U.S. Attorney leading crackdown on mortgage fraud in Maryland

Awesome. All's I can say is, you GO girls!

This is good news for the honest folk, bad news for the scam artists. New agency...

"...will focus not just on fraudulent mortgage consultants but also the
network of lawyers, accountants, and appraisers who aid them in
swindling money from residents at risk of losing their homes to
foreclosure."

Story here from the BBJ:
U.S. Attorney leading crackdown on mortgage fraud in Maryland - Baltimore Business Journal:

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Ten Mortgages for One Borrower? Really?!

I heard the rumors, and decided to find the actual truth. Here it is:

Fannie Mae [will] allow investor and second home
borrowers to own five to ten financed properties
if they meet certain ... requirements.

Awesome! No more "four's the limit" stuff! This is great news for many of us...as long as you get past the fine print.

Details here straight from the horse's Fannie.

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If You Wholesale, Protect Yourself

I just discovered the Field Guide for Real Estate Investors, at REITactics.com, and it looks like they have a lot of great information on their site. I especially like the analysis of the 50% rule for commercial properties. In summary, "the 50% rule of thumb is a very useful tool for an investor to use when evaluating a property to purchase when the rental amounts are under $1500 per month."

Learn more about that one here.

As a wholesaler, I found this item particularly insightful. Key concept: "Know what your real obligations and liabilities are before you joyfully think you are no longer part of the deal. Then take appropriate steps to limit your continuing liability in the transaction."

A recommended read. More at the link below:

If You Wholesale, Protect Yourself

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Maryland expected to gain 66,000 jobs through stimulus bill

Maryland expected to gain 66,000 jobs through stimulus bill - Baltimore Business Journal:

http://tinyurl.com/breetd

This SHOULD be good news for our real estate market: 66,000 people either newly able to buy or able to stay in their homes. Possibly even some moving into the area...?

Hopefully this number is above and beyond expected BRAC growth.

Cass

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House for sale! MY house for sale! Make me an offer I can't refuse...

Baby steps; Zillow is the only place it's listed right now... I will be adding pictures soon.

No, it's not listed with a broker, and please, any realtors seeing this, don't ask, I plan to go the FSBO route. I am open to suggestions about how to FSBO well, however. This is my first time.

702 Manchester Rd, Baltimore, MD 21229 - Zillow

If the link doesn't show "For Sale", it's cause I dun sole it!

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Great Intro to the Commercial Real Estate World

Although I don't have any direct Commercial Real Estate experience -- yet -- I am an avid student of the topic and have been for some time.

I had a great conversation with Pete Conti last fall, and I have worn out my autographed copy of Commercial Real Estate Investing For Dummies. I recommend it highly to newbies needing to learn the concepts.

I know nothing about his mentoring or teaching programs, other than he has some. Would love comments below from any students who wish to share.

Go get it!