Comments on: Hope Now Alliance’s Numbers Flawed

By: paula

paula — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:01:13 +0000

I am now a Plaintiff vs. Homeownership Preservation Foundation in the United States District Court of Minnesota, Case Number 09-CV-0600(FRT/JSM). I am pro se, but I intent to appeal any unfavorable rulings all the way the the U.S. Supreme Court. Thank You, Paula. zytychi@aol.com.

By: Victor Walker

Victor Walker — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:36:55 +0000

I hear this story over and over. Unfortunately you get what you pay for. Let me say upfront, we have a for-profit foreclosure prevention company. However, we are 100% homeowner advocates and try to stop or postpone any pending sale, modify loans to the best interest of the homeowner (not the lender), stop all collection calls, defer payments until a complete deal is negotiated and signed by the homeowner and work evenings and weekends. No government or 501(c)(3) counseling agency does this. When a foreclosure sales is in a matter of days, most agencies will not drop everything to put out a fire. Government agencies turn their computers off between 4-5pm each day. We give homeowners their money back if we don’t stop the sale and work out a plan. Our fee for hire is affordable (only $395.00 upfront) and we give a payment plan while our work is being done. Again, no mortgage payments are sent to the lender while we negotiate with the lender. Trust me, we work hard because we want successful home ownership and we do not want to have to give a refund for not being successful. We do all the work, read through all the unopened mail, prepare excel spreadsheets and financial statements and help homeowners draft articulate hardship letters. Again, no government (or non-profit) agency does this for the homeowner. They get paid for each intake file they review whether successful or not. Most counselors at the state and city level do not focus 100% on foreclosure prevention and only average 3-4 consultations per day. Part of their day focuses on reverse mortgages, debt management and other topics. When a homeowner walks into a HUD certified agency with a foreclosure in 9-10 days, they are not interested in a budgeting and debt management session that requires both spouses to be present. In order for the counseling agency to maximize the most money they can get per file (homeowner), the $180 million awarded federal money requires certain documentation to be in the file in order to get paid.

In Texas, the Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, which aligns itself with Hope Now (ie. foreclosure workshops ) only wants to work with non-profit agencies but has a mission statement to “minimize foreclosures in Texas”. If this is truly the case, shouldnt, every competent Neighborworks Certified, Foreclosure Certified, Attorney, etc. assist in accomplishing this mandate?

Most non-profit counseling and Task Force literature emphasizes that their service is FREE to the homeowner. Again, I say you get what you pay for. Lost paperwork, unreturned phone calls, abstract and vague do-it-yourself homeowner solutions is par for the course. Employees of non-profit agencies get paid whether the homeowner succeeds or not. The homeowner did not pay the agency and the agency employee handling the file has no loyalty to the homeowner. Homeowner’s need a choice in how to secure their largest family asset and professionals in the foreclosure intervention industry need to figure out how to put saving homes first. It is not prudent for the homeowner, the housing industry or the economy to lose a $250,000 home to foreclosure in the name of “FREE ” hotline service. Simarly, privatization of some government mandates are more efficient and effective.

By: Terrie

Terrie — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:26:59 +0000

What a suprising article. I went to new hope back in July when I was current on my loan, they took my financial statement told me I should file bankruptcy. I did not file bankruptcy. I stopped paying my mortgage because I could no longer afford to pay. I tried to get a hold of my counserler at new hope for 2 months I did not hear from him. I got a hold of one of the managers and explained to her I was not receiving no reply in email or phone calls back from the councelor. I am hearing from him now and he is telling me to stop paying my credit cards and pay my mortgage. I dont know why I should pay my mortgage when it is going to just keep going up and up and my servicing company wont help me fix it to be affordable.

I even tried by Design they took my financials and promised to send me a packet. I never seen the packet and I cant get a hold of them to help me. the reception said I should call another place to help me if I can not get a hold of my concelor. I feel these places only want my finance to report why I cant pay more than actually really do anything to help to much.

I am just wondering where is the HELP because I am still looking.. and I am about to go default in nine days.

Well, anyone knows of a place that really works to help you hook up with HUD approved lenders or can give you real advice please email me and let me know. swtswilk@yahoo.com…

Terrie