Complaint Review: WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE - Charlotte North Carolina

I purchased a VA foreclosure after the realtor assured me the property was NOT in a flood zone. Along with the closing papers, the VA included a form called "Flood Determination" which showed it in an "X" zone, meaning a NO flood zone. The form also said that no flood insurance was required. From what I found out, the property, at one time, according to the "new" FIRM map, WAS in an AE flood zone. This new map is dated 1989, two years before our house was built. The developer wanted to be sure to sell all his homes, so came in with fill, which brought the level of the foundations well above the flood level. Surveyors were hired to supply the compaction certification, foundation plats, etc that FEMA needed to re-evaluate the properties. They were then re-zoned X by FEMA. Countrywide's flood unit used the "new" 1989 FIRM map to determine my house was in an AE zone, so placed forced-placed in-house flood insurance on my home, then wrote me a letter saying I hade 45 days to get my own insurance. I called, then faxed the FEMA LOMR-C, the Certification of Compaction, the surveyor's foundation plat that states the foundation is 9 inches above the flood level (you only need an inch), the VA's Flood determination Form etc. Countrywide put the $200 for the insurance back into my escrow account, but the $1000 commission was kept. I didn't know they didn't put ALL of the money back, because my payments never went up. I went through this 4 times in 2.5 years. Then all of a sudden my mortgage payment DID go up by $250 per month, and THAT's when I found out they were keeping the commission each time. They started rejecting my normal payments, and after much arguing over 3 months, they placed me in foreclosure. I "won" in court, but Countrywide still gets to keep their money. Go figure. In my opinion, this is a scam. AND in the opinion of Californian's, because they have a class action lawsuit against Countrywide to make them stop. I pray that they win. My suggestion, is to not go by the FIRM map. Our map, here in Florida, has NOT been updated in 20 years! It will cost some money, but find a reputable surveyor, to do the work for you. They will survey your property, make up the foundation plats, take the necessary measurments, certify your compaction, fill out the city and state applications, dot all the i's and cross all the t's. If your property really is NOT in a flood zone, you will receive, from FEMA, a LOMR-C (letter of map revision - compaction). This will cost about $1200 and takes about a month and a half. You will then have the ammo to make Countrywide cease and desist with the flood insurance. You won't get your money back, and you'll have to pay for the court costs if you go into foreclosure, but you'll save your home, and won't be bothered again about flood insurance. Because if they THEN keep doing it, you can press charges. I hope this helps someone. I wish you well, God bless.

The Flood Disaster Protection act requires ALL properties in a flood zone (meaning they have a 1% chance to flood in any given year) have flood insurance for the LIFE of a loan. You shouldnt need to send a letter to FEMA, simply look at the resources that are already available (on their website!). Typically, from what I understand, it's designated by zip code. But since you've elected not to do your homework by yourself, I did it for you. Zanesville, OH, zip codes are 43701 and 43702. According to FEMA's flood maps, both are in FLOOD ZONES. Sorry, according to the government, you MUST have flood insurance on your home for the entire life of your loan. Now, Wells Fargo force-placed the insurance (which they have the right and RESPONSIBLITY, according to the law, to do) if you do not get it yourself. I suggest you start shopping for flood insurance carriers & get bids, get a policy, fax it to WF, and ask them to remove their policy. They should only charge you a pro-rated amount for the days they needed to insure you (according to the day your policy becomes active).