• Fabric has a much lower level of embodied energy than lumber, weighing 1/300th that of dimensional lumber;
• Fabric stays in place, preventing costly recycling of lumber;
• Fabric prevents ground moisture entering the concrete, preventing dampness and mold;
• Fabric prevents ground water contamination by the cement fines.

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NEW YORK, NY, September 21, 2011 — EFS Sure Safe Construction has been selected for the 2011 Best of Escondido Award in the Foundation & Footing Contractor category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association CONTACT: U.S. Commerce Association Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

The FBI, IRS and other federal law enforcement agencies have formed Operation Malicious Mortgage, which is a nationwide initiative targeted at reducing mortgage fraud. The frenzied real estate market prior to its recent implosion was rife with fraud and abuse, which now has become vividly clear. The government’s role in the real estate market, through the Department of Housing & Urban Development and its Federal Housing Administration, results in much of the mortgage fraud that has occurred being a fraud on the government as well.

The Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 has made it illegal to make false statements on mortgage applications and appraisals, while expanding the definition of “financial institution” to ensure it includes mortgage lending businesses. When the government ends up insuring mortgages, based on fraudulent information, or otherwise being responsible as a guarantor on mortgages that were fraudulently transacted in any way, then the False Claims Act provides a means of recouping those funds.

In a report issued by the Inspector General, FHA Title II insured manufactured housing loans that closed from 2003 through 2005, at least 50,000 (or more than 80 percent of the financed homes) were installed on substandard foundations. This occurred because current FHA controls cannot be relied on to ensure installers follow required guidelines. Of the 102 properties inspected, 73 did not have adequate piers, 45 did not have reinforced concrete footings, 51 did not have adequate anchorage. The Guide requires manufactured housing units to be permanently attached to the foundation by anchorage devices adequate to resist all loads, including resistance to ground movements and uplift caused by wind, earthquake, etc. under the piers.

You can be negatively affected when obtaining an FHA-insured loan for your manufactured home if it has a substandard foundation. For example, the home is likely to be overvalued and the mortgage over insured. This will also cause problems selling the home to potential buyers seeking an FHA-insured loan and would cause financial detriment to the sellers because the pool of potential buyers is significantly reduced if buyers are unable to obtain an FHA insurance loan.

FHA instructions do not require the engineer’s certification to be accompanied with the actual engineering calculations that prove the foundation is compliant. As a result, unscrupulous engineers have been signing off on certifications on substandard foundations without the actual engineering being performed.

You can avoid becoming a victim of fraud simply by demanding to see the engineering calculations that the certification was based on. If it cannot be provided, contact another lender.