PERTH AMBOY – Licensed Real Estate Agent David Caba and Real Estate Appraiser Susan Batista spoke before the Council on 6/26/13. They voiced their concerns about the amount of foreclosures and unethical business practices by predators who prey on those losing their homes and people who want to buy the properties of those in foreclosures.

David Caba

Caba had appeared before the Council at previous meetings to let them know what happened to one of his clients. Unfortunately when Caba’s clients went to move into their new home, it was already occupied by another family.

Caba went on to say that the family he represented had the correct deed and had to spend about $8000 to prove that they were the rightful owners of the property.

Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach explained what happened the afternoon Caba called about the situation. “The Police and Code Enforcement could not determine who owned the property. Public Works, Code Enforcement, the Council and the Police had no authority over this matter. It took a judge to settle the matter,”Fehrenbach said.

Susan Batista

Caba said, “It was a $10 deed – that should have been a tip-off that something was not right.”

Susan Batista said, “Homeowners are not getting taken care of. There are 200 new foreclosures – 8 to 9 per week. Money is not coming in from the banks. Investors never get paid; there are 3 to 4 foreclosures on one street which brings down values of other homes on the same block.”

Batista has contacted the Attorney General’s Office about the situation.