For my own amusement, I sometimes scan newspaper articles sent from my Google alerts. Especially when a strange story catches my eye. What I find even more interesting than the story, sometimes, are all the comments from online readers. If you generally skip reading the comments -- and I wouldn't blame you if you did -- you're missing a collection of thought stranger than fiction.
A part-time real estate agent in Arizona was nabbed by the FBI for mortgage fraud. His name is Kailash Bhatt. He also worked for the state and as an instructor at University of Phoenix. When the bank foreclosed on his home, Bhatt stripped the foreclosure home and began selling on Craigslist the fixtures: the kitchen cabinets, granite counters and built-in appliances. It's considered mortgage fraud to remove fixtures that damage the bank's security for the mortgage. The FBI investigates mortgage fraud.
The comments on this foreclosure stripping story ran the gamut. Here is a sampling of what readers thought:
- Bhatt is a terrorist.
- The FBI should be spending its time arresting real crooks.
- All real estate agents are criminals.
- It's the bank's fault for not implementing a workout program for Bhatt.
- The University of Phoenix is a toxic wasteland of crap.
- Criminals come from India.
- The federal government is to blame.
- Bhatt should be allowed to strip his home.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available at Amazon.com
Photo: Big Stock Photo
---
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. DRE License # 00697006.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available through bookstores everywhere and at Amazon.com.
Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.
The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.
