As if those of us who are still fighting to remain in the Real Estate and Mortgage Business aren't having a tough enough time as it is, now we have to compete with the likes of this enterprising young man who is finding people their dream home for free. Yes that is right, FREE, as in not only no commissions charged but the clients aren't paying for the homes either. No downpayment, no credit, no income, NO MORTGAGE. How long before this catches on across the country?
Max Rameau delivers his sales pitch like a pro. "All tile floor!" he says during a recent showing. "And the living room, wow! It has great blinds."
But in nearly every other respect, he is unlike any real estate agent you've ever met. He is unshaven, drives a beat-up car and wears grungy cut-off sweat pants. He also breaks into the homes he shows. And his clients don't have a dime for a down payment.
Rameau is an activist who has been executing a bailout plan of his own around Miami's empty streets: He is helping homeless people illegally move into foreclosed homes.
This thief activist and his associates have formed the group Take Back the Land, which also helps new "tenants" with furniture, and maintenance on the homes. The story quotes Rameau as saying "I think everyone deserves a home" and similar nonsense from a satisfied customer, who after moving into a $460,000 home free of charge states, "My heart is heavy. I've lived in a lot of different shelters, a lot of bad situations...". "In my own home, I'm free. I'm a human being now."
Now don't get me wrong, I am not disagreeing with either of them, there really is nothing like the feeling of having your own home. It's just that I prefer people to get their own home the old-fashioned way, you know paying for it.
And because by this point I've become convinced that the new job of the media is to advise people how to live in a home for free, or at least at a substantial reduction of the original mortgage balance (see story here), the AP is kind enough to point out that although the city of Miami knows what is going on, they are not planning on taking any actions to stop it. Note: To anyone looking to relocate to Sunny Florida or perhaps pick up a vacation home there, this may be the deal you were looking for.
Of course, I'm not really sure why I am surprised by all of this. We were all advised before the election that we would no longer have to worry about putting gas in our cars or paying our mortgage.
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Seems that lady must have known what she was talking about afterall. Now how about that free gas???
31 Comments on Pretty Soon We'll All Be Out of Business...
DEC
04
2008
"How long before this catches on across the country?" I wouldn't worry too much about it. Oh, by the way, we now have a fully socialist government so don't let anything surprise you. Good article - made me subscribe!
January 20th is when the President Elect takes over Ken. I don't see that anything has changed yet, we are still dealing with the last President and his policies.
Michelle, this is really crazy, and I wonder where the liability lies in a case like this. I sold a home last January where the owner had moved in with his girlfriend so the property was basically empty. We had an accepted offer and the buyer was doing the inspection when they found some clothes and a microwave pizza in the microwave, cooked. It turns out that the Police had arrested someone in the front yard, the night before, and he was obviously inside. We were worried it would kill the deal but it didn't!
Just what we need to make financing homes easier, people to let the appraiser in. I have been worried about how to get them into those pesky foreclosures, this appears to be a perfect solution, doesn't it?
Actually, I read this exact post a few days ago. It was either on Active Rain, or perhaps online. Contrary to many of the opinions listed above, I can absolutely see why this guy would do stuff like this.
Many of these homes have sat vacant for months and months, some for more that a year. And... the homeless people Max Rameau manages to get moved in to these homes... in many cases makes the neighborhood look much better than it did when the home was vacant. I am not saying it is the right thing to do, but in may cases, one must admit that to the neighbors... it really is an improvement over it being vacant and/or used as a crack house... or worse. The fact that he is not charging for this takes any hint away from it being done by him for personal gain.
The article tells the entire story of this happening, but just as many from the right have been doing, and will continue to do, the last added sentence just blames the whole thing on Obama. How boring.
Karen - You have the same thought process as Max Rameau. To the vast majority of America (and the world) will call this man and his "clients" crimials for breaking/entering and crimial trespass. But the ultra left will always try to make it someone elses fault. Wrong is wrong, right is right.
Question: How would you honestly feel if you walked up to a house that you owned, only to find someone living in it? You would run and call the police.
I saw this write up the other day also.
It kind of reminds me of some of the separatist movements of the 1990's.
Their attitude is they want the laws they like enforced but won't obey the laws they don't like.
Michelle, this is a pretty powerful post - like the sarcasm embedded in it as well. The entitlement that is out there is a little scary... people still have to take accountability for their own actions.
Also in Philadelphia, there has been a major movement like this for years and there is even a name for them - squatters !!
The mess that this country is in and people doing stuff like that can not be blamed on President Elect Obama. He has no power yet to do anything. If we are in a jam and any part of it is due to government, it has to be blamed on the government we have now. The Repubs will then probably blame the congress but the presidnet has to sign every bill. The Dems will blame the Pres, but they draft up laws. How bout blaming the companies instead, like the CEOs with giant bonuses and the unions who have negotiated so well for their people that they have driven the companies out of business. I also would like to know how all these companies were supposedly doing ok 2 months ago but now are ALL needing money from the gov?
Michelle, It is also very frightening for a Realtor showing a home that they thought was vacant. Whick makes me think that someone owns them " even if it is a bank" they should be checking them on a regular basis.
Brian: I am not commenting on the "rightness" or "wrongness" of anything. But... there are cities in this country where homes have sat vacant for years... falling into horrible disrepair, becoming fire hazards, crack houses and whatever. They also make it totally impossible for any homeowner on the street or in the area to sell their own property. With that being the case... many people say that it is better to have someone... perhaps "wrongly"... living in it, and at least making it appear "occupied."
Those to which I am referring are not taking place in "owned" homes... but in homes that have been abandoned. So... you may want to gently climb down off your self-righteous high-horse before you fall off and hurt yourself. Have a wonderful day.
Hugh - This is one of the reasons I arrive 30 minutes early when I do a home inspection. You can find this situation in almost all areas and neighborhoods. Please everybody be careful if you do know or have not talked to the owners.
Karen - My high-horse is like a pony to yours. You have a wonderful day too.
Anne Marie I read about that the other day. Very creative. I always wondered why when the military closes a base, it remains closed. There are homes, schools, shops, all kinds of buildings that can be used to create communities for those homeless, especially the estimated 45,000 Iraq vets!!!!!!! I'm not a proponent of breaking and entering, however, these are hard times, and if a foreclosed home can provide shelter for a homeless mother and her child......well.....
I love the comment about socialism. Ha! How could this possibly be socialism? And if it were, apparently those anti-socialists amongst us would prefer to see people living on the streets in cardboard boxes. Afterall, their hard luck is not "our" problem. As a reminder, FEMA, such as it is, is a "social" government organization. I don't think many of the anti's would turn down an offer of help from FEMA if the need arose. Just one example of many "social" programs we have in place to help "us" when we really need help. However, I wouldn't count on FEMA to accomplish much more than provide toxic trailers.
I can not believe these people saying this is ok. Although I shouldn't be surprised. If it were their house I find it very hard to believe they'd feel the same way. I know very little about squatters rights but I'm pretty sure they have no real rights regardless of state. Here's a novel idea....he should help them find jobs rather than teach them to steal properties. NExt they will be saying it's ok to borrow someone's identity, credit cards and bank accounts...unless it's theirs of course.
Terry and Karen Anne, I am in complete agreement with you both. It is certainly about time someone like Max is doing something to take advantage of these long ago abandoned homes that No one owns, except maybe a bank and we all know they are either Out of Business or have far too many more important things to deal with than foreclosed abandoned homes that will most likely sit there til they rot as many do in my remote small community.
The commenter's above act as though this man is invading homes that are owned by a person. If so, and I highly doubt it, and they are sitting overwrought with weeds and decay they certainly are an owner that has No use for the home any longer. Remember FORECLOSURE, generally means Bank owned!
Max in all likely hood from what I have read in several articles about what he is doing is seeking old easily known abandoned homes. Not homes For Sale or cared for inside and out.
I do not understand anyone who can begrudge a homeless family, most he is helping have childrenobtain shelter. If indeed someone came along and found them and they had damaged or misused the home illegally THEN call the police.
Personally I know of many abandoned by the bank homes here in my area, some for years and Max has inspired me to see what members of this community to get our homeless in these homes for the Winter as we get below freezing and they live out of cars and in the brush by the river. And there are dozens. I hope others are inspired to do the same.
Thank you all for your comments. It surprises me that anyone who sells Real Estate would think this is a good idea for reasons pointed out by Brian and Hugh above. I also think the argument that this is somehow beneficial for the homes or the neighborhood is absurb. Most people don't even like RENTALS in their neighborhood, and there is a reason why NOO homeloans are more risky. Now we are talking about people with who are moving into a home for free. Do you really think they are going to be maintaining this home? It doesn't mention whether the homes have access to water, electricity etc but I would guess if they do it is not legal and if they don't ...
Further proof this guy is a nutjob directly from his blog:
Each community has the right to control the land upon which people live, work, play, learn and worship. Take Back the Land is, therefore, asserting the right of the Black community to control the land in our community and use it for the benefit of our community, including, but not limited to, providing housing for our members in need. We urge every community to exercise the same right.
Take Back the Land further asserts it is immoral to maintain vacant homes for the purpose of profits in the future, while human beings are forced to live on the street today. The madness of such a policy is only compounded when one considers the owners of these vacant homes are not other people, but banks, the same banks receiving billions of dollars in bailouts without having to trade in the foreclosed homes for use by some of the people financing the bailouts. Additional government resources, including police and other government agencies, should not be used to evict low income people from homes in order to maintain vacant structures for bailed out banks to profit from some time in the future.
Michelle - You are right this guy is a nutjob. I listen to an interview with him and read an article written by him. I am surprised he is not in jail. And his Take Back the Land is socialism at its best and criminal at its worst.
I believe we are produces of the decisions that we have made. The majority homeless are there not because not bad luck; but, through bad decisions. Bad decisions about their education, their work ethics, how they spend money, how they use credit, the people they associate with and I may should you can think of others. I have had my ups and downs. And when you are down you work harder to pick yourself up again. Now I know bad things happen to good people; but, if bad things happen they start over to build their lives again.
I am totally AMAZED and Speechless when I read comments by Brian.
If EVERYONE in the Country COULD be as Smart, educated and motivated as Brian, FIRST: thinks they should be and Second: attributes their homelessness to those factors, my question is EXACTLY where do you think all these people are supposed to get jobs? I live near Laughlin NV. They just layed off hundreds of workers and placed a freeze on hiring due to the economy and the sharp drop in tourists and gamblers.
There are 100 people for every one job available here and more so in major cities. DOES NOT matter how smart, educated or motivated they are. They are expecting their homeless rate to triple in the next 6 months.
But alas I guess your answer for these minimum wage workers who barely got by when they had a job is to figure out how to come up with the thousands of dollars it will take to relocate their families to a bigger city, rent a place that requires first last and deposits, utility connections ect til they can get a new job.
I am curious Brian when you were down on your luck exactly how long you (and your wife and children) lived in your car or under trees? And why did you feel compelled to keep your kids out in the cold rather than move them in to an abandoned home for warmth?
Linda - The job losses you are commenting on can be contributed to federal government involvement and our tax code.
If you continue to look at the results of issues and do not look at the causes of those issues; you will only continue to be a reactionary individual.
Think of a house you have listed that is not selling. Do you say 'Oh, well it will sell someday' or do you look at why it is not selling? What is it the buyers does not like? The lot, the color, the neighborhood, the price - what is it? I try to look past what I am being told are the results of an issue and see what the causes are?
As to being Amazed - Good. Being amazed is good for the soul.
As to being Speechless - You and I probably do not suffer from that affliction.
Brian, Thanks for the comment back at me. I am not sure how you attribute the 15 Major Gambling Casino's job losses in our area to the Federal government and the tax code????
Also as a well seasoned agent who was the top listing and sales agent in our tri state area for RE/MAX at the River for 5 years and broke the record with them in 2006 for a one deal commission of $96,000, I really didn't need the lesson in how to sell a house but thank you anyway for sharing.
I noticed you answered NONE of the questions I asked you???? Remember I am referring to abandoned, uncared for homes nobody wants or cares to put up For Sale and helping homeless to move in out of the cold.
Michelle - I won't judge Rameau on what he's doing, but I hope he is cognizant of the fact that Florida is a gun-friendly state and there are many people with permits and many more who carry without.
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Just what we need to make financing homes easier, people to let the appraiser in. I have been worried about how to get them into those pesky foreclosures, this appears to be a perfect solution, doesn't it?
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"How long before this catches on across the country?" I wouldn't worry too much about it. Oh, by the way, we now have a fully socialist government so don't let anything surprise you. Good article - made me subscribe!