The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "real estate speculation" ...
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Probing into the Wealth of Public Servants
The Korean Broadcasting System investigative team researched the land holding and tax records of hundreds of high-ranking South Korean government officials and found numerous instances of tax evasion and speculative real estate purchases by officials. The investigation led to changes in South Korean law regarding declaration of properties of public servants.
Tags: South Korea; tax evasion; tax records; land records; real estate; real estate speculation; public officials
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Property Tax Records
This two-part investigation found the process of tax sales unfairly favored speculators over those who were in jeopardy of losing property due to some owed money. Once a speculator bought a lien, he or she was sent notices of taxes owed on the property even though the owner was still responsible for paying. A few number of speculators bought the majority of liens on tax sale and also were likely to end up owning the property, though the system was supposed to be open.
Tags: tax; property tax; lien sale; foreclosure; real estate; speculator
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Soaring Home Prices in the Bay Area
This investigation by the St. Petersburg-Times looks at the skyrocketing price of real estate in Tampa Bay area homes. Reporters analyzed more than 260,000 homes in 300 neighborhoods to discover a new prospect of wealth for homeowners. "This has changed the face of neighborhoods, created wealth for middle class homeowners unthinkable short of winning the lottery and turned some into overnight land speculators."
Tags: None
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Land Lords: How a Trio of Texans Turned S&L Debacle Into Personal Fortunes
The Journals tells the story of Rene Campos, Adam Weis and Greg Smith, who were will to gamble with real estate property after Texas savings-and-loan crisis. The three bought properties from the Resolution Trust Company, "the federal agency created to clean up the mess," fixed them and started profiting from the cheap undervalued property. The profit did not come from speculative "flipping," but from clearing and managing the properties.
Tags: business; drugs; apartment complexes; investments; tenants
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Dealmaker: John Musumeci is a high-risk businessman with a 'colorful past'
The Register-Guard examines the activities of the prominent Oregon/California real estate speculator John Musumeci. The investigation reveals that the Musumeci's business is connected to an alleged Chinese drug dealer. The speculator tends to sue and physically threaten people, the Register Guard reports. Other findings are that Musumeci uses filing for bankruptcy to squeeze his business opponents, lies to the media and has a history of not paying his debts.
Tags: bankruptcy; fraud; business; courts; criminal records; land development; land records
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Flipping, Fraud, and Fantastic Profits
WBAL-TV reports "an investigation that focuses on a real estate scheme in which longtime landlords and speculators "flip" deteriorating properties to unknowing buyers and investors for highly inflated prices. The extent of the scheme .. as many as 2500 properties in the city of Baltimore are involved. The scheme has caused a dramatic increase in mortgage foreclosures and personal bankruptcies and has further contributed to the demise of many struggling neighborhoods."
Tags: TAPE TRANSCRIPT CAR land property records not-for-profit charitable trusts
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The Harlem Shuffle
Investigation into the HUD loan program 203(k) for nonprofit organizations to purchase and fix-up run-down housing for resale. Johnson found a wide-open opportunity for speculators to purchase inexpensive buildings and immediately resell them at inflated prices to nonprofits. The story concludes that the program's flaw is a lack of HUD oversight, which leaves policing to appraisers and mortgage lenders who have few incentives to act responsibly.
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Feeding Frenzy
The Belmont High School was supposed to be a grandiose complex of classrooms, apartments, shops, parks and a community meeting hall. But plans, spearheaded by administrator Dominic Shambra, were stalled as real estate speculators created a feeding frenzy. Now plans to complete the much-needed school are rife with corruption and uncertainties.
Tags: None
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The Moneychangers
Chartered to raise funds for religious charities, the Baptist Foundation of Arizona and its web of subsidiaries have neglected good works in favor of financing real-estate empires for insiders, investing in highly speculative land deals and lavishing generous salaries, offices and automobiles on staff.
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The Other Side of Good
Chicago details the story of real estate developer Lee Miglin and his wife, Marilyn, a cosmetics entrepreneur, before and after their run-in with killer Andrew Cunanan. Cunanan, the gay gigolo who gunned down designer Gianni Versace, had no readily apparent connection to Lee Miglin, who he killed in the Miglins' posh Chicago home. Speculation that followed made the tragedy even worse for the Miglin family.
Tags: Killing spree; murder; homicide; homosexual