This is our speaker Carol Bullion, Mortgage Fraud Expert.  She is also author of the book "The Dark Side of the Closing Room" being sold through Amazon.  Carol tought the Flint Chapter Women's Council of Realtors many fraudulant activities taking place right now!  This is from our June 20th meeting.

Carol explained Michigan is the 4th largest state with mortgage fraud.  She gave the members in the room a good lecture on how to see, feel and determine if mortgage fraud is happening.  I was stunned.  Let me give a taste of what we learned, in Michigan we have people we call "Snowbirds."  These people go to warmer states in the winter.  Snowbirds will rent their home to people they think they can trust.  The trusted people commit fraud in many ways to actually sell the "Snowbirds" home while they are away in the warmer state.  I would have thought, they can just take the home back, well sure, after the "Snowbirds" pay the attorney fees and any other fee they run across while fighting to take the home back.  WOW!

Many different schemes are going on right now.  Becareful!  Identity theft is huge.  Do you valet park?  How do you know the valet is safe?  Could the valet go through your glove box or trunk while they have your keys?  Could the valet carry a digital camerea to take pictures of your registration?  Think about these things before you hand your keys over!

Sellers BEWARE!  Could a potential purchaser lie about about their intentions to view your home?  Would this person carry a camera to take pictures of your family, your grandchildren, your mail or any other identification items in your home?  Do you have a safe for this stuff while your home is listed?

Yes, it's time to be scared. 

Now for the lighter side! 

   Angie and Earnest discussing his new free membership.  Earnest won a membership at the Flint Area Association of Realtors Open House Picnic.                      This is Lula Earnest.  She became a member in February.  Lula is a Realtor ready to take on the world!

 I, Angie, was honored with a FAAR-OUT Award.  Laura Fletcher delivered balloons and a pin.  She came in the meeting screaming, Angie I have a FAAR-OUT Award.  Well, you would think that since I lead the meeting and put the agenda together I would know about a FAAR-OUT award being giving out.  Well, I can't tell you how surprised and honored I was.  Thank you Laura!  (and Stephanie).              My mom would be proud.  I miss her.

       for more pictures, please see http://picasaweb.google.com/FlintWCR/WCRJuneMeeting