“St. Petersburg City Employees Encourage False Real Estate Appraisals” Excerpt: “A 10 News Investigation into recent land-buys by the City of St. Petersburg indicates employees in the city’s real estate department are influencing the appraisal values of properties they plan … Continue reading
My mother’s eldest brother, Brad Bosley, passed away suddenly this past Monday. He had been living in Atlanta with my cousin Mark for the past three years or so. Mark had been caring for his father after a series of … Continue reading
Government Should Convert REOs to Rentals Excerpt: “The government’s plan to dispose of the more than 250,000 foreclosed homes in its portfolio needs to include women and minority business owners and skew toward converting the properties to short-term rentals, according … Continue reading
Excerpt: “Before the housing bubble burst, many believed the nation’s five biggest banks would control 90 percent of U.S. mortgages, but some experts now believe mid-size lenders will have greater opportunity to enter the market, National Mortgage News reported Aug. … Continue reading
Excerpt: …But few Americans can take advantage of the rates to refinance or buy a home. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.12%, from 4.22%, Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s the lowest level on records dating … Continue reading
Excerpt: “Bank of America is slashing 30,000 jobs as part of an effort to reverse a crisis of confidence among investors. It’s the largest single job reduction by a U.S. company this year.” “What CEO Brian Moynihan is trying to … Continue reading
With dozens of other professional photojournalists, Bill Biggart was there when the towers collapsed and lost his life. His film cameras were destroyed, but the flash card in his Canon D30 survived. “As you scroll through 150 pictures or so, … Continue reading
Excerpt: “The Federal Housing Finance Agency sued 17 banks Friday, seeking damages from the sale of soured mortgage-backed securities to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The banks include Bank of America and its two acquisitions Countrywide Financial Corp. and Merrill … Continue reading
Looking across Port Angeles Harbor, with two sailors tucked in for the night. Left to right, day breaks across this image… (click on it for larger size) …and the sun rises across the calm harbor.
Excerpt: “The trouble with appraisal management companies is that many of the appraisers they contract are not local and not familiar with the area, said Claudine Claus, president & CEO of Home Financing Center, one of the largest independent, privately-owned … Continue reading
Caution: Graphic images.
I worked with David Phillips at Hell Atlantic in Buffalo. He and his family took their vacation here in the Northwest, and I am thrilled they made some time for us to get together and reminisce over dinner!
From American Banker, Excerpt: “Imagine needing a medical doctor and having to go through an intermediary who will decide which doctor you may visit, and that doctor is chosen primarily on his fee charged, not expertise.” “Consumers are paying more … Continue reading
Port Gardner Bay from Legion Park Everett.