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	<title>mattandrandy.com</title>
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	<link>http://mattandrandy.com</link>
	<description>Short Sale Experts and Coaching</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:48:26 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<item>
		<title>Foreclosed On—By the U.S.</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/foreclosed-on%e2%80%94by-the-u-s/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/foreclosed-on%e2%80%94by-the-u-s/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:48:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1447</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the New's
September 2, 2010

Foreclosed On—By the U.S.

Serena Ng and Carrick Mollenkamp from the Wall Street Journal wrote an article about a problem our woeful government has inherited.  When our government decided to bail out the thimble heads from Bear Stearns, they inherited a portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.  Guess What?  The government is about to foreclose on many of these parcels!  The authors are quoted, “It is an unprecedented test for the most powerful of 12 regional branches of the Federal Reserve System. In its 96-year history, the Fed hasn't made or controlled loans to U.S. citizens and businesses outside of banking since the 1930s, when it was done on a much smaller scale. Now, under the watchful eye of Congress, the New York Fed must recoup a $29 billion loan secured by the Bear assets.”

For the Fed to come in and foreclose on properties puts it at some reputational and political risk," said Vincent Reinhart, a former senior Fed staffer who is now an economist at the American Enterprise Institute. "If the Fed can't figure out how to recast the terms of these mortgages and work with borrowers—it's emblematic of the problems the government has had with other programs over the last year and a half," he added.

Click on the link to read the rest of the article.  It may add some humor to your day!
]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>The New Face of Foreclosures</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/the-new-face-of-foreclosures/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/the-new-face-of-foreclosures/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:50:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1443</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the New's

August 31, 2010


The New Face of Foreclosures


AnnaMaria Andriotis brings us an article that highlights the growing problem of foreclosures.  While Florida, California, Arizona and Nevada account for 50+ % of the nations foreclosures, the problem is spreading to smaller communities around us.

During the first half of 2010, nearly 75% of all metropolitan areas posted increases in foreclosure filings.  An 8.3% increase in foreclosure filings was shown as compared to  the same period last year.  While nasty mortgages attributed to the first wave, nasty mortgages, unemployment and job cuts continue to bash the markets.

The foreclosure filings , subsequent foreclosures and sales of bank owned properties will continue to depress the market for years to come.  If you’re not involved in this market now, you need to be.
]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Tip of the Week: 8-30-2010</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/tip-of-the-week-8-30-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/tip-of-the-week-8-30-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:41:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tip of the Week]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Luxury Short Sale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt and Randy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Raab]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Randy Patrick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Sale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Sale Investors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Sale Tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=844</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Renowned Short Sale Investors, Coaches and Mentors Matt Raab and Randy Patrick Share with you both their “Tip of the Week” for Short Sale Business Investment. Learn from the Investors that operate a real short sale business that includes over 100 deals in their pipeline at any given time, multiple closings per month and who [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Superman Comic Saves Family Home From Foreclosure!</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/superman-comic-saves-family-home-from-foreclosure/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/superman-comic-saves-family-home-from-foreclosure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:43:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1431</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the New's

August 26, 2010

Superman Comic Saves Family Home From Foreclosure

Ray Sanchez from ABC Action News brings us a real life story about Superman!     I thought Superman was a fictional character!  In this case he (well...maybe the comic book that portrays him) seems to be helping a family save their house from foreclosure. 

While packing up to leave their soon to be foreclosed on home, they found a copy of Action Comics No. 1.  This comic book was the first time Superman appeared in print.  The comic book is scheduled to be auctioned off on August 27th.  The foreclosing bank agreed to halt the auction of the home until after the auction of the comic book.  Experts agree that it could bring enough money to save the house.

While I am not a real believer in luck, here's a time where luck played out.  SO...how many of you are getting up now to look in your basements and attics for something that may be of value?!
]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Buyer Beware When Buying At The Courthouse Steps!!!!!!</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/buyer-beware-when-buying-at-the-courthouse-steps/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/buyer-beware-when-buying-at-the-courthouse-steps/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:33:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1427</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the News!

August 24th 2010

Buyer Beware When Buying At The Courthouse Steps!!!!!!

Carolyn Said from the San Francisco Chronicle brings us an article that would be humorous if it weren’t so disgusting.  Last week I wrote about SunTrust going above and beyond the call of duty to help out the family of a fallen soldier.  This week, Wells Fargo takes the cake for ripping off an unsophisticated buyer.

To quote Ms. Said, “Roberta and Randall Strand took $97,606 out of their paid-off house to buy a foreclosed home at a courthouse auction. Five months later, they found out they actually bought the second mortgage, and that the bank planned to foreclose on the first mortgage, leaving them out in the cold.  The Strands indicated, “Apparently, unbeknownst to us, Wachovia sold us a worthless second mortgage that was part of a piggyback loan made to the previous owners”, Roberta Strand said. "Both loans were originated, signed and recorded on the same date. Rather than foreclose on both loans at the same time, Wachovia chose to foreclose, market and sell the worthless junior lien, purporting it to be the real property, which is what we purchased."

In typical banker fashion, Jason Menke, a spokesman for Wells, said: "When these properties are sold at auction, they're without covenant or warranty. It's the responsibility of the person bidding at auction to fully understand exactly what they are bidding on and what the implications are. Bidding on property at foreclosure auction is a very different process from a standard home purchase."  In the end Wells negotiated an out of court settlement with the Strands.

The purpose of this is not JUST to slam Wells but also to point out the trials and tribulations of buying properties on the courthouse steps.  People think that it’s as simple as going to the courthouse steps and bidding.  Like anything in life, if you don’t know what you are doing you will get burned.  BUYER BEWARE!
]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>SOME BANKERS ACTUALLY DO HAVE HEARTS!!</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/some-bankers-actually-do-have-hearts/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/some-bankers-actually-do-have-hearts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:20:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1423</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the News

August 17th 2010

SOME BANKERS ACTUALLY DO HAVE HEARTS!!

Marcus Garner from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution brings us an article that puts a few check marks in the bankers column.  After Jamaal Anderson was killed in combat in Iraq, his mother (who lived with Jamaal and his son) fell behind in payments.  The condo was supposed to be auctioned off last week, but attorneys for SunTrust (the foreclosing lender) stepped in and granted an indefinite reprieve to the foreclosure proceedings. 

My hat is off to SunTrust for stepping out of the proverbial box to actually do some good for the family of a fallen soldier.  It would be nice if they helped others in need as well.

]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Homes will sell if priced right; foreclosures have impact!</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/homes-will-sell-if-priced-right-foreclosures-have-impact/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/homes-will-sell-if-priced-right-foreclosures-have-impact/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:51:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1414</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the News

August 17th 2010

Homes will sell if priced right; foreclosures have impact

Stephanie Armour from USA Today brings us an article that highlights what I have been preaching for years.....Homes will sell if they are priced correctly!   In this market where , in most areas throughout the country, the only way to price an over leveraged property correctly is via a short sale.  You realtors out there that are not working with sellers are at an extreme disadvantage.

You are forced to chase the market down until you eventually secure an offer (that is assuming that you secure an offer prior to foreclosure).  You then package that offer and send it to the bank, all along hoping and praying that the offer is accepted before the buyer pulls up stakes and rescinds there offer (c'mon...you know you have been there and done that many times over!)  Buyers have soo many options to choose from, they don’t have to wait for you to get their offer approved.  Guess what?  When that retail buyer decides to disappear, you have to spend the time and money to secure another offer and start the fun filled process over again.  You are wasting time and you are driving the property closer to foreclosure

Why not work with a buyer that discloses everything to everybody AND has an offer that will be presented to the bank and fully negotiate it?  You avoid having to chase the market down and manage retail buyers that come and go.  It would take a book to really discuss this value proposition.  If you want to learn more, call or email me.

Always remember that I house will sell if it is priced correctly.

]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bank reform brings mortgage aid for the unemployed.</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/bank-reform-brings-mortgage-aid-for-the-unemployed/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/bank-reform-brings-mortgage-aid-for-the-unemployed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:32:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1400</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the News

 August 12th 2010

Bank reform brings mortgage aid for the unemployed


Amy Hoak from Market Watch reports on a new program that is designed to help the unemployed avoid foreclosure.  $1B has been earmarked to help homeowners make payments after they have lost their jobs.  Ms. Hoak reports, “The loss or reduction of income was the primary reason that 58% of homeowners in the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program were facing foreclosure, according to a recent NeighborWorks report.”

"In this economy, getting that next job hasn't been a very quick thing," said Julia Gordon, senior policy counsel for the Center for Responsible Lending. For many, a three-month forbearance period isn't enough, she said.

"For the most part, these are people whose loans are sound, 30-year fixed-rate loans. The person is in a bad situation because they're underwater in terms of equity and they can't make payments. They can't borrow against their house and in many cases can't sell their house," Gordon said of the new group of homeowners who could be helped. "We don't know how many people are paid for with a billion dollars, but it is a great start."
]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Habitat for Humanity volunteers breathe new life into foreclosed homes!</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/habitat-for-humanity-volunteers-breathe-new-life-into-foreclosed-homes/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/habitat-for-humanity-volunteers-breathe-new-life-into-foreclosed-homes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:28:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1393</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the News

August 10th, 2010

Habitat for Humanity volunteers breathe new life into foreclosed homes

Tom Perkins from AnnArbor.com brings us a great story regarding an effective use of foreclosed homes.  Habitat for Humanity is giving many deserving families the gift of home ownership.  They are taking foreclosed homes and renovating them after which time they are placing deserving families in them.  Habitat purchases the foreclosed properties and then uses volunteer workers to rehabilitate the homes.

The program isn’t free to the new owners.  Each adult who lives in a Habitat house must volunteer a minimum of 300 hours of their time in renovating their house or another Habitat house.  They must also make payments on zero percent interest loans.  They must also pay taxes and insurance for the home.

Why don’t we see this program in all of our cities?
]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>SUICIDE&#8230;There Are Other Alternatives.</title>
		<link>http://mattandrandy.com/suicide-there-are-other-alternatives/</link>
		<comments>http://mattandrandy.com/suicide-there-are-other-alternatives/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:34:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matt Raab</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mattandrandy.com/?p=1384</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CLICK ON ARTICLE TITLE TO VIEW ENTIRE ARTICLE
Matt's Take on the News

August 5th, 2010

Coppell Mayor bought clothes, groceries with city-issued credit card

Brandon Formby and Erinn Connor bring us a very sad story from the State of Texas.  The mayor of an affluent town decided to take the life of  her 19 year daughter and then take her own life.  According to the article, a contributing factor may have been their financial despair and the imminent loss of their house to foreclosure.    The death of these two people surprised many that were around them. 

You may be thinking, “Matt...What does this have to do with real-estate?”  The answer is nothing...directly....but lots indirectly.

The vast majority of people (if not all?) that are reading this have either gone through foreclosure/short sale/loan mod, are going through it now or know someone that has/is.  This can be a very harrowing time for the people that are going through what can be a very tumultuous time in their lives.  Always keep your eyes and ears open to the warning signs.  Always offer to find people professional help if they are on the brink.  Always be understanding of the plight of those around you.

If you are reading this and you are thinking about suicide, think about the effect it will have on those that are around you.  Also know that life isn’t that bad!  If you think it is bad...guess what....it can only get better!

As quoted from the web:

 “If you are feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.


Call for yourself or someone you care about 
Free and confidential 
A network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide 
Available 24/7”
]]></description>
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