Bignail's Blog

Ralph Roberts is to residential real estate what the Babe was to baseball, what Johnny Carson was to late night television, and what McDonald's has been to the fast food industry -- except Ralph is better. The Detroit-based realtor recently entered his second decade as the top dog in one of the nation's most competitive industries. Since he bought his first house 20 years ago at the age of 19, Ralph has consistently demonstrated an uncanny knack for "closing the deal." In 1996 alone the "Michael Jordan of residential real estate" closed the deal more tahn 600 times, selling more than 2 homes per weekday. In comparison, agents at the top 250 U.S. residential real estate firms sold an average of only 11 homes each that year -- or 52 times less than Ralph. Such prolific numbers prompted TIME magazine to recognize Ralph as "the best-selling Realtor in America." In fact, he as been the number one residential real estate agent in North America ten times in the past 12 years (the other two years he finished second). Ralph is so good at what he does that real estate agents from around the country pay for the opportunity to shadow him so they can learn about the methods he has used to rise to the top. In addition to his passion for sales, Ralph has a passion for serving his community. He is a board member of several charitable organizations in Southeastern Michigan and regularly generates support for worthy causes. Most importantly, Ralph firmly believes that everyone in this country can, and should, experience the "American Dream" of home ownership. He specializes in helping first-time buyers and those with bad credit purchase affordable homes. He lives in Detroit with his wife and his three children.

the best-selling Realtor in America.Joe Hafner Joe brings to The Jones Team more than a decade of real estate experience, including several years working directly with Ralph Roberts, the best-selling Realtor in America. As the team’s Acquisition Manager, Joe is responsible for identifying and purchasing homes and land. Because he pays cash for his acquisitions, sellers can close quickly and often have the proceeds from their home or land sale in a week. In January Joe also took on the position of General Manager for the Jones Team and he now oversees the teams day to day operations. Joe recently got married to Ruth Fortney who works for World Outreach Church where they both attend.

Ralph Roberts 30521 Schoenherr 586-751-0000 Warren, MI 48088 ralphroberts@ralphroberts.com PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Award-winning and internationally recognized founder and president of real estate company with three decades of experience in the real estate industry. Specializing in the metro Detroit area, Ralph has served thousands of families as a buyers agent and as a sellers agent. Ralph also holds the following titles: Buyers Agent Mortage Expert Real Estate Agent Appraisal Fraud Expert Forclosure Expert Best Selling Author Sellers Agent Columnist Real Estate Investor Coach Real Estate Consultant Educator Expert Witness Mentor Real Estate Fraud Expert Trainer Consultant title fraud expert Motivational Speaker Lecturer Community activist PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Ralph Roberts Realty, LLC Managing Broker Key Accomplishments: Recognized by TIME Magazine as “the best selling Realtor in America” Recognized as the number one residential real estate agent in North America Sold more than 2 homes per weekday for a total of 600 homes, which was 52 times more than the top 250 residential real estate agents in the country. Ranked as one of top 50 REALTORs® since 1987 Founder and President of: Ralph R. Roberts Real Estate, Inc. HomeSavers, Inc. First Security Real Estate Destiny Building Company Barrington Investments Metro Rentals, Inc. Michigan Land Contracts, Inc Ralph R. Roberts Productions, Inc. PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS REALTORS Institute (GRI) Graduate Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS D.O.L.L.A.R.S Employee Relocation Council Macomb County Association of REALTORS Macomb Property Owners Association Michigan Association of REALTORS Michigan Department of Center and Development and Technical Education Michigan Real Estate Associate Brokers License National Association of REALTORS REI OF Oakland County REALTORS National Marketing Institute Warren Consolidated Schools and Co-op Program Warren FOP #124 AUTHORING EXPERIENCE Published Books: 52 Weeks to Sales Success, Publisher: Harper Real Wealth by Investing in Real Estate, Publisher: Prentice Hall Press Sell it Yourself, Publisher: Adams Media Corporation Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman, Publisher: Harper Business Magazines: Columnist for REALTOR® magazine Regularly featured in Realty Times SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS/ SEMINARS World Masters of Business Speakers included General Norman Schwarzkopf, Robert Kiyosaki, and Denis Waitley Flipping Frenzy Ralph teaches sellers, buyers, investors, government agencies, and corporations about the current trends affecting the real estate industry across the nation. As the leading real estate expert in all facets of the industry -- including title, mortgage, and appraisal -- Ralph has prepared a program that exposing all fraudulent activity, in a way that will stop audiences in their tracks. Walk Like a Giant, List Like a Madman Ralph teaches real estate agents around the world how to list in an up or down market, how to list in either lower or upper end markets – plain and simple, how to list to the closing . Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman Ralph shares his 30 years of selling secrets, teaching real estate agents how to sell through to the end, in a changing real estate market. SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS/ SEMINARS (Cont.) Rev Up with Ralph People will leave knowing that they have heard the “Doctor of Motivation” as claimed by Realtor Magazine. It’s Ralph on double espresso – motivating, entertaining, and stimulating. 52 Weeks of Sales Success Ralph exposes the truth about overnight success through this program that is formulated around his book of the same name. In 52 different sales meetings, Ralph gives the nuts and bolts of sales success. You will come away with great how-to ideas and the motivation to put those ideas to work. Real Wealth through Investing in Real Estate Ralph teaches everyone from rookies to veterans how to invest in single-family real estate for the long and short term. His personal success naturally leads him to teaching and mentoring with passion. 999 Bad Ideas and One Nail It’s Ralph on promotional espresso, teaching the art of self-promotion and the skill of networking. He will tell you about the best spent $3,000 ever that turned into a multi-million dollar marketing tool! A Day in the Life of Ralph Not only real estate agents but people from many other professions pay to shadow Ralph for a day, catching his vision and enthusiasm and learning business secrets that they can implement into their daily business life. One agent from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, tripled his productivity by increasing his home sales from 50 to 140 in a year, after participating in this program. HONORS/ AWARDS Crain's 40 under 40 honor Spirit of Detroit Award for “…exceptional achievement, outstanding leadership, and dedication to improving the quality of life,” 1/2003, 1/2004, 1/2005. Citizen of the Year Award, . Honored by Macomb County Bar Foundation, 12/2000. Honored by City of Mt. Clemens “…for his humanitarian efforts in his mission to secure and provide housing for a local family in need,” 7/1996. RE/Max Hall of Fame, 1990. Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC), National Association of Realtor’s presented the Golden R Award to Ralph in appreciation of his outstanding support to this committee. Featured in Realtor Magazine as one of the “Doctors” of Real Estate Along with Danielle Kennedy, Real Estate Trainer, and Floyd Wickman, Motivational Speaker. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Blightbusters CARE HOUSE DARE Detroit Zoo Festival of Trees Habitat for Humanity Macomb County Crimestoppers MADD National Kidney Foundation Optimist Club Platinum Foundation (Co-Founder & Chairman) Rotary International SIDS Warren FOP lodge 124 Warren Symphony Orchestra Warren Woods Education Foundation NATIONWIDE MEDIA RECOGNITION CNBC Michigan Chronicle CNN Money magazine Crain Communications Mortgage Originator magazine Detroit Auto Scene The Oakland Press Detroit Free Press Real Estate Business Detroit Free Press Magazine Reality Times The Detroit News Success magazine EXTRA television news magazine TIME Magazine Fast Company Today’s Realtor Inman News Tech Center News LA Times USA Today Hundreds of print, radio, television, and online media WEB SITES www.RalphRoberts.com Real estate Web site www.Americans4katrina.com Charitable Web site www.FlippingFrenzy.com Stop illegal real estate fraud www.bignail.com Created to join people together with charitable and community events for good “THE BIG NAIL” PROJECT The Big Nail is a 12-foot, 500-pound nail that formerly punctured the giant Uniroyal tire on Michigan’s I-94 state highway. This giant tire was once a ferris wheel at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. This record-breaking ferris wheel brought joy to many and one of its most famous riders was Jacqueline Kennedy and her children after the assignation of President Kennedy. The first family enjoyed the ride so much that they were seen riding it over and over again. After the World’s Fair, the wheel was taken apart and moved from New York to Detroit on 180 railroad cars. The wheel was stored in a warehouse next to the building that held the “worlds largest stove.” Eventually, it was reassembled near the Detroit International Airport and wrapped to appear as a large tire. The Nail was added to the tire in to promote the Nailgard tire. On the 40th anniversary of this famous landmark, October of 2003, Ralph purchased it from the City of Allen Park, which sold it to raise funds for the city’s historical society. Ralph purchased the Big Nail on ebay. His brother Jeff built a special rack to carry the Nail on a trailer. Ralph purchased a Hummer to pull the Nail. The Big Nail travels all over the metropolitan Detroit area to raise money and awareness for charities and community events. The Nail has participated in charitable events raising more then one million dollars. The activities of the Nail can be followed by visiting www.bignail.com Ralph has also established the Nail Awards. The Ralph Roberts Tough as Nails Award is awarded to those who have proven through trials and tribulations that they will always remain tough as nails. The first Tough as Nails award was given to Ralph’s father, “The Boss,” who fought cancer for seven years. The Ralph Roberts Nailed It Award is awarded to those who follow their dreams, reach for the stars, and go above and beyond to achieve their dreams. First recipient Brandon Wallot, a fourth-grader from McKinley Elementary, was awarded this award for initiating the “Quarters for Christmas” fundraiser. “ The Oxford Dictionary states that the meaning of a nail is “to join together.” Ralph believes that the Big Nail provides opportunity to join people and worthy endeavors together for the good of the community. PERSONAL INFORMATION Married since 1985 with three children. Enjoys boating, seadooing, and snowmobiling Avid traveler Wine collector Loves Monopoly but has difficulty finding opponents Enjoys herb gardening Enjoys relaxing in his hot tub Maintains a gold fishpond in his backyard Enjoys parades A fireworks lover who hosts a fireworks party every year

Officials Announce Campaign Against Mortgage Fraud Save It Email It Print It CHICAGO State and local officials have announced a series of initiatives targeting mortgage fraud, a growing crime in the city's poorest neighborhoods and across the country. Lawmakers and regulators listened Wednesday to fraud victims at a hearing of the Senate Financial Institutions Committee called by State Sen. Jacqueline Collins, D-Chicago, in response to a Chicago Tribune investigation published last month. The officials offered solutions including a law enforcement task force, stricter rules for mortgage consultants, a longer statute of limitations on mortgage fraud crimes and quicker discipline for crooked home appraisers. Nationally, mortgage fraud reported to the FBI increased to 17,127 in 2004, up from 3,245 in 2000. So far this year, U.S. lending companies have reported losses of more than $1 billion. The Tribune's investigation found 524 Cook County homes involved in fraud cases since 2000, most in low-income and minority neighborhoods. In some cases, scam artists promised homeowners they would rescue them from foreclosure, but instead took over the properties and obtained home loans they didn't intend to repay. The original owners sometimes lost their homes. At Wednesday's hearing, Ann Simpson of Chicago's South Side said a consultant promised to help her avoid foreclosure, but instead transferred the title to her property to another party. Now she faces eviction. "They've been harassing us and pressuring us to get out," Simpson said. The Illinois attorney general's office is drafting a bill to force mortgage consultants to disclose their fees and services and to give homeowners a three- to five-day period when they can back out of the deals. The state agency that licenses real estate professionals plans to draft another bill that would allow faster discipline of appraisers who engage in fraud .

FBI: White Collar Crime Not Victimless im Kouri, CPP Since the 1990s, tremendous growth of and involvement in the securities and commodities markets at the institutional, corporate, and private investor levels have led to great numbers of individuals involved in intentional corporate fraud and misconduct, particularly senior corporate executives. For example, the FBI is currently investigating over 189 major corporate frauds, 18 of which have losses over $1 billion. The erosion of public confidence in the management of public companies will, if left unchecked, have a negative impact on the stock markets and capital raising, which will in turn have a negative impact throughout the US economy. Because government fraud is inextricably linked to the FBI’s obligation to combat public corruption and national security threats, the FBI focuses efforts on major schemes with those links. Because serious public health and safety concerns relate to environmental crime, the FBI will enhance its working relationships with federal, state, and local investigative and regulatory agencies to address this crime problem. The FBI will also focus on bankruptcy and antitrust offenses having the greatest negative economic impact. Health care fraud continues to plague the United States, with losses exceeding $50 billion annually. Frauds involving durable medical equipment, staged auto accidents, and medical transportation services are examples of this pervasive crime problem. In addition to Medicare/Medicaid and private insurers, state providers lose billions of dollars per year to blatant fraud schemes in every sector of the health care industry. As health care spending increases over the coming years with the aging of the “baby boom” generation and Medicare prescription drug coverage, health care fraud is expected to have a corresponding increase. Financial institution fraud continues to be a significant white collar crime problem throughout the country. Since 9/11, the FBI has refocused its FIF program and is now investigating higher-priority cases to a much greater degree. Large-scale mortgage fraud and identity theft operations, many perpetrated by organized criminal enterprises, also continue to plague the United States. Aggressive use of anti-money laundering statutes and forfeiture of ill-gotten assets are integral parts of nearly every financial crime prosecution. Many top executives involved in corporate scandals have been charged with money laundering in addition to other criminal violations. Additionally, corrupt money launderers introduce illegal proceeds into the financial community, and this asset flow must be reduced through aggressive prosecution, seizure, and forfeiture. The ability of the US Government and industry to function effectively is likewise threatened by complex frauds. The amount of taxpayer funds involved in the government procurement process is staggering, as billions of dollars are spent each year on everything from highways to rockets. The GAO estimates that as much as 10 percent of appropriated funds for domestic programs may be lost to fraud in the government procurement and contracting process, and this type of crime is critically linked to public corruption imperatives. Insurance, telemarketing, and investment frauds often operate across jurisdictional and international boundaries. When losses to individual victims are aggregated, the economic impact can be dramatic. Additionally, antitrust offenses and bankruptcy fraud have a significant negative affect on the US economy, and environmental crimes represent a serious threat to the public health and natural resources of our nation. The FBI will continue its successful efforts in the white collar crime arena by using its expertise, broad criminal investigative resources, and strong relationships with regulatory agencies to maintain public confidence in the country's financial institutions and markets, ensure the integrity of government expenditures of taxpayer funds, and protect individuals and businesses from catastrophic economic loss. Fraud by company executives and those in positions of trust not only damages stockholders, but also erodes public confidence in the corporate community at large. The FBI will continue increasing its efforts in this area by using agents and analysts with high degrees of expertise in financial investigations. The sheer complexity of illegal corporate transactions require extraordinary time and commitment to investigate. Telemarketing fraud typically targets the elderly, one of the most vulnerable segments of our society. The FBI will focus on major telemarketing enterprises, recognizing the difficulties faced by state and local investigators because criminal operations typically cross jurisdictional lines — often internationally. Insurance and investment fraud have similar multi-jurisdictional attributes, making enterprises difficult to investigate and prosecute by state and local agencies. Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Attorney's Office

"I'm your huckleberry" means "I'm just the NAIL you're looking for!"

NAR Will Hold 2006 Annual Convention in New Orleans Send this article to a friend | + Larger Font | - Smaller Font SITE SPONSORS Realtors® from throughout the United States will convene in New Orleans on Nov. 8-13, 2006, as originally scheduled, bringing as much as $34 million in convention revenues and demonstrating Realtors®’ commitment to rebuilding the city. The leadership of the National Association of Realtors® voted to stick with New Orleans rather than to seek an alternative site for our convention and exposition, and to mount a national education campaign to encourage Realtors® and exhibitors to attend. “Realtors® care about communities. We can set no better example to the nation than by keeping our promise to New Orleans and its people to hold our 2006 annual meeting there,” said NAR President Tom Stevens of Vienna, Va. Stevens said he has met with local New Orleans authorities to review the damage and reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Katrina and to assess their ability to meet the needs of NAR and its members. He said that downtown, the French Quarter and the Garden District largely escaped flooding, and that essential services have been fully restored in those areas. The conference center and conference hotels are bustling with hundreds of workmen repairing hurricane destruction, and accelerating planned pre-Katrina renovations. Restaurants are reopening on a daily basis, and plans are under way for Mardi Gras in February, he said. “The health and safety of our members are our primary concerns. We have done our research and we are convinced New Orleans will be a safe and healthful venue for our convention,” Stevens said. Starting in June there will be citywide conferences, many attracting over 20,000 attendees, well before the NAR annual meeting in November. Some 26,477 Realtors®, exhibitors and guests attended NAR’s 2005 annual meeting and expo held in San Francisco last October. The NAR president and staff traveled to New Orleans last month to see for themselves whether the city and its convention facilities will be ready. “And they will,” said Stevens. “It’s amazing how fast the city has pulled together and the progress they have made to get things back to normal. “Our annual meeting will help to provide jobs for residents to rebuild their lives and revenues for the city to restore services. We will have a wonderful conference as we celebrate the rebirth of this legendary American city,” Stevens said. NAR will provide members continuous reports on the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans during the year to assure Realtors® that the city will be ready for them in November.

awards Hi: I am working on speeches etc. for the Red Ribbon/Lifesaver Event on Monday. You are scheduled to speak for approximately 3-5 minutes. Do you plan to talk about the nail and it's past year, about Celia and George, or a combination of both. I am working on the schedule of the program and want to make sure everyone is in the appropriate spot. I have spoken with Mac & Ray's about the need for extra space for media, and of course they are more than helpful. I will send you a copy of the press release when it is ready to go out. See you Monday. Alice Alice Johnson-Stacy Executive Director MADD, Macomb County Ph# (586) 463-3611 Fax# (586) 463-5048

Paul R.Pash, Retired Police Commissioner Warren Police Department Warren, Michigan PPasheagle@Aol.com 2001-Date State of Michigan licensed Private Investigator specializing in Real Estate Fraud investigations for Warren based Ralph Roberts Realty LLC. In conjunction with the owner, Ralph Roberts, pioneered the investigation and preparation of multiple cases for presentation to investigative authorities in Local, State and Federal Governments and related Prosecuting Authorities in an attempt To bring awareness to the ever expanding real estate fraud occurring in Southeast Michigan. Served for nine plus years as the Police Commissioner as for the Warren Police Department in Warren, Michigan. Responsible for the overall day to day direction and operation of a 279 member department delivering effective law enforcement services to the third largest city in Michigan. Retired with over 32 years of service. Served as a sworn officer with the Warren Police Department in the ranks of Patrolman thru Executive Lieutenant. Held various positions primarily in investigations and specialty undercover operations.

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. Abraham Maslow