The city of North Las Vegas recently voted 5-0 to block a plan that would allow the local government to seize distressed properties from banks and investors under the rule of eminent domain. The plan, which some believe would help many avoid foreclosure, is unprecedented and controversial and has been met with stiff opposition. Investors in Richmond have filed an injunction against that city for its attempt to enact a similar plan, and it remains to be seen whether it will be able to move forward even if the injunction fails. For more on this continue reading the following article from TheStreet.
The Nevada City of North Las Vegas on Wednesday rejected a plan to use eminent domain to seize underwater mortgages from private investors and refinance them.
According to the Las Vegas-Review Journal , the city council voted 5-0 against the plan aimed at helping borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth avoid default and foreclosure.
Eminent domain gives governments the right to seize private property for public use or benefit for fair compensation to the owners.
Mortgage Resolution Partners has been making pitches to various local governments that have been hit hard by the housing crisis about using the controversial law to seize mortgage loans that substantially exceed property values from trusts that hold pools of private mortgages and write them down.
Claim up to $26,000 per W2 Employee
- Billions of dollars in funding available
- Funds are available to U.S. Businesses NOW
- This is not a loan. These tax credits do not need to be repaid
Doing so, the proposal’s backers argue, will avoid future defaults and stave off foreclosures. In North Las Vegas, MRP calculated that 75% of the homeowners were at risk of losing their homes.
Still, the use of eminent domain to seize mortgage loanss is unprecedented and has been met with stiff opposition from mortgage investors, title insurers, trustees and lobbying groups, who have threatened legal action and warned of higher borrowing costs in cities that plan to seize mortgages.
The California city of Richmond has said it intends to go ahead with the plan but investors have already filed an injuction against the action in court.
North Las Vegas likely was not prepared for a lengthy legal battle, especially as home prices are rising and the market is starting to heal.
"The home foreclosure crisis hit our town particularly hard and although I believe government has a role in helping, it is important the cure does not become worse than the disease," said first-term Mayor John Lee, according to the report. "Our valley is experiencing a fragile recovery where home values are rising and new home construction is coming back. It does not make sense to risk this delicate environment with unproven experimental programs."
The mortgage industry is watching closely to see if other cities will adopt the proposal. MRP is in talks with Henderson, Las Vegas and Clark County to advance the proposal.
The state of Nevada has the highest number of underwater borrowers , with 46% of its borrowers having a loan to value of 125% or higher, according to RealtyTrac.
This article was republished with permission from TheStreet.
