John Frederick Sells Phoenix Area Real Estate

It personally makes me sick to see this type of childish behavior happening. You can just blame the banks or the people involved, but I think it takes a much deeper look. I believe that many people who were approved home loans were very uneducated about the decision to begin with, and the banks weren't about to help educate them either.

The people saw: a nice new home and a way to improve their low credit scores to "help" them reach a higher lifestyle. IE: Better credit card offers, more credit card offers, nicer car loans etc... in order to have the "American dream".

The bank saw: a way to get more home loans approved and make a substantial amount of money on these deals. Thus: helping the economy grow.

That is if: all things went as planned.

What wasn't calculated was the risk factor: Why do these people have low credit scores and why do they need a home loan to improve their lifestyles? I believe many of the people involved were given empathy that wasn't deserved. Maybe it wasn't their fault? Maybe they have tried and things didn't work out for them? Someone should give them a chance! Right?? - Maybe in some rare cases, Yes. But, the majority of them - NO!!! They haven't learned the essential tools needed to maintain a home loan and not fall into the credit card and other financial scams. They were not taught how to save and budget for the future and any problems that can arise, before spending money on their, "lifestyle". Which, I know is hard to resist, especially with the way society is about pushing - fads and popularity like it is the food of life; with out it you die!

What should have happened is people with questionable credit should have had to take a financial education course of no less than 6-8 weeks and pass with a 90% or higher. And, they would have to pay for the course themselves, not the bank. Why you ask?

If they can't afford the course = they can't afford the home loan! If they take it and pass - they are now educated on their ability’s to budget and plan out their finances to avoid these issues to begin with. They would most likely not have foreclosed on their homes, feeling the need to trash the house and blame the banks for THEIR uneducated decision. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true – INVESTIGATE.

If they don't have time for the class = they don't have time for a home loan! People have to be able to access that there maybe hard times in the future and they may have to take a second job. If they do not have the ability to do that, they don't have the ability to accept a home loan. Plus, I am sure they have online financial courses approved by the state in most states. Or, banks can make a national one to offer people in need of home loans.

These are my opinions and I believe there are many who would appose. Many Americans have become lazy and think everything has to be fast and handed to them on a silver platter; earning it is ridiculous. If you are educated and not naive or ignorant - I believe you would agree to my statements or have some additions yourself.

This leads us to where we are today. Well, I feel those who trashed the homes should be charge with criminal vandalism charges. In most cases these would be felonious and would mean up to 5 yrs in prison or more. I know: why make things worse for them?? Well, come on people – we all know the laws and if you are adult enough to challenge them – you are adult enough to face the time. This behavior should not be accepted or tolerated; paying money to people to not vandalize is absurd! Rewarding this kind of behavior will only add to it and make it worse in the future. If you charge people with the crime and inform others – this will discourage those who are thinking of it, from doing it. And, if it doesn’t – they shouldn’t be shocked when they waste their life in prison. It isn’t the law that hurts these people; it’s them who broke it, who knew better! They signed the contract without educating themselves and now they are mad at the bank for having them uphold their end. They can’t uphold, so they trash the house. Here lies again – Americans not taking responsibility for their choices and/or actions.

Now, I have a compassionate side: So, they can always take a deal instead of doing the prison time, those people should have to do community service hours and help do repairs till the house is back to normal and also additional community service time in the community for the additional cost the bank, or new home buyer lost, in tools and supplies.

Lastly: I hope that those who were involved in the trashing of the homes are placed in an online list for banks to be able to check on forever! I hope that these people don’t hurt those of us who wouldn’t do such things on getting future home loans. I am 28 yrs old and never bought a home. I came from a difficult upbringing and was not taught how to care for my finances and had to learn the hard way - trial and error. I was approved for a home loan in October of 2006 for $140,000 at an 8% fixed rate (I chose fixed rate because I educated myself before even calling a realtor) in Boise Idaho. But, the homes are about $150,000 or higher there unless I moved to Nampa or Caldwell, which is like moving backwards not forwards. So, I decided not to take the loan and wait it out. Now, I won’t get approved if I want to with out a great deal of money down due to the strict guidelines now adhered into these loan agreements due to the many foreclosures going on. With these people trashing homes, I bet this really makes the banks angry and now they may want to be even stricter on home loan approvals.

America should not have pity on those who trashed homes, but instead know they are now making the economy even worse – we depend on the rise of home loans and sales and if people keep acting like this we will continue to see a fall in home sales and those who own and want to sell – good luck on making any money off the deal, if you can even sell your home.

Next time those who trashed the homes want a home loan I hope the banks make them pay for their actions and want at lest 25% down to get a home loan. Maybe, this will make people think twice before acting out against America. Yes, they affected Americans, not just the banks when they did what they did and we should not tolerate that! And, giving these people tax payer money to save them – AGAIN REDICULOUS! If you vote for that – can you do me a favor and come and pay off my car loan for me. Or, pay off some of my debt. Just write a check out to me. Why should I be responsible for my bad choices?