Complaint Review: Castle Point Mortgage - Elkridge Maryland

I called Castle Point Mortgage early in September for a home equity line of credit. I was told by the initial rep. that Castle Point does everything in- house and it is a very quick process. I now know that was a lie. When a googled Castle Point yesterday I bought up a mortgage industry newsletter that stated castle Point moved out the wholesale mortgage business in August and would be mortgage brokers. We soon found the actually funding was to be done by Chase.

On September 9, 2007 I was told by Castle Point, Devon Duggins, that we were approved and the loan would go to underwriting. We began this process in September and on several occasions were told we were approved, then not hearing from ANYONE for days, we were told more information was required. We provided the information and were told approval was imminent. Early October we were denied. We sent a complaint email to Castle Point website and received a call stating we could get a loan, but at a higher rate 9%. Chad Jones said it would take a week, or two. We received a copy of a fax from Chase to Castle Point listing conditions (WHICH WERE MET) stating an okay to close. Once again nothing happened. On a few other occasions we were told we were approved and nothing happened. We have been strung along for over two months. We were approved, not approved, approved, not approved, etc. Starting back in September, it got to the point in which closing dates were discussed for the following week.no one communicated anything for days and we only got answers when we pestered Castle Point. This imminent closing nonsense was thrown at us several times. The options we had during September are now gone. Your excessive amount of inquiries has impacted our credit reports and we are disgusted by the lack of common courtesy. Needless to say, we are quite frustrated.

In September we had other options, we opted for Castle Point because of the promise of quick service. We then found out Chase was involved and being longtime Chase customers were satisfied. Chase holds a $133,000 mortgage on our SECOND home, which is valued at over $400, 000. We have a primary home valued at well over $700,000 in a neighborhood of new construction (sold at $750,000- 1.5 mil). Check our social security numbers and you will see the large amounts we once had at Chase . We transferred the funds elsewhere due to lack of investment products. How can you state in your rejection letter, Value or type of collateral insufficient? Between the two houses there is equity of over $700,000. I even sent you a tax form showing a profit from a an additional property sale of $180,000. Since when does unable to verify income factor into a stated income loan, as written on the loan agreement? Excessive obligations in relation to income? Firstly the credit scores (HIGH SCORES) show no defaults, or foreclosures. The obligations were a lot less in September but thanks to Chase they have increased. Isnt the idea of debt consolidation to take care of those obligations?

How can you treat people like that? To add injury to insult you sent us a package, two weeks ago, with Vytautas credit score, and those of a couple from Long Island; however Claire was not there. Who received hers? You are clearly not in line with credit privacy regulations.

Not that anyone seems to care; but, back in September we needed the loan to consolidate debt, throw my grandson a Baptism party, and prepare for the coming holidays. Claire just started a teaching job (Union City-$56,000 year-verifiable) and my web business doesnt pick up until after the holidays. A $60,000 loan is not much compared to the equity verified.

Imagine being told you are approved on several occasions then after two months you find the loan was an illusion.

DO NOT TELL ME ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY AND PLACE THE BLAME THERE, AS CASTLE POINT COMPLIANCE MANAGER, JEFFREY BUCKLEY DIDthat is no excuse for treating consumers like garbage. I am sure most citizens would agree. I also know there are new regulations further protecting consumers.

We expected a much higher level of service from Castle Point, and especially Chase, and we are quite disappointed. Throughout this whole episode I have been getting Chase emails and notices with my Chase mortgage bill stating as a Chase customer, loans are available to me: An easy process. If we were told earlier that we werent approved it would have been acceptable; but, being in limbo for this long, being treated so unprofessionally, has made this a matter of principal. I was told by several institutions that a no doc, low doc refinance is much easier to obtain than a equity loan of the same nature. Be assured that as soon as rates improve we will get rid of the Chase mortgage. Im sure our small mortgage doesnt matter to a heartless megabank such as Chase. I will not go way and will pursue this as long as it takes. No one should ever be treated like this again.

Vyt I.

Fairfield, New Jersey

U.S.A.