John McMonigle fully embraced the California housing Ponzi scheme. He claims to have represented $2.1 billion in real estate transactions during the housing bubble. If he made 3% of that figure, that’s $63,000,000 in real estate commissions. In a game of financial football, that is a powerful offense. Unfortunately, his defense wasn’t quite as good. Falling from housing peak: John McMonigle’s ride According to bankruptcy court papers, McMonigle, 46, has amassed some $50 million in debts. His assets – even [Read More...]
Many people bought during the housing bubble because they wanted a home for their families. They stayed within reasonable debt-to-income guidelines and used fixed rate mortgages. Unfortunately, the prudent were small in number, and most of them have obtained loan modifications to make their super-sized debts manageable. Many other people bought during the housing bubble because they saw their house as an investment, or worse a cash cow they could milk periodically to supplement their spending. These people saw rising [Read More...]
When I was young and much more liberal than today, people told me I would become conservative when I got older. I didn’t think it would happen. But when I look at how far the pendulum has swung to the bailout-and-take-care-of-me side, I wonder if we haven’t lost our way. Consumers outnumber producers, and everyone wants a free ride. Enough already. The ‘Take Care of Me’ Society is Wrecking the USA By MAUREEN MACKEY, The Fiscal Times January 28, 2012 [Read More...]
A new study shows a strong correlation between house prices and birth rates. When the housing bubble inflated, so did… well, birth rates. When housing went flaccid, so did… birth rates. When housing began to inch up in 2009, so did… birth rates. The correlation is so strong, studies postulate a cause and effect. So I ask you, did loan owners stop having sex due to the housing bust? Housing Bust, Baby Bust Fertility falling: And baby makes three. The [Read More...]
Foreclosure sob stories always seem to lack a few pertinent details explaining exactly how the unfortunate circumstances came to pass. Today’s featured article is written by a renting former owner who works at the newspaper. She tries to portray herself as a victim, but in reality, she is only a victim of her own poor decisions. No refuge from the mortgage crisis A homeowner tries to work with bankers to hold on to her modest but beloved house, but her [Read More...]
Today’s post is a detailed comparison of Irvine and Coto de Caza. I have joked about the posers and pretenders in Irvine, but by comparison, it looks like Coto de Caza has Irvine beat. Despite having far fewer homes built during the bubble, Coto is experiencing greater price declines due to foreclosures. Excessive Ponzi borrowing is the most likely culprit. Over the last few weeks, the IHB has been proud to present Jaysen Gillespie of Global Decision. His advanced statistical [Read More...]
I saw a recent headline on another Nicolas Cage foreclosure, and it inspired me to do a little research into our local celebrities to see who is posing and who is for real. I didn’t find anyone who was for real. Graphrix, formerly of the IHB, discussed the Real Housewives of OC in A Real Housedebtor of OC. Having grown up and lived most of my life in OC I have come to the conclusion that the people here who [Read More...]
For readers of this blog, the editorial that follows will not cover new ground. For the wider readership in California, what follows is pure sacrilege. Bursting our bubble Why do we continue to think that rising home prices are a good thing? By Michael Kinsley — February 15, 2011 If President Obama could ask for one gift from the economy — one statistic that turns unexpectedly rosy — what would it be? If Americans in general could choose one change [Read More...]

Banks created their own nightmare. They turned good borrowers into HELOC dependent Ponzis, inflated a massive housing bubble, and now that prices are crashing, lenders are surprised at the behavior of borrowers. Each side feels they are being victimized by the other. Lenders are being left to hold the bag and absorb the losses, so they have suffered consequences for their actions. Borrowers lost their homes, so they have suffered too. Beyond enduring the consequences, each party bears some responsibility [Read More...]
Ponzi borrowing and HELOC Abuse Most people fail to budget properly for unexpected expenses or expenses that do not occur monthly. When these expenses occur, most will borrow the money, often on credit cards. During the year, this debt will accumulate like tooth plaque, and at the end of the year, many debtors hope for a work bonus or a tax refund to clean the debt from their balance sheets. Homeowners, particularly in California, would go to the housing ATM and add to their mortgage to pay for these [Read More...]



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