The High Road Papers - Latest Comments in Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

binhad — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:31:35 -0000

Total scam. They say that they did not sell enough tickets so they just kept our donation. They offer, as a consolation, a $25 voucher if you send in receipts. I have sent them in for 4 months. I am still waiting for my voucher. Oh by the way the company that was to send the voucher is bankrupt. But wait Murray Grey has sent me new voucher code so that I can send in more receipts, once I pay $9.95 to register with a new company. I do feel sorry for the military people who get involved with these vultures.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

jack — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:51:10 -0000

This did turn into a full scam. She says they didn't sell enough tickets so she's just keeping the money and sending you some coupons.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

az agent — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:49:45 -0000

Sounds sheisty but if you think about it.. what's the difference if she makes a little profit. In a better market, she would be making profit by selling her home the "old fashioned" way. She should clearly disclose, however, that not all of the money will benefit the charity.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Richard — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:30:05 -0000

I am surprised few read into the offer the part about paying for her debts with the money. This seemed clear to me when I read about it.

It is a good chance to buy a nice home for a low price even with the other factors concidered.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Mark — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:30:41 -0000

Absolutely makes me sick! She scammed the air force out of a massive education and I have to wonder what she did during her 8 years that have earned her the title of veteran?? What was her AFSC, student? 33 year old owning a $350K home? How many 33 year olds can afford a home of that value. A pure scam artist and an organization using uniformed personnel to put money in the pockets of the greedy. What a shame!
Needed to come back and add a comment. Tuition debt? Uncle Sam paid for her school, and books, and paid her to be away from some work center to attend the school. I really am curious what her job was when she earned the VET status after her really tough 8 year career in the most soft of the services.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

ajeff — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:56:33 -0000

But anyone who donates WILL get something...$500 gift certificate for gas or groceries...says it can be used nation wide....from the foundation.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

DWR in Atlanta — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:43:58 -0000

For a little more, will Ms. Gray come with the house?

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

dave so — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:35:33 -0000

She is very creative indeed, if it works out for her she will have her mortgage and some debts paid off. She wont have a home anymore, but was it really hers anyway?

In the current market she would probably be in negative equity, so being able to walk away from it all without any debts and without a foreclosure mark on her credit file would be a great achievement.

good luck to her!

<abbr></abbr><abbr>dave so´s last blog post..Chinese New Year 2009</abbr>

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

James Malanowski — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:26:56 -0000

Personally, I have no problem with what she's doing, I just have a problem with the way it's being done ... You have to dig quite a bit into the web site before realizing how the proceeds are being split and the front page comes across as the whole thing being done for the charity.

If she can sell enough tickets to dig herself out of the hole, more power to her. I just hope the funds that are being collected are being placed into an escrow account so that if enough tickets are not sold to cover the debt the money can be refunded to the ticket holders.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Leon Belenky-One Bal Harbour — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:39:14 -0000

Investor in AZ-I would have to say the cause is a lack of personal responsibility on Heather Grey's part. It is no one's fault but her own that she has credit card dept, school loan debt and got upside down on her home. Though it is a shame so much credit was handed to her when she obviously can't afford it, there has to be a point where it is HER responsibility to manage her money and to realize for herself what she can afford and what she can't. Also, I don't think any one is calling it an "evil scam" for her to find a way to support a military charity while getting out from her home foreclosure; however, I think a lot of people are disappointed in the questionable way she has also found to pay off debt that has nothing to do with a bad home loan deal and everything to do with irresponsible spending.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Leon Belenky-One Bal Harbour´s last blog post..Terra Beachside Villas - A Break from Tradition</abbr>

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Investor in AZ — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:18:16 -0000

It's amazing to me how negative people are being toward a veteran of our Armed Forces and how NO ONE is talking about the cause and what Murray Grey does for our military. I think everyone who is so unhappy with the "evil scam" that's going on should donate and opt out of the drawing. Our military need your help. Let's talk about that for a while.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Jim Dolanch-Pittsburgh Real Es — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:41:18 -0000

At least she is saving another mortgage from foreclosure and helping someone else get a home, even if it is a bit shady of her to hide her personal benefit behind a charity

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Linda Craft-Raleigh NC Real Es — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:18:32 -0000

Jay, I have to agree with you-the concept is deceitful unless she fully discloses to those buying the raffles that they are not only saving her home from foreclosure, but paying off all her debt as well. I shake my head at her for veiling her personal gain with a charity. It is a shame she cant let all the money go to the charity and take on the responsibility of her debts.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Michael — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:17:15 -0000

Being a military vet myself, I find it incorrigible the E. Valley rag would write this story as presented. It's really a slap in the face of military folks who "represent" need. To actually be considered "novel" or "fast thinking" is to this contributor's eye nothing more then a scam.

Perhaps I'm not creative enough to come with schemes to have others pay off my debts - as "investor" put it I must be jealous. Hello, if you're a real estate investor you're like a quarter inch above a snake in this economy and perhaps better "bone up" on Humanity 101. If I'm not missing my assumption (pardon me if I am...) this cat profits on the misfortunes of others and reinforces "snakeness" by supporting this scheme. People like "investor" are the same people who drove the RE market up, only to chase profit when it plummets. Now that's the true meaning of American capitalism!

I guess we can't all be as bright as others, but I for one plan on riding this economic wave out vs. getting others to bail me out under the guise of being a bottle blond with cleavage asking for a handout.

Wasn't THAT fun? lol

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Realty.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:38:25 -0000

Wow, you are absolutely right! The creativity is great... but how DECEITFUL can one be by also paying off their own bills? Shady if you ask me...

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

John Wake@Scottsdale Homes — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:24:16 -0000

Every now and then a genius will come up with the idea of raffling off a home he can't sell. That's clearly illegal in Arizona. The State of Arizona frowns upon people creating their own personal lottery (and competing with the State's lottery monopoly).

There are, however, exceptions for charities and indeed some charity lotteries have become very big business, indeed.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>John Wake´s last blog post..Latest Phoenix Home Price Index</abbr>

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Investor in AZ — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:16:13 -0000

I think because you get $500 in gas/groceries from the Foundation, you're making a donation to the cause and as a bonus get entered into drawing. It's not a raffle - the man on the phone was very clear about that when I used that term. Since its not a lottery issue then I think its ok in AZ. If they were selling tix and didn't reach goal, they'd have to return. Man on phone said if they don't reach goal, Foundation has accepted all the donations but woman has to deal with bank and debt herself. I can see why being a military focused group they'd try this program for awareness. She's a vet so guess it made sense.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Hawaii real estate guy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:08:36 -0000

I agree totally!! These people are a bunch of scammers. Things like this it was makes people a little leery about giving to help out legitimate causes.

If they were upfront about what they were doing and stated that you would be able to get a home for $100, (kind of like a lottery or something) that would be okay :-)

On another note: Obama visited our neighborhood.

I wish you all a happy new year and a productive 2009!!

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Jodi Atlanta MLS Agent — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:59:30 -0000

I'm with you Jay, this doesn't quite seem on the level. If it were clearly and openly stated where the proceeds were going then it would be a case of raffle buyer be warned. However that does not seem to be the case. If I bought a ticket and later found out that the bulk of the raffle sales went to payoff a home loan and debt of Ms. Gray I wouldn't be happy. It seems like misrepresentation and I am surprised that the Murray Grey Foundation allowed their name to be used in such a way.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Dave@Lift Chairs — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:43:14 -0000

I agree that this is a pretty creative way to do it and also that the way it is presented by the seller is kind of misleading. I will be interested to see how this one turns out though.

I remember reading an article a while ago where someone was doing something similar. They required that people write an essay and pay an entrance fee, with the winner getting the house. I can't remember the exact details, but it was a similar kind of raffle scheme.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Jason Sandquist — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:12:08 -0000

here is another one I stumbled across on twitter; www.fiftydollarhouse.com

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Jason Sandquist´s last blog post..St. Paul Condos and Lofts | St. Paul Urban Living</abbr>

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Dan Connolly -Atlanta Real Est — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:02:25 -0000

What happens when she doesn't sell enough tickets to pay off the loan and assorted bills?

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Dan Connolly -Atlanta Real Estate Guide´s last blog post..Disclosure: What the seller DOESN'T have to tell you in Georgia</abbr>

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Tina@Atlanta Real Estate — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:32:19 -0000

This actually came up several years ago and the state that the home being raffle in had laws against raffles, and they had to return all collected money. Not sure what the laws are in Arizona, but she may want to check just to be sure.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Tina´s last blog post..The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre: Showcasing and Supporting Atlanta?s Performing Arts</abbr>

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Gregory Bain — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:48:19 -0000

Well, I can't say it is an original idea. I can say it is illegal here in NJ.

Re: Gilbert Woman “Donates” Home to Charity - Kinda sorta

Dylan in Bend — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:37:03 -0000

Wow, I've got to hand it to her for thinking this up and actually pursuing it. I agree with you though, don't say you're not in it for profit if you're using 70% of the proceeds to pay off debt. Now if the home was owned free and clear and 100% of the proceeds went to charity, that would be a different story.