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Regarding the Bank of America [BAC
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] blog I wrote, as the Countrywide name was retired for good and the newly combined Bank of America Home Loans introduced a "Clarity Commitment", Guy in Santa Barbara wrote: "Too bad they didn't come up with this when Countrywide dominated the Optional Payment (negatively amortizing loan) through 2003 - 2006 when they were in a race with WAMU to see who could offer the lowest start (teaser) rate. By the way Countrywide won. They got it down below 1%, which only enhanced the compounded negative amortization...how come when anyone criticizes Ken Lewis for his acquisition of Merrill Lynch we never hear about his acquisition of Countrywide? Countrywide during the worst of times was the most toxic of toxic lenders..."
Kevin says he's an employee and claims the bank is undercutting its own mortgage business: "I doubt very much that Ken Lewis could get a loan from us. We own our appraisal service that we are mandated to use. Kind of funny how we charge people upfront for an appraisal and when the house comes well under value, they just close with a different lender...One of my realtors had an REO that was suppose to close the end of April. We have been waiting for this appraisal to come back since April 1st. We got the appraisal back on the 27th of April and guess what ? It came in under value by $11,500. So, let me get this straight. We set the price on our own foreclosed property, then our own appraisal company comes in and says it's not worth that!!"
A couple of readers took issue with my use of the word "invasion" on the Korean real estate story. In hindsight, it was a poor choice of words, and I apologize.
From JWN: "Maybe because I live in Los Angeles, where there are Koreans-a-plenty (including yours truly), but the word 'invasion' has a definite negative connotation and should (not) be used in such a way. 'Iraq invades Kuwait', or 'Killer Bees Invade Suburban Town'. The fact that wealthy Koreans are pouring money into the slowing American economy should not merit the word 'invasion'..."
Ed L. sent an email with the attached photo:
"Maybe the Koreans will be interested in buying some of their extra NEW Hyundai's and Kia's scattered over large inventory lots in So Cal. (Here is a photo) I took last weekend in Camarillo off the 101 fwy on my way back from Santa Barbara..." |
Hyundai |
I got a lot of email about the blog on California legislators traveling to Nevada to see why businesses are fleeing the Golden State:
From Tom B: "I could have saved them the trip - here is the formula: Low Taxes + Business Friendly Regulatory Environment = Job Creation."
From SS: "When I left (California in 1992) not one friend asked me why I was leaving. They all said the same thing, 'You're smart. We're going to get out too.' It's a horribly expensive place to live. Los Angeles is a lousy place to raise children. Traffic congestion and the overall quality of life are awful."
MH writes about the foundry which is moving out of California due to violating air quality odor standards: "Have you seen the brown LA haze? Now the polluting company will move their crud to another state, just great."
Matt L. of Kentucky lived here for a year and found the "red tape" environment is cultural: "I noticed that Californians were in general, extremely picky while I lived there, and they're more than happy to voice their unreasonable demands at any given moment. While this may sound like an over generalization, in my experience, it's the absolute truth. I found the information in your article enlightening when it came to the business that didn't meet 'odor' standards. There was no mention of actual pollution, or generally environmentally unfriendly activity, just a bad smell. I almost fell out of my chair when I read that, by the way...When I lived in LA, I didn't know one person who wasn't in debt up to their eye balls, and blissfully ignorant of the fact as well! If you take California out of the equation, which I'm well aware we can't do, we don't have a financial crisis..."
Linda H: "Tell them all to come to Texas! Texas tanked in the 80's--but Texas is back! No state income tax and very business friendly! Okay it gets hot in July, but the economy is hot too!"
A couple of emails from US Airways [LCC
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] pilots on my blog about a lawsuit by some former America West pilots over the new union:
From Jerry V.: "First of all, America West did not buy USairways. The East pilots gave up billions in concessions to save USAirways. Dig a little deeper and you will find that the money that was used to put together the merger did not come from the West but from a group of investors assembled by Bruce Lakefield, the former East CEO."
From an anonymous pilot: "...The CEO himself has stated America West would not have survived without this merger. They could not buy us and we could not buy them. Therefore another statement of yours is also wrong. The west pilots were not our saviors. It was not financially possible. The west pilots fantasy seniority list places me , a 1989 hire junior to their 2005 hire. When I was flying Boeing 727s their youngest pilot was 9 years old..."
Finally, on my blog about Pet Airways, an airline dedicated solely to flying pets, a comment from Amy B.: "I paid $250 one way last Christmas to haul just my daschund (14 whopping pounds), crammed UNDER the seat, from SFO to Dallas. My husband and I paid less for our own tickets than the pet fee and WE got to sit in seats. As far as i'm concerned, this is an excellent idea. I may not get to travel with him, but at least he is not crammed under a seat."
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