The condo boom moves on to Latin America

The condo boom moves on to Latin America What to do when you have a network of real-estate brokers selling new condominiums, but few new condos to sell? Edgardo Defortuna, who has made millions selling South Florida condos, hopes one answer is found on the Pacific shores of Mexico. Defortuna, who heads Fortune International, last …

Foreclosures take money from neighbors

Foreclosures take money from neighbors Valerie Guerra’s Livermore home has lost $100,000 in value through no fault of her own. Guerra and her husband have paid their mortgage without fail. Yet foreclosures in her neighborhood and on her street have erased much of the equity in their house. “I certainly believe my house is worth …

Deal in works to save condo facing liens [South Florida]

Deal in works to save condo facing liens [South Florida] Could there soon be an end in sight to the foreclosure quagmire at The Whitney, West Palm Beach’s newest condo? Developer Enrique Dillon confirmed he’s crafting a deal to satisfy a foreclosure and liens on the 210-unit building at Evernia Street and South Dixie Highway. …

Did appraisers juice Florida real-estate market?

Did appraisers juice Florida real-estate market? Almost every street has one: a vacant house that sold a couple of years ago for a jaw-dropping price. It could be another example of appraiser-inflation during the overheated housing market, which saw property values soar tens of thousands of dollars with each sale. Appraisers so commonly pumped up …

Call from God has investor selling on a prayer

Call from God has investor selling on a prayer While the majority of his brethren rejoice in a market downturn that would allow them to buy properties at bargain prices, Powell is praying to sell his holdings in Fort Lauderdale and Lauderhill. The timing couldn’t be worse, and he knows it’ll take nothing short of …