that I was not going to follow it, not going to write about it, and certainly not care about it. It was a colossal... (Continue reading)
Foreclosing on Oscar… Mandelman’s List of Best Picture nominees
Written on 9 Feb, 2012 at 9:16
I haven't actually seen any of them, but I've gone ahead and described them, so you can see the candidates through my somewhat jaded perspective... and my list is likely a little different than the others you'll run across... I... (Continue reading)
IT’S UNANIMOUS! AZ’s SB 1451 Passes Senate Banking Committee
Written on 7 Feb, 2012 at 21:09
Arizona's hundreds of thousands of hopelessly underwater homeowners are having the best day they've had since the "days of equity" back in 2006. The bill not only passed, but it passed unanimously... '6' Ayes to '0' Nays. ... (Continue reading)
OneWest Bank DOES IT for Lisa in Massachusetts! (DOERS ROCK!)
Written on 7 Feb, 2012 at 15:44
Plus, in Massachusetts, do you know how they do it? They auction the home off right on the soon to be ex-homeowner's front lawn, for all to see. I'll tell you what... that is some 17th century nonsense... (Continue reading)
MM EXCLUSIVE: AZ Bill Writes Down Underwater Loans for Homeowners – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 5 Feb, 2012 at 20:23
"In Arizona we don't ignore problems, nor do we pretend they aren't there," Sen. Reagan explains. "Obviously, the federal programs aren't going to address our state's needs, and that's fine. We're perfectly capable of doing what's best for... (Continue reading)
Attorney Wins “Free House” in Case Before 9th Circuit Court of Appeals – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 4 Feb, 2012 at 14:59
This is one Mandelman Matters Podcast that you definitely don't want to miss. Nathan sets it up in the beginning, then you hear the audio of the actual courtroom arguments, both his and the lawyer for US Bank... and... (Continue reading)
Foreclosure Politics Here and Across the Pond – Professor David Coates on a Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 3 Feb, 2012 at 19:06
This Mandelman Matters Podcast with Professor David Coates is not the same thing you've heard before, as he covers the foreclosure crisis both here in the U.S and in the UK. He also talks about the global financial crisis... (Continue reading)
Thank You Wells Fargo… Signed the DOERS of Mandelman & Field
Written on 31 Jan, 2012 at 19:28
Ooops, you did it again! Yes, it's true... Wells Fargo contacted Tom and Jeneane up in Granite Bay, California mid-day today to let them know that their SALE DATE of February 3, 2012 HAS BEEN POSTPONED. ... (Continue reading)
Freddie Mac’s Crimes Against Homeowners are NOT an Isolated Incident
Written on 30 Jan, 2012 at 18:35
ProPublica is reporting that Freddie Mac has been placing "multi-billion dollar bets designed to only pay off when homeowners remain "trapped" in high interest rate loans, and that the government-owned mortgage monster began increasing such bets late in 2010, which... (Continue reading)
Our DOERS DID IT Again… One West Bank Stops Sale in East!
Written on 30 Jan, 2012 at 15:37
DOERS... you did it again. That's 7 out of 7 DOERS... we really are DOING it and making a real and very meaningful difference not only for the homeowners whose homes we've saved by helping them get sustainable loan... (Continue reading)
DOER ALERT: OneWest Bank Needs to STOP a Foreclosure Sale Monday Because It’s WRONG
Written on 29 Jan, 2012 at 20:31
In just two days from now, on Monday, January 30, 2012, at 3:00 PM... a terrible, tragic and yet easily avoidable event is scheduled to occur... and MUST BE STOPPED. OneWest Bank is scheduled to conduct a foreclosure auction... (Continue reading)
DOER ALERT: Wells Fargo this is Unnecessary, Unreasonable and Unthinkable
Written on 28 Jan, 2012 at 1:42
Because I just can't believe that anyone would intentionally do this to the parents of an autistic 12 year-old girl... invite them to apply for a loan modification, and then after six months, leave them over a weekend with the... (Continue reading)
Bank of America Does the Wright Thing – DOERS Did It Again. JOIN US, BE A DOER!
Written on 26 Jan, 2012 at 6:23
By mid-day on Tuesday, Bank of America had responded to say they were looking into it... and by 4:30 PM that same day Bank of America DID THE WRIGHT THING, and gave Mr. Dale Wright his home back... from a... (Continue reading)
Look, this just isn’t that hard… The Solutions to Pressing Problems.
Written on 24 Jan, 2012 at 12:28
If Mickey Mouse is going to sign it, and Donald Duck is going to notarize it... THEN DON'T SIGN IT... because we don't need it signed. BUT... if we DO need it signed, then don't forge it and file... (Continue reading)
DOER ALERT: Dear Bank of America…
Written on 23 Jan, 2012 at 20:03
The man's wife passed away in 2006. They were married for 53 years. Your bank explained that a request for postponement went in on the 23rd of December 2011 on a loan which Bank of America agreed to... (Continue reading)
Credit Suisse Tells Bloomberg: “Mortgage Principal Cuts Don’t Help Homeowners?”
Written on 22 Jan, 2012 at 18:53
Reducing mortgage balances is a risky idea that hasn't been shown to keep borrowers who owe more than their property's worth in their homes, according to Credit Suisse Group AG. (CSGN). Suspending accounting rules is a risky idea that hasn't been... (Continue reading)
Calling All Lawyers to 5,000,000 Crime Scenes
Written on 20 Jan, 2012 at 10:21
Consider this... bankers say that they've been overwhelmed by the millions of homeowners unexpectedly seeking loan modifications and that's why applying for a loan modification has been such a nightmare. But, what about the number of foreclosures occurring in... (Continue reading)
I’ve found the problem in Washington… it’s some sort of time warp, or they’re just dumb.
Written on 17 Jan, 2012 at 9:34
How does the Fed write a white paper and present it to the United State Congress that is packed with proof positive of an entirely inadequate level of knowledge, understanding... education, even? Am I going to find out that... (Continue reading)
My Name is Martin.
Written on 16 Jan, 2012 at 1:35
I learned about death from Martin King. I learned about peace from Martin King. I learned about hope from Martin King. I learned about struggle from Martin King. I learned about my country from Martin King. I learned to love... (Continue reading)
Are they lying or are they stupid?
Written on 14 Jan, 2012 at 15:51
Look... are you feeling me here? Do you see what I'm saying? What's the deal? Are they lying or are they stupid, because there's no way in the world we should be talking about whether the FOMC... (Continue reading)
The Quiet Man… Utah Attorney Walter Keane – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 13 Jan, 2012 at 16:01
Utah Attorney Walter Keene is the lawyer that filed four quiet title claims last year, which means he was seeking to obtain a court order granting clear title to the properties in question. And all four were granted by... (Continue reading)
Can We All at Least Agree on This?
Written on 13 Jan, 2012 at 12:49
If that is going to be allowed to happen, we... and I mean WE, as in ALL OF US... should demand that we stop signing such things altogether. If a Linda Green look-a-like is going to sign a fraudulent... (Continue reading)
MY DOERS DID IT AGAIN! But it’s not over yet. (And Holly Says Thank You!)
Written on 31 Dec, 2011 at 19:50
I don't usually do this, but with Holly's permission, I've posted the three emails I received from her today. I get a lot of very flattering emails from homeowners across the country, and I appreciate them all very much...... (Continue reading)
GUEST POST: Debtor Education Course: Are Joe and Sally to Blame? By Attorney Russ DeMott
Written on 31 Dec, 2011 at 18:13
Russ truly likes helping people with financial struggles. "I view my practice as a way to level the playing field between ordinary citizens"”the voters"”and Corporate America"”the vote buyers. I'm unapologetically on the side of the little guy." And you... (Continue reading)
DOER ALERT: Wells Fargo Bank… How could you do this to a mother of four?
Written on 30 Dec, 2011 at 11:37
Doug and Holly were excellent customers of your bank for over 16 years, and then they hit a rough patch. They needed the bank's help... some guidance to get them through difficult times. You had a chance to... (Continue reading)
OhioFraudclosure Blog Warns… Fannie & Freddie Eviction Moratorium Ends January 3rd
Written on 30 Dec, 2011 at 2:49
So, below is a video that Marco just put together. It's dramatic... disturbing even. It includes footage of the sheriff coming to evict a family, obviously without notice... or at least without adequate notice. Marco put the... (Continue reading)
ALJAZEERA… The year’s top story is not getting coverage…
Written on 29 Dec, 2011 at 19:51
ALJAZEERA: "If you want to find out about this story of the year and years past, in all of its disgusting detail, you can't just trust major media. You have to read Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone, a music magazine,... (Continue reading)
GUEST POST: Bob Cratchit Speaks Out on Christmas Foreclosure Freezes, Rated ‘PG-13’
Written on 26 Dec, 2011 at 18:48
Every year I take a whole week off at Christmastime. Of course, it wasn't always that way. When I started working for my Uncle Scrooge years ago, he never would have allowed that. In fact, back then,... (Continue reading)
FRONT LINE NEWS, A Mandelman Matters Podcast – December 23, 2011
Written on 23 Dec, 2011 at 9:58
FIRST UP: A favorable ruling from Florida's Supreme Court in the Pino Case... I ask attorney Matt Weidner and Foreclosure Hamlet's Lisa Epstein to tell us what it means to homeowners. SECOND STORY: A blogger in Ohio teams up with... (Continue reading)
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – 2011
Written on 21 Dec, 2011 at 9:15
And, since it is the holidays, it's also time for my annual year-in-review-in-rhyme, read to the famous holiday poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I started writing my 'Twas the Night year-in-review in 2007, or at least that's the year... (Continue reading)
DOJ Arrests Attorney Mitchell Stein at LAX – A Mass Clusterf#@k
Written on 21 Dec, 2011 at 8:17
Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department's Criminal Division announced today that attorney Mitchell J. Stein was arrested on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at Los Angeles International Airport on charges related to his alleged role in a... (Continue reading)
Mandelman on The News Dissector Radio Show with Danny Schechter
Written on 20 Dec, 2011 at 20:11
I was a guest on the News Dissector radio show with Danny Schechter out of NYC. And I was joined by one of the Occupy Wall Street organizers and Capt. (Ret.) Ray Lewis. Check it out... given the... (Continue reading)
Foreclosure Fraud North by Northwest with Attorney Shawn Newman, A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 20 Dec, 2011 at 14:40
A Mandelman Matters Podcast - Washington State attorney, Shawn Newman is fighting to protect the rights of homeowners. His legal theories and experiences in court related to Fannie and Freddie "owned" loans are interesting, to say the least, and... (Continue reading)
GUEST POST: Dear Colleagues, by Thomas A. Cox, Esq.
Written on 16 Dec, 2011 at 20:40
This letter was written today by attorney Thomas Cox of Portland Maine, and posted on several legal listservs. It was totally unexpected and more than moving. Tom is the lawyer whose work and depositions of GMAC's Jeffrey Stephan... (Continue reading)
DOER ALERT – Bank of America Disables a Disabled Vet
Written on 16 Dec, 2011 at 7:25
Bank of America... stop torturing disabled American veterans, and stop torturing Arlie Matthews and I do mean immediately... and I also mean... or else. He's a brave and strong guy, but I know he's got to be scared to... (Continue reading)
Neil Barofsky and American Banker Finally Catch Up to Mandelman Matters
Written on 15 Dec, 2011 at 19:54
No one helps those who don't help themselves. We need to be WE... and now. Because as long as the country believes that irresponsible borrowers are the problem, nothing will change for borrowers... not enough lawyers will join... (Continue reading)
Mandelman Speaks at California State Bar’s Annual Discipline Hearings
Written on 14 Dec, 2011 at 17:04
I also spoke to the members of the panel about the need for the State Bar to give more careful consideration to how it can better support the legitimate and ethical attorneys that could provide representation to homeowners in need... (Continue reading)
Arizona’s Rep. Jack Harper Says Walk Away and You’ll Pay
Written on 14 Dec, 2011 at 2:02
The Arizona Bankers Association has been trying to change that for years so banks could go after the homeowners for the amount of the deficiency, and finally they've found their boy in Jack Harper. Inconceivably, Harper says he will... (Continue reading)
The Stalinist Era of Consumer Protection
Written on 12 Dec, 2011 at 15:58
Now, when right in front of our eyes, the banking lobby is pushing to make the only federal agency whose role is to protect consumers entirely toothless, once again we're failing to make our voices heard. I know this... (Continue reading)
Register of Deeds, Jeff Thigpen, Is Not Playing Around – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 10 Dec, 2011 at 18:16
Well, I caught up with Jeff after receiving a "friend request" from him on Facebook... I recognized the name right away and sent him a note asking him to join me for a podcast... and he said yes, of course.... (Continue reading)
Letter Bomb Sent to Deutsche Bank CEO
Written on 10 Dec, 2011 at 0:06
The FBI has issued a statement saying that the Bureau is, "working with German authorities to assess the incident in Frankfurt and any potential threat to facilities or people here." NYPD has increased security around the Deutsche Bank locations in... (Continue reading)
Author Michael Hudson Knows The Monster – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 4 Dec, 2011 at 12:59
Here's something you can't do anywhere else... listen to author Michael Hudson not only talk with me about his book, but listen to how he applies his vast knowledge of the subject matter to what's going on today in our... (Continue reading)
DeMarco of the FHFA… Like when the baby gets a hold of a hammer.
Written on 1 Dec, 2011 at 13:37
So, I'm bringing all of this up because Mr. Edward DeMarco, who is just the "acting" director of the independent federal agency that placed both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship in the fall of 2008, has actually become... (Continue reading)
Mandelman’s Monthly Museletter – Version 16.0
Written on 30 Nov, 2011 at 17:15
In this edition you'll find: 1. Robo-signing KILLS... 2. OCC proposes credit rating duties go to banks - A real conversation with a banker-friend of mine. 3. PMI Files Bankruptcy - Regulators step in and take over yet another mortgage... (Continue reading)
THE NEWS: What’s Occupying My Mind is Making Me Dizzy
Written on 29 Nov, 2011 at 11:14
What you are about to read has not been smoothed out or otherwise homogenized, it's just the news as it's coming at me... and you. Go ahead... read it and then tell me everything's just fine. ... (Continue reading)
Bringing UP the Rear – Neil Lipschutz, Managing Editor, Dow Jones Newswire
Written on 28 Nov, 2011 at 10:54
Obviously, either Neal has the cognitive abilities of a fruit loop soaked in milk, or he's just disturbed. What do you suppose he thinks "spread" to Europe and its banks? I mean, I don't think loans can spread...... (Continue reading)
A Foot Soldier in the Foreclosure Wars – Matt Weidner, A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 27 Nov, 2011 at 10:53
I wanted to have Matt on a podcast so both homeowners and other lawyers would have an opportunity to hear his views on the crisis today, and specifically what he's seeing in the Florida courts. And sure enough, Matt... (Continue reading)
Unmistakably April Charney – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 24 Nov, 2011 at 20:00
So, whether you're a homeowner fighting to keep your home... or a lawyer who represents homeowners in foreclosure, here's an opportunity to hear what April has to say about where we've been, where we are today, and where she thinks... (Continue reading)
Home sales contracts are falling apart 2X as fast as last year
Written on 23 Nov, 2011 at 18:32
Why? Well, according to the Realtors, it's credit scores and appraisals coming in too low. Well shave my head and call me Baldy... what do you know about that? I certainly do declare, how can such a... (Continue reading)
Sitting in at Max Gardner’s UCC Seminar at New York Law School…
Written on 23 Nov, 2011 at 5:51
So... if you're wondering why I'm writing this right now, as education is raining down all around me? Well, it's because this is like being at the All-Star Game of the foreclosure crisis. It's just packed with high... (Continue reading)
I, Robosigner… A three act play about affidavit fraud in AG Masto’s Nevada
Written on 18 Nov, 2011 at 17:52
... Faster than a NINJA loan originating at Wamu... More powerful than an unlimited warehouse line at Lehman Bros... able to see swaps and synthetics even when inside an SPE... Look, up in the sky... It's a bird... It's a... (Continue reading)
Professor Learns the Hard Way About Loan Modifications at Bank of America
Written on 15 Nov, 2011 at 22:38
MEMO TO BANK OF AMERICA... Why do you do these things to me? I was just sitting here minding my own business, perfectly content to write about Chase or Wells or anything else for that matter... but no, you... (Continue reading)
We’re Going to Need a Bigger Horse… Portland police back down, rather than engage Occupy Portland protesters
Written on 15 Nov, 2011 at 9:57
We need, as perhaps the late, great Steve Jobs might have said... to think differently, to fight differently. We need to scare them by making them realize that we are their source of power and just as we bestow... (Continue reading)
Our future hinges on just ONE thing…
Written on 14 Nov, 2011 at 12:06
You know the stereotype... we all do... reckless and greedy people who bought homes they could never hope to afford by signing their names on nothing down, 80/20 "liar loans" with negative amortization and teaser rates of 1%. And... (Continue reading)
Two Movies I Want to See… Bailout! and Margin Call
Written on 11 Nov, 2011 at 6:19
Two movies I really want to see, and I think you will want to see them as well. One is Bailout, and it looks funny and great. The other is Margin Call, and it look dramatic and really... (Continue reading)
Disturbing News from Behind Closed Doors – Attorney Thomas Cox, A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 8 Nov, 2011 at 0:08
Tom's going to share some things that are very disturbing... things he's discovered are going on behind closed doors in the mortgage banking industry... thinks you probably haven't heard about before... things we all need to know. Don't even... (Continue reading)
OCC’s Independent Foreclosure Review for Homeowners is Ready – But, so are the Scammers
Written on 4 Nov, 2011 at 3:42
The bottom-line is that this does appear to be a chance for people who were treated unfairly as part of the foreclosure process (and Lord knows there are plenty who fall into that category) to get a shot at some... (Continue reading)
The World of the Investor with Attorney Talcott Franklin – A Mandelman Matters Podcast
Written on 2 Nov, 2011 at 10:40
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH INVESTORS? WHO ARE THEY? ARE THEY LOSING MONEY ON FORECLOSURES? What do the investors think about all these foreclosures? What's the relationship like between investors and servicers? Do investors want to modify loans? Do... (Continue reading)
THE CRAVEN, A Halloween Trick-or-Treat, With Apologies to Edgar Allen Poe
Written on 2 Nov, 2011 at 0:18
Quoth the Craven, "Nevermore."... (Continue reading)
Bull… meet China Shop. SB 94 and the California State Bar, Two Years Later
Written on 30 Oct, 2011 at 8:25
At the California State Bar Association's 84th Annual Meeting, September 17, 2011, Susan Anderson presented what she said is the bar's official interpretation of SB 94, precluding a lawyer from being paid for services related to a loan modification until... (Continue reading)
Attorneys: Foreclosure Defense at a Whole New Level – Max Gardner In-person or On video
Written on 26 Oct, 2011 at 9:02
Max basically gives attorneys his thirty-year law practice in a box with easy to follow assembly instructions and ongoing support. And there's nothing theoretical about what Max teaches attorneys at his workshops and seminars. In fact, I've seen... (Continue reading)
Mainstream media waking up to foreclosures being a big problem – And by big problem, I mean Geithner
Written on 25 Oct, 2011 at 17:41
I'm not sure what to say to that, now that I've read Zach's article and been shown more of what went on behind closed doors at the Obama White House. That mistakes were made is abundantly clear, but even... (Continue reading)
Public sector shedding 35k jobs a month — Republicans block bill to prevent further losses
Written on 25 Oct, 2011 at 8:03
State budgets have to be suffering from reduced income and sales taxes, don't they? Higher unemployment obviously means fewer people working and those that are still working... are making less money, so it stands to reason that income tax... (Continue reading)
Obama’s New Plan to Help Housing Isn’t Worth Waiting For
Written on 22 Oct, 2011 at 8:17
Even Edward J. DeMarco, acting director of the independent Federal Housing Finance Agency says his fix will be more of a tune-up than an overhaul, with reduced "frictions" and "enhancements."... (Continue reading)
From Bevilacqua to Fontenot, It’s Coast-to-Coast Confusion
Written on 20 Oct, 2011 at 18:38
As shocking as it may be to some, apparently if you start with MERS, mix in some robo-signing, have total disregard for the PSA, and entirely ignore each and every law along the way, well... you end up destroying the... (Continue reading)
Optimism Lost, and by Optimism, I mean Ben Bernanke and the NYT
Written on 19 Oct, 2011 at 8:54
I think the nice folks at the New York Times have been spending too much time at Zabars? Because I'm pretty sure it's not a confidence deficiency... I think it's money we're missing... as in income, and the lack... (Continue reading)
Are Homeowners Suffering from LAS – Legal Abuse Syndrome?
Written on 19 Oct, 2011 at 1:24
Homeowners who have been forced into litigation in an attempt to save their homes, whether choosing to represent themselves, or hire an attorney, are battling against the largest financial institutions in the world in a court system that's anything but... (Continue reading)
MERS Has Trouble, Right There in Ohio, With a Capital ‘T’…
Written on 18 Oct, 2011 at 18:28
"This case asks court very directly whether the MERS system complies with state law. If it doesn't then I'm going to go back and reopen all of the foreclosures alleging that the transfers were invalid," says Dann without hesitation. ... (Continue reading)
What Obama Should Have Done – Ezra Klein, Part 2
Written on 17 Oct, 2011 at 21:07
I mean, here we had our "smart" president, and the first thing he does upon taking the reins of a nation in real economic peril, is throw together a spending bill whose numbers were pulled directly from the hindquarters of... (Continue reading)
CA’s Democrats in Congress Wake Up to Need to Address Foreclosures
Written on 16 Oct, 2011 at 22:39
Apparently, this past week, the sound of the economy's ship going down must have awoken the majority of House Democrats from California who then just jumped all over the Obama Administration for "failing to deliver on promises to curb foreclosures."... (Continue reading)
WSJ Surveys Economists… US Incomes Won’t Make Up Lost Ground Before 2021
Written on 16 Oct, 2011 at 19:29
Yesterday, for the first time since the recession began, the Wall Street Journal survey of 50 economists now say that incomes in this country have been falling since 2000 and they don't expect us to make up the lost ground... (Continue reading)
Inside the Obama Administration with Ezra Klein … and Mandelman
Written on 15 Oct, 2011 at 6:43
Klein seems to think that it's important to understand how the administration got it so wrong... but I could care less. I think the salient point is that they knew they had gotten it wrong soon enough, and yet... (Continue reading)
The Recession is Over! Long Live the Recession!
Written on 11 Oct, 2011 at 12:33
Look people... don't get bummed out about this study, because a few years from now the NBER is probably going to refer to today as having been a peak. ... (Continue reading)
Only One Paycheck Away from Disaster… No kidding, really? Go figure.
Written on 5 Oct, 2011 at 17:19
Since then, we've been bubbled into financial ruin. We bought high and sold low, until our 401(k)s turned into 201(k)s, and then we doubled down on shares of Pets.com, never bothering to question how the company planned to deliver... (Continue reading)
Attitudes on Wall Street: Dear God, Give Me Strength
Written on 4 Oct, 2011 at 6:03
Brancaccio asked about whether these Wall Street types recognized that bonuses are usually paid on profits, but that profits are "radically down," and Bethany replied that they don't. She said that there's a widespread belief that "it wasn't my fault,... (Continue reading)
Two Top Tier Lawyers Ready to Sue Servicers for Defrauding Homeowners
Written on 3 Oct, 2011 at 16:24
It's no secret to anyone close to the crisis that homeowners in distress are routinely lied to by servicers... often homes are lost as a result of those lies... and what's even more shocking than that is how so... (Continue reading)
Former Sub-Prime Lenders Are Back to Profit Off of the Housing Meltdown. Seriously?
Written on 3 Oct, 2011 at 6:16
Basically, the architects of the sub-prime lending that caused the greatest financial crisis in the history of mankind, are now going to profit from the crisis they caused by buying and selling the very sub-prime loans they couldn't sell before,... (Continue reading)
Bank of America approves permanent loan modification. Homeowner makes payments. Trustee sale set Oct. 19th.
Written on 28 Sep, 2011 at 21:18
Let's hit this one out of the park for Cynthia in Knoxville, shall we? Come on... did you have a frustrating day? Me too. So, here's something to take all that frustration out on, what do you... (Continue reading)
Hard Truths Block Solutions to Foreclosure Crisis – But, I have the answers that will fix it.
Written on 26 Sep, 2011 at 0:59
BUT... the odds are that they won't win their lawsuits, their legal arguments will not prevail and ultimately they will lose their homes to foreclosure. Many arrive in court having not made a mortgage payment in several years, and... (Continue reading)
AM I DREAMING ALL OF THIS? (If you can read this, please let me know.)
Written on 23 Sep, 2011 at 20:21
Is it possible that I'm only dreaming all of this? Like, maybe I don't really blog about the financial and foreclosure crises... maybe it's all just part of a reoccurring, and incomprehensibly maddening dream? ... (Continue reading)
Mandelman’s Monthly Museletter – Version 15.0
Written on 20 Sep, 2011 at 9:30
1. Obama Administration Leaps Into Action on the Foreclosure Crisis. 2. Nation's poverty rate climbs to 15.1%, highest in 18 years. 3. Obama Says Government to Help More People Refinance... Again. 4. Mortgage Defaults Skyrocket 33% Nationwide in... (Continue reading)
Obama Says Post Office Should Cut One Day of Mail Delivery… Now there’s change we can believe in.
Written on 20 Sep, 2011 at 2:53
Obviously, Obama has been hard at work on this very important subject, and I think we have to give credit where credit is due. And he's got more ideas than just cutting a day of mail delivery, oh yes... (Continue reading)
Bringing Up the REAR: House Speaker Rep. John Boehner
Written on 19 Sep, 2011 at 19:46
Look, I've been an "employer" for some 20 years, and I'd just like to assure everyone that breaking the collective back of our nation's middle class is precisely what is stopping America's employers from spending the massive amounts of cash... (Continue reading)
Irresponsible Borrowers Documentary Trailer 2 – We Need Your Support
Written on 15 Sep, 2011 at 22:25
Watch it. Link to it. Post it. Support it. Everyone who contributes will be listed in the credits and we plan to take the film all the way to the Academy Awards. If "Inside Job"... (Continue reading)
We’re Simply Not Going to Win this Battle in Courts Alone…
Written on 14 Sep, 2011 at 19:01
We plan to release the final film by the end of this calendar year. This is an election year. We can't afford to wait. Please help me change how this country views the tragedy that is the... (Continue reading)
I Failed… and I’m So Very Sorry
Written on 13 Sep, 2011 at 13:47
I don't know what to say except that I am so very sorry that I let them down. So deeply sorry... and I'll never forget them... I'll try never to let something like that happen again. ... (Continue reading)
Mandelman’s Reluctant Analysis of Obama’s Speech – The American Jobs Act
Written on 10 Sep, 2011 at 22:21
I didn't want to do this. I was perfectly content ignoring his idiotic drivel as I've been doing pretty successfully for over a year. Or, maybe it's because he hasn't said anything in over a year, I'm not... (Continue reading)
$6 Billion in Reinsurance Kickbacks to the Banks – Un-reported, Un-Acted Upon & Un-believable
Written on 8 Sep, 2011 at 18:17
Citigroup Inc, Wells Fargo & Co, SunTrust Bank Inc. and Countrywide allegedly required reinsurance partnerships on generous terms that violated the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, a 1974 law prohibiting abusive home sales practices.... (Continue reading)
GUEST POST: Prove Fannie & Freddie Innocent Before Suing the Banks – And Here Is How
Written on 7 Sep, 2011 at 13:29
For twelve years during and after the Savings & Loan crisis (1988-2000), I led the group of business analysts at PricewaterhouseCoopers that was responsible for monitoring Ginnie Mae's $600 billion portfolio of mortgage-backed securities. During that period, I learned... (Continue reading)
Geithner is Allowing Banks to Recapitalize on Backs of Homeowners, or… Games Bankers Play
Written on 7 Sep, 2011 at 8:37
I'll say one thing for Secretary Geithner: He's great at distraction. He goes, "Lookie over here." Then he points his finger towards China... and a pigeon flies out of his ass. You really have to watch this... (Continue reading)
The Case Against Philip Kramer, Et Al
Written on 7 Sep, 2011 at 8:00
You have to understand that while I'm happy to see any and all deceptive sales practices targeting homeowners stopped, I take no pleasure in seeing Philip Kramer prevented from suing Bank of America or any of the other banksters, all... (Continue reading)
Upcoming Max Gardner Seminar: UCC’s Impact on Securitization and Foreclosure Defense
Written on 3 Sep, 2011 at 5:06
Max Gardner, along with his faculty of expert guest speakers, will be delivering two specially designed in-depth sessions each one laser focused on the topic of the UCC's impact on mortgage securitization - and each of the seminars is specifically... (Continue reading)
Mandelman on Arizona’s Channel 12 NBC News… And other news.
Written on 25 Aug, 2011 at 14:00
While in Phoenix filming a documentary on the foreclosure crisis, I got a call from NBC Channel 12 reporter Melissa Blasius who said she had heard I was in town and wanted to feature what I was doing in one... (Continue reading)
If Your Economic Forecasts are Wrong All the Time, Aren’t You Just Guessing?
Written on 8 Aug, 2011 at 14:31
Mark Zandi is not only misleading the American public, but he's also misleading the American government, because he appears to have become the favorite economist of the Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department and the Senate and House Budget and Finance... (Continue reading)
From Insult to Injury and Back to Insult… A New Twist on the Demolition Derby
Written on 3 Aug, 2011 at 6:47
I remember a year or two back when Warren Buffett quipped that one solution was to "blow up a lot of houses -- a tactic similar to the destruction of autos that occurred with the "˜cash-for-clunkers' program.'" He was... (Continue reading)
Lawyers, foreclosure fatigue and the dreaded FREE HOUSE
Written on 29 Jul, 2011 at 19:23
Wake up people, we're running out of time. We need to do better and that means we need to get smarter. And since I still have faith that our laws will prevail, we'll be needing our nation's lawyers... (Continue reading)