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		<title>Latest Blogs</title>
		<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/blog/</link>
		<description>Latest Blogs</description>
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			<title>Short Sale Caveats for Realtors</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/short-sale-caveats-for-realtors/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We have just posted in our Blog with the topic, "Short Sale Caveats for Realtors", which puts up some caution alerts for Realtors, in</br></br></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We have just posted in our Blog with the topic, "Short Sale Caveats for Realtors", which puts up some caution alerts for Realtors, in relation to Short Sales and Foreclosures.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; For more information, please see our Blog at http://blogging.lease2buy.com/2011/11/short-sale-caveats-for-realtors.html, and as a reminder, our main website is http://www.lease2buy.com<br><br>Happy Rent to Own &amp; Real Estate Investing !<br><br>Regards,<br>Robert Eisenstein<br>HomeRun Homes<br>Web: http://www.lease2buy.com<br>Blog: http://blogging.lease2buy.com<br>Public Speaking Appearances: http://www.lease2buy.com/speak.php<br>Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/homerunhomes<br>Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/homerunhomes<br _mce_bogus="1"></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/short-sale-caveats-for-realtors/</guid>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:08:35 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Robert Eisenstein</dc:creator>
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			<title>Foreclosure Settlement Falls Short, Still Worth the Wait:</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/Samuel/blog/foreclosure-settlement-falls-short-still-worth-the-wait/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">In any out-of-court <br>settlement for alleged wrongdoing, the test of whether prosecutors got a good <br>deal rests on the answers to three questions: Does i</br></br></span></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">In any out-of-court <br>settlement for alleged wrongdoing, the test of whether prosecutors got a good <br>deal rests on the answers to three questions: Does it hold the miscreants <br>accountable? Does it make victims whole? And does it prevent similar misconduct <br>in the future? </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;" _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">Thursday's $25 billion <br>agreement by five banks to end a 16-month investigation of abusive foreclosure <br>practices fails on the first two counts. And we won't know for some time whether <br>it is successful on the third. Nonetheless, the deal is in the country's <br>interest because it clarifies the liabilities of banks that filed bogus court <br>documents to speed up repossessions. That could clear the clogged foreclosure <br>process and, more importantly, help bring a moribund real-estate market back to <br>life. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">The banks -- Bank of <br>America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc. <br>and Ally Financial Inc. (the five largest home-loan servicers) -- have committed <br>to spend the bulk of the $25 billion on reducing the principal owed by at-risk <br>homeowners. Smaller amounts will go to people who already lost their homes or <br>are in the foreclosure process. The settlement could help as many as 2 million <br>borrowers, including many whose mortgages are underwater. Cash payments of up to <br>$2,000 will go to those whose homes were repossessed from September 2008 to <br>December 2011. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">11 million owe about <br>$750 billion more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Even taking <br>into consideration that some borrowers acted irresponsibly and don't deserve <br>compensation, the settlement amount is a pittance. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">As for holding the banks <br>accountable, several state attorneys general thought the deal would come up <br>short. Before signing on, they fought to narrow the banks' liability releases, <br>and won substantial concessions. California's Kamala Harris retains the right of <br>her state and its large public-pension funds to sue banks that packaged bad <br>mortgages into securities and sold them as safe investments. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">New York's Eric T. <br>Schneiderman, who recently was named co-chairman of President Barack Obama's <br>mortgage fraud task force, played a similarly positive role. He won the right to <br>keep going with a Feb. 6 lawsuit that claims banks used a dubious electronic <br>mortgage database to skirt the public recording system and submit false <br>documents to courts, speeding repossessions. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">The deal does have <br>teeth. It calls for an outside monitor and for heavy penalties if banks don't <br>make good on their commitments. More important, banks will be given credit only <br>for what they actually accomplish for homeowners -- and not for any refinancing <br>offers that borrowers refuse. This rightly gives the victims some leverage. <br></span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">If a bank falls short of <br>its agreed benchmarks, it must pay the difference plus a penalty. And it must <br>meet all its obligations in three years. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" id="yui_3_2_0_1_13288475957496203" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" id="yui_3_2_0_1_13288475957496202" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">The settlement also reverses the banks' <br>incentives to foreclose on families rather than keep them in their homes with <br>loan forgiveness. Until now, banks had been loath to reduce principal amounts <br>because it meant recognizing losses on their balance sheets. This deal awards <br>more credit for principal reduction and less for lowering interest rates or <br>extending payment terms. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">Banks have calculated <br>that the settlement is in their interest, even though it means they may have to <br>continue paying huge mortgage-related litigation costs. The deal enables them to <br>predict their legal exposure. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">Even better, it could <br>help the housing market recover. Banks own outright almost half a million homes <br>and have 2 million more in various stages of foreclosure. Such so-called shadow <br>inventory has been a drag on the market, which after six years remains <br>depressed, holding back the overall recovery. </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" id="yui_3_2_0_1_13288475957496190" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" id="yui_3_2_0_1_13288475957496189" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">With this settlement, banks can clear out their <br>backlog of stalled foreclosures. In the short run, that may drive prices down <br>even more, but it will also help the housing market find its natural bottom <br>faster. Only then can home prices, which have fallen by more than a third since <br>2007, begin to rise again. Borrowers can finally start to rebuild equity. <br></span></p><br><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" _mce_style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times=""> </span></p><span style="font-family: ;" _mce_style='font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;' 12pt;?="" Roman?;="" New="" Times="">Once banks reduce their <br>real-estate inventory, and their balance sheets recover, they'll be able to <br>loosen up home-lending standards to create new mortgages. If this is the result <br>of a less-than-satisfactory legal settlement, it will have been worth the <br>wait.</span>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/Samuel/blog/foreclosure-settlement-falls-short-still-worth-the-wait/</guid>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:41:29 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Samuel</dc:creator>
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			<title><![CDATA["Huge Real Estate Settlement As TheySaid"]]></title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/Samuel/blog/huge-real-estate-settlement-as-theysaid/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>The news is abuzz with this &#8220;historic&#8221; settlement that gives the big banks a big break and does little for consumers. As we&#8217;ve seen in the past, the c</p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The news is abuzz with this &#8220;historic&#8221; settlement that gives the big banks a big break and does little for consumers. As we&#8217;ve seen in the past, the claims in the press releases and sound bites are rarely close to the reality.</p><p>Over the next several weeks I expect to dig into the actual agreement in this column and point our reality vs. political statements. For now, it looks like the main site to get less-filtered and self-congratulatory information from polticians seeking re-election or to bolster their favorite incumbent is</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;ARTICLE</p><p>P.S. <a href="http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/">http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/</a></p><p>At this moment the Executive Summary isn&#8217;t even posted &#8212; so it&#8217;s anyone&#8217;s guess what press releases are based upon. At some future time the <a href="http://thehomes4all.com" _mce_href="http://thehomes4all.com">actual agreement</a> is to be posted at this site.</p><p>At this time the &#8220;<a href="http://thehomes4all.com" _mce_href="http://thehomes4all.com">Servicing Standards Highlights</a>&#8221; are posted (probably not final, as they appear to be a reference from the State of Washington). In short, they say: &#8220;banks should obey the laws rather than acting as if they are above them.&#8221; They can be found at: </p><p>P.S. <a href="http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/">http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/</a></p><p>Please be sure to register as a member of this site and to &#8220;Like&#8221; my Facebook page in the box along the right margin (with all the smiling faces) or at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Homes4AllIncPremierInvestments">http://www.facebook.com/Homes4AllIncPremierInvestments</a> &nbsp;to receive the<a href="http://thehomes4all.com" _mce_href="http://thehomes4all.com"> REAL story</a> about the TRUE content in the settlement agreement.</p><p>Samuel Rodiguez</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/Samuel/blog/huge-real-estate-settlement-as-theysaid/</guid>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:29:41 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Samuel</dc:creator>
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			<title>Breaking News Banks are Pumping Shortsales OFF their books</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/Samuel/blog/breaking-news-banks-are-pumping-shortsales-off-their-books/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<br><a href="http://www.createwealthinrealestatetoday.com/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.createwealthinrealestatetoday.com/" target="_blank">http://www.CreateWealthInRealEstateToday.com</a><br><br> Join Sam&#8217;s  Facebook Fan Page<br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz</a> <br><br> Follow Sam on  Twitter<br><a href="http://www.twitter.com/samrrueda" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/samrrueda" target="_blank">http://www.tw</a></a></br></br></br></a></br></br></br></a></br>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<br><a href="http://www.createwealthinrealestatetoday.com/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.createwealthinrealestatetoday.com/" target="_blank">http://www.CreateWealthInRealEstateToday.com</a><br><br> Join Sam&#8217;s  Facebook Fan Page<br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz</a> <br><br> Follow Sam on  Twitter<br><a href="http://www.twitter.com/samrrueda" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/samrrueda" target="_blank">http://www.twitter.com/samrrueda</a> <br><br>/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>Banks  ramping up short sales<br><br>Banks, accelerating efforts to move troubled  mortgages off their<br>books, are offering as much as $35,000 or more in cash  to<br>delinquent homeowners to sell their properties for less than they<br>owe.   Banks are nudging potential sellers by pre-approving deals,<br>streamlining the  closing process, forgoing their right to pursue<br>unpaid debt and in some cases  providing large cash incentives,<br>said Bill Fricke, senior credit officer for  Moody&#8217;s Investors<br>Service in New York.  Losses for lenders are about 15%  lower on<br>the sales than on foreclosures, which can take years to  complete<br>while taxes and legal, maintenance and other costs  accumulate,<br>according to Moody&#8217;s. The deals accounted for 33% of  financially<br>distressed transactions in November, up from 24% a year  earlier,<br>said CoreLogic Inc., a <a href="http://thehomes4all.com%20/" target="_blank">Santa Ana, California</a>-based real  estate<br>information company. A mountain of pending repossessions is<br>holding  back a recovery in the housing market, where prices have<br>fallen for six  straight years, and damping economic growth.<br>Owners of more than 14 million  homes are in foreclosure, behind<br>on their mortgages or owe more than their  properties are worth,<br>said RealtyTrac Inc., a property-data company in  Irvine,<br>California.<br><br>Short sales represented 9% of all US residential  transactions in<br>November, the most recent month for which data is available,  up<br>from 2% in January 2008, according to Corelogic.  Bank-owned<br>foreclosures and short sales sold at a discount of 34%  to<br>non-distressed properties in the third quarter, according  to<br>RealtyTrac.  As lenders shift their focus to sales, they are<br>finding  that some borrowers would rather risk repossession while<br>they wait for a loan  modification, according to Guy Cecala,<br>publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance,  a trade journal. In a loan<br>modification, the monthly payment, and sometimes  principal, is<br>reduced to help prevent seizure. Homeowners facing  foreclosure<br>may live rent-free for years before they are forced out.  <br>&#8220;That&#8217;s why the banks have got to pay the big bucks,&#8221; Cecala<br>said. &#8220;The  real question is why is the bribe so big? Is that<br>what it takes to get  somebody out of their home?&#8221;<br><br>Obama returning money, better late than  never&#8230;<br>Two American brothers of a<a href="http://thehomes4all.com/" target="_blank"> Mexican casino</a> magnate who fled drug<br>and  fraud charges in the United States and has been seeking a<br>pardon enabling him  to return have emerged as major fund-raisers<br>and donors for President Obama&#8217;s  re-election campaign.  The<br>casino owner, Juan Jose Rojas Cardona, known as  Pepe, jumped bail<br>in Iowa in 1994 and disappeared, and has since been linked  to<br>violence and corruption in Mexico. A State Department cable in<br>2009  said he was suspected of orchestrating the assassination of<br>a business rival  and making illegal campaign donations to Mexican<br>officials.  As recently as  January of last year, one of<br>Cardona&#8217;s brothers in Chicago, Carlos Rojas  Cardona, arranged<br>for the former chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party to  seek a<br>pardon from the governor for Pepe Cardona, according to<br>prosecutors  in that state.  Last fall, Carlos Cardona and another<br>brother in Chicago,  Alberto Rojas Cardona, began raising money<br>for the Obama campaign and the  Democratic National Committee. The<br>Cardona brothers, who have no prior  history of political giving,<br>appeared seemingly out of nowhere in the world  of Democratic<br>fund-raising, Democratic activists said.<br><br>The money  Alberto Cardona raised put him in the upper tiers of<br>fund-raisers known as  bundlers, according to a list released last<br>month by the campaign. He and  Carlos Cardona each gave the<br>maximum $30,800 to the Democratic National  Committee, and a<br>lesser amount to a state victory fund. A sister, Leticia  Rojas<br>Cardona of Tennessee, donated $13,000 to the national committee,<br>and  another relative in Illinois gave $12,600, records show.<br>There is no record  of Pepe Cardona making a donation.  Although<br>the two brothers live and work  in Chicago, they maintain ties to<br>Pepe Cardona in Mexico. Alberto Cardona  operates an advertising<br>agency in Mexico that has worked for political  candidates backed<br>by his brother, according to public records and Mexican  news<br>reports. Public records also show that the domain name for the<br>Web  site of a restaurant Pepe Cardona owns is registered to<br>Alberto Cardona.   When The New York Times asked the Obama<br>campaign early yesterday about the  Cardonas, officials said they<br>were unaware of the brother in Mexico. Later in  the day, the<br>campaign said it was refunding the money raised by the  family,<br>which totaled more than $200,000.<br><br>Olick - 40 states sign on to  robo-deal<br><br>&#8220;After more than a year of negotiations, attorneys general  from<br>more than 40 states signed on to a proposed settlement agreement<br>with  five of the nation&#8217;s largest mortgage servicers over<br>&#8216;robo-signing&#8217;  foreclosure processing abuses, according to the<br>lead negotiator, Iowa  Attorney General Tom Miller.  &#8216;This enables<br>us to move forward into the very  final stages of remaining work.<br>Federal and state officials, as well as  representatives from the<br>banks, continue to address matters that they must  complete before<br>finalizing any settlement,&#8217; Miller said in a statement  released<br>late Monday.  The deal with Bank of America, Wells  Fargo,<br>Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Ally Financial will reportedly<br>total  $25 billion. Some $17 billion of that would go toward<br>writing down mortgage  principal for an estimated 850,000 troubled<br>borrowers, $3 billion could go  toward restitution payments of<br>$1,500 each to borrowers who lost their homes  to foreclosure, and<br>the rest could go to state funds for foreclosure  relief,<br>according to reports and estimates by Inside Mortgage Finance.  <br>The total could be less, however, if California does not sign on.<br>As of  late Monday, officials there said Attorney General Kamala<br>Harris had not  agreed to the proposal.<br><br>New York did not sign on to the deal either,  according to sources<br>in Attorney General Eric Schneiderman&#8217;s office.  Schneiderman had<br>said he would not sign, but reports earlier in the week  suggested<br>he was reconsidering, given his new roll as co-chair of a  Justice<br>Department task force to investigate mortgage-related abuses.  <br>Attorneys general from Delaware and Nevada also have reportedly<br>not  agreed to the deal. Despite the Feb. 6 deadline, states can<br>still sign on and  the expectation is that more will.  So-called<br>robo-signing, where thousands  of foreclosure documents are signed<br>by one employee without proper  verification, came to light in the<br>fall of 2010. Miller formed the coalition  of attorneys general to<br>investigate major bank servicers in October 2010.  Allegations of<br>forgery and abuse in the documentation process  ground<br>foreclosures nearly to a halt for much of 2011, as  servicers<br>reviewed and changed the way they process foreclosure  documents.<br>They are just now ramping up again in states where  foreclosures<br>are not required to go before a judge, or non-judicial states.  In<br>judicial states, foreclosures can now take up to three years. <br>Miller&#8217;s  office would give no details as to the agreement, or<br>the states that  committed to it.&#8221;<br><br>After pipeline rebuke, Canada turns to  Asia<br><br>Speaking ahead of Canada&#8217;s most high-powered trade mission  to<br>Beijing for almost 15 years, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said<br>that  Canada must focus on markets that are growing, regardless of<br>the fate of the  Keystone XL pipeline, which is proposed to carry<br>crude from the Alberta oil  sands to Texas refineries.  The US<br>State Department blocked Keystone last  month, saying they didn&#8217;t<br>have time for a thorough environmental review.   Harper told<br>Reuters in an interview: &#8220;I think we need to be clear. As much  as<br>I want to see that Keystone project proceed, I think this<br>incident &#8230;  underscore(s) the fact that it is in this country&#8217;s<br>national interest to be  able to sell products beyond the United<br>States.  And I don&#8217;t think a reversal  of an American decision can<br>change that fundamental reality. So I think it is  absolutely<br>essential that we find ways of being able to sell our products  to<br>the biggest growing markets in the world, and those are  in<br>Asia.&#8221;<br><br>Canada &#8212; the largest supplier of energy to the United  States<br>&#8212; was profoundly disappointed by Washington&#8217;s decision to  veto<br>TransCanada&#8217;s Keystone project. The United States &#8212; which is by<br>far  Canada&#8217;s largest trading partner &#8212; is unlikely to look at<br>it again until  after the election.  At 170 billion barrels,<br>Canada&#8217;s oil sands are the  third-largest crude deposit in the<br>world, and Canadian exports to bigger  markets will be a focal<br>point of Harper&#8217;s meetings in China, where he will be  accompanied<br>by five cabinet ministers and the heads of major  corporations<br>seeking business.  China has already made clear it would like  to<br>import Canadian oil to help power its rapidly expanding economy. <br>It&#8217;s  not clear to most people why the Obama government would<br>rather import oil  from the Middle East than from its own<br>backyard.<br><br>MBA - Q4 2011  commercial/multifamily up 13% from 2010, but&#8230;.<br><br>Commercial/multifamily  originations during the fourth quarter of<br>2011 were up 13% over the fourth  quarter of 2010, but fell 7%<br>from the third quarter of 2011, according to the  Mortgage Bankers<br>Association&#8217;s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of  Commercial/Multifamily<br>Mortgage Bankers Originations.  &#8220;MBA&#8217;s  Commercial/Multifamily<br>Mortgage Bankers Origination Index hit record levels  for life<br>insurance companies in the second and third quarters of  2011,&#8221;<br>said Jamie Woodwell, MBA&#8217;s Vice President of Commercial Real<br>Estate  Research. &#8220;In the fourth quarter, multifamily<br>originations for Fannie Mae and  Freddie Mac hit a new all-time<br>high. While the CMBS market continued to be  held back by broader<br>capital markets uncertainty during the past year, others  &#8211; like<br>the GSEs, life companies and many bank portfolios &#8211; increased<br>their  appetite for commercial and multifamily loans.&#8221;  The 13%<br>overall increase in  commercial/multifamily lending activity over<br>the fourth quarter of 2010 was  driven by increases in<br>originations for industrial and multifamily property  types. The<br>increase included a 43% increase in loans for  industrial<br>properties, a 31% increase in loans for multifamily  properties,<br>an 8% decrease in loans for retail properties, a 24% decrease  in<br>loans for health care properties, a 29% decrease in office<br>property  loans and a 44% decrease in hotel property loans.<br><br>Among investor types,  loans for <a href="http://thehomes4all.com%20/" target="_blank">commercial bank portfolios</a><br>increased by 122% compared to last  year&#8217;s fourth quarter. There<br>was also a 17% increase in loans for Government  Sponsored<br>Enterprises (or GSEs &#8211; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), a  13%<br>decrease in loans for life insurance companies and a 50% decrease<br>in  loans for conduits for CMBS.  Fourth quarter 2011 commercial<br>and multifamily  mortgage originations were 7% lower than<br>originations in the third quarter of  2011. Compared to the third<br>quarter, fourth quarter originations for hotel  properties saw a<br>52% decrease. There was a 39% decrease for office  properties, a<br>24% decrease for retail properties, a 29% increase  for<br>multifamily properties, a 51% increase for industrial properties,<br>and  a 153% increase for health care properties.  Among investor<br>types, between  the third and fourth quarters of 2011, loans for<br>conduits for CMBS saw a  decrease in loan volume of 26%, loans for<br>life insurance companies saw a  decrease in loan volume of 23%,<br>originations for commercial bank portfolios  decreased 16% and<br>loans for GSEs increased by 34%.<br><br>Greek problems  escalate<br><br>Greek party leaders face crunch talks on Tuesday to secure a  new<br>international bailout and avoid a chaotic debt default, caught<br>between  European Union (EU) demands that they accept painful<br>reforms now and a  national strike against more austerity.  Prime<br>Minister Lucas Papademos  negotiated through most of the night<br>with Greece&#8217;s European Union and IMF  lenders, ending at 4 a.m.<br>(0200 GMT) when the 24-hour strike was about to  begin, closing<br>ports and tourist sites and disrupting public transport.  <br>Papademos, a technocrat parachuted in to lead the Greek<br>government late  last year, must persuade leaders of the three<br>parties in his coalition  government to accept the EU/IMF<br>conditions for the 130-billion-euro  ($170-billion) rescue.  An<br>official said the government was preparing a text  to put to the<br>leaders for their approval, suggesting some movement in  the<br>process.<br><br>With Greece&#8217;s future in the euro zone in question,  German<br>Chancellor Angela Merkel said time was of the essence and there<br>are  growing signs that euro zone officials have lost patience. <br>They say the full  package must be agreed with Greece and approved<br>by the euro zone, European  Central Bank and International<br>Monetary Fund before February 15.  This is to  allow time for<br>complex legal procedures involved in a bond swap deal -  under<br>which the value of private investors&#8217; holdings of Greek debt will<br>be  cut radically in value - so Athens can get rescue funds before<br>March 20 when  it has to meet heavy debt repayments or suffer a<br>chaotic  default.<br><br>Better inventory levels, fragile prices<br><br>Home prices and  sales remained fragile in January even as housing<br>inventory levels and  foreclosure starts improved during the same<br>month, the Obama administration  said in its latest Housing<br>Scorecard Report.  Inventories of existing homes  for sale<br>declined from 3.2 million in the second quarter of 2011 to  2.4<br>million in the fourth quarter, according to data from the  US<br>Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Treasury. <br>Overall,  housing results were a mixed bag, the scorecard said.<br>Inventory levels  improved in the last two quarters while the<br>number of housing units held off  market fell from 3.9 million in<br>the first quarter to 3.6 million in 4Q, the  scorecard said.<br>Foreclosure starts also fell in December, suggesting some  signs<br>of improvement.<br><br>Still, home prices are weak and foreclosure  completions edged<br>higher.  Home prices hit $138,500 on average for November  2011,<br>compared to $140,300 in October 2011, according to Case-Shiller<br>data  cited in the report. New home sales hit 25,600 in December<br>2011, down from  27,600 a year ago. Meanwhile, the number of<br>existing home sales hit 384,200  in December 2011, up from 370,800<br>in the year-ago period. First-time  homebuyer numbers grew to<br>204,900 in December 2011, up from 196,000 in  November 2011,<br>according to the scorecard.  Foreclosure starts fell to 58,300  in<br>December 2011, from 71,700 in November 2011. Foreclosure<br>completions  declined during the same period hit 61,800 in<br>December 2011, up from 56,100  in the month before that.  While<br>mortgage originations for the purchase of  new homes declined to<br>431,500 from 498,000 in the year-ago period, but  refinance<br>originations rose to 1.3 million in 4Q from 950,000 during  3Q.<br>Mortgage delinquency rates were mostly falling, dropping to 4.4%<br>in  December from 4.7% in the year-ago period.<br><br>See you at the top!<br>Samuel Rodriguez<br><br>/////////////////////////////<br><br><br><a href="http://www.thehomes4all.com/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.thehomes4all.com/" target="_blank">http://www.TheHomes4All.com</a> <br><a href="http://www.partnerwithhomes4all.com/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.partnerwithhomes4all.com/" target="_blank">http://www.PartnerWithHomes4All.com</a> <br><a href="http://www.sell48hours.com/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.sell48hours.com/" target="_blank">http://www.Sell48Hours.com</a> <br><a href="http://www.californiaidealhomes.com/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.californiaidealhomes.com/" target="_blank">http://www.CaliforniaIdealHomes.com</a> <br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/samuelrodriguezisai" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/samuelrodriguezisai" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/samuelrodriguezisai</a> <br><a href="http://www.bargainproperties4all.com/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.bargainproperties4all.com/" target="_blank">http://www.BargainProperties4All.com</a> <br><br><br>////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br><br><br><br> &#42; Follow me  on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/samrrueda" target="_blank"><a href="http://twitter.com/samrrueda" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/samrrueda</a> <br><br> &#42; Join my  Facebook Fan Page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/samrodriguezbiz</a> <br><br><br>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/Samuel/blog/breaking-news-banks-are-pumping-shortsales-off-their-books/</guid>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:58:24 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Samuel</dc:creator>
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			<title>Local Community Trends Influencing the Rental Home Market</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/local-community-trends-influencing-the-rental-home-market/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We are proud to share an article with you from Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine, in which I was quoted a few times. The article</br></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We are proud to share an article with you from Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine, in which I was quoted a few times. The article, "Look for Community Appeal", which was written by Teresa Bitler, appeared in the Trends in Rentals Section (in the November - December 2011 issue).<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; From the vantage-point of our website, Lease2Buy.com, I was asked to comment on the market trends that I have seen over the past 10 years of running the site, and more specifically, over the past few months.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; A copy of the article can be found here: <a target="_blank" title="Local Community Trends Influencing the Rental Home Market" _mce_href="http://www.lease2buy.com/PersonalRealEstateInvestorMag_November - December 2011_Look for Community Appeal.pdf" href="http://www.lease2buy.com/PersonalRealEstateInvestorMag_November%20-%20December%202011_Look%20for%20Community%20Appeal.pdf">http://www.lease2buy.com/PersonalRealEstateInvestorMag_November - December 2011_Look for Community Appeal.pdf</a>.<br><br><br>Happy Rent to Own &amp; Real Estate Investing !<br><br>Regards,<br>Robert Eisenstein<br>HomeRun Homes<br>Web: http://www.lease2buy.com<br>Blog: http://blogging.lease2buy.com<br>Public Speaking Appearances: http://www.lease2buy.com/speak.php<br>Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/homerunhomes<br>Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/homerunhomes<br _mce_bogus="1"></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/local-community-trends-influencing-the-rental-home-market/</guid>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:46:12 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Robert Eisenstein</dc:creator>
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			<title><![CDATA[2012 Real Estate Investing Tigers Blood [Cody's Secret Formula]]]></title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/cleverinvestor/blog/2012-real-estate-investing-tigers-blood-cody-s-secret-formula/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><span title="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 16px; " _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 16px;"></span></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><strong>[CAUTION] DON'T READ THIS IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, PREGNANT, OR A MEMBER OF AL QAEDA</strong></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">Everyday I get asked by people "How do I get started in rea</p></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span title="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 16px; " _mce_style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 16px;"></span></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><strong>[CAUTION] DON'T READ THIS IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, PREGNANT, OR A MEMBER OF AL QAEDA</strong></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">Everyday I get asked by people "How do I get started in real estate investing?" &nbsp;They see the freedom I have to take off work whenever I want (as of the time of this article I only work 25 hours a week), go on any vacation I want, and buy whatever I want. &nbsp;Let's face it, I am a nerdy guy that somehow landed a smoking hot wife. &nbsp;It's either my amazing sense of humor, or she can sense the real estate "Tigers Blood"!</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">But my success didn't happen by accident. &nbsp;My first few years investing I wondered around aimlessly trying to find good deals (hard as hell), or find some money (even harder). &nbsp;I did all the things you would expect from a newbie investor. &nbsp;I joined the local REIA, I started going to networking events, I read Rich Dad Poor Dad and Donald Trump books. &nbsp;I even got myself a fancy little business card. &nbsp;When people asked what I did I would say proudly "I am a real estate investor!" &nbsp;The problem was I had no idea what I was doing. &nbsp;In fact I actually lost money on the first two real estate transactions that I ever attempted (buy me a beer and ask me about it sometime).</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">Then something awesome happened. &nbsp;I was invited to a Jack Miller seminar and for the first time I was surrounded by hundreds of very successful investors. &nbsp;I could just sense that something was different about this group. &nbsp;They cared deeply about each other and seemed to follow a common profit formula. &nbsp;The principals I learned from hanging out with some of the "old school" guys that I met there have changed my life and allowed me to break through the daily grind and live a financially free lifestyle.</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><strong>Principle #1 - Live Debt Free</strong></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">These guys didn't drive fancy cars, or wear three piece suits with nice watches. &nbsp;In fact, they took the oposite approach. &nbsp;They prided themselves on driving a car they horse traded a shitty property for and have been driving for 10 years. &nbsp;They drank box wine and made fun of young guys like me that were out perpetrating and pretending to be successful. &nbsp;They stressed being debt free and only spending money on investments that produced cashflow.</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><strong>Principle #2 - Cashflow Is King</strong></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">While some members of the "inner circle" were wholesalers like myself, most of them invested for long term wealth. &nbsp;They were patient investors that understood that the only way to break out of the rat race and build some real wealth was to own tenanted rental properties that they eventually would own free and clear. &nbsp;They structured deals to have ammortizing loan structures and stuck to the fundamentals of investing. &nbsp;They never got emotional and focused on "the numbers" of a transaction. &nbsp;If it didn't positively cashflow, they didn't do the deal.</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><strong>Principle #3 - Stay Laser Focused</strong></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">Real estate investors by nature are entreprenurial. &nbsp;And entreprenuers are by nature oportunist. &nbsp;While this is a great traight to have when first getting started in a new business, it can be difficult to not get "shiny object syndrom". &nbsp;My personal mentor Lyle Wall (whom I met at this particular event and have been great friends ever since) tells me to "keep artriculating the ball down the field and eventually you will score a touchdown!" &nbsp;Basically what he is saying is to stop worrying about every great idea or investing strategy that comes into your world and STAY FOCUSED on the principals of investing. &nbsp;In the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell he talks about his 10,000 hours theory. &nbsp;What he states is that in order for you to become in the top 5 % of any given field you have to put in at least 10,000 of practice. &nbsp;This is also true for being a real estate investor so if you want to become the best at what you do...then you must be patient, stay focused, and put in the time needed to master your craft.</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><strong>Principle #4 - There Is No Free Lunch</strong></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">If a deal sounds too good to be true...it probably is. &nbsp;This holds true with Gurus pitching you the latest and greatest investing education, to a real estate agent telling you "this deal is guaranteed to be a winner". &nbsp;Like Warren Buffet, run towards a market when everyone else is running away. &nbsp;Wake up everyday with the mindset of a hunter and don't get caught up in the latest investing trends. &nbsp;Stick to the priciples of investing (stay off government / attorneys radars, buy low, get cashflow, and sell when you can make a solid profit) and you will retire wealthy and live finacially free.</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><strong>Principle #5 - Your Network Is Your Net Worth</strong></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">The last thing I want to share with you today is the importance of a solid network. &nbsp;I have been fortunate enough to build an amazing network of very successful investors, but more importantly just all around great people. &nbsp;My network brings me deals, lends me money, and buys me pizza and beer. &nbsp;I can call them with any business / &nbsp;personal problem and I know I will always get solid advice. &nbsp;I am a member of an elite mastermind of the top 40 residential real estate investors in the country and each year I still attend a couple of seminars to keep up my educations and hang out with my friends. &nbsp;Jack Miller's group showed me the importance of surrounding yourself with successful, like-minded people that put friendships first over money. &nbsp;I can guarantee that not a single one of your real estate deals will go according to plan, but if you have the right power team and network in place there is no hurdle you can't handle.</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">Well I am done rambling...I hope that if you are reading this right now you take my advice to heart. &nbsp;These principles changed my life and if you live by them, you will end up the same place I am (minus my wife) <img src="http://www.cleverinvestor.com/file/pic/emoticon/default/happy.png" alt="Happy" title="Happy" title="v_middle" /> &nbsp;</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">To help you get a jumpstart as a real estate investor, I have 7 free training videos that you can watch. &nbsp;You can watch the <strong><a href="http://www.StartClosingDeals.com" _mce_href="http://www.StartClosingDeals.com" title="Real Estate Investing Education" target="_blank">real estate investing education</a></strong> at&nbsp;<strong>http://www.StartClosingDeals.com</strong>.</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">To your continued success,</p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin-replaced: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-replaced: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; " _mce_style="font-size: 11px; line-replaced: 1.5em; margin: 0px;">Cody Sperber a.k.a The Clever Investor</p><p></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/cleverinvestor/blog/2012-real-estate-investing-tigers-blood-cody-s-secret-formula/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:53:09 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>CleverInvestor</dc:creator>
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			<title>Investors</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/T_Pro_Deals/blog/investors-6/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<P><FONT face=mceinline>Are you a $Cash Buyer looking for good Property Deals?&nbsp;DID THE&nbsp;BANK SAY NO? Let us know what you are looking for&nbsp;so we&nbsp;can hel...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P><FONT face=mceinline>Are you a $Cash Buyer looking for good Property Deals?&nbsp;DID THE&nbsp;BANK SAY NO? Let us know what you are looking for&nbsp;so we&nbsp;can help you find your dream&nbsp;deals&nbsp;for years to come.&nbsp;<A href="mailto:TERSMT1@YAHOO.COM">TERSMT1@YAHOO.COM</A> </FONT></P>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/T_Pro_Deals/blog/investors-6/</guid>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:44:45 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>T Smith</dc:creator>
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			<title>Steal This House From Me TODAY.!!!</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/PropertyGods/blog/steal-this-house-from-me-today/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>http://propertygods-buyers.com/p/13370<br><p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: medium;"><strong>Steal This 4-BR House for ONLY $79,800</strong></span><br><p>4 BR/ 2 BA attached garage, finished basement, double corner lot, beautifu</p></p></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>http://propertygods-buyers.com/p/13370<br></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: medium;"><strong>Steal This 4-BR House for ONLY $79,800</strong></span><br></p><p>4 BR/ 2 BA attached garage, finished basement, double corner lot, beautiful landscaping &amp; curb appeal, new kitchen cabinets.  Eppraisal is $135,360.  Tax appraisal (2010) $148,900.  Turn-key ready for you to move in or rent it out immediately!  Personally however, I would get rid of the green walls LOL.  Don't miss out on this deal!  CALL ME TODAY!!</p><p><br></p><p>http://propertygods-buyers.com/p/13370<br></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/PropertyGods/blog/steal-this-house-from-me-today/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:05:53 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>PropertyGods</dc:creator>
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			<title>Property Managers Thrive as Rentals Soar</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/property-managers-thrive-as-rentals-soar/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We have just posted in our Blog with the topic, "Property Managers Thrive as Rentals Soar", which examines the windfall impact of the</br></br></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We have just posted in our Blog with the topic, "Property Managers Thrive as Rentals Soar", which examines the windfall impact of the booming rental market for Property Managers.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; For more information, please see our Blog at http://blogging.lease2buy.com/2011/12/property-managers-thrive-as-rentals.html, and as a reminder, our main website is http://www.lease2buy.com<br><br>Happy Rent to Own &amp; Real Estate Investing !<br><br>Regards,<br>Robert Eisenstein<br>HomeRun Homes<br>Web: http://www.lease2buy.com<br>Blog: http://blogging.lease2buy.com<br>Public Speaking Appearances: http://www.lease2buy.com/speak.php<br>Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/homerunhomes<br>Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/homerunhomes<br _mce_bogus="1"></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/property-managers-thrive-as-rentals-soar/</guid>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:04:09 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Robert Eisenstein</dc:creator>
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			<title>Funding Your Deals</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/ssossamon/blog/funding-your-deals-2/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>Hello Clever Investors; this is a follow-up from yesterdays post!<br><p>I should have stipulated the info below. I have been getting a large number of reques</p></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hello Clever Investors; this is a follow-up from yesterdays post!<br></p><p>I should have stipulated the info below. I have been getting a large number of request concerning terms and amounts that will be loaned. If you have a deal to be considered for funding; please provide me with the following so we can consider your funding request. Terms are on a case-by-case basis.&nbsp; </p><p><br></p><p>Please submit (One time). Executive Summary, Credibility kit/business plan <br><br /></p><p>On each submittal: <br></p><p>- Property Comparables: Examples: Use MLS, Cyberhomes.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, eppraisal.com<br><br />- Contract<br><br />- Pictures<br><br />- Exit Strategy</p><p>We do have a funding agreement which will include a<br /> small funding/consultation fee per deal and of course you <br />don't pay us unless you get the loan. <br></p><p>Thank you and look forward to working with you. </p><p>Scott <br></p><p>(904) 701-2991</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/ssossamon/blog/funding-your-deals-2/</guid>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:52:19 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Scott</dc:creator>
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			<title>Where Are Real Estate Investors Putting Their Money?</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/where-are-real-estate-investors-putting-their-money/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We have just posted in our Blog with the topic, "Where Are Real Estate Investors Putting Their Money?", which looks at the Real Estat</br></br></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good Morning !<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; We have just posted in our Blog with the topic, "Where Are Real Estate Investors Putting Their Money?", which looks at the Real Estate Investment that is preferred over all others.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; For more information, please see our Blog at http://blogging.lease2buy.com/2011/11/where-are-real-estate-investors-putting.html, and as a reminder, our main website is http://www.lease2buy.com<br><br>Happy Rent to Own &amp; Real Estate Investing !<br><br>Regards,<br>Robert Eisenstein<br>HomeRun Homes<br>Web: http://www.lease2buy.com<br>Blog: http://blogging.lease2buy.com<br>Public Speaking Appearances: http://www.lease2buy.com/speak.php<br>Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/homerunhomes<br>Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/homerunhomes<br _mce_bogus="1"></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/homerunhomes/blog/where-are-real-estate-investors-putting-their-money/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:24:18 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Robert Eisenstein</dc:creator>
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			<title>Funding Your Deals</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/ssossamon/blog/funding-your-deals/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>Hey fellow Clever Investors,</p><p>If you are struggling trying to find money for your deals shoot me an email with your property details so we can figure ou</p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hey fellow Clever Investors,</p><p>If you are struggling trying to find money for your deals shoot me an email with your property details so we can figure out whether your "Deal Is A Deal". I have a nationwide list of private lenders and can post your properties to the collective list... if a lender is interested, they will communicate with you and it's then in your court to negotiate your rate.</p><p><br></p><p>Scott</p><p>P.S. If you are a lender - Visit http://www.fundyourdeals.com and let us know your lending terms.<br></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/ssossamon/blog/funding-your-deals/</guid>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:30:52 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Scott</dc:creator>
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			<title>Investor Collaboration</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/treymanda/blog/investor-collaboration/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">SCAACI is a charitable organization that hopes to assemble a<br />5,000 unit apartment/commercial portfolio to generate a steady, dependable income<br />strea</font></font></p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">SCAACI is a charitable organization that hopes to assemble a<br />5,000 unit apartment/commercial portfolio to generate a steady, dependable income<br />stream for its projects. To attract investors, SCAACI is offering eight to ten<br />percent ROI tax free.&lt;?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Properties are coming on the market at a very rate,<br />triggered by the turmoil in the real estate industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Many owners are finding it impossible to<br />refinance balloon payments because the value of the securing property has<br />dropped tremendously. The current value of a given property often will not be<br />sufficient to allow a loan big enough to pay off the balloon payment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Rather than extend new terms to borrowers,<br />many lenders are electing to foreclose on the properties.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">In addition, many lenders are selling the notes they hold<br />against these properties and speculators are buying them for as little as 25 cents<br />on the dollar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We are now in a buyer&#8217;s<br />market, the like of which has not been seen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Despite this unique opportunity, many deals<br />are going begging because money is very hard to get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Most deals are being done through private<br />money sources &#8211; which is where SCAACZI hopes to get it funding to buy<br />properties.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">SCAACI will use its Internal Revenue Code 501[c][3] status<br />to maximum advantage. It will offer an income tax incentive to sellers that the<br />ordinary buyer cannot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It will be able<br />to offer advantages to an investor that the regular borrower cannot.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">SCAACI is now considering a 1,492 apartment complex for sale<br />in South Jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It will need<br />$24,000,000 for a down payment and closing costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It will offer a $2,000,000+ tax free return<br />on investment to interested investors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;<br /></span>In addition, investors will share in the net operating income from the project.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">SCAACI, in conjunction with a tax consulting firm, has<br />developed a special program that can substantially reduce taxable income for<br />participants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This program will not only<br />produce tax-free income buy provide a tax loss as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>SCAACI will offer to serve in a buying<br />capacity for its investors on unrelated acquisitions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>It will save these investors a substantial sum<br />buy buying for them at a hugely discounted price.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" title="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri">Details on the SCAACI program can be gotten at </font><a href="mailto:taxfixnow@gmail.com"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Calibri">taxfixnow@gmail.com</font></a><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>or Fax: 866-734-1191 upon executing a Non-Disclosure<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>agreement.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;</font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/treymanda/blog/investor-collaboration/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:27:10 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Wm McGill</dc:creator>
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			<title>MICHIGAN</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/lgravatt/blog/michigan/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<P>I am looking for a buyer interested in&nbsp;purchasing&nbsp;a cash flowing 3 bedroom, 3 bath house on 17 acres midway between Troy and Flint Michigan.&nbsp; Prope...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<P>I am looking for a buyer interested in&nbsp;purchasing&nbsp;a cash flowing 3 bedroom, 3 bath house on 17 acres midway between Troy and Flint Michigan.&nbsp; Property comes with the tenant who is a paster and&nbsp;provides valuable religous support to the community has cash to put down and would like to be a lease option tenant.&nbsp; Contact <A href="mailto:home.keepers@yahoo.com">home.keepers@yahoo.com</A> for more info.</P><br /><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/lgravatt/blog/michigan/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 02:28:01 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Lill Gravatt</dc:creator>
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			<title>Rehab a House</title>
			<link>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/rehabahouse/blog/rehab-a-house/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><strong>How to <a title="Rehab a House" _mce_href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/rehab-a-house/" href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/rehab-a-house/">rehab a house</a></strong> is easy to do with the right skills and resources. Here is an excerpt courtesy of Smart Lazy Investor from their comprehensive ar</p>...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>How to <a title="Rehab a House" _mce_href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/rehab-a-house/" href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/rehab-a-house/">rehab a house</a></strong> is easy to do with the right skills and resources. Here is an excerpt courtesy of Smart Lazy Investor from their comprehensive article on property flipping.<br></p><p>Getting started in property flipping buying a fixer upper, doing the work to rehab a house, and then completing the sale of the <a href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/how-to-flip-a-property/">property flip</a><br /> is surprisingly easy. You practically wake up one day and announce to <br />the world that you are going to become a fix and flip property investor.<br /> However there is a lot of preparation involved before buying a fixer <br />upper, especially that first property flip. The steps to rehab a house <br />are a little bit like organizing the steps for an elaborate dance. <br />You&#8217;ll need to bring in the right contractors at the right time, and get<br /> them back out again without damaging the work completed by your other <br />contractors. It all culminates with a well organized open house at the <br />end. Flipping property may not get you a lot of reviews from critics, <br />but if you <a href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/how-to-flip-a-property/fix-and-flip-property-resources/">fix and flip</a> a house properly you&#8217;ll get a standing ovation from your end buyer in the form of a full asking price offer.</p><p>There are usually several contractors that you&#8217;ll need to bring out to help complete each of the steps to <a href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/how-to-flip-a-property/">flipping property</a>.<br /> You&#8217;ll often need an electrician, plumber, and carpenter for the <br />skilled tradesmen portion of the labor. Not to mention painters, <br />sheetrock/drywall guys, landscapers and even designers for some <br />projects. Then there&#8217;s the general labor, such as the people you end up <br />hiring to help clear the excess garbage and unwanted furniture, <br />performing a general cleaning and/or basic lawn maintenance that the old<br /> homeowner left behind to do. If you don&#8217;t have the time or don&#8217;t want <br />the hassle of being the great orchestrator while all the various <br />professionals work on your property flip, you can hire a general <br />contractor. This general contractor has all the contacts, years of <br />experience in remodeling houses and the know how to <a href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/how-to-flip-a-property/how-to-rehab-a-house-videos/">rehab a house</a><br /> without messing up the property. However, you&#8217;ll have to shell out <br />extra cash for the general contractor and deal with his or her opinions <br />concerning the rehab project, but it would serve you well on your first <br />property flip to utilize one to see exactly how they organize everything<br /> and everyone....</p><p>Read the rest of this great article on how to <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a title="rehab a house" _mce_href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/rehab-a-house/" href="http://smartlazyinvestor.com/rehab-a-house/">Rehab a House</a></strong></span> at Smart Lazy Investor....<br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<guid>http://www.cleverinvestor.com/rehabahouse/blog/rehab-a-house/</guid>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:50:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Rehab a House</dc:creator>
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