PELICAN GRAND BEACH RESORT HOSTS BROWARD MASTER BROKERS FORUM DISCUSSION ON SOUTH FLORIDA’S MORTGAGE FRAUD CRISIS
The Broward Master Brokers Forum (MBF), an organization comprised of South Florida’s top residential real estate agents, recently held a panel discussion focusing on the mortgage fraud crisis and its impact on the market.
The Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale hosted and sponsored the event, which began with a lovely cocktail reception on the tenth floor patio area, followed by the panel discussion and dinner on the south veranda, overlooking the beach at sunset. Ken Harris, developer of the Pelican Resort and Jim Shambo, the property’s sales manager, welcomed the members and guests, and made brief presentations prior to the panel discussion.
The panel discussion, "Mortgage Fraud – What Agents Need to Know NOW" was moderated by Howard Finkelstein, Broward County’s Chief Public Defender and star of WSVN Ch. 7's "Help Me Howard" segments. The panelists included Daniel Jacobson, attorney and owner of Lexant Title; Nancy Barreto Hogan, managing broker, Coldwell Banker Coral Gables/San Remo Office and member/past chair of the Florida Real Estate Commission; Michael Facendo, a local real estate appraiser and owner of Facendo Associates; and Special Agent Michelle Japak of the United States Secret Service Bank Squad.
“The scope and complexity of mortgage fraud in our region is almost overwhelming, and even the most professional and ethical of agents may not be sure how to manage the pitfalls,” said Carolyn Block Ellert, chair of the Broward MBF. “We are very glad to see that the major brokerages, law enforcement agencies, and local governments are working together to tackle this problem.”
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About the Master Brokers Forum
Established in 1993, the Master Brokers Forum is a unique organization comprised of South Florida's top residential real estate professionals. The MBF provides its members with the opportunity to network and exchange ideas, stay at the cutting edge of the real estate industry and new products, and spearhead the identity of the best of real estate professionalism. Membership is limited to the region's most successful real estate professionals, and is by invitation only. The Broward MBF is generously sponsored by Wachovia. For more information, visit www.masterbrokersforum.com.
About The Pelican Grand Beach Resort
The Pelican Grand Beach Resort is the only hotel-condominium located directly on the sand on the world renowned Ft. Lauderdale Beach. This newly constructed British Colonial designed building boasts 159 guest suites with amenities that include exotic hardwood flooring, flat screen TVs, oceanfront dining, poolside cocktails, lazy river tubing ride, concierge service and valet.
The Resort offers oversized guest rooms and oceanfront suites with private balconies perfect for catching a gorgeous beach sunset. Rocking chairs grace the resort's sweeping veranda, where guests can lounge by the private beach. The Ft. Lauderdale resort also features a poolside cocktail lounge and delicious oceanfront dining at North Ocean Grille.
The 400-foot private beach and elegant 100% nonsmoking resort features old-style elegance and service reminiscent of historic Florida resorts. Units may be eligible to be a part of an incredible hotel management program. For more information, visit http://www.pelicangrandresort.com/.
PHOTOGRAPH CAPTIONS (from left to right)
1. (standing) Michael Facendo, Facendo Associates; Howard Finkelstein, Broward County’s Chief Public Defender and WSVN Ch. 7's "Help Me Howard" segments; Daniel Jacobson, Lexant Title; Ken Harris, developer of the Pelican Resort, Jim Shambo, sales manager of the Pelican Resort; Carolyn Block Ellert, Broward MBF chair; Special Agent Michelle Japak, United States Secret Service Bank Squad
(seated) Nancy Barreto Hogan, Coldwell Banker Coral Gables/San Remo Office and Florida Real Estate Commission; and Helen Jeanne Nicastri, chair of MBF, Inc.
2. Broward MBF board members Steve Spergel and Marta DuPree, with Jim Shambo, sales manager of the Pelican Resort
3. Broward Master Broker Molly Taylor, with board members Tim Singer, Marilynn Obrig, and Sandy Tagliamonte
4. Ken Harris, developer of the Pelican Resort addresses the Master Brokers, as Broward MBF chair Carolyn Block Ellert looks on
5. Howard Finkelstein, Broward County’s Chief Public Defender and star of WSVN Ch. 7's "Help Me Howard" segments, moderates the panel discussion
