Print the value of index0
  • Report:  #1343465

Complaint Review: Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC

Ocwen Loan Servcing LLC Violation of Modifcation Agreement Internet

  • Reported By:
    Betsy — Wilmington North Carolina USA
  • Submitted:
    Thu, December 15, 2016
  • Updated:
    Sat, December 17, 2016

My loan first originated with NovaStar Mortgage in 2000 for $99000, 100% LTV. NovaStar went under, and my mortgage was sold to Saxton Mortgage for servicing. I had a 2/28 adjustable rate mortgage @ 11.875%, with monthly payments of $989, which was not escrowed.

I contacted Saxton Mortgage in 12/2010, to apply for a loan modification to get a fixed monthly payment, as I became totally disabled as of 2009, and my income had dropped by 50%, knowing that it was a struggle to continue to make my monthly payments, plus pay homeowner's insurance and yearly taxes and insurace. I had never made a late payment at this time. Saxton told me I had to go 30 days past due in order to apply (violating the HAMP guidelines), but I did so. The HAMP loan application was sent to me mid Janurary but never recieved, so they overnighted it to me and I recieved it at the end of January. I completed the application and returned it to their office by the end of February.

As they were reviewing the application, they continued to ask for addional information, which I immediately would fax or email to them. I made a payment as a sign of "good faith", the only one they allowed me to make. The final document I sent to them, was my 2010 tax returns, which I had completed. By March 22, 2011, Saxton Mortgage had contacted me and told me my HAMP loan application was approved. However, as of April 1, 2011, my loan was in a group of loans that were being sold to Ocwen Mortgage, so they were not going to issue the HAMP documents for signing, or the 3 initial payment coupons to remit my 3 month "trial payments", and to contact Ocwen if I hadn't heard from them by the 4th of April.

I contacted Ocwen April 4th, 2011. They claimed other than having my name in their system, they had absolutely no documents, which I found strange, since my entire loan package was sold to them, and as per Saxton, was to have been put in the highest priority group of the groups of the sale. Ocwen then informed me that I would have to start the entire HAMP modification process over again. They were not willing to accept a copy of the complete file I had, stating that it had to be on their forms. Also, as a sign of good faith, I needed to make a payment to them, as an intent to retain my home which I did. Mind you at this time of acquistion, I was 90 days past due, and Saxton would not allow payments during the process.

So I completed their application, submitted all the forms that they requested. They continued to request updated documents. I am on Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability from my former employer. The tax return should have sufficed. The only thing they needed was one updated bank statement, which I provided. They denied me, stating I didn't qualify. The battle was on. This continued to stretch out between us, for months,and to my amazement, going through their portal, my lost file started showing up, piece by piece. However, the information about the approved HAMP, the need to contact me immediately so I could make a payment prior to April 15, 2011 never got scanned in. I even got in touch with Saxton Mortgage, but they didn't keep copies of the files once the servicing was sold off.

Ocwen threatened me with foreclosure. I met with the Clerk of Court assigned to the case, and the attorney representing Ocwen. The attorney admitted he had no information in his file, other than to show up to act on behalf of the Lender. I pled my case, along with a file folder 4" thick, and even allowed the attorney to make copies.  the Clerk postponed the hearing and rescheduled for a later date. Both the Clerk and the Attorney for Ocwen were in agreement I was getting shafted. Prior to our next scheduled meeting, in August of 2013, Ocwen attempted to get me to sign a Shared Appreciation Modification Agreement, claiming that once again I had applied for the HAMP, and didn't qualify, but the Lender (who they refused to identify) had offerred this and I had better take it now or I would lose my home. I refused. So back to court we went.

The Clerk of Court, the Attorney and I had a head to head conversation. The attorney was hot, as he was unaware as to what Ocwen was doing behind his back. The Clerk was irrated, as this was the third time for a Pre-Foreclosure hearing, all at fault of the Lender. The final hearing was scheduled. Ocwen refused to work with me, because by this time I had involved the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the NC Home Retention Program. They (Ocwen) also had refused to allow me to make any payments during this entire process other than the initial payment of "good faith". as had Saxton Mortgage.

Backed into a corner, now at 22 months down on my mortgage, not willing to lose my home, I had no choice but to sign the Shared Appreciation Agreement offered to me in March 2012. Against my better judgement, I signed it, to save my home. The issue is, on page one of the agreement, it clearly states that no fees or charges (other than lates fees) can be added upon execution of the agreement. To date, $966.68 "Other Fees" have been added to my loan. I have contacted Ocwen numerous times, have gone through their research department and also through their ombusman's office, all to no avail.

As I noted previously, I borrowed $99,000 in 1990. Never missed a payment. My current balance with Ocwen? $101,816.72, with a balloon payment of over $28,000.00 due on 7/1/2030. "Shared Appreciation", they foregave $4800. When the balloon comes do or if I sell prior to that, depending on the appraised value, and confirmed documented improvements, they will wipe out the $4800. Sound like a good deal to you?

1 Updates & Rebuttals


Robert

Irvine,
California,
USA

Yes..

#2Consumer Comment

Sat, December 17, 2016

In answer to your question "Sound like a good deal to you?".  The answer is Yes for most of it.

The fact is that you NEVER should have been approved for a Home Loan with the terms you described.  But at that time the banks were issuing loans like candy and just about anybody with a pulse could get a loan.  But just like the bank is at fault for lending you the money, you as the borrower should have taken some responsibility to see if you could truly afford this. 

I am going to skip most of the mofiication issues as there is a lot going on.  However, I do have one question.  When they did not allow you to make any payments did you put that money asside to make a bulk payment at a later date or did you figure "too bad..so sad" and just spend that money in other ways?  This is important in other ways.

Then let's get to your balance...

As I noted previously, I borrowed $99,000 in 1990. Never missed a payment. My current balance with Ocwen? $101,816.72, with a balloon payment of over $28,000.00 due on 7/1/2030. "Shared Appreciation", they foregave $4800

- What your balance in 1990 is meaningless.  What was balance of your loan at the time you entered into that agreement in 2012?  What are your payments now?  What is your Interest rate now?  Because by your own words you were 22 payments behind.   Which is another reason the question comes up as to what you did when they refused payments. 

As for the $4800 they forgave.  Yes, if they forgave a certain portion of the debt that is good.  Because they are basically saying they are giving you a $4800 credit toward improvements.  Basically they are putting in an incentive for you to keep your house in good repair.

Now, as I said for the most part this is a good deal.  But what is not going to be good is what happens on 7/1/2030, which is less than 14 years away.  On that date you are going to be required to make a $28,000 payment or loose your  house.  Are you going to be in shape to do that?  So since you are now several years into your modification and with most home values increasing I would highly suggest you start to look at refinacing your loan to a "fixed" rate and one that doesn't have this ballon payment.  By starting now if you aren't approved, you can get with legitimate lenders and they can help you as to what you need to do to be able to get approved within a couple of years.

 

 

Respond to this Report!