ILoveYourAccent.com debuts as a site for singles in the U.K. and the U.S. to find one another
Orlando – In matters of the heart – especially a lonely heart – Rochelle Peachey is an expert. Under the pen name Rochelle Morton during the 1990s, the London native who now lives in Orlando authored “Eat Your Lonely Heart Out,” a book based on 700 dates with men in England via the personal ads. The title was so successful that Crown, a Random House imprint, approached her to write “My 1,000 Americans: A Year-Long Odyssey Through the Personals.” Peachey’s experiences from those books led her to launch her newest venture, an international online dating web site called I Love Your Accent (www.iloveyouraccent.com).
The I Love Your Accent name derives from the comments Peachey frequently receives when talking to someone here in America.
“Almost every day, someone tells me that they love my accent,” she said with a laugh.
Members on ILoveYourAccent.com can choose to meet someone in their respective city, but the site opens the possibility for singles in the U.K. and the U.S. to find love across the Atlantic.
“This encourages people to think outside of the box about meeting someone,” Peachey said. “Instead of limiting yourself to people in your area, why not be adventurous and consider meeting someone from another country?
“Americans tend to be intrigued by British people, and British people are equally interested in Americans,” Peachey added. “I often hear from people that they would like to go to London but are hesitant because they don’t know anyone there. ILoveYourAccent.com will give its members the chance to meet someone from another country who they otherwise would not have the opportunity to meet.”
Long before Peachey had the idea for I Love Your Accent, she wrote “Eat Your Lonely Heart Out.” The concept of that book resulted from a conversation with a female friend who was searching for the ideal man. At the time, Peachey was in her mid 30s and had a long-term boyfriend (to whom she is now married) and a teen-age son.
“I was having dinner with two friends – one was married and the other was single. I suggested that my single friend place a personal ad in the newspaper. This was before Internet dating was prominent,” Peachey explained.
The ad Peachey created for her friend was simple. “Female. Slim and attractive. 30s. Seeks professional male for fun times.” The women expected a few responses, but when they checked the voice mail box that first day, there were 72 messages.
“We were stunned, not only by the volume of responses, but also by the information in the messages,” she added. “Some men talked about their high-priced houses and cars. Others talked about how much money they made. And some even included vital statistics!”
When all was said and done, the ad generated 1,500 responses. Peachey’s friend did not arrange a date with any of them. A few days after placing the ad, she met a man at a café. Peachey was so intrigued about the messages that she decided to write a book based on the experiences she would have on the blind dates.
She established some ground rules. All the dates were set in a public place, mostly in restaurants. She did not give out personal information either, such as her address. For “My 1,000 Americans,” Peachey placed personal ads in newspapers throughout the United States in Chicago, New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and Dallas.
In recent years, Peachey and her husband’s social circle has dwindled. Several friends have divorced, and many of them have sought Peachey’s guidance. Peachey is the “agony aunt” of her group of friends.
“Many of my friends are either unhappy in their relationships or they are single and cannot seem to find the ideal companion. I serve as their confidant as they pour out their heart,” Peachey said. “I am frequently asked by my male friends if I know of a nice girl and my female friends wonder if I know of a great guy for them.”
I Love Your Accent will allow users to post photos, video files and audio files (so prospective love interests can actually hear a person’s accent). For the first three months, sign-up costs will be $1 in the U.S. and one Pound in the U.K. Thereafter, the cost is $19.99 per month.
“For the cost of a glass of wine or a good cocktail, you perhaps will find the love of your life on our site,” Peachey said.
The site will also include dating tips columns written by Peachey, who is in the process of writing a third book tentatively titled, “That’s Why You’re Still Single.” For example, in online dating, it is important to:
• Present yourself accurately. Don’t post a five-year-old photo when you had a thicker head of hair and weighed 20 pounds lighter. • Actually be single. “This might sound obvious, but in my two books, many of the men who responded to my ad were married. Even if I was interested in meeting someone from those ads, I would have never considered someone who is married.” • Have reasonable expectations. “Some women only consider wealthy men and some men only consider younger women. Ask yourself what it is you have to offer the other person and if that person will truly be interested.”
I Love Your Accent, Peachey believes, will satisfy the sense of adventure that many singles share.
“Everyone deserves a chance to be happy, and if you’re not meeting the right people, why not try a different approach?” Peachey said. “It’s exciting to fly across the Atlantic to meet someone special.” The web site goes live in the new year.
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Media Contact:
Jeff Louderback jlouderback@cfl.rr.com 407-474-6149
The number of Orlando area houses in some state of foreclosure in July rose 37 percent compared to the same month in 2008, as fallout from the weak economy and depressed housing prices continued to spread.
RealtyTrac, an online real estate listing business, reported 7,248 foreclosures in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties last month, up from 5,286 a year earlier. The area had 6,667 foreclosures in June.
Florida’s foreclosure volume was second only to California in July as 56,486 Florida dwellings went into foreclosure during the month, rising from 45,884 in July 2008, a 23 percent increase.
Orange County had the greatest number of foreclosure activity in July with 4,150, 41.9 percent more than a year earlier. Seminole followed with 1,133, a 67 percent increase. Lake recorded 1,010 incidents of foreclosure activity, double the number last year. Osceola trailed with 955, 19 percent fewer than in July 2008.
Nationwide, the flood of foreclosure filings continued as 360,149 default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions were reported on properties in July, an increase of nearly 7 percent from the previous month and an increase of 32 percent from July 2008. The report also shows that one in every 355 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing in July.
For the 31st consecutive month, Nevada recorded the nation’s highest state foreclosure rate, with one in every 56 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in July — more than six times the national average. Vermont continued to be the lowest, with only 11 foreclosure filings in July, or one for every 28,312 housing units.
The RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report provides the total number of properties with at least one foreclosure filing reported between January-June of this year. Data is collected from more than 2,200 counties nationwide, accounting for more than 90 percent of the U.S. population. If more than one foreclosure document is filed against a property during the period, only the most recent filing is counted in the report.
This is a scam. This guy is trying to sell 2 Seedoo RXP jetski's at a very low price. Typical idiot, want you to send money and he will ship the ski's to you.
The ad has been pulled from the sales site OODLE.COM
It is with Regret that I have to write this to inform those of you who knew him that Spencer Uren has died from Cancer in a hospice in Basingstoke. Spencer spent many years here in Florida and worked for Contempo and later for Florida Choice. One of the funniest people you could ever meet. The Doctor had recently given him several months to live but he only lasted 6 days. Funeral arrangements are planned for June 10th in England. Spencer attended many property shows with me over the years and he was very good company. Far to young to go. RIP Spencer Uren.
Scott Pelley reports on the mortgage crisis that's far from over, with a second wave of expected defaults on the way that could deepen the bottom of the U.S. recession.
A potential legal defense that may delay the bank from taking your property is to request that the bank produce the original promissory or mortgage note. What is a mortgage note? It is the contract between you and your lender that establishes your promise to repay your mortgage loan amount. In a foreclosure proceeding, borrowers should require that the foreclosing party, the bank or lien holder, produce the note as evidence that it is the true owner of the note and has the right to collect the debt. In an extremely large number of cases, banks are having a difficult time producing the promissory notes since mortgages are packaged, sold, bundled and resold whereby the original mortgage notes are lost in the process. In many cases, the original note signed by the homeowner was lost, stored away in a distant warehouse or even destroyed. If you are facing foreclosure, don’t simply agree to allow the lender to take your property and move out. Contact an Attorney who deals in matters of foreclosure, one who will ask the court to require that the bank “Show me the note”. The number of foreclosures is climbing at an alarming rate nationwide. Last year, there were more that 2 million foreclosure proceedings filed and that number is expected to double before the end of 2009. Because unemployment is reaching double digits and escalating, and the financial strengths of our banks and nation is ailing without any immediate signs of recovery, judges have become sympathetic towards homeowners facing foreclosure. They are questioning whether default by the homeowner is entirely the homeowner’s fault. Because the mortgage note is a binding contract between the homeowner and the bank, and the banks expect homeowners to uphold their responsibility to repay the note, the courts are taking the position that the banks should be held to an equal standard of responsibility to prove they are entitled to payment and to foreclose by producing the original note. The banks attorneys argue that asking a bank to produce the note is merely a stalling tactic to delay an inevitable foreclosure. They argue that the original note is almost always electronically retained and can eventually be found. Homeowner’s attorneys argue that banks would not allow homeowners to use a similar argument that they “almost always” and will “eventually” pay their mortgage; banks would declare the homeowners to be in default. This is a double standard. Banks filing foreclosure actions must show rightful ownership and custody of the note. If the bank cannot produce the original note and show it is the rightful lien holder of the property, then the court cannot ask homeowners to forfeit their property and leave their home until the note is produced. This is not to suggest that some judges are unwilling to accept electronic documentation. But while a lender is sometimes allowed to produce other paperwork to establish that it is the legitimate holder of a note, assembling such documents to a court’s satisfaction often takes months. Additional time given to banks to produce the note and prove the bank is the rightful lien holder forces banks to be held to the same contractual standards as they hold homeowners to repay the note. In a CNN Money interview, the University of Iowa Law professor Katherine Porter stated, “Banks fail to attach a promissory note in 40 percent of situations”. In other words, four out of ten consumers are being asked to make payments on a mortgage, but the bank has not, or cannot, provide legal evidence to establish the debt even exists. This, combined with the fact that original notes over the past ten years have been sold, bundled, resold, destroyed or lost, raises the question as to how large this percentage has grown. Some legal analysts believe this percentage may be as high as 60 percent or more. Additionally, it raises concerns as to who the rightful lien holder is and whether it can be proven to the court that the banks or lien holder have any legal right to foreclose. Remember, if you are facing foreclosure, don’t simply agree to abandon your property and move out. Contact an attorney who is experienced in handling foreclosure matters, one who will ask the court to demand that the bank “SHOW ME THE NOTE”.
Looking to buy Orlando or Florida Foreclosures and REO's? Contact us now at info@buyingflorida.com or call (001) 407 455 0222 www.buyingflorida.com
Second Orlando Foreclosures Expo cancelled due to current economic situation
The inaugural expo, held Feb. 7-8, generated so much business for exhibitors that founder Phil Peachey planned an expanded event slated for June 6-7. That has now been cancelled due to the economy.
Orlando – Angela and Frank Schifano were excited about their presence at the inaugural Orlando Foreclosures Expo because it gave them the chance to showcase the new business, the Orlando Foreclosure Trolley, a rolling classroom that takes real estate investors on a tour of bank-owned properties in central Florida. The Schifanos sold several tickets to upcoming trolley tours, but the husband-and-wife real estate agent team also wrote five contracts for foreclosure listings they featured at the event.
“We were confident that the Expo would be an ideal forum for creating awareness about the trolley, but we didn’t expect to sell so many homes,” Angela Schifano said. “We are a prime example of why an event like this is needed. There is no other way for so many buyers and sellers of bank-owned properties to gather at the same place at the same time.”
Many other exhibitors at the Expo echoed Schifano’s sentiments. Phil Peachey, who is founder and organizer of the event, received such a tremendous response that he had set the dates for the second Orlando Foreclosures Expo. It was to be held on June 6-7 at the Double Tree Resort on Kirkman Road. This second Expo is now not proceeding and is cancelled due to the lack of funds available to Realtors and people within the industry in general. People want to be involved but it’s a catch 22-situation say’s Peachey. You need to be in front of potential clients to do business, but if you have not had any closings for over a year and your brokerage is not doing any marketing and advertising, what can these people do. They know we can get people in front of them but they are so short of money, they cannot afford to purchase booths at the Expo. Most Realtors are simply listing properties on the MLS and hoping to sell them by default or using free web sites like Craig’s list. It’s all they have right now. The way this whole Foreclosure situation is being handled is back to front Peachey explains, the banks refuse to let home owners refinance, they Foreclose on the house and end up selling it at auction or on the court steps for less that the original owners were willing to pay. The banks are giving the Bank owned properties to the wrong people, your average agent has no money to market these properties. It’s completely backwards Peachey feels.
Even major players in the industry are backing away from Sponsorship of events like this Peachey explains. You would think that company’s like RealtyTrac or RES.net who handle all of Wachovia’s Foreclosures would have seized upon the opportunity to market their thousands of bank owned homes to people under one roof, but the arrogance and refusal to communicate is something I have never come across before in many years of selling property. You just can not get to the right people in these organizations say’s Peachey as it’s not personal and these people on the end of a phone get paid whether they help you or not. These faceless people in these company’s like RES.net and RealtyTrac have missed out on a huge opportunity to move some of this backlog of bank owned properties.
ORRA (Orlando Regional Realtors Association) also failed miserably in helping its members who pay them thousands of dollars each year in fees by refusing to support an event that puts money in its member’s pockets, Peachey say’s. One would think ORRA would get behind anything that helps its local members in these tough times.
There is no end in sight to the Foreclosures crisis, and the volume of bank-owned properties continues to escalate. Economic experts agree that the real estate market will not rebound until the inventory of available properties decreases. Peachey created the Orlando Foreclosures Expo to help people facing foreclosure learn about their options and to link buyers and sellers of Foreclosed properties. Most people, even real estate professionals, do not have access to foreclosure listings or to the people who regularly buy and sell them. The Expo was a success and there is so much interest for more events because it breaks down barriers, Peachey believes. Exhibitors agree, and many of them found the Expo a perfect venue for education. We will look at the situation next year with a view to doing it again but its been tough to get people to understand just how much work goes into an event like this, it takes months of planning and unless people get on board early, it does not work.
“There is a thirst for information from first-time homebuyers and investors. They want to understand the real estate market and they value the information they learn to make a smart decision,” said Mary Abrams, who is a sales executive with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Orlando and a certified short sale specialist and Foreclosures expert. “Real estate is still a sound investment. Like any investment, it is important to understand how to proceed. This is why the Expo was such a valuable forum because it features resources and expert guidance for buyers, sellers and homeowners.”
Tobi Moyle, who is a regional vice president of the mortgage division for Wachovia, said that there was a mix of individuals who visited the bank’s booth at the first Expo, from renters and first-time homebuyers wanting to get pre-qualified for mortgages to homebuyers and investors searching for bank-owned homes.
“I receive multiple calls every day from clients interested in buying foreclosures. Real estate agents and independent buyers want information about bank-owned homes,” Moyle said. “The Expo was a great place to reach these people. It was a one-stop shop for consumers and industry professionals that resulted in connections that will lead to future business.”
In addition to helping people facing foreclosure, the Orlando Foreclosures Expo was a forum for real estate industry companies that deal with foreclosures to educate visitors and fellow exhibitors about what they do. Southeast Professional Title, based in Winter Park, received an abundance of inquiries about land trusts. The company was also able to inform visitors about its menu of services.
“For us, the Expo was a place where we were able to give numerous initial consultations,” said Deborah Farnell, President of Southeast Professional Title. “Many people don’t know the role of a title company. We were able to inform consumers and industry professionals of our services who were not previously aware of everything we can do for them.” We are disappointed the second Expo is not going ahead.
The inaugural expo, held Feb. 7-8, generated so much business for exhibitors that founder Phil Peachey planned an expanded event slated for June 6-7. That now might be in jeopardy due to economy.
Orlando – Angela and Frank Schifano were excited about their presence at the inaugural Orlando Foreclosures Expo because it gave them the chance to showcase the new business, the Orlando Foreclosure Trolley, a rolling classroom that takes real estate investors on a tour of bank-owned properties in central Florida. The Schifanos sold several tickets to upcoming trolley tours, but the husband-and-wife real estate agent team also wrote five contracts for foreclosure listings they featured at the event.
“We were confident that the Expo would be an ideal forum for creating awareness about the trolley, but we didn’t expect to sell so many homes,” Angela Schifano said. “We are a prime example of why an event like this is needed. There is no other way for so many buyers and sellers of bank-owned properties to gather at the same place at the same time.”
Many other exhibitors at the Expo echoed Schifano’s sentiments. Phil Peachey, who is founder and organizer of the event, received such a tremendous response that he has already set the dates for the second Orlando Foreclosures Expo. It will be held on June 6-7 at the Double Tree Resort on Kirkman Road opposite Universal Studios. This second Expo now might be in danger of not proceeding due to the lack of funds available to Realtors and people within the industry in general. People want to be involved but it’s a catch 22-situation say’s Peachey. You need to be in front of potential clients to do business, but if you have not had any closings for over a year and your brokerage is not doing any marketing and advertising, what can these people do. They know we can get people in front of them but they are so short of money, they cannot afford to purchase booths at the Expo. Most Realtors are simply listing properties on the MLS and hoping to sell them by default or using free web sites like Craig’s list. It’s all they have right now. The way this whole Foreclosure situation is being handled is back to front say’s Peachey, the banks refuse to let home owners refinance, they Foreclose on the house and end up selling it at auction or on the court steps for less that the original owners were willing to pay. The banks are giving the Bank owned properties to the wrong people, your average agent has no money to market these properties. It’s completely backwards Peachey say’s.
Even major players in the industry are backing away from Sponsorship of events like this Peachey explains. You would think that company’s like RealtyTrac or RES.net who handle all of Wachovia’s Foreclosures would have seized upon the opportunity to market there thousands of bank owned homes to people under one roof, but the arrogance and refusal to communicate is something I have never come across before in many years of selling property. You just can’t get to the right people in these organizations say’s Peachey as it’s not personal and these people on the end of a phone get paid whether they help you or not. These faceless people in these company’s like RES.net and RealtyTrac have missed out on a huge opportunity to move some of this backlog of bank owned properties.
“A lot of people didn’t grasp what we were trying to achieve until they actually experienced the Expo,” Peachey added. “Now that exhibitors understand how many people they can reach under one roof, they are excited about the next event, but struggling to find funds to be involved. We have kept costs down to a third of what similar Exhibitions charge to be involved.
There is no end in sight to the Foreclosures crisis, and the volume of bank-owned properties continues to escalate. Economic experts agree that the real estate market will not rebound until the inventory of available properties decreases. Peachey created the Orlando Foreclosures Expo to help people facing foreclosure learn about their options and to link buyers and sellers of Foreclosed properties. Most people, even real estate professionals, do not have access to foreclosure listings or to the people who regularly buy and sell them, Peachey says. The Expo was a success – and there is so much interest for more events – because it breaks down barriers, Peachey believes. Exhibitors agree, and many of them found the Expo as a perfect venue for education.
“There is a thirst for information from first-time homebuyers and investors. They want to understand the real estate market and they value the information they need to make a smart decision,” said Mary Abrams, who is a sales executive with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Orlando and a certified short sale specialist and Foreclosures expert. “Real estate is still a sound investment. Like any investment, it is important to understand how to proceed. This is why the Expo was such a valuable forum because it features resources and expert guidance for buyers, sellers and homeowners.”
Tobi Moyle, who is a regional vice president of the mortgage division for Wachovia, said that there was a mix of individuals who visited the bank’s booth at the first Expo, from renters and first-time homebuyers wanting to get pre-qualified for mortgages to homebuyers and investors searching for bank-owned homes.
“I receive multiple calls every day from clients interested in buying foreclosures. Real estate agents and independent buyers want information about bank-owned homes,” Moyle said. “The expo was a great place to reach these people. It was a one-stop shop for consumers and industry professionals that resulted in connections that will lead to future business.” We hope the second Expo goes ahead.
In addition to helping people facing foreclosure, the Orlando Foreclosures Expo was a forum for real estate industry companies that deal with foreclosures to educate visitors and fellow exhibitors about what they do. Southeast Professional Title, which is based in Winter Park, received an abundance of inquiries about land trusts. The company was also able to inform visitors about its menu of services.
“For us, the expo was a place where we were able to give numerous initial consultations,” said Deborah Farnell, who is president of Southeast Professional Title. “Many people don’t know the role of a title company. We were able to inform consumers and industry professionals of our services who were not previously aware of everything we can do for them.”
“The response we received from consumers and real estate industry professionals indicates there is a continued need for an event like this,” Peachey said. “It benefits every professional associated with the foreclosure industry, and it helps those people who are trying to avoid foreclosure. That is our ultimate objective, but what can you do if people simply don’t have any money for something out of the box like this. We hope we can make it happen, but there is a point that we are very close to where it does not make sense to carry on Peachey explains. We need a local or well known national sponsor to get involved and help us make this happen.
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Media Contact:
Phil Peachey 407-455-0222 info@foreclosuresexpo.com
The number of homes going into default continues to rise, despite the fact that many banks have agreed to put a moratorium on foreclosures.
A report by RealtyTrac found nationwide foreclosure filings – default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions – increased nearly 6 percent in February over the previous month and nearly 30 percent from a year ago.
Florida ranked second in the nation in the amount of foreclosure activity, jumping nearly 14 percent from the previous month and 43 percent from last year, according to the Irvine, Calif.-based provider of online foreclosure information.
The hike was due in large part to a nearly 158 percent year-over-year increase in auction sale notices and a 128 percent year-over-year increase in bank repossessions.
The Orlando area’s foreclosure filings for the month of February were the 11th highest among the nation’s metro areas with a population of at least 200,000, according to a monthly report from RealtyTrac.
Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties recorded 7,690 foreclosure filings in February, a 48 percent jump from January’s 5,193 filings and more than double the 3,693 filings reported in February 2008.
On the flip side, many of the homes going into foreclosure are being bought, said Darrell Naquin of Coldwell Banker in West Palm Beach.
Florida’s existing home sales rose 24 percent last month, the fifth consecutive month to show an increase in activity, according to the Florida Association of Realtors.
In Florida 8,450 existing homes sold, up 24 percent from the 6,810 homes sold in January 2008, according to FAR.
“I see that as good news. They’re selling. Inventory is being absorbed,” Naquin said. “They are selling because pricing has reached a point where it’s actually the price for which someone is wiling to purchase.”
Nationwide, 290,631 properties had foreclosure filings, 46,391 of which were in Florida.
One in every 440 homes nationwide was hit with a foreclosure filing. In Florida, one in every 188 homes faced foreclosure.
Dates for second Orlando Foreclosures Expo are set
The inaugural expo, held Feb. 7-8, generated so much business for exhibitors that founder Phil Peachey is already working on an expanded event slated for June 6-7
Orlando – Angela and Frank Schifano were excited about their presence at the inaugural Orlando Foreclosures Expo because it gave them the chance to showcase the new business, the Orlando Foreclosure Trolley, a rolling classroom that takes real estate investors on a tour of bank-owned properties in central Florida. The Schifanos sold several tickets to upcoming trolley tours, but the husband-and-wife real estate agent team also wrote five contracts for foreclosure listings they featured at the event.
“We were confident that the Expo would be an ideal forum for creating awareness about the trolley, but we didn’t expect to sell so many homes,” Angela Schifano said. “We are a prime example of why an event like this is needed. There is no other way for so many buyers and sellers of bank-owned properties to gather at the same place at the same time.”
Many other exhibitors at the Expo echoed Schifano’s sentiments. Phil Peachey, who is founder and organizer of the event, received such a tremendous response that he has already set the dates for the second Orlando Foreclosures Expo. It will be held on June 6-7 at a venue yet to be determined. The inaugural Expo was held at the International Plaza Resort & Spa, but Peachey says the second event will be much larger and will require more space.
Homeowners facing foreclosure, renters looking to buy a home and first-time investors and seasoned investors searching for deals were among those who converged on the Orlando Foreclosures Expo (www.foreclosuresexpo.com) on February 7-8. The Expo included people facing foreclosure talking to experts about their options, and buyers and sellers of bank-owned properties.
“Now that the first Expo is completed, exhibitors who were there are already booking booths for the next event,” Peachey said. “In addition, people who thought about exhibiting but didn’t because they were unsure of how successful the first Expo would be saw the response and are now interested.
“A lot of people didn’t grasp what we were trying to achieve until they actually experienced the Expo,” Peachey added. “Now that exhibitors understand how many people they can reach under one roof, they are excited about the next event.”
There is no end in sight to the foreclosures crisis, and the volume of bank-owned properties continues to escalate. Economic experts agree that the real estate market will not rebound until the inventory of available properties decreases. Peachey created the Orlando Foreclosures Expo to help people facing foreclosure learn about their options and to link buyers and sellers of foreclosed properties. Most people, even real estate professionals, do not have access to foreclosure listings or to the people who regularly buy and sell them, Peachey says. The Expo was a success – and there is so much interest for more events – because it breaks down barriers, Peachey believes. Exhibitors agree, and many of them found the Expo as a perfect venue for networking and business.
“The response we received from visitors to our booth far exceeded our expectations,” said Chris Christensen, who operates a Real Living Real Estate Solutions office under The Christensen Team name in Orlando. “We left the event with the names and phone numbers of over 70 people that are interested in buying foreclosed properties, and we are both booked for the next two weeks with appointments to show properties.”
Laura McLoughlin of Moneycorp Inc. is another sponsor and exhibitor who has reserved space for the second Expo in June.
“The event not only attracted a big number of attendees, but it also provided a great opportunity to network and make good connections in the industry,” McLoughlin said. “Anyone who wants to get into the foreclosures market or has a service to help clients looking for foreclosures will benefit from participating in the June event.”
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Media Contact:
Jeff Louderback 407-474-6149 jlouderback@cfl.rr.com
The Orlando Foreclosures Expo on February 7th & 8th was a huge success. Here in this video you can get some feedback from Exhibitors etc.
The 2009 Orlando Foreclosures Expo Was a Huge Success! Read What People Are Saying.
“I attended the Orlando Foreclosure Expo as an exhibitor and I was blown away at the professionalism of the event and the staff. I have attended many real estate type shows and the results yielded very little in the way of “qualified” leads. Most people were just kicking tires. This Expo was the exception. These people came to purchase. Our company got over 100 qualified and interested leads and the majority of the people were there for the right reason which translates into sales for people like me. In addition, the quality of exhibitors and speakers were amazing. I will be back again and I would urge you to do the same if you are interested in growing your business. Great job guys!” -Billy Cannon, Coast2Coast Investments
"Thank you so much for everything, Remember I want a booth in your next event!!!!! So let me know when and where and I will send you a check!! Frank was out yesterday with buyers all say until 10:00 at night he got 3 signed contracts and he is out now with more buyers!!! So it was a great success for us. Thank you. " -Angela Schifano, The Orlando Foreclosures Trolley
"Julie and I would definitely sign to exhibit at the June Foreclosures Expo. You guys did a phenomenal job, everything was top notch. The response far exceeded our expectations. We left the event with the names and phone numbers of over 70 people that are interested in buying foreclosed property. Both Julie and I are booked for the next 1-2 weeks with appointments to show properties. We were even able to send a referral to the Real living office in Georgia for a person we met at the show who had some vacant land in Georgia that they needed to sell ASAP. Once again thank you so much for everyone’s efforts. Tell Phil he’s the man J" -Chris & Julie Christensen
"Making the decision to be one of the sponsors of the Orlando Foreclosure Expo was certainly a great decision for us. The event not only attracted a big number of attendees but also provided a great opportunity to network and make good connections in the industry. Anyone who wants to get into the foreclosure market or has a service to help clients looking for foreclosure should definitely look at exhibiting or sponsoring the next event. Moneycorp will be involved in the next one! Thanks to Phil and his team for a wonderful job. Thanks," -Laura McLoughlin
"Extraordinary changes in the real estate and lending industries have left us in uncharted territory. A new housing landscape is taking shape, and a different kind of homebuyer is doing the shopping. As a Realtor (R), the FORECLOSURES EXPO gave me an incredible opportunity to guide and educate homebuyers in uncertain times." -Mary Abrams - Sales Executive, Award Winning Realtor
Jason and Alicia Goldberg, a married couple who live in Oviedo, received a duplex from REO Resolution Trust, LLC
Orlando – Jason and Alicia Goldberg were interested in buying their first investment property, so they attended the Orlando Foreclosures Expo last weekend. The married couple, who live in Oviedo, were like many of the expo attendees who talked to exhibitors about how to purchase bank-owned properties. The Goldbergs received an unexpected head start on their portfolio when they won a duplex which was given away by REO Resolution Trust, LLC, an Orlando company that owns and operates BankerREOs.com, buys bank-owned properties and sells them to investment groups and individual investors.
The duplex is located in Detroit and valued at $67,742. It includes four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 2,354 square feet of living space.
“We have bought many properties and it is our intention to give away one home per month,” said Will Bland, who is president of REO Resolution Trust. “The property that the Goldbergs received can generate $700 a month in rental income. After taxes and insurance, that is about $7,000 a year.”
The Goldbergs expected to leave the expo armed with information and knowledge about how to make their real estate investment dream a reality, but they never expected to depart with their first property, especially at no cost to them, other than the $10 entrance fee to the expo.
“Ironically, we were interested in buying a duplex as our first investment property,” Jason Goldberg said. “This is the first of what we hope will be several properties in our portfolio.”
The Orlando Foreclosures Expo brought together a diverse group of individuals and companies that work with foreclosures and short sales under one roof. First-time investors and seasoned investors were able to meet real estate wholesalers, brokers and agents who have a multitude of bank-owned properties at below-market rates. Homeowners facing foreclosure spoke to investors interested in buying properties, and professionals provided them with options if they want to sell their house, or remain in it and avoid foreclosure.
“It was exciting to see a young couple who wanted to get involved in real estate investing win the property,” said Phil Peachey, who is founder and organizer of the expo. The next Orlando Foreclosures Expo is slated for June 6-7 at the International Plaza. “They now have a home that can generate $700 a month in rent. That is substantial, especially for a young couple.”
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Media Contact:
Jeff Louderback 407-474-6149 jlouderback@cfl.rr.com
Orlando – Homeowners facing foreclosure, renters looking to buy a home and first-time investors and seasoned investors searching for deals were among those who converged on the Orlando Foreclosures Expo (www.foreclosuresexpo.com) last weekend. The inaugural event, which was held at the International Plaza Resort and Spa, drew such a positive response that founder and organizer Phil Peachey is already planning a larger event on June 6-7 at the same venue.
“A lot of people didn’t grasp what we were trying to achieve until they actually experienced the expo. Now that exhibitors understand how many people they can reach under one roof, they are excited about the next expo,” Peachey said. “Real estate industry professionals, people facing foreclosure and investors alike were at the event for different purposes, and they were all able to find answers from the broad range of exhibitors who are experts at what they do.”
Typically, people facing foreclosure often do not know all of their options. Many investors interested in buying bank-owned properties do not have access to foreclosure listings or to the people who regularly buy and sell them. The Orlando Foreclosures Expo served as a forum to break down those barriers.
“There is a thirst for information from first-time homebuyers and investors. They want to understand the real estate market and they value the information they need to make a smart decision,” said Mary Abrams, who is a sales executive with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Orlando and a certified short sale specialist and foreclosures expert. “Real estate is still a sound investment. Like any investment, it is important to understand how to proceed. This is why the Expo was such a valuable forum because it features resources and expert guidance for buyers, sellers and homeowners.”
Tobi Moyle, who is a regional vice president of the mortgage division for Wachovia, said that there was a mix of individuals who visited the bank’s booth, from renters and first-time homebuyers wanting to get pre-qualified for mortgages to homebuyers and investors searching for bank-owned homes.
“I receive multiple calls every day from clients interested in buying foreclosures. Real estate agents and independent buyers want information about bank-owned homes,” Moyle said. “The expo was a great place to reach these people. It was a one-stop shop for consumers and industry professionals that resulted in connections that will lead to future business.”
In addition to helping people facing foreclosure, the Orlando Foreclosures Expo was a forum for real estate industry companies that deal with foreclosures to educate visitors and fellow exhibitors about what they do. Southeast Professional Title, which is based in Winter Park, received an abundance of inquiries about land trusts. The company was also able to inform visitors about its menu of services.
“For us, the expo was a place where we were able to give numerous initial consultations,” said Deborah Farnell, who is president of Southeast Professional Title. “Many people don’t know the role of a title company. We were able to inform consumers and industry professionals of our services who were not previously aware of everything we can do for them.”
A majority of the expo attendees who talked to Christina Rordam were homeowners looking to avoid foreclosure and investors inquiring about purchasing distressed properties.
“Many of the homeowners who were facing foreclosure wanted information on making a short sale,” said Rordam, who is a Realtor with Exit Realty Central Florida, the agency that staffed the foreclosures help desk at the expo. “People are facing a difficult situation, and they want to talk to professionals who can give them sound advice.”
Chuck Mahoney understands the foreclosures crisis first-hand. When he founded the National Opportunities for Affordable Housing Foundation (N.O.A.H.) in 2001, it focused on helping home buyers find down payment assistance programs. That is still an integral part of the organization’s mission, but now it is helping homeowners who are struggling either remain in their home or sell so they can preserve their credit and be in position to buy again in the short term.
“At the expo, we talked to a lot of homeowners who have lost their jobs and want to get out of their home before foreclosure,” Mahoney said. “Loan modifications aren’t always the answer. In many cases, the new payment is higher than the one the homeowner could no longer afford, and about 40 percent of loan modifications go back to foreclosure and short sale.
“We help homeowners short sale their home so they can retain their credit and are able to reenter the real estate market. They bought their home in a seller’s market, and now they are trying to sell it in a buyer’s market,” he added. “In a short sale, we negotiate with the lender and the homeowner is able to get out of their situation. The foundation buys the home and then sells it, in most cases to a first-time homebuyer, helping them with down payment assistance. We help one person avoid foreclosure and help another homeowner buy a property.”
That reflects the theme of the Orlando Foreclosures Expo, Peachey says. Peachey plans to organize similar events across Florida in areas like Tampa/St. Petersburg, Miami, Jacksonville and Tallahassee. The second Orlando Foreclosures Expo, slated for June 6-7 at the International Plaza, will feature even more exhibitors and speakers.
“The response we received this weekend from consumers and real estate industry professionals indicates there is a continued need for an event like this,” Peachey said. “It benefits every professional associated with the foreclosure industry, and it helps those people who are trying to avoid foreclosure. That is our ultimate objective.”
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Media Contact:
Jeff Louderback 407-474-6149 jlouderback@cfl.rr.com
From national correspondent: Ms.Catarina Huntington
That's the headline Realtors can only hope for at this point in time. A more proportioned assignment of REO (bank foreclosures) listings would dramatically enhance the financial landscape for the struggling Realtor industry. However, as of January 2009, less than 1/3 of 1% of Realtors continue to maintain a stranglehold on REO markets, while the rest of the industry sinks in despair. For now, the "80-20 Rule" (20% of Realtors accounting for 80% of business) is a distant memory. "It seems like the new rule should be changed to the "80-1 Rule", where less than 1% of the agents are closing 80% of the deals" says Julie Tveit a real estate Broker for LaRue Realty in Minnesota.
An investigation into the facts surrounding the REO listing market is interesting....
2 million foreclosures up for grabs
Nationwide the "private club" (as they're called) of REO Agents currently monopolizes about 1.7 million active REO listings. In 2009, 2.0 million more properties will foreclose and according to a recent report by "Credit Suisse" the US market will be averaging 2 + million foreclosures over each of the next 4 years.
Estimates are that 150,000 Realtors nationwide, provided the pertinent education, would be very qualified listing agents of REO properties. There are no specific prerequisites to become an REO Agent. Qualified Realtors simply need to possess a willingness to enter the REO arena and be thoroughly educated on the unique aspects of listing bank owned foreclosures.
Hence, there are 150,000 active full time Realtors in the United States with 2 million foreclosure listings "up for grabs". If divided equally each Realtor would close 13 REO listings per year for the next 4 years.
REO Agents Dominate Market
Instead roughly 5800 Realtors Nationwide sold 1.6 million REO homes in 2008. That translates into an average of 22 closed listings per REO Agent per month. That certainly doesn't sound like a "spread the wealth" philosophy does it? My research indicates that the REO industry's current model provides for a single beneficiary: REO Listing Agents,
and unfortunately this model comes at the expense of the lenders themselves, frustrated buyers and the tens of thousands of agents left out to dry.
The vast majority of REO Agents are overwhelmed with inventory and under staffed. Realtors "in the field" showing REO properties tell me that they understand this all to well. "I am to the point now, in working with buyers, that I have to pre-screen listing agents that have REO listings. If I know that the listing agent is going to be difficult to work with, on any level, then I pass that information along to my buyers. There are too many properties on the market to waste time with difficult transactions" say Ms. Tviet.
The systemic problem within the REO Agent "underground" appears to have a multitude of negative consequences which result in longer market times and lower sale prices, say numerous industry sources. Ms. Tviet, "It's just common sense, if your marketing is poor, your correspondence with other Realtors is marginal and you have a reputation as difficult to work with, it inevitably effects the lenders bottom line".
Private enterprise is fixed on changing the dynamic
In a brief telephone interview I conducted with Ms. Simona Miu a spokeswoman for the ForeclosureU.com a private educational institute established in 2005, Miu stated:
"ForeclosureU is committed to changing all of that in 2009. Stating that ForeclosureU.com is going "at the establishment head on". Miu says that ForeclosureU is launching a national advertising campaign in various targeted media outlets promoting the importance of their "Certified Foreclosure Specialist Designation and Training for Realtors".…."In 2009 our sole focus will be dedicated to educating and arming 25000 Realtors to earn their fair share and rights to the REO pie……Graduates of the "CFS" Training will receive everything required to meet their career goals and seize these emerging markets".
Miu went on to provide some of the ways ForeclosureU intends on accomplishing that challenging feat:
"CFS" graduates are provided unprecedented (a) training on listing REO property but it doesn't stop there (b) "CFS" graduates are entered into the National Database of "CFS" agents (c) which will be facilitated by an aggressive print/electronic and Internet marketing campaign (promoting its "CFS" agents) targeting the entire default (REO) industry (d) In addition a proprietary list of "REO asset managers" and their direct contact information will be made available to all "CFS" graduates."
Miu stated that ForeclosureU is filling the gapping holes left by local, state and national educational platforms that have failed Realtors miserably in providing current educational requirements.
Conclusion
If ForeclosureU and companies like them truly step up and provide Realtors the tools they need there is little doubt that, at least in this columnists opinion, Realtors can surely change the course of their careers and maybe even the course of the foreclosure debacle as a whole.
On a personal note, I am pulling for ForeclosureU and any innovative new business that has the capacity to help this beleaguered economy. Small business and product/service innovation is the only viable macro solution to this countries economic downward spiral. Realtors are a part of that solution. Getting our political leaders to understand this is a whole other conundrum.
Statistical data and additional content provided thanks to: Real Estate Trac, City Data Co, U.S. Association of Real Estate Agents, Foreclosure University, LaRue Realty, Zillow Blog
Bienvenidos al Foreclosure Expo Febrero 7 y 8 del 2009 en International Plaza Resort & Spa. Tenemos el placer de anunciar una oportunidad unica de interconexión y ventas, El Foreclosure Expo fue creado por la necesidad de la gente en la industria de bienes raices de promover sus servicios regularmente. Hasta ahora no existia un lugar para que el publico pudiera ir a ver una propiedad en forclosure y hablar directamente con el vendedor para poder tomar desiciones inteligentes.
Muchas personas no tienen acceso a listas de foreclosures o a personas que compran y venden estas propiedades con regularidad. Vendedores hasta ahora han ofrecido estas propiedades solamente a un grupo muy selecto de compradores.
Casi todos los departamentos de ventas de bienes raices de bancos no hacen negocios con el publico en general. La industria de foreclosure ha sido como un club privado donde el publico general no puede obtener membresia pero esto ha cambiado con el Foreclosure Expo.
Agentes de Bienes Raices y Asociados ahora tienen una plataforma para presentar sus listas de foreclosures al publico general que no tienen acceso al MLS. El Tiempo es perfecto y hay defenitivemente una necesidad y la respuesta del publico ha sido increible. Los organizadores de el Foreclosure Expo tienen mas de 25 años de experiensia combinados en el mercado de bienes raices y estan dedicados ala industria y a este projecto. Consiga Foreclosures en ventas desde $18,500. Adquiera su entrada hoy en linea.
Orlando – Wachovia, which is now part of Wells Fargo, has announced that it will be an exhibitor at the Orlando Foreclosures Expo.
When the inaugural Expo is held at the International Plaza Resort & Spa in Orlando on February 7-8, 2009, it will serve as a forum where everyone from real estate agents and brokers, real estate attorneys and REO department representatives from banks to lenders, investors, wholesalers, builders and others in the foreclosure industry can gather under one roof to exchange ideas, offer guidance and conduct business.
There will also be a help desk where people facing foreclosure can talk to real estate professionals about their options. Attendees can view actual foreclosure properties and learn how to make money investing in foreclosures. People facing foreclosure can sell their home and meet experienced buyers and investors.
“Foreclosures are the primary topic in real estate. I receive multiple calls every day from clients interested in buying foreclosures,” said Tobi Moyle, who is a regional vice president of the mortgage division for Wachovia. “Real estate agents and independent buyers want information about bank-owned homes. The Expo will be an ideal place to reach these people.”
The Orlando Foreclosures Expo (www.foreclosuresexpo.com) is drawing so much interest from exhibitors that booth space is almost sold out. The interest reinforces founder and organizer Phil Peachey’s belief that it was time for an event like this.
“The Orlando Foreclosures Expo was born out of the need for people in the real estate industry to promote their services to the public,” Peachey explains. “This will be the first event of its kind where real estate industry professionals and the public can learn about the foreclosure industry, network and links buyers and sellers of foreclosed properties.
“Most people, even real estate professionals, do not have access to foreclosure listings or to the people who regularly buy and sell them. Wholesalers typically offer their foreclosure properties to a very select few. Also, most REO (Real Estate Owned) departments of banks will not deal with the general public,” Peachey adds. “The foreclosure industry has been more like a private club where the public cannot obtain a membership. The Orlando Foreclosures Expo will break down those barriers.”
At the Expo, Moyle would like to educate the public about getting a mortgage to buy a bank-owned property.
“There is a misconception that getting a mortgage to buy a foreclosed home is different than financing a regular home, but that’s not the case,” Moyle said. “I think the Expo will help educate people on everything they need to know about buying and selling foreclosed properties.”
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Media Contact:
Phil Peachey phil@foreclosuresexpo.com 321-281=9462
An Orlando-based nonprofit organization, the National Opportunities for Affordable Housing Foundation helps homeowners avoid foreclosure
Orlando – When Phil Peachey created the first-of-its-kind Orlando Foreclosures Expo, he envisioned an event that would not only bring investors, bankers and real estate professionals who deal with foreclosures under one roof, but also serve as a resourceful forum for homeowners in danger of foreclosure. To facilitate that objective, he has donated booth space to the National Opportunities for Affordable Housing Foundation (N.O.A.H.)
When the Orlando-based nonprofit organization was started in 2001, it focused on helping home buyers find down payment assistance programs. That is still an integral part of the organization’s mission, but now it is helping homeowners who are struggling either remain in their home or sell so they can preserve their credit and be in position to buy again in the short term.
“We are helping homeowners who are in pre-foreclosure liquidate home through short sale process by negotiating on their behalf with lenders so the homeowners do not end up with a foreclosure on their credit report that will make it challenging for them to buy another home for several years,” said Chuck Mahoney, who is president and founder of N.O.A.H (www.noah-dpa.org). “We have a line of credit we tap into that allows us to buy the home and hold it, or purchase the home and sell it immediately to a homebuyer.
“It is our intention to do all we can to help this real estate market recover by preventing foreclosures,” Mahoney added. “We also continue to help homeowners get down payment assistance so they can achieve their dream of home ownership.”
When the inaugural Expo (www.foreclosuresexpo.com) is held at the International Plaza Resort & Spa in Orlando on February 7-8, it will serve as a place where everyone from real estate agents and brokers, real estate attorneys and REO department representatives from banks to lenders, investors, wholesalers, builders and others in the foreclosure industry can gather under one roof to exchange ideas, offer guidance and conduct business.
The Expo will also serve as a resource for homeowners facing foreclosure find professionals who can help them either remain in their homes or find buyers. There will also be a help desk where homeowners can talk to real estate professionals about their options.
“We are glad that N.O.A.H. will have a presence at the Orlando Foreclosures Expo because they will be able to help homeowners directly, and make real estate professionals aware of their services,” Peachey said.
Mahoney believes that the Expo is especially right now, at a time when many more families will be facing foreclosure.
“Unfortunately, there are many more foreclosures to come, and the only way the market will recover is to see a reduction in the inventory of available homes,” Mahoney said. “The Orlando Foreclosures Expo will help match investors and home buyers with sellers, which will lead to transactions that will contribute to reducing the inventory.
“People who are struggling and facing foreclosure need assistance to get out of their homes without devastating their credit,” Mahoney added. “The Expo is a forum for these individuals as well.”
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Media Contact:
Jeff Louderback 407-474-6149 jlouderback@cfl.rr.com
Orlando – When the first-ever Orlando Foreclosures Expo is held from Feb. 7-8 at the International Plaza Resort & Spa, it will bring a diverse group of individuals and companies that work with foreclosures and short sales under one roof. First-time investors and seasoned investors can meet real estate wholesalers, brokers and agents who have a multitude of bank-owned properties at below-market rates. Homeowners who are facing foreclosure can speak to investors interested in buying properties, and professionals who can provide them with options if they want to sell their house, or remain in it and avoid foreclosure.
The Expo will also allow one attendee to walk away with a free home. In addition, another eventgoer will win a full carpet replacement, including installation and labor, for their property.
“Our event will be a place where people can network, learn about aspects of the foreclosures and short sales industry they might not otherwise have known, and improve their business,” said Phil Peachey, who is founder and organizer of the Orlando Foreclosures Expo (www.foreclosuresexpo.com). “The home and carpet replacement giveaways are valuable prizes that will make the winners especially glad they attended.”
REO Resolution Trust, LLC will give away a home at the Orlando Foreclosures Expo. Every Expo attendee will be eligible to win just buy purchasing the $10 entrance ticket. Eventgoers can buy as many tickets as they prefer.
REO Resolution Trust, LLC, which owns and operates BankerREOs.com, buys bank-owned properties and sells them to investment groups and individual investors. They will choose the property within a week before the Expo.
“The winner of this giveaway will receive a home that can generate revenue as an investment property, or they can live in it if they choose,” said Will Bland, who is president of REO Resolution Trust. “This person will own the home free and clear.”
Bland said that his company’s ultimate goal is to give away one home per month to a family in need. The donation at the Expo is just the beginning, he added. Bland will also give a presentation at the Expo about his company’s “turnkey system” that allows investors to buy properties, find qualified occupants, prepare the occupants to own the respective home, find a company to buy the note and then sell it to the occupants (giving them the chance to own the home).
Conquest Home Services, a Longwood-based company that provides carpet services for new home builders and performs full-scale home renovations, will give away a full carpet replacement including labor (up to $3,000 and 200 yards of carpet).
“The prize is ideal for someone who has an unoccupied home and intends to use it as an investment property, or a person who buys a home to live in,” said Rod Fair, who is vice president of sales for Conquest Home Services. “If you have an occupied home, you can win the giveaway, but you must either move the furniture on your own, and pay the cost for moving the furniture before the carpet is installed.”
Before the real estate crisis, Conquest primarily provided flooring for new home builders, but once the market experienced a downturn, the company added renovation services to its menu. Conquest bought and renovated a 4,500-square-foot building in Longwood to house its showroom.
“We’re a perfect example of why the Expo is a valuable event. We still provide flooring for new home builders, but we have placed a greater emphasis on renovation work to keep our bottom line healthy,” Fair said. “The Expo is a forum where companies like ours will make contacts with property management companies and investors who buy bank-owned homes because most of these properties need some level of renovation work.”
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Media Contact:
Jeff Louderback 407-474-6149 jlouderback@cfl.rr.com
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