A Foreclosure Rescue That Can’t Be Trumped

by Peter G. Miller
August 19th, 2008

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The story is hard to beat: Donald Trump will buy Ed McMahon’s Beverly Hills mansion — a property facing foreclosure — and then rent it back to the 85-year-old entertainer.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Trump will pay off the existing $4.8 million debt, acquire the property, and then lease it back to the long-time sidekick of Johnny Carson.

The house was last listed at $4.6 million so Trump seems unlikely to make a profit anytime soon. It is, instead, a nice thing to do — Trump, after all, hardly needs either the PR nor the cash. As to McMahon, he has a long and highly-visible history in the public arena, a history that includes extensive service in the Marine Corps and support for charities. It’s good to see him helped.

Thing is, it would also be great if more beleaguered homeowners could get such assistance, say folks named Smith or Jones, folks who have never been on TV or owned a mansion.

When first announced, the FHASecure program was supposed to be a way for Smith and Jones to refinance toxic loans. This would have been good for borrowers (no foreclosures), good for lenders (reduced losses)and good for neighborhoods and communities (smaller inventories of unsold homes, fewer low-ball comps).

To a huge extent the FHASecure program has not worked. Since October 1, 2007 HUD reports that a total of 3,491 delinquent conventional loans have been refinanced with FHA mortgages. That’s it.

I’m happy that McMahon gets to stay in his home, I’m glad a foreclosure was avoided and I think Trump did a decent thing. But really, won’t it be great if Uncle Sam had as much compassion and common sense as The Donald?

For the full LA Times story, see: Donald Trump to buy Ed McMahon’s house.

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