Saturday, July 28, 2007

What’s Next? How can I help YOU?

I’m getting a little bit of media attention lately. I never intended for this to happen. I just wanted to sell my houses quickly, avoid foreclosure, get out of debt… and tell my story in the process - to HELP people!

I will continue giving you the blow-by-blow of how I’m getting out of this huge mess. Ideally, I want to pay off every dirty penny I borrowed. And do that without bankruptcy or foreclosure. I will have to get REALLY creative.

And I’m also hoping to have a come-back story too: how I make money in real estate in a down market. To accomplish that, I will be looking for a successful mentor to two - to take me under their wing. I need some wise guidance. I will also pursue additional real estate education as needed.

Financial independence has always been the goal. I’ve tried several businesses already but haven’t quite achieved a break-through. Many lessons learned. Many bruises and battle scars. I am NOT quitting though. It will happen! And hopefully I can get there without going back to a regular 8-5 job. We’ll see…

But I really don’t want this blog to be about ME too much.

My primary goal is I really just want to share my story and write things that will help people. I want to help you who are facing foreclosure. I want to help you “newbie” investors/flippers to make smart decisions. I want to help you buyers and seller to become more savvy. I want to help borrowers in making good decisions about mortgage products. I want to help industry watchers (bubble heads) by bringing you the latest from “the trenches“.

I am not saying I’m an expert or a GURU. I’m a long way from that. However, if I share my mistakes I hope to bring some value. Learning from other’s mistakes is much better - they tell me.

So I want to write things that my audience wants to hear. I want this blog to be of value to you. Really good value! Even entertainment value.

If you want to make fun of me and teach a lesson in the process - it’s ALL good! I don’t mind showing people HOW and WHY I failed. You can laugh at my expense all you want. If my failure helps somebody in the end, then my mission has been accomplished. (It’s not really failure… just a lesson and a set back).

Questions to you:

What do you want to hear more about? More gory details about each deal? More about liar loans? Real Estate buying/selling techniques I used? Lessons I have learned? About my life? Wife? Struggles? Feelings? Emotions? Disappointments? Dreams?

I’m also considering doing a podcast of some kind with video and/or audio. What do you think?

Any other ideas? How can I help YOU?

55 Comments

  • I think this needs to be repeated, in case there are any newbies.

    This site is about as “real” as lonelygirl15 on youtube who turned out to be an actress working for a couple of wannabe movie producers.

    None of these houses exist. Nobody is stupid enough to admit to massive mortgage fraud on a public forum. The only reason he is “admitting” all this stuff is because it never happened and he knows he can’t get in trouble for it.

    The real reason this site exists, is to make money through all the Google adsense ads that are plastered all over it.

    Mortgage related ads are the single most expensive ads on the net, and Casey is probably make 10k a month if not more just through these ads.

  • This is the real deal. What shall I do to prove it?

    The ads are helping me pay for hosting fees and such… its only a few bucks a day.

    I may take it down if there are too many haters… I trying to find the right balance. My primary goal is NOT to create revenue of this blog. Maybe in the future.

    For now its just to tell a story.

  • Now you’re getting the hang of it!
    Just remember the first rule of show business, “always leave them wanting more”.

  • Casey,

    Media attention for this debacle will not translate into making you money.

    You may think there is a book or some kind of opportunity here, but it is just hype and the fact that people love watching a train wreck in slow motion…and sorry buddy, but that is you.

    If you dont get your sorry butt in gear and get a damn job in a month or so you will be in BK, everyone will have forgotten about you, and most likely you will be divorced too.

    I just find it to be unbelievable that you refuse to get a job man. Going to work does not mean you will never be wealthy. Quite to the contrary, it is what will start you down the road. Somehow you think this experience is valuable, personally i cannot see how. All this is doing is making sure you are starting the race 2 miles behind everyone else.

    You don’t get anywhere without hard work, and you don’t gain experience of any value without working for someone else. At your age I was a laborer literally digging ditches for a living. Now I am 41 and I own 2 houses for my personal use, one on the water at Lake LBJ, and 3 that I rent out. In just 15 short years I managed to work my way up from being a laborer to holding multiple executive positions and senior level jobs at large private and major public companies such as Nortel and IBM.

    I had a net worth of $1M when I was 32 years old, and my net worth today is significantly higher than that. I have never not had a job, and the fact is that this is exactly why I have what I have.

    And don’t be thinking that I was one of those “dot com” phenoms. I never made a dime on any stock options I had during the bubble, I did it all the old fashioned way. Hard work pays off man, try it some time.

  • Wow. All I can say is wow.

    I’ve never seen such a blatant attempt to score a book deal in my life. Failing that, a “mentor” will do in the meantime.

    I don’t doubt for a second that you intend to take everything that’s been posted on this site and put it into a book and sell it under any context you can money off of. I don’t think you have any noble intentions whatsoever. It’s all about making a buck.

  • Casey, don’t listen to those haters and bashers. Anyone whose ever gotten attention has them. I say keep writing on. You have the guts to do what you did and to write about it. Good for you. Doubters will just have to stew in their own sad anonymity.

    You’re doing great as for informational as well as entertainment value so keep on going. I’d like to see how your story heads. If you get a job, I’d like to hear how that went too!

  • I want to hear about the “letters of explanation”. Also, any specifics about your contacts with lenders and others are much appreciated.

    To those who doubt the veracity of this site, why don’t you just check the online public real estate records of the counties where these properties are located? It takes only a few minutes and you will see clearly that Casey does indeed own these properties and the details match up.

  • I wouldn’t stay too hopeful that you will be able to keep on blogging once you get foreclosed on….for one you can kiss that nice laptop you have goodbye, and two..most people are just circling the carcass waiting for you to implode. Once that is done..the show is over..why sit thru the credits?

  • Gotta say, I saw this coming a mile off.

    How much will you be charging for the seminars, Casey?

  • Сибирь, Алекси. Новосибиск лучше дла тевя сейчас.

  • What advice can you give if your resume is all about failure? Not many Casey’s fans around I can see excep for a few idiots like Rudy gave you reckless advice.

    You seem picking up publicity with interviews and all. I say keep it up and who knows what will bring.

    Getting financially independent is not easy, is it? Most people do it the old fashion way. Especially, if people aint born with silver spoon in their mounth.

  • I am an aspiring real estate investor. I’m 26 yrs old and am thinking about buying in the Dallas area. What I am most interested in is the POTENTIAL RENT that you can get for your places. OR at least the Angleridge property in Dallas.

    By putting myself in your shoes I am trying to figure out how I could dig myself out by generating income from the properties.

    You have a lot of guts, but need to stop trying to time the markets. You should look at the fundamentals of your properties instead!
    Looking forward to the rent data!

  • 13. AngryintheBronx
    October 13th, 2006 at 2:01 am

    I want to here more about Mrs. Casey. Preferably from Mrs. Casey her own self.

    Apparently there is some evidence that she is a lot more involved in this whole thing than you suggest - or maybe there was more ‘fishy business’ with the loans than you have already suggested. Regardless, I can’t be bothered to look it up, so it would be entertaining to hear from her directly.

    Also, you should set up a chat on the website (or an irc chan.). That way you could host a live ‘casey’ chat where we could ask you questions in RT.

  • What I don’t understand is why anyone would listen to you? Why offer advice? You’re about the last person I’d be taking guidance from when it comes to real estate.

    Cut your losses, get rid of the s***** , preachy site. Nobody’s buying into this crap.

  • Casey Serin,

    I and I am sure there are others that is reading this with great concern. Don’t let a few dead heads force you to make that decision. I have been reading your blog….almost like a HORROR story.

    You have been given some excellent advice. Short sales seems to be the best source that is coming to mind….reason being is the publicity that is given to each property.

    Hopefully someone would step up to your plate and pull the trigger on some of the properties.

    Keep up the blogging. :)

  • Let’s face it, if this is real(you’re pretty stupid if that’s the case because you admitted to a crime, even if you take it down cached versions will live on in forever), you want people to feel bad for you. The site isn’t here to help other people, it’s here as a pity me, pay me website. Buy my houses, buy into my rediculous plans for a raffle…

    Why should we help you? Have you done anything other than watch TLC, think you could make easy money, and then sink like a stone in the ocean? Wouldn’t our time be better spent on helping a deserving family who is struggling to make their payment because they were screwed by an industry too ready to hand money to whoever asked for it?

    The party has been over for quite some time, and if you were too stupid to recognize that, it’s no different than the idiot who thinks they can run across the freeway without being mowed down. Do it enough times, and you’re sure to end up a grease spot.

    So why do I come here? Why to laugh at you squirm of course. You and all the other amature flippers who failed so badly. To watch idiot agents come talk about how awesome you are for “taking a chance” while ignoring the fact that you committed and admitted to defrauding major lending institutions.

    Enjoy your granite counter tops.

    - Big Bubba (Your next cellmate and “partner”)

  • Don’t let the haters get you down, it’s a good blog.

    Gotta give you credit for not giving up.

  • What, no ASTRID posting yet? My lands! What is iamfacingforeclosure.com without the self made board troll astrid lurking about? Don;t know whats more amusing this blog or Astird’s constant posting.. I am a fan of both !

  • Why not write a book about it? Seriously.

  • What I would like to know is “What were you thinking?”.

    Didn’t you do any research about the markets you were buying into?

    Didn’t you think something was strange when a person with literally no income could get financing on multiple houses?

    Did it feel even a little bit odd lieing to get the loans you needed?

    Did you read any of the fine print on the loans?

    Are you a get rich quick type of person? Because if you are let me tell you a secret. If you work at a company and build your self up in it. In the long run you’ll make more money than doing the get rich quick scams. And as an added bonus you can always leave the company with a huge amount of savings to start your own company. Oh did I mention that after working in industry you’ll have all kinds of contacts and business know how.

    Why don’t you try going to College? What about at the very least getting a Real Estate license? If Real Estate is your career wouldn’t it make sense to have background in it? Or is this just something else that you feel you can sneak around and cheat your way through. Personally if I was looking to buy/sell in RE I would have a license just to avoid paying the 3-6% commision.

    All in all as you can probably tell from comments on your blog. Most people think that you’re a “get rich quick” kind of punk that’s completely impulsive. You don’t take the time to think things through and you don’t want to work very hard to get by in life. Eventually all your actions will catch up with you and people that are willing to work the extra mile will leave you in the dust.

  • I think the most interesting part of your story will be to see how it ends.

    Will you get out clean? Perhaps with some help from the media?

    Or will your financials be ruined forever? (along with millions of other amateur real estate investors)

  • “I may take it down if there are too many haters… ”

    I’m not detecting much hatred. Mockers and laughers, certainly - but few haters.

  • Hey bird dogger,
    Not sure there is much you can do to help me. I’m enjoying the beautiful arizona sun and feel good about life.
    Adding some video to the site would be great.If you want to keep this blog going I think you are going to have to get away from just your story. People will get bored and want more exciting news.At some point your story will be yesterdays news. People tend to have short memories.You might think of reporting on other relevant real estate news too.People look at the various blogs everyday looking for that little bit of information that makes them feel like they have an edge.

  • Enough with the haters repeating the same things over and over; consider not posting if you’re not adding value and just getting your own issues off your chest.

    I did a title search, and the properties are real, and Casey has title to them as he states (these are public records, so not hard to verify). And having experience in the mortgage/real estate field, the issues Casey talks about are definately real (he appears to know what he’s talking about, the terms he uses, etc, so I doubt he’s making all this stuff up).

    Anyhow, just saying. The constant negative posts, while entertaining to read for awhile, get old and recycled. Everybody has to have their opinion.

  • 25. Phillip Teets
    October 13th, 2006 at 7:41 am

    After listening to the interview you did I have to ask - are you also involved with Brit World Wide? I thought this site was a joke for longest time but now I know it’s real - someone is this stupid. You sound like one of the many Amway/Quixtar/Britt Worldwide people who have come up to me at Barnes & Noble talking about a “great business opportunity.”

    I really hope you go to jail, I really do. It’s obvious that you are A) of below average intelligence or B) drinking the Kool-Aid or C) both. You really should seek professional help before you do you end up in jail and/or completely bankrupt. You sound like Katie Holmes - completely brainwashed and oblivious to your situation.

  • I totally understand trying to start a business. My husband is starting his second business (first one failed) and we are hoping for a real success this time. Some people just aren’t cut out to work for The Man. (After all, someone has to be “The Man” right?) Good luck with what you do. I suggest trying something that’s not in real estate for the time being.

  • “My primary goal is I really just want to share my story and write things that will help people. I want to help you who are facing foreclosure. I want to help you “newbie” investors/flippers to make smart decisions. I want to help you buyers and seller to become more savvy. I want to help borrowers in making good decisions about mortgage products. I want to help industry watchers (bubble heads) by bringing you the latest from “the trenches”

    Schadenfreude is a German word meaning “pleasure taken from someone else’s misfortune.” I doubt there is a direct English word or translation but you can see many derive pleasure in seeing people fail. If anything, misery does love company. With that said however, I find the above quote illuminating since you seem to think you are somehow not a “newbie.” The reason you are in this mess is that you are a newbie. The fact that you want to come out with no skin loss is another newbie mistake. Like chasing losses at Vegas following the Martingale betting strategy. You bet $5 then lose. So you decide to double up and bet $10, then lose again. You bet $20 and win. You are even. You can see the appeal of this strategy because you can lose 20 times in a row and come out even with one bet at the end. At the same time, there is no reason for you not to lose 100 times in a row. Unfortunately unless you unload the properties you currently have you’ll be on a long-term losing streak so you’re going to need deep pockets to come out ahead in the end.

    You are merely starting out Casey. You want to “help borrowers make good decisions about mortgage products” yet committed fraud on your mortgages?! Who in the world would take real estate advice from you? I appreciate you wanting to make money in a down market but your trying to swim in the ocean with one foot still planted on the sand. Again, you have a way to many pots in the fire and this was your mistake as an investor. You attributed your first flip success of $30,000 to your own mastery of real estate as opposed to a booming market, low inventory, and a current national obsession with real estate (Extreme Home Makeover, Flip This House, HGTV, etc).

    I’m still trying to peg you and that is why I come on here. Are you in massive denial as Kubler Ross’ theory would have it? Or are you merely someone thriving in the 15 minutes of fame (or notoriety)?

  • Hey Casey,
    have you looked into creating half way houses for various recovery groups?

    I am not sure whats involved but probably contacting some of the 12 steps like, recovery programs or other offices like parole boards would be the 1st step. I think the government steps in and pays part of the rent.

  • 29. Neo Con Conspiracy
    October 13th, 2006 at 10:32 am

    Don’t let the haters get you down, it’s a good blog.

    Good blog??? Hell, it’s a great blog, for exactly the reason Big Bubba gave. I come here to rubberneck and watch a disaster unfold in slow motion. Haven’t been disappointed yet.

  • Actually, Casey, you could definitely help me out here. At least you could’ve until you ruined your credit and blew all your cash on ‘renovations’. What I’d like is for you to buy a nice 2 BR / 2BA condo in Pac Heights or Russian Hill or maybe in the Marina someplace, with say 10-20% down, then stop making payments on it, and then negotiate a ’short sale’ for me so I can pick the place up for $200k-$300k less than market value. I’d prefer somewhere with a parking spot and a view of the GG bridge but really, I’m not too picky. Let me know when you’ve bought the condo and stopped making payments, then we’ll talk… Cheers!

  • dude

    post the details of your first two real estate deals.

    I think it’d be useful tos ee the ones that did okay
    and why you think they did okay.

    Also, post from the seminars you went to, post their
    big lessons, post why you think you didn’t follow the lessons
    on each house.

  • 32. GET A JOB!!!!
    October 13th, 2006 at 1:10 pm

    I have a great suggestion…Put up a video of someone beating your @$$. You need a good @$$ Kicking to knock some sense into you. Obviously your Father never knocked any sense into you. I can guarantee most Dads out there would have kicked the living crap out of their kid if they did anything bone headed like this. So just consider this butt-kicking something long overdue. Hell…If you need someone to do it. I would love to fly out there and get a few good licks in. Or just charge admission. You’ll get a long line of customers and I’ll be in front of that line.

  • If you ever make a movie about your adventures you could title it “Jackass 3″ .

    I don’t hate, I appreciate. Its people like you that helping to drive inflated housing prices down.

    Thanks.

  • I’m bored with Casey. His epitaph was written many threads back. Except for a few new readers who are coming here for the first time, everyone here already knows exactly what Casey is and how this will all end.

    More interesting to me is the two very distinctive camps people here fall into. Assuming the “anti-hater” Casey supporters are legitimate posts, there seem to be only two types of perspectives:

    1) Casey made mistakes, got in over his head, acted brashly, committed fraud, and refuses to express any genuine humility. He is a shallow opportunist, and he altogether fails to see that he did anything wrong at all, only that he got “unlucky”.

    2) Casey had guts, he took a chance, he’s at least trying while all the skeptics and cynics are just name calling and clock-punching. What he did wasn’t different than what lots of other people do, so there’s nothing really wrong with it.

    As I think about the two groups, I notice one huge distinction:

    Casey’s critics’ posts are long, usually filled with facts, reasoning, logical arguments and challenges.

    Casey’s supporters’ posts are short, devoid of any real information, and uttering tired cliches of support.

    So I am forced to conclude there are two archetypes nicely sorted by this subject, and the symbolic Casey debacle:

    *People who think and have some notion of objective self-perspective.

    *People who don’t bother to or can’t really think things through, and have no real objective sense of self.

    While I’m not surprised by all this, I am encouraged. Judging by responses here, albeit anecdotal, there appear to be a lot more of us than there are of them.

    Maybe there is yet hope.

  • Strangely, a schmuck like you can actually do something good for the society. Keep talking to the media about how the banks gave $2,200,000 to a kid without a job and assets. Blame the banks for having such loose rules. Blame the regulators for not doing their job. Tell the media that “everybody is lying on stated income loans”. Mention the recent study that showed that 60% of stated income applications exaggerated the income by 50% or more. Explain that it’s not a single case of a dishonest investor who managed to find a loophole, but that the system is seriously screwed up and needs to be repaired as soon as possible.

    Perhaps this will approach the day when these loans will not be given out anymore to anybody who can sign his name. You may still end up in jail (IMHO you deserve it), but at least you will finally do something good.

  • Susan said:

    I just saw the video clips of your news interviews, and I have to tell you I certainly did not have the self-confidence or nerve to do at 19 what you did, back when you were buying real estate the boring old way.

    Susan clearly falls into group #2 — those who can’t be bothered to, or lack the ability to think things through.

    I wasn’t so greedy, arrogant about my own ignorance, or self deluded at 19 either. In fact, most of us were in college or the service at 19, learning the skills and lessons that kept us from becoming such a disaster.

    But then again, you’d have to think things through to comprehend that. Instead put a few smileys in and encourage this kid to teach other kids how to ruin their lives too.

    And you claim you’re not a real estate agent. I sure hope not, for their sake.

  • 37. AngryintheBronx
    October 13th, 2006 at 3:31 pm

    Drhousingbubble: Epicaricacy is the english word for schadenfreude. It’s less euphonic than schadenfreude which is why I suspect it fell into disfavor.

    Casey, I think you should start a video diary of your life - you know clips of you showing mrs. case the foreclosure letters and stuff - and post it on here.

    That would be some good watching.

  • You want to know how you can help me? Frankly, that’s a good question. I’ve been wondering since you started this blog how you thought any of this might be helpful to anyone other than the prosecutor(s) against you.

    Watching someone self-destruct is not helpful or informative for anyone - it is entertaining at times, but not helpful.

    The crazy, illegal and plain old stupid things you’ve posted here are not useful even to you - much less anyone else.

    The only thing you can to do be helpful to me is to GET A JOB, pay your taxes, be a responsible (meaning honest) member of society, and actually accept responsibility for your actions. And that’s only helpful in a general, all-of-society kind of way.

    Get a grip.

  • I’m here to learn from your mistakes so I don’t have to make them if/when I dive in.

    How about posting an expose, or at least a bulleted list or cliffnotes version of what is taught at the big dollar seminars you took. I’d like to get the main points and maybe a breakdown of what I’d REALLY get if I shelled out the time and money to go.

    Half of what I see looks like MLM more than Real Estate Investing. What was your experience with these classes? If some are scams, blow the whistle. If there are valid (and ethical) methods, share them.

    Thanks.

  • Casey,

    Here is a simple advise for you.

    For low risk investment with high success rate:
    Buy low sell high

    For high risk investment with low success rate (this is debatable):
    Buy high sell higher

  • 41. BelowTheCrowd
    October 13th, 2006 at 5:31 pm

    >> I’ve tried several businesses already but haven’t quite achieved a break-through. Many lessons learned. Many bruises and battle scars. I am NOT quitting though. It will happen! And hopefully I can get there without going back to a regular 8-5 job. We’ll see…

  • 42. take_note_of _my_history
    October 14th, 2006 at 12:49 am

    go for it

  • 43. BelowTheCrowd
    October 14th, 2006 at 12:46 pm

    Casey, not sure why my comment above was edited or cut off, but let me repeat it:

    >> I’ve tried several businesses already but haven’t quite achieved a break-through. Many lessons learned. Many bruises and battle scars. I am NOT quitting though. It will happen! And hopefully I can get there without going back to a regular 8-5 job.

  • 44. BelowTheCrowd
    October 14th, 2006 at 5:57 pm

    OK, I figured out why my comments get cut off, so for one last time:

    Casey, not sure why my comment above was edited or cut off, but let me repeat it:

    >> I’ve tried several businesses already but haven’t quite achieved a break-through. Many lessons learned. Many bruises and battle scars. I am NOT quitting though. It will happen! And hopefully I can get there without going back to a regular 8-5 job.

    First, you seem to have a very warped idea of what constitutes “trying a business.” Generally speaking a business will take at least a year to break even. Most aren’t really profitable for 2-3 years. And of course, those are the ones that survive. To have seriously tried anything you either failed very quickly in everything you’ve tried, or started working full time while in college. To have seriously tried more than one thing you must have started working full time in high school. This is part of the reason many of us give you very little credence. Those of us who have started businesses or been part of startups know how long it takes and you haven’t been around that long. (Yes, there are exceptions, like Michael Dell starting Dell computer from his dorm room. Your gurus love to talk about these guys, but they’re the rare, one-in-a-million exceptions, and even they work really, really hard to make it fly. Remember that Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard because working 10-16 hours per day on Microsoft just didn’t work into an academic schedule.)

    Sadly, I suspect your “failure to achieve breakthrough” was a product of your own unrealistic expectations. The really sad thing is that you may have had a good idea or two, had you just given one of them the amount of time needed to be successful.

    Finally, I’ll agree that should you succeed at building your own business, it won’t be working a regular 8-5 job. Try 7-7, including lots of weekends. Occasionally 7-9. That’s the price of building something. It’s not easy. For those of us who have done it, it’s worthwhile and eventually tapers down, but make no mistake about the commitment required. Keep in mind that most people are successful at things they really enjoy doing, because otherwise it’s really hard to put in the time that is needed. Your guru Donald Trump still works 10-12 hour days. The billionaire VCs of Silicon Valley still work schedules that are not all that different from the ones in the startup companies they finance. They love what they’re doing, so they don’t mind.

    What do you love doing? Don’t say “making money,” as that will get you nowhere.

    -btc

  • I am really concerned about the situation that you have been thrust into. I would like to contribute to a fund for your benefit. What address can I use to send funds? At this time I can only commit to $34,000. However, I will probably be able to give you another $10,000 to $15,000 within a month. While my means are limited, I do have business associates that are keenly interested in contributing to you. If they all follow through, collectively we may be able to bring you as much as $450,331 before the end of the year. Please contact me, and let me get you out of this terrible situation.

  • I may have a map to the success you desire. No “pie in the sky” smoke. Just the finest work from home business in the country right now. Eighteen year old debt free company with all the opportunity you desire. Yes, you have to work, but it’s honest, and you are paid very well for your efforts. Minimum investment. Not a “get rich quick” scheme. In fact, it’s a company based on Christian principles. Our managers average over $7800 a month, a position which can be attained fairly quickly. The Company has been acclaimed as having the #1 business opportunity in the country.
    I’m 70 years old and have never seen a better overall program for anyone that wants to be financially independent.

  • […] He says today that he does not want to declare bankruptcy. Or get a job. He wants to do some more deals and bail himself out that way. […]

  • If you need a for your real estate or loan business, please email us at: dorawilsonlenders007@yahoo.com. I’m an experience broker already established with many lenders. My fee is very reasonable and I’m willing to work to help you grow your business quickly. Please give me a call and let me know how I can help.

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