I mean, it’s safe to say that any idea the President, or any other politician in Washington has, will be met with opposition. And since everyone can agree that there’s a truckload of dirty deals behind each big lender there’s definitely something to find. So the question is what are the two sides of the story. (Actually, I’m going to show you the 4 sides of the story!)

1a) Why NOT to look into the past: It will be expensive, will slow the recovery, and expands unwanted government influence in the free market.

2a) Why YES to look into the past: The fragile recovery could be derailed by any new scandals so it’s better to preempt a massive shock to the housing system.

Okay, that’s all well and good, but here are the real reasons.

1b) Really why NOT to look into the past: Lots of Washington politicos managed to avoid responsibility for the financial crisis. But as more secrets come out we’re going to find many of them were deeply involved in letting these lenders get away with their crimes.

2b) Really why YES to look into the past: Some politicians are gaining ground as the big sheriff in town setting the system right. If they lose that image during a crucial election year they don’t really have much to stand for.

It’s a sad battle we’re going to witness as this is fought in Washington. But bottom line for you and me, we don’t trust big lenders, we know the value of the housing market, and we know how to make the real recovery happen. So make your voice heard in Washington, but don’t let it be the other way around.

Here’s the latest dragged-out promise:

A government refinance program to let homeowners take advantage of low interest rates.

This doesn’t sound like a tough sell for Congress. I mean, why wouldn’t voters support something, anything really, that Congress would try out to help people. Now, I’m not saying that it would actually help anyone. Unfortunately, government plans are notorious for costing tons of money and there being enough restrictions and loopholes in them to keep the money in the banks and out of your hands.

But for what it’s worth, 16 senators have been demanding to see the President make good on his promise to refinance high-interest loans. But so far, nothing’s come of it. Up until now the most qualified people have been barred from these loans due to annoying restrictions that just don’t make sense in most cases. Meanwhile, the lower interest rates could mean hundreds of dollars in savings each month for struggling families. So what’s with the delay?

Just between you and me, it’s never worth it to count on change from Washington. The best bet is to look to the people right here with you on the street for answers. We know what the real issues are, we know how to provide real answers. And I promise, there is absolutely no red tape in my desk. You can even check my drawers if you want.

It’s called Project Rebuild and it seems to be about combining job creation and real estate repurposing. Basically, communities with high foreclosure rates seem to also have high unemployment rates. No big brainer there, right? But those places also have high commercial foreclosures, probably since people aren’t spending money and businesses can’t afford to keep their staffs. Also doesn’t take a genius to see that.

So here’s the catch: Take many of the unemployed (who are into construction) and have them repurpose the commercial properties. I think that’s a really neat idea and I don’t want you to miss it, so here it is again. Instead of trying to revitalize a failing business, do something with the land itself. Change the commercial areas into different types of real estate models, residential or industrial, or just about anything else.

It’s an interesting idea at least and obviously would need to be done right. But I like the direction – don’t fix what’s broken, change it into something that won’t break. It gives people jobs, which should lower the risk of foreclosure, and revitalizes areas into hopefully profitable ventures.

I definitely think this is something that we should keep an eye on. If you see a run-down mall in your area, don’t write it off as an eyesore. Picture it as a funky apartment building with plenty of potential.

Please leave a comment with your thoughts on this plan. Has Obama fallen off the deep end again, does the plan have something to offer, and what’s the moon really made of?

But the second option, that he does nothing at all is what scares me. And it’s much worse after an article I just read. Obama told a group of distressed homeowners that Federal support won’t be enough to improve the housing situation and the economy in general. That simple statement should have you shaking in your pajamas. It means two things:

1) Obama is only now realizing what’s blindingly obvious – that our government doesn’t have the answers.

2) That he has no solutions and is just bowing out.

It may not sound that extreme but that’s essentially what it means. We’ve known all along that the answers do not lie with the government. Short sales and other do-it-yourself solutions are the only things concretely improving the housing market. Yet Obama is just now coming down from the mountain and saying “Yep, we can’t do a thing. Do you guys have any ideas?”

This is a direct quote from Obama’s speech:

“I’ll be honest with you … the federal government is not going to be able to do this all by itself.”

Here’s what I want you to do right now. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of this. Does this sound promising? Does it sound ridiculously obvious? Post your thoughts below. And have a great weekend.

If you caught the story over the weekend, President Obama and House Speaker Boehner teed off on Saturday, playing 18 holes at the Joint Base Andrews’ golf course in Maryland. Seems like a fun outing, I suppose, but what exactly was the point? I mean, is it a way for our nation’s leaders to hash out differences of opinion? Is it a way to see past the rhetoric and to the person?

And what if during the entire 4 hour match they didn’t talk politics? Would that be a missed opportunity? Would that be negligent and pretty misleading?

Basically, as in everything that happens in Washington, some people will love it and some people will hate it. If you think a round of golf with “the other side” is constructive someone else is going to be opposed to it. If you think it’s important our leaders relax together, someone is going to tell them to get back to work.

So which is it, people? What should we expect from our leaders outside the office?

Well, seeing as how I’m sliding my way across Europe right now, I totally can’t fault anyone for taking some time to clear their heads. And I have the luxury of a great staff keeping me informed and my business running while I’m looking like a typical American tourist. It’s not like Congress shuts down every time Boehner gets the old golfer itch, so I totally get if he needs to breath some fresh air.

So I say, let them have their fun. We should all be able to step out of whatever pressures we have at work and not feel guilty about a little Me Time. If you’re reading this in the middle of your Monday-blues workday, turn off your monitor, step outside and do something just for you. Not too long a break, I don’t want your boss calling me and ruining my vacation. But then I’m sure when you get back to work you’ll be much more productive and enjoy your day, and the rest of your week.

1,666

That’s the total for the entire nation, all lenders, under the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program. Oh, and that’s almost 75% higher than the previous month. Since April 2010 they’ve managed to cobble together a little over 7000 (which includes some starts that never actually closed).

Of course, this has inflamed a whole base of critics who are already fed up with the government’s efforts to correct the housing market. I can’t say I blame anyone who think these numbers are just pitiful. If the entire private sector got the kind of incentives big lenders are getting, and if the government would take its cues from our short sale investor community, the entire housing market would be in much better shape.

The government thinks more incentives, higher payouts, etc. are the way to encourage cooperation. They think the program is sound it just needs the goodwill of more people. But they don’t realize, good will isn’t bought – it’s earned. I’ve earned the goodwill of my loyal friends through offering sound advice, being there for them during this recession, helping everyone of you to achieve success in short sales. Can Washington say the same? Have they stuck with us to make each of us great?

No. They’re looking out for themselves, their reelection campaigns, and the bottom line. That’s not a recipe for success and it won’t bring us out of recession. So let’s stop worrying about HAFA and start making ourselves the goal. If we put through the short sales that we can, the entire country from Washington to San Diego will know it.

Now, I’m all for helping struggling homeowners, but I can think of some better reasons than “One good turn deserves another.” Can’t you?

The fact that HAMP has gone kaput in a big way doesn’t seem to have penetrated the upper levels of Washington. Instead of mandating loan modifications (which backfired as banks found literally hundreds of loopholes) they’re now just asking nicely, with a cherry on top. I think it’s time Congress and the White House wise up. If government intervention hasn’t solved the foreclosure crisis, more of the same won’t help. And if banks don’t let self-preservation (i.e. losing millions on foreclosed homes) lead to reform, I think the obvious answer is that change doesn’t lie with the banks.

It lies with YOU.

Let me just repeat that so it’s crystal clear. You can make the changes needed to solve the housing crisis. Do you think Short Sales have become the #1 choice for struggling homeowners because they have a catchy title?? Well … probably not. It’s because short sales and short sale investors like yourselves have the ability to give people an honorable way out of financial difficulty. It’s better for the banks, better for the economy, and better for the homeowner.

So keep spreading the word and finding golden opportunities. And remember, I’m there to back you up.

Some were content to let this mystery pass into history along with the identities of so many other victims of this terrible tragedy. But one man made it his mission to give this poor child a name, and some everlasting peace. And only recently a memorial service was held by the boy’s true family, finally discovered after nearly a century.

This story has moved me more than anything I’ve read in the news in a long while. Compare this with the major news of today: Obama’s birth certificate. Don’t you see the insane contrast here: on the one hand, people digging through one child’s long-lost records to ruin his life and cause chaos for political reasons. On the other hand, people digging through one child’s long-lost records to bring peace to a grieving family and set history straight. When I saw this striking contrast it almost knocked me over.

Can you see how confused our priorities have become? Can you appreciate how much time we spend on nonsense and how little credit true heroes are given? When a soul is finally at peace, it means more than all the “birther” claims and political maneuvering. When a man struggles in anonymity for a just cause, far from the spotlight, then he’s the real hero. Then you know he’s not working for political aims or for his own ego, but only to do what’s right.

I commend everyone of you out there who goes about his life peacefully working for what he himself values without needing any fame or glory. You will ultimately be the ones who bring our country back from economic hardship and make America the great country that she must be.

Most lawmakers agreed that this program also needed to be tweaked in order to be effective. Of course, there were 177 dissenting opinions, and yes, Obama has promised to veto the bill if it makes it through the Senate.

So no major changes are actually going to happen, but it’s nice to see the House of Representatives keeping itself busy. Do you think they’re wasting their time (and our taxes)? Or do you think this symbolic gesture is accomplishing something? Let your voice be heard here, and in Congress. Make sure our representatives in government know how we will about these issues.

Do you have a personal story of someone who was helped by one of these government programs? Or have you become smart enough to spot the problems in them? Can you warn others? Let me and my readers in on your views so we can all learn together.

And more government programs are on the chopping block. The Emergency Mortgage Relief Program for unemployed homeowners, the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), and HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program are all slated to be discussed (and let’s face it, probably ended) during Congress’ next sessions.

However, Obama has announced he’ll veto any moves to end programs he considers necessary. So the future of these programs remains in doubt, despite whether the programs are proving to be effective. Each of these programs has had its ups and downs but Congress needs to move away from these programs that were temporary measures to something more sustainable.

The housing recovery is still not where it needs to be but it’s also not at the stage it started at more than a year ago. So these programs need to be either done away with or revamped to address the new issues that have come up. Let’s hope everyone up in Washington can look the facts right in the eye and make the right decisions.