In Foreclosed, Christopher K. Odinet gives voice to the stories of homeowners that have been neglected, particularly those facing foreclosure and deep financial distress. The book reveals the powerful and often invisible mortgage servicing industry, the tremendous discretionary power it wields over the housing lives of most Americans, and the servicing problems that still persist today. In doing so, it unveils a quiet and dangerous market shift in mortgage servicing - namely, an ongoing move toward a shadow banking sector where regulation is weak - that threatens the stability of our housing finance system. Ultimately, the book demonstrates how the law does not afford homeowners the protection most think and how regulation of these mortgage middlemen remains weak. Foreclosed should be read by anyone concerned with the state of housing and home ownership in the United States.

Over the last two years, the United States has observed, with some horror, the explosion and collapse of entire segments of the housing market, especially those driven by subprime and alternative or "exotic" home mortgage lending. The unfortunately timely Foreclosed explains the rise of high-risk lending and why these newer types of loans—and their associated regulatory infrastructure—failed in substantial ways. Dan Immergluck narrates the boom in subprime and exotic loans, recounting how financial innovations and deregulation facilitated excessive risk-taking, and how these loans have harmed different populations and communities. Immergluck, who has been working, researching, and writing on issues tied to housing finance and neighborhood change for almost twenty years, has an intimate knowledge of the promotion of homeownership and the history of mortgages in the United States. The changes to the mortgage market over the past fifteen years—including the securitization of mortgages and the failure of regulators to maintain control over a much riskier array of mortgage products—led, he finds, inexorably to the current crisis. After describing the development of generally stable and risk-limiting mortgage markets throughout much of the twentieth century, Foreclosed details how federal policy-makers failed to regulate the new high-risk lending markets that arose in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The book also examines federal, state, and local efforts to deal with the mortgage and foreclosure crisis of 2007 and 2008. Immergluck draws upon his wealth of experience to provide an overarching set of principles and a detailed set of policy recommendations for "righting the ship" of U.S. housing finance in ways that will promote affordable yet sustainable homeownership as an option for a broad set of households and communities.

Welcome to the world of buying foreclosed homes at auction--a real estate strategy that lets you remove the middleman, decrease your competition, and buy at a discount. Bidding for properties on the courthouse steps while competing in real time with other investors is a thrilling experience. There's nothing like it in the world of real estate, but there's also a lot to learn. With dozens of insider auction secrets that are proven to help maximize returns, Bidding to Buy will show you the skills you need to successfully bid at auction, then turn a healthy profit on your investment. Successfully buying foreclosures isn't a matter of luck, and it isn't for insiders only. However, it does require a process--one that can be repeated for optimal returns. In this book, you'll find a full blueprint of the foreclosure process, including the repeatable five-step method that the authors have used to buy thousands of properties. Discover a new kind of real estate investment and uncover profits on your local courthouse steps! Inside, you'll learn how to: Find properties before they are broadly exposed to the market Understand the entire foreclosure process and how it differs from state to state Conduct complete title research and develop an eye for red flags Navigate the potential risks and pitfalls behind a live auction Access property listings and early posting data Build an accurate financial analysis on any available property Acquire creative and alternative financing methods, including no-cash solutions Complete critical post-auction steps, such as evicting tenants

A moving exploration of homeownership, freedom, and the American Dream in light of the ongoing financial crisis and mass foreclosure.

A practical guide that helps you thoroughly research properties, so you know what you’re getting into before you buy or bid on a property With the housing bubble of recent years bursting and interest rates on the rise, there has been an upsurge in the number of foreclosures across the country, creating many opportunities for profit. But investing in real estate foreclosures can be a tough job, especially when a negative stigma is attached. How do you make money while preserving your morals and trust? Foreclosure Investing For Dummies shows you how to invest in foreclosures ethically without being accused of stealing homes from “little old ladies.” When you approach the process in a fair-minded way, presenting homeowners with various options and offering a reasonable price for their home, you can walk away with your integrity intact—and potentially a reasonable profit, too. This step-by-step guide helps you research property, find the best opportunities, purchase foreclosures, and avoid misleading distressed homeowners. If you’re committed to success, dedicated to mutually beneficial solutions, can treat foreclosure investing as business, and you can talk to people, this book is for you, but it doesn’t promise quick profits through minimal work. This book will provide you with invaluable information to become a successful investor, including how to: Identify opportunities and understand risks Obtain information, tools, support, and resources Locate properties prior to foreclosure Assist homeowners through the foreclosure process Acquire properties below market value prior to the auction Buy property at an auction, from lending institutions, and government agencies Repair, renovate, and sell or lease property A hands-on guide with tips and strategies for refinancing your property and maximizing your profits, this book also provides advice on how to assist homeowners, have them work with you, and avoid common mistakes. It even contains an appendix that covers foreclosure rules and regulations. It’s time to go out and make the most of foreclosure investing, and with Foreclosure Investing For Dummies by your side, your hard work and devotion will bring tons of success!