Just this week a federal judge sentenced a former Auburn attorney to nearly four years in prison for mortgage fraud. James Boyd Douglas Jr. handled mortgage refinancings and real estate closings and was found guilty of embezzling $2.3 million from clients. An Atlanta area woman and her brother ran a real estate scam in Baldwin County […]
Tag: Georgia
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader, Thought Leadership
Consumer Will Benefit From Simpler Mortgage Disclosure Form
For more than 35 years, two federal laws (the Truth in Lending Act or “TILA,” and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act or “RESPA”) have required lenders and settlement agents to give consumers who take out a mortgage loan separate but overlapping disclosure forms regarding the loan’s terms and costs. This duplication has long been […]
Posted inDesign, Design and Our City, Thought Leader, Thought Leadership
Street and Sidewalk Design Vital to Enjoyment, Economic Development
In part two of this series on urban design, Heather Alhadeff, Senior Transportation Planner in the Atlanta Urban Design practice at Perkins+Will, uses the Little Five Points district in Atlanta as an example of the importance of good street and sidewalk design for economic vitality I’ve been coming to Little Five Points since I was […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader, Thought Leadership
Basel III To Change Mortgage Landscape
The mortgage industry has undergone many significant changes as a result of the financial crisis. One of the less known pending changes is about to take its final form and in its current draft Basel III will increase consumer costs and reduce consumers’ choice of mortgage providers. Basel III requires that a bank must maintain common […]
Posted inDesign, Design and Our City, Thought Leader, Thought Leadership
Lifecycle Building Center
In last week’s entry, Paula Vaughan mentioned Atlanta’s Lifecycle Building Center. For those who would like to learn more about the LBC, this week’s entry will give more information. From the LBC Case Statement: “A Lifecycle Building Center is a community-based warehouse facility that directly assists the general public by identifying and implementing best practice […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Now’s the Time for First-Time Homebuyers
If only the experts could agree. In Monday’s paper, The Wall Street Journal covered five personal finance topics, finding completely opposite opinions on each topic. Should you purchase long-term care insurance? Are variable annuities a good investment? There was even a debate over whether children’s allowances should be tied to chores. Of course the one […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Thirty Days is Long Enough for Mortgage Closing
For as long as I can remember – and I expect much longer than that – contracts for the purchase of residential real estate in Georgia have been written for 30 days as a normal practice. Today, we are seeing many real estate professionals writing extended contracts, for 45 to 60 days, and even longer […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
The Value of Industry Partnerships
Every month a few members of the Client Relationship Management team from Southeast Mortgage pack up their professional photography equipment and head to Alpharetta where they host a social for Realtors and take new headshot portraits of anyone who wants one. The events have been very well received, as the Realtors and real estate agents […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Finding the Right Lender
A homeowner in Florida was puzzled to receive a condolence letter for his wife’s death from his mortgage lender. Why were they sorry for his loss? His wife was very much alive. But because their lender declared her deceased, they were unable to get a loan modification and despite repeated phone calls and a visit […]
Posted inMetro Business, Thought Leader
Atlanta a global hub for technology innovation
By Larry Williams Vice President, Technology Industry Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber A recently released report on the state of Georgia’s technology industry has aimed a spotlight on some of the most exciting and encouraging news for the future of the economy, not just in Georgia and Atlanta, but in the United States and even globally. […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader
Tips for Applying for a Mortgage
While most of us have never had the unpleasant experience of sitting in a police interrogation room, fans of crime TV shows like me will recognize this scenario. “I’ve already told you what I witnessed on the night of October 22, 2011 seven times,” says the frustrated and exhausted witness. “Well, it’s time to tell […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader, Uncategorized
The Quiet Change Benefits Consumers
Prior to the financial crisis, mortgages were sold and delivered nearly as easily as filling out a change of address slip at the post office for your new home. Anyone could choose to sell mortgages and anyone with a small bond could open a mortgage company. This was our industry from 1993 to 2008. Today, the landscape […]
Posted inHome Mortgages, Thought Leader, Uncategorized
Lobby Day Beneficial for Consumers, Industry
The mortgage industry has had to deal with so much new legislation on the federal level lately. We’d prefer to just be able to do our jobs without dealing with the consequences of new laws. Fortunately, on the state level, we are able to meet personally with legislators and educate them on possible consequences of […]
Posted inMetro Business, Thought Leader, Uncategorized
How Critical is Success at the Ballot Box in July 2012 to Metro Atlanta?
Quality of Life: Metro Atlanta’s quality of life is greatly impacted by our severe traffic congestion. Consider these facts: (Source: 2010 Texas Transportation Institute Annual Urban Mobility Report) Get Home Faster: Approval of the July 31 regional transportation referendum will result in getting you home sooner. Congestion will be reduced, allowing parents to make their […]
