from Cordell Hull, Esq.
In her book “How to Commit Short Sale Fraud … And Get Away With It”, Monique Bryher paints a comprehensive picture of the broad effects of short sale fraud. Using available statistics, as well as anecdotal evidence, the book shows the long-term harm wrought by this practice; from artificially lowering neighbors’ property values to the resulting decline of the tax base from which many governmental functions are funded. The book is a must read for those interested in this topic, which affects all of us.
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from Todd Moster, Esq.
Moster Legal Placement, Inc.
All of us these days are accustomed to headlines accusing the big banks, business executives and politicians of fraudulent schemes that led to the real estate bust and economic crisis. What we usually don’t see in the media, however, is news about an equally pervasive fraud being committed on an even larger scale by people with a lower profile – and maybe even some of our neighbors. Monique Bryher’s” How to Commit Short Sale Fraud…And Get Away With It” shines a spotlight on this lesser known but equally devastating phenomenon.
A succinct, straightforward account of the dysfunction sweeping the U.S. real estate market by an industry veteran who clearly knows her stuff, “How to Commit Short Sale Fraud” will educate, intrigue and even shock you. Not content with merely stating and handily proving her thesis, however, Ms. Bryher proceeds to lay out a series of constructive and common-sense action steps to solve the problem. Be prepared to be entertained, but also beware: How to Commit Short Sale Fraud may transform you from informed reader into community activist!
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from Mike Dannelley, President,
American Interbanc, LLC
“How to Commit Short Sale Fraud” by Monique Bryher is a must read for any homeowner outraged with the current climate of fraud and who should take the blame for it. While the public has been quick to blame the “big greedy banker” for our country’s economic woes, your next-door neighbor may very well be a hidden culprit.
Short sale fraud impacts us all – financial institutions absorb the losses initially, but those losses eventually get passed on to private citizens in many ways and negatively impact our economy because the taxpayers are left holding the bag. Is it all that outrageous that the homeowner who borrows money to buy a home actually has to pay it back? Or is it more outrageous that the lender that offered the loan actually expects to be repaid?
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from Jay Kister, President
Infinity National Asset Management
This is a very well-timed book. Bank CEOs that I know are very concerned about the flood of short sales hitting their books. They see the flood continuing to grow in today’s environment and feel paralyzed because of bureaucratic maze in which they find themselves. This problem unchecked will become an epidemic, and this book is the start in leading to a cure.
This book should be read by every professional in the real estate industry. We need to start a national dialogue about how to bring solutions. Right now the market is reacting to fear and greed. We need to bring civility and law in order to re-establish confidence and raise ourselves out of this economic malaise.
Monique: thank you for your voice and I look forward to the dialogue this book will create.
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from Christian Stevens, Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Beverly Hills, California
I have known Monique for several years and I have enjoyed following her writing about some of the largest fraud cases here in the Platinum Triangle of Los Angeles. The wealthiest agents and clients are not immune to fraud any more than the lower-priced neighborhoods.
Monique has written an invaluable book detailing the many ways fraud can take form and how little is being done about it – this is your tax dollars that are being used. Whether you are an agent selling a short sale, an owner hoping to short sale your property or even a buyer this is the guide you need to make sure you have a chance of getting out alive!
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from Caslyn Huck, Realtor®
Never Settle Realty & Investment, Woodland Hills, California
Monique Bryher has written a well presented view on fraud in today’s market. She presents all sides of the epidemic and as a real estate insider it’s clear to see that she cares about her client and will do her best to represent them accordingly. The current market temperature is an anomaly to many people and the true damage won’t be seen until years from now. This is a must-read for anyone looking to understand more about short sales.
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from Bryan Cooper, Certified Residential REA
Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute
This book is great background and detail on the cause and effect of short sale fraud. This is a must read for all of those in authority who do not consider short sale fraud a serious crime against the public!
I am the Chair for my Appraisal Institute branch and we put on a fraud seminar earlier this year presented by a detective from the Riverside County DA’s office. One of the things that stood out to me was that the detective indicated they are not interested in short sale frauds because they are less concerned about frauds in which the victim is the bank, mostly because the banks are not cooperative. I don’t think they have any idea how far reaching the effect of short sale fraud really is.
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from Dave Woolley, PLS, CFE
D. Woolley & Associates, Inc. Surveyors and Harbinger Analytics Group
The fraudulent practices revolving around the short sale of REO properties have been widely reported. Ms. Bryher has done a thorough job detailing the fraud mechanisms in her book entitled “How to Commit Short…and Get Away with It”. Short sale fraud has escalated at an alarming rate and has had an unquestionable impact on the housing market in California. Ms. Bryher’s background and experience offers a detailed and unique perspective on this problem.
The seriousness of this issue demands the attention of federal regulators. Hopefully they are listening to Ms. Bryher.
I am a regular follower of Ms. Bryher’s blog, www.CaliforniaRealEstateFraudReport.com, and highly encourage any real estate purchaser, whether first time buyer or sophisticated investor, to read and understand the information contained in her book.
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from Erik Kaplan, Certified Credit Consultant
THD Credit Consulting
I have worked with Monique for 3 years now and I think one of her better attributes is the way she cares about people. Hence, this is why she decided to write such a well-thought out book, a book that will show you the dark side of the real estate business and how people try to take advantage of a broken system.
I have been a loan officer for many years and now own and operate a credit restoration company. What I really like about Monique’s style is she takes an inside look at how short sale fraud takes it toll on average homeowners, who are just trying to keep the roof over their heads.
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from Duane Bartsch, Esq.
Bartsch & Haven, Manhattan Beach, California
Monique’s book on short sale fraud lays bare the reality why short sale fraudsters almost never get punished: there is simply too much of it for policing agencies to keep up with. Monique, via everyday examples and in an engaging, clear style explains how short sale fraudsters steal money not just from faceless banks, but from the next door neighbor, the retiree, and from everyone else who spent a lifetime building equity in their homes. Monique’s book is a first rate introduction to anyone looking to understand short sale fraud.
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from Allan J. Erdy, President
Allan Erdy Escrow
“How to Commit Short Sale Fraud” is a must read for those who are unfamiliar with the short sale process and are interested in learning more about how it impacts the Real Estate Industry and individual property owners. It gives an excellent perspective of what’s happening with the parties involved in Short Sales… from the consumer all the way to the Attorney General.
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from Hal Huffer, CFE (retired)
In a hunt for the right book to tell everything in the fewest possible words about the real estate mess that destroyed the American dream of home ownership for so many, this book will do it for you. For that reason among others, “How To Commit Short Sale Fraud … And Get Away With It,” written by Monique Bryher, deserves a place on your reference shelf.
The author, a real estate broker with a sideline as editor of a blog on real estate fraud, attacks two subjects, short sale transactions and real estate owned (“REO”) lending practices, with fervor.
It doesn’t take long to read “How To Commit Short Sale Fraud … And Get Away With It” but that is not the point. It puts the key issues in topical order and fills in the details with well selected cases and anecdotes.
Monique Bryher is a keen observer and accomplished writer, and she uses these talents to render insightful opinions about the aberrant behavior among brokers, lenders and bankers along with the lack of enforcement follow-through by government at all levels that have nearly demolished the buyer-seller relationship in residential real estate.
Ms. Bryher’s weapon of choice is the anecdote as proof of the malaise that has afflicted new homebuyers and those willing to trust the government to go after wrongdoers. The anecdote can be quite effective in presenting a convincing argument, and this is the case here. Where some conclusions can be reached by the recitation of data or dollar amounts in losses, the author relies on anecdotes and “war stories” to carry the day. I find this book useful because of the anecdotes. I am happy to recommend this book.
Real Estate Fraud Expert / REO Fraud Expert / Short Sale Fraud Expert
