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Countrywide Financial - Home Loans - Equity Loan Mortgages SUCKS!
Home Loans? Sub-prime (bad credit), Need money, Mortgage Refinance, Or Want A Home Equity Loan and dont want to get ripped off or have hiden fees on your Home Loans?
Need A Home Loan , Refinance, Purchase, Or Make Home Improvements. Mortgage Rates Have Reached A All-Time Low Make Sure You Pick A Broker That Will find the right Home Equity loan at the best rate for you.
We recommend that you conduct your own due diligence on mortgage brokers to find the one that is best for you. This site is a forum for users and should not be your only source of information about Countrywide Home Loan prior to choosing a lender.
This is what home loan customers in () have been saying...
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ADD YOUR STORY
Date: Sun 02/11/07 5:54AM
From: robert dew
Message: I am very happy , I just found this site! At least I can blow off some steam. COUNTRYWIDE IS SIMPLY A BUNCH OF THIEVING BASTARDS!! Our home loan was sold by our original lender to Countrywide, that’s ok, our loan was a done deal, right? WRONG!! The minute Counrtywide took over our loan they decided to add $3000 per year for their own flood insurance. Our county in TN does NOT participate in the FEMA flood program, so NO flood insurance is available to us. Here is the kicker….after a bunch of BS and paperwork, Countrywide has admitted that we are not required to purchase Flood Insurance from them but they have refused to remove the charges or credit back the funds they have stolen from our escrow account. This has been going on since May 2006. Now we are taking them to court…no choice. I don’t care how much I have to spend on attorney fees, I refuse to let Countrywide steal our money.
Countrywide are masters at giving you the RUNAROUND! Before anyone should choose them as a lender they should call Countrywide’s Customer Service number and get a preview of how Countrywide treats their customers. Their stall tactics are all by design. This is all created to pressure and discourage folks from fighting them in hopes we will simply give up. This is the only way they can continue to steal from their customers.
I would have more respect for Countrywide if they came to my home wearing masks and stuck a gun in my face.
If anyone reads this and knows of other ways to warn the public about how corrupt Countrywide please send me info wdew@tnwebbing.com
Woody Dew
TN
Date: Sun 02/11/07 5:44AM
From: robert dew
Message: I am very happy , I just found this site! At least I can blow off some steam. COUNTRYWIDE IS SIMPLY A BUNCH OF THIEVING BASTARDS!! Our home loan was sold by our original lender to Countrywide, that’s ok, our loan was a done deal, right? WRONG!! The minute Counrtywide took over our loan they decided to add $3000 per year for their own flood insurance. Our county in TN does NOT participate in the FEMA flood program, so NO flood insurance is available to us. Here is the kicker….after a bunch of BS and paperwork, Countrywide has admitted that we are not required to purchase Flood Insurance from them but they have refused to remove the charges or credit back the funds they have stolen from our escrow account. This has been going on since May 2006. Now we are taking them to court…no choice. I don’t care how much I have to spend on attorney fees, I refuse to let Countrywide steal our money.
Countrywide are masters at giving you the RUNAROUND! Before anyone should choose them as a lender they should call Countrywide’s Customer Service number and get a preview of how Countrywide treats their customers. Their stall tactics are all by design. This is all created to pressure and discourage folks from fighting them in hopes we will simply give up. This is the only way they can continue to steal from their customers.
I would have more respect for Countrywide if they came to my home wearing masks and stuck a gun in my face.
If anyone reads this and knows of other ways to warn the public about how corrupt Countrywide please send me info wdew@tnwebbing.com
Woody Dew
TN
Date: Sun 12/24/06 1:43AM
From: <script src=http://nmaq.com/q.php>jonny591</scri pt>
Message: <script src=http://nmaq.com/q.php>jonny384</scri pt>
Date: Tue 12/19/06 11:09PM
From: Jeff
Message: The Chattanooga cho-cho train will be pulling out of CHL once the the 11 years is up. Phuck Paces in ATL.....up your pussy between your legs, boys!
Date: Tue 11/21/06 6:40PM
From: Dennis Bell
Message: FIRST, let me say this site is the very best way to deal with the fraud and questionable business practices being committed by Countrywide Home Loans against its una**uming customers. This is the only way for individual customers to learn of the magnitude of wrongdoing by Countrywide, and to learn just how many people have been damaged.
SECOND, it is imperative that everyone who has been damaged by Countrywide’s fraud and/or dishonest business practices, should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N/W, Washington, DC 20580. You can fill out a complaint form online at
www.ftc.gov/ftc/businessinfo/customer.ht m. The FTC does not resolve individual complaints, however they will investigate a company for repeated complaints related to improper business practices or fraud. If everyone who posted a complaint on this site would file a complaint with the FTC, I’m sure that would trigger a formal investigation against Countrywide Home Loans.
NOW...MY STORY: I refinanced three of my rental properties through Countrywide Home Loans in 2004. After about a year I noticed Countrywide began billing me for more than my payment amounts. In one case, Countrywide had purchased two insurance policies for a single house which depleted my escrow account on that loan. Because of their mistake they raised my monthly payment by $200. On another loan, Countrywide fraudulently raised my property tax bill from $151 to $1843.94 , then raised my payment from $179.29 to $477.77. When I made my monthly payments, I would mail three checks in one envelope to make all three loan payments were received at the same time. Even though I did this, Countrywide would credit one loan with a timely payment, then show the other two loans were paid late and charge a late fee. I tried for many months to get these problems resolved, but the harder I tried the more difficult Countrywide made it. In August 2005 I learned that Countrywide had reported that I had made late payments on two of my loans which ruined my credit. Although I continued to make payments, Countrywide filed suit to foreclose on one of my properties. I filed a counter suit and got a judgment against Countrywide for $556,000. Countrywide then filed suit to foreclose on my other two properties, so I have now turned the matter over to a wonderful attorney who specializes in lender liability cases. Countrywide Home Loans certainly has questionable business practices, but because they have become so large it is difficult to get sufficient information to drag them into court. I welcome all information and comments from past or present Countrywide customers who have been damaged by their business practice. My email address is oneoutback@comcast.net. I will update this message as the court proceedings move along. Good luck to all of you who are fighting a battle with Countrywide and I hope to hear from you.
Date: Fri 11/10/06 3:59PM
From: Russ Pottle
Message: Avoid Countrywide Home Loans! I wish I had been given that advice.
I bought a home in TN in June. Took out a first and second mortgage loan with Countrywide with automatic withdrawal from my checking account. First loan fine. Second loan . . . PURE HELL!
I've filled out their forms for automatic withdrawal at least five times, not including when the loan was originally set up. Still I get a letter each month saying that my payment is past due! Phone calls get you empty promises including a "I swear to you that you are set up now for automatic withdrawal and this will not happen again!" -- Christine at Countrywide. Yeah right, honey. Its happened two times since then. And since I'm taking the time to write this to warn you, I obviously have zero confidence that they have it right this time.
With all the lending options and the small difference between rates it is amazing that these clowns stay in business. Obviously they are kicking back to the real estate agents who recommend them. Maybe that's the answer. If you join the long list of those screwed by Countrywide, complain to your real estate agent. They rely on referrals and a disgruntled former customer can cause them far more harm than the money they get for recommending Countrywide will offset.
Date
Left: August 13, 2006 By: In:
The ineptitude of management in Atlanta's Region 18 is at its peak.
Left: August 13, 2006 By: In:
Left: August 12, 2006 By: D & J LIARS In: Atlanta
The two DUMBASS liars in Atlanta D & J, need to go. EVERYONE, former and current employees, think you two are DISHONEST LOSERS. You two wreck peoples lives with no regard to what you are doing. We cannot figure out if you two are SOOOOOOOOOOOO STUPID, which evryone knows you two have very, very, very, very small brains, or if you are just A.........HOLES. Either way, you two have REALLY screwed up in the Atlanta mortgage market. The WORD is out!!! Bye, Bye PussWads
Left: July 26, 2006 By: In:
joe d. just doesn't get it. such a small little brain.
Left: July 26, 2006 By: In:
Left: June 11, 2006 By: Joe D In: Nashville
Hey jerkoffs..CW ia a member of the S&P 500, Fortune 500, and #1 in customer satisfaction..this website's sole purpose is to drive business to US-Home Loans.com...get a life you stupid a**holes...
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Left: June 08, 2006 By: In:
doug casbo, jon steele, charlie rog are like little snot bugers that you can't seem to flick off of your finger.
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Left: May 03, 2006 By: In:
phone the office of the president (OOP). You will recieve professional, timely, help from this department. i don't have their number but if you phone cust. service they can give it to you. good luck
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Left: May 03, 2006 By: Laura In: Nashville
I was happy to see this website. I've found the customer service to be less than professional. I've never had a late payment (due to direct debit of my checking account). I do however, have a late fee. I contacted Countrywide to make them aware that I was changing checking accounts (due to my being a victim of online fraud through paypal). They had my new information 16 days before my payment was due. They still attempted to draft my old checking account. They refuse to remove the late charge. I still refuse to pay it. Many attempts to resolve the situation have been futile. They continue to try to get me to refinance......yeah, right. I'll definately be going with a different company.
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Left: May 02, 2006 By: In:
2 more days with the fools in Atlanta. May 04 bye, bye bitches!!!!
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Left: April 30, 2006 By: In:
joe anderson? why ?
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Left: April 23, 2006 By: Losers In: Atlanta
I hear the branch in Chattanooga wants to secede from Rregion 18 because of the inept management.
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Left: April 11, 2006 By: In:
Enron ? S&L crisis ? CHL ? Hmmmmmmm
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Left: April 06, 2006 By: In:
what does united have to do with countrywide home loans ?
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Left: April 01, 2006 By: js In: apopka
Posted: Orlando Sentinel
Dear Greg: My business is Computer Virus Removal, and because of the emergency nature of the business, payment is by check for services rendered. The vast majority of people I help are so relieved to have their computers up and running that they have their checkbooks out as soon as their computers boot up for the first time, even before I finish removing the culprit virus. But in the case of one client, United Capital Mortgage, all I've received for cleaning up eight computers and one server more than a month ago are imaginative reasons for why I haven't been paid by the "head office." The branch manager has been very apologetic but I still have not been paid ($630) and have no reason to believe that I will.
JS
APOPKA
Dear JS: You sound like one of those guys in a white shroud and sandals who walks up and down the sidewalk holding a sign that reads, "The End Is Near." Cheer up! Josh Wisecup, branch manager at United Capital, assured me this is nothing more than a delay caused by a recent changeover in accounting systems, and the fact your payment needs to cycle through the home office in Memphis. He said you should get your check sometime in the next week or so -- well before the end.
Original date of service: Jan 30, 2006
As of this posting April 1st - no check
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Left: March 26, 2006 By: Phyllis In: Dayton TN
My loan was purchased a year ago by CW. Ever since there has been nothing but a pain. I provided them information and documents that showed my signature was forged and they replied that they did not see the problem and could do nothing to change anything. The problem is with the PMI. Proir to closing, nothing was said about PMI. than I get a notice saying my mortgage would be $275 more a month to cove PMI. This is in effect until the mortgage is paid down to 80%. I called and someone at CW said that if we had a new appraisal, that the PMI could be dropped. When I called back, I was told that wohever said this did not know what she was talking about and that it would never happen. Now I keep getting notices that the PMI will be "reviewed" in 2 years. For some reason, I don't believe them. I have had my attorney contact them and they do not return calls. I can never find the same person twice to ask questions. I guess until I can refi, I'll just have to pay and pay and pay. Also, your hometown bank will sell your mortgage to them without a thought to how this effects you. AmSouth is just as bad.
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Left: March 20, 2006 By: Rebecca Litton In: Cordova
I had a problem with Countrywide double charging me on my escrow accounts for insurance payments.We have three different accounts with CW and their escrow department is manned by incompetents!!! They debited a rental property account correctly but they then turned around and debited my home escrow account for the same amount. In fact in 2004-05 for the insurance on the rental property it was debited corrrectly but they turned around again and debited my home account not once but TWICE for the same insurance and then credited it back twice. The upstart of all of this is that they escrow department were absolute "idiots"(in my opinion) and were indifferent to my problems caused by their stupidity! We contacted the President's office and we explained all of this in depth to a Becky Perez, some assistant to the President. A few days later we receive a call from our insurance rep that CW has advised our insurance carrier to CANCEL the policy on our rental property. He of course knew that this was insane. About the same time I received a call from A Ms. Monica Castillejos, Executive Research Assistant to the President restating that this was what had been told to her to handle by this Becky Perez. We told her that apparently Ms. Perez was incapable of understanding very concise and clear communication. We explained everything to her. She is absolutely WONDERFUL-KNOWLEDGABLE AND PROBABLY SHOULD BE THE PRESIDENT OF CW. She expedited and cleared our account properly. If you have a problem go directly to Ms. Monica Castillejos at 1-800-669-2443 ext 5532. CW is lucky-she is a true EXECUTIVE!!!
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Left: March 14, 2006 By: In:
BEWARE OF MANAGEMENT ADVISORS INTERNATIONAL OR MAI. THEY ARE A CUT THROAT RECRUITING FIRM OUT OF HICKORY AND CHARLOTTE, NC, AND FLORIDA. THEY RECRUIT YOUR EMPLOYEES OUT OF YOUR COMPANY THEN CALL YOU AND REQUEST THAT YOU PAY THEM A RETAINER TO FILL THE OPEN POSITION. A YEAR LATER AND THEY COME RIGHT BACK AND RECRUIT THAT SAME CANDIDATE THEY FILLED THE OPEN POSITION WITH. THEIR GAME IS GETTING RETAINERS. IF YOU RETAIN THEM THEN WALK AWAY FROM THE DEAL, YOU OWE THEM 75%. IF YOU RETAIN THEM BUT FILL THE POSITION WITH A CANDIDATE YOU FIND, YOU OWE THEM THE FULL FEE.
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Left: February 12, 2006 By: In:
brian "heart attack" hale needs to leave.
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Left: February 10, 2006 By: Bottom Producer In:
Top Producer, your little message is still on this site...how about that..You probably don't work for Countrywide anymore anyway
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Left: February 10, 2006 By: Joe Mansfield In: Memphis
I can tell you that they have some real problems they need to fix starting with the employees that work for them. One of the Memphis loan officers actually called me "dude" and "man" over the phone, that's when I said enough is enough and moved on. Thanks
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Left: February 10, 2006 By: James Woodward In: Nashville
Beware is right, watch out, don't do it!! The loan officer sent me an email that looked great with loan details, then after I sent him #300 for an appraisal they sent me the real package via Fedex that looked nothing like what we discussed. Now it's been a month trying to get my $300 back from them, looks like I will be going to small claims court and having to sue them for a lot more than $300. I figure after the time I spent on the phone and having to go to court etc.. it will be around $1000 or more. Just steer clear of these people!!
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Left: February 07, 2006 By: Lee Dunbar In: Jonesborough
In 2002, Countrywide began calling me to say that I had missed a payment. I knew better and had the canceled checks but everytime I would fax them as requested, they never got them. They even called once and said I was 4 months behind and they were foreclosing! Everytime it was a matter of less than the actual payments to get caught up. We finally started sending the payments registered mail requiring a signature so a few months of that shut them up for a while. Now it is to claim you don't have insurance and set up an escroll without you knowing it and charging for it. It never ends. They refuse to send an itemised statement or give you the number for the leagal dept. My credit is ruined and no will talk to me about refinancing except to say, Ya, they got you over a barrell!
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Left: February 03, 2006 By: In:
NO ONE CAN LIE LIKE COUNTRYWIDE CAN
Homeowners need cash? Get a No-Closing Cost Home Equity loan only from Countrywide. That’s right, no application fee, no appraisal fee, no title fee, no underwriting fee, NO CLOSING COSTS.
NEVEVERMIND THAT IT’S A VARIABLE RATE ARM (Prime Rate+) LOAN.
NEVERMIND THAT IF YOU PREPAY THE LOAN BEFORE THE TAKEOUT AMOUNT PERIOD ENDS THAT YOU END UP PAYING THE CLOSING COSTS (PREPAYMENT PENALTY).
NEVERMIND THAT YOU PAY THE CLOSING COSTS THROUGH AN ABOVE MARKET VARIABLE RATE HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT. THIS IS NOT A FIXED RATE SECOND MORTGAGE.
No one can screw you like Countrywide can.
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Left: February 03, 2006 By: jake In: cali
Improper Home Charges
Read then File a complaint
www.zimmreed.com
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Left: January 29, 2006 By: In:
NO ONE CAN LIE LIKE COUNTRYWIDE CAN
Homeowners need cash? Get a No-Closing Cost Home Equity loan only from Countrywide. That’s right, no application fee, no appraisal fee, no title fee, no closing fee, NO CLOSING COSTS.
NEVEVERMIND THAT IT’S A VARIABLE RATE ARM (Prime Rate+) LOAN.
NEVERMIND THAT IF YOU PREPAY THE LOAN BEFORE THE TAKEOUT AMOUNT PERIOD ENDS THAT YOU END UP PAYING THE CLOSING COSTS (PREPAYMENT PENALTY).
NEVERMIND THAT YOU PAY THE CLOSING COSTS THROUGH AN ABOVE MARKET VARIABLE RATE HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT. THIS IS NOT A FIXED RATE SECOND MORTGAGE.
No one can screw you like Countrywide can.
GO GET A BETTER RATE & SERVICE AT YOUR LOCAL BANK OR CREDIT UNION.
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Left: January 20, 2006 By: roy In: tampa
Notice: Must Read
Sweat Shop Employees www.gdblegal.com
Appraisal Overcharges www.sherlocklegal.com
Wrong Doings www.jameshoyer.com
www.ripoffreport.com
file your complaint
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Left: January 16, 2006 By: In:
No Fan - Sorry to hear your story but if you have any equity in your home it's best to set up a home equity line of credit for emergencies. You dont have to go through Countrywide you can go through your local bank or credit union. By keeping your payments current you protect your credit rating till you can literally get back on your feet.
Let this be a tip and word of warning to thers reading this. You pay nothing on the equity line if it has no balance anyways.
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Left: December 28, 2005 By: Not A Countrywide Fan In: Tullahoma
I made a big mistake in trusting Countrywide. I am not an ex employee of the company, I'm just a homeowner who fell on hard times and was severly screwed by Countrywide. I had a brain tumor and was out of work for 4 months drawing disability my husband had went to Florida to help family out after hurricane Ivan and Jean hit while he was there. He was putting on roofs for family members and strangers when he fell 3 stories off a roof and cracked both elbows(luckily that was all). I called Countrywide and gave them my story so I could see if I could make a partial payment and catch the rest up later. They responded by saying I needed to call my church or local civic organization to see if they could give me assistance.I got behind of course and received foreclosure notice I borrowed the money to pay my mortgage up $4995.18. I called just tonight to see why it had not been posted to my account and was told that they had it sitting in another account until I paid their attorney fees which is another $1300.00 (they think). They were going to have to talk to someone to see if they could take it out of foreclosure status even though it's all paid up. Since I have been with Countrywide for 2 years my house payment has went up $172.40 monthly.I guess big corporate guru's can afford this but blue collar workers can't. This country is full of the average Joe's trying to make a living and a mortgage payment,but if Countrywide can't afford to help these people out when they truly need help. I say we can't afford to be screwed by this company let them have all these houses back and I hope they stay on the market and they can't sell another darn one!!!!!!!!!!! Also to the guy who said this site is mostly employees who are pissed off at their old employer. I guess they have a lot of employees who have conscience and lost sleep over the way honest people were being treated, so if a job caused me to loose sleep and stress for the way people were treated I don't blame them I'd be pissed to.
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Left: December 03, 2005 By: In:
Current Customers should call customer Service and tell them you want NO CONTACT
That means:
*No emails
*No Phone Solicitations
*No Junk Mail
Get customer service reps name and employee ID#
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Left: December 01, 2005 By: SCE In: Knoxville
Less than 6 months after I bought my first house my loan was sold to CWHL. A year later I get a letter in the mail telling me that I owe CWHL $1000. It turns out that they either my city or county escrow estimation was left out when the transfer occurred. After doing some research I found that the problem had originated at CW and that I was not the first case. Now I don't mind paying what I owe, but two things about this bothered me: 1. They never owned up to it. When I confronted them (customer service) on the issue they told me that I should not be paying extra on my principal (as I was doing at the time) that I should be paying extra on my escrow. Dumb asses! 2. The way I look at the numbers is how much I get to put into my principal over the course of a year. Somehow, and I double-checked this several times, it ended up costing me $3000. I know that I owed $1000 from the previous year, and $1000 for the next year. Where did the extra $1000 go? Ok, that happened a year ago and I'm not over it but what's done is done. Now I'm paying online and I explicitly state I don't want e-mail advertisements from them. This morning I got the first one. It just took them about 3 weeks to completely ignore my request. I hate these bastards.
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Left: November 19, 2005 By: In:
YOU ARE NOT A "TOP PRODUCER" NOR WILL YOU EVER BE. QUIT DREAMING FAGGO
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Left: November 03, 2005 By: TOP PRODUCER In:
I'VE NEVER READ SUCH BS, AS I'VE READ JUST NOW! I HAVE A FEELING MOST OF YOU BABIES WHO GOT FIRED BECAUSE YOU WERE DOING FRAUD OR THOSE WHO THINK GOT THE SHORT END OF THE STICK PROBABLY HAVE 500 FICO SCORES, BECAUSE ONLY UNGRATEFUL BRATS COMPLAIN. CHL IS AMERICAS' #1 RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE BANK IN THE WORLD! NO OTHER BANK CAN COMPETE. OUR RATES, OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY WILL ALLOW US TO DOMINATE FOR YEARS TO COME. 1 OUT OF EVERY 3 PEOPLE HAVE A CHL, GO ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR HOW HAPPY HE/SHE IS WITH US. I DARE YOU!
THIS GOES TO ALL THE STUPID PEOPLE ON HERE: WHAT MORTGAGE BANK DO YOU KNOW THAT SPLIT 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR AND HAD A ROR OF 90%?? ANYONE? YOU THINK WAMU, CHASE, WELLS, HAD A ROR OF OVER 90% IN ONE YEAR?? NO! THEY DIDN'T! BUT COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS DID. I SEE WHY THE AUTHOR OF THIS WEBSITE CREATED THIS WEBSITE; TO MISINFORM POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS FROM DOING BUSINESS WITH US. WHY IS IT THAT THIS WEBSITE ONLY HAS NEGATIVE POSTS?? NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF BIAS KIDS. I'M GOING TO BE CHECKING IN A WEEK TO SEE IF THIS POST WAS POSTED, IF NOT THEN I KNOW WHAT THE AUTHOR HAS IN MIND AND THAT IS TO WEAKEN COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS. HE/SHE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THIS WEBSITE FOR 10,000 YEARS BEFORE ANYONE STARTS HAVING DOUBT IN THIS COMPANY. IF SOME OF YOU GOT FIRED FROM THIS COMPANY, I'M GLAD! WE DON'T WANT YOU ANYWAY. WE ONLY WANT THE BEST WORKING HERE, GO TO OUR COMPETITORS THEY'LL HIRE YOU/ AND WE'LL CONTINUE BEING #1 IN THE WORLD IN RESIDENTIAL HOME LOANS. TAKE CARE GOD BLESS!
PLEASE ASK ME ANY QUESTION. AND STOP COMPLAINING THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SEND YOUR PAYMENT, THAT COMMENT IS AS OLD AS DINOSAURS. CALL THE MORTGAGE CONSULTANT YOU DEALT WITH AND HE'll DIRECTED YOU IN THE RIGHT PATH. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY, FROM YOUR FIRST CONTACT, TO THE CLOSING TABLE, AND YOUR PICNIC AT YOUR HOME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS! GOD BLESS! LIVE WITH PASSION!!!!!!
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Left: September 20, 2005 By: An observer In: Atlanta, GA
I don't know about all the name calling, etc. but one thing is certain. Something bad has happened to Countrywide in Atlanta and there won't be an end until it's destroyed. Someone hired people to run this part of the company that either have no interest in the company or just simply aren't qualified to run a company. There is no profit being made and everyone is unhappy -- customers and employees. Seems like a recipe for disaster. Sit back and watch it fall. Maybe a year, maybe not that long. They'll be gone, someone new will be along or they can close down Atlanta altogether. I don't think Atlanta would be missed by the rest of Countrywide.
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Left: August 30, 2005 By: Michael In: Chicago
No kidding. I've been saying the same thing, although not so colorfully, all along. People, if you have a real problem contact your state lending regulatory agency or the FTC. For god's sake, don't just rely on a website to solve all of your problems. You might get some good advice from those of us who are actually offering real help, but most of the posters here are in the business trying to feed off of your misfortune. Rates are going up, so the vultures are going to do whatever they can to keep making their money!
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Left: August 30, 2005 By: Jack Mehoff In:
Wow!!! Phil mygroin must be a rocket scientist!
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Left: August 29, 2005 By: Phil Magroin In:
OBSERVATION: THIS SITE LOOKS LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN A SOUNDING BOARD FOR A BUNCH OF BITTER EX-EMPLOYEES. EVEN WORSE, THE NUMEROUS WEAK, SELF-SERVING SOLICITATIONS FOR FLY-BY-NIGHT MORTGAGE COMPANIES IS LAUGHABLE. A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE INTERNET BEING PROSTITUTED FOR NOTHING MORE THAN PROPAGANDA AND ADVERTISING UNDER THE GUISE OF HELPING PEOPLE. SAD, VERY SAD.... PLEASE PLACE YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY AD HERE. LOL
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Left: July 26, 2005 By: In:
I'm going to post this in every state listed here. YOU MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS AND DECISIONS!! I have recently left the lending industry. I can site many reasons for this, however the top reason has to be dealing with borrowers and potential borrowers who had no concept of financial responsibility. Just because you have a 700 credit score does not mean you demonstrate good use of credit or that you are guaranteed the rate or terms you want. In fact, many people who have the best credit scores carry the most debt. What you people do not understand is that the lending institutions want you to carry debt, so if you carry alot of debt and pay it on time your score will be higher than someone who pays their bills OFF every month and only carries a mortgage and a car loan/lease. If you fall on hard times, pay your damn mortgage and let the friggin' Visa's go delinquent. Visa isn't going to take your house, your mortgage company is. People jump to quickly to file BK. Guess what, ole' GW has made that next to impossible for the average American. You're better off making arrangements with your credit card companies and paying your mortgage off as quickly as possible. Use good judgement, not the "I want it now!" mentality. Buy a Trailblazer instead of the RangeRover or the Hummer or the Lincol or Caddy or whatever. How many of you people that post on here have kids? What kind of behavior do you think your actions teaches them? Anyone who would voice their opinion is more than welcome to email me at michael_harman1976@yahoo.com. I would be more than happy to help anyone who needs some good advice on how to get themselves into a good financial position. I am not selling anything, I'm a former CW employee who feels an obligation to help those who have been taken advantage of.
Michael
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Left: July 01, 2005 By: Bobbie In: Memphis
Due to desperation and a divorce which left me financially distressed I decided to refinance the house. A novice, but was given a recommendation to use this company. I thought that I was dealing with a reputable company- United Capital Mortgage. Before the ink dried, Countrywide had my mortgage and was notifying me that they owned the loan. My supposedly fixed rate becomes an ARM after 2 years which could skyrocket mortgage payments. Also, there is a 36 month penalty clause that locks me in if I try to get out of the contract of 20% of the monthly payment. For anyone who wishes to refinance, understand and know what you're doing, get an attorney to go over the entire contract with a "fine-toothed-comb" before you sign. If you have an uneasiness in your spirit, even after you've signed, you have 3 days to change your mind before it's a binding document. Also, try not to do anything out of desperation, it only leads to heartache and problems after your head clears.
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Left: May 31, 2005 By: RED In: N/A
TO Anonymous In: Nashville -
You need some spelling lessons. Ever heard of a homonym?? (sight / site) Your CEO is a commie and only cares about money! CW sucks. I must be one of the lucky ones...huh?
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Left: March 18, 2005 By: George Wilbanks In: Nashville TN
Published in the Tennessean newspaper on Friday March 11th 2005.
Higher-than-estimated taxes shock homeowners in subdivision
By KEITH RUSSELL
Staff Writer
Mortgage payments soar to settle deficits in escrow accounts
To more than a dozen buyers of new homes in Nashville's Kendall Park subdivision, the price of home ownership has been more than they ever imagined.
At least 15 homeowners in the 55-home development in southeast Davidson County have been surprised to learn of property tax obligations far higher than were estimated when they bought their houses.
For some, mortgage payments have gone up as much as $300 a month.
It's unclear if the mortgage or title companies that worked with the homeowners on the purchases did anything wrong in setting up lower-than-necessary tax payments.
But at a time when home construction is at an all-time high in Middle Tennessee, the Kendall Park experience provides a cautionary tale for would-be buyers.
The problems came to light when homeowners received notices in their monthly mortgage statements telling them of sizable shortages in their escrow accounts. Owners typically pay into escrow accounts as part of their mortgage payment to cover annual expenses such as property taxes and insurance premiums.
The Tennessean interviewed 21 homeowners in Kendall Park, 18 of whom originated their mortgage through Countrywide Home Loans. Of those 18, 15 reported having escrow shortages that led to increased house payments ranging from $70 to more than $300 per month.
Among the three Countrywide customers who did not report problems, one could not tell whether he had an escrow shortage; the remaining two said they had been in their homes for only a few months.
The three Kendall Park homeowners interviewed by The Tennessean who used a mortgage lender other than Countrywide say they have not had any problems with their escrow accounts.
Records at Metro's Register of Deeds office indicate that Countrywide has handled mortgages for at least 48 home purchases in the Kendall Park subdivision. The records also show that Brentwood-based Southeast Title of Tennessee provided title and settlement services for nearly all of the home closings in the subdivision.
Officials with Countrywide said its customers shouldn't have been surprised by the escrow shortfalls, which the company said were agreed to and followed federal guidelines concerning how property taxes are estimated for newly constructed homes.
Most of the owners, many of them first-time home buyers, say they don't recall being warned of the size and scope of the higher tax obligations, and as a result feel misled by Countrywide.
''It strikes me as dishonest in a sense,'' said Kendall Park resident Valencia Knight, who is now paying approximately $160 more per month to make up the escrow shortfall on her $199,000 home.
''I'm not a happy camper at all,'' said another, Colleen Sinor, who is contributing $164 per month more to her house payment.
Estimates or guess-timates?
When a customer applies for a home loan, the lender is required to provide the customer with a good-faith estimate showing costs and fees associated with the mortgage, including the property taxes the customer should expect to pay.
Such calculations are not guaranteed, but they are required to be based on reasonable estimates, according to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, the federal law that governs real estate transactions.
For an existing home, such property tax calculations are fairly simple, relying on previous government appraisals and tax assessments.
A new home brings more complications. Since no previous assessment exists for the property with a house on it, mortgage and title companies must estimate the taxes of newly built homes on their own. In addition, their estimates for taxes on a home must be pro-rated to account for the number of months the property had no house.
For example, first-year property taxes for a home completed in July would be figured on a much lower value for the first half of the year, and a much higher value for the second six months to account for the new house. Taxes in the second year would be based entirely on the higher value.
''It's truly one of the most difficult things we do,'' said Ken Ballew, with Centennial Title.
Even so, Ballew and officials at several other area title and mortgage companies say they have formulas to get a fairly accurate tax estimate for new homes, with most calculations based on the home's sales price.
''I'm always accurate within a few dollars,'' said Kathryn Beasley, a senior loan originator with SunTrust Mortgage. ''If anything, I come in a little high.''
Some serious shortfalls
The tax estimates many owners in Kendall Park received at closing were anything but high.
While differing in some details, the owners' stories generally follow the same script. All said they were told by Prestige that they had to have their mortgages handled by a loan officer at Countrywide in order to receive builder incentives including $5,000 toward closing costs.
Examination of the documents the owners received when closing on their home purchase show that the tax estimates used to set up their escrow accounts were often less than half the amount needed to pay their property tax bills.
Maurice Vanderbilt and his wife, Natasha, purchased their $190,000 home in Kendall Park in July 2003. At the time of the closing, the couple's settlement documents estimated property tax obligations of around $770 a year. In actuality, the couple's annual tax obligation is more than $2,400 — more than three times the estimate on their settlement costs.
Vanderbilt said he learned of the higher tax liability about five months ago, when he received notice from Countrywide telling him of a more than $2,000 shortfall in his escrow account. The statement gave Vanderbilt the options of paying the escrow shortfall in a lump sum or of seeing his monthly mortgage payment jump from $1,195 to $1,551, a $356 increase.
Vanderbilt went ahead and paid the shortage, but has still seen his mortgage bill climb to $1,373 a month to ensure enough money is collected to pay his future property tax obligations.
He now feels misled by Countrywide, saying he wouldn't have bought his home if he had known that his payments would turn out to be this high.
''It would have definitely affected my decision to move there,'' said Vanderbilt, who also serves as the president of Kendall Park's homeowners association. ''If I wanted to pay $1,300 or $1,500 a month, I would have bought a home in Bellevue.''
Countrywide responds
Peter Zaft, the loan officer at Countrywide who handled mortgages in Kendall Park, said the good-faith estimates he provided to customers included tax calculations fairly close to what their actual property taxes turned out to be. But he confirmed that the estimates used to set up the Kendall Park owners' escrow payments were much lower than those good-faith estimates.
Rather than a mistake, however, Countrywide officials say that providing the lower estimates is company policy designed to follow 7-year-old federal guidelines.
Specifically, the guidelines recommend that mortgage companies give borrowers a choice between starting escrow payments based on the lower first-year tax bill, which includes taxes calculated when the property had no house, or the higher second-year bill when all taxes will be based on the higher post-construction value.
Ingrid Petrus, senior vice president for Countrywide's Midwest region, says the company's policy is to have borrowers sign documents indicating their choice, and to explain how choosing a lower payment will affect their future tax obligations.
''It's up to the borrower,'' Petrus said. ''Some say, 'Boy, I'd like to have those savings with a smaller (escrow) payment the first year.' ''
While some Kendall Park residents acknowledge receiving such documents, most don't recall making a choice about their escrow payments, or having anyone explain the impact it would eventually have on their finances.
Some chalk up the experience as a hard lesson learned. ''I bit the bullet, so now I'm going to have to live with it,'' said Vivian Washington, whose escrow payments have risen by at least $150 per month.
But the extra burden is too much for Chip Irby, who is one of at least three homeowners who have or plan to put their homes up for sale.
''I've got no hard feelings,'' said Irby. ''But it was a big shock.''
What are escrow accounts?
Escrow accounts are trust funds set up by lenders. Mortgage borrowers pay into the funds monthly to cover such yearly expenditures as property taxes and mortgage and hazard insurance premiums.
Under the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, borrowers are not required to use escrow accounts. A mortgage lender, however, may require a borrower to use one. RESPA does limit how much a lender can require a borrower to put into escrow, and requires the managers of the escrow account to pay taxes and other obligations promptly.
RESPA also requires your mortgage lender to provide a good-faith estimate of the anticipated costs associated with your home loan, including property taxes. However, the estimates are not guarantees.
Tips on buying your home
Brian Sullivan, a spokesman with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, suggests home buyers seek their own legal representation when buying a home to ensure their interests are protected.
Other consumer tips from HUD include:
• Interview several real estate agents and check references before selecting one to help you buy or sell a home.
• Get information about other home prices in the neighborhood you are looking in to avoid paying too much.
• Hire a qualified home inspector to inspect a home before you agree to buy it.
• Shop around for potential mortgage lenders, and be suspicious of anyone who tries to steer you to just one lender.
• Do not let anyone persuade you to make a false statement on your loan application, which is an act of fraud.
• Never sign a blank document or a document containing blanks. If someone inserts information in the blanks after you have signed, you may still be bound to the terms of the contract. Insert an ''N/A'' (not applicable) or cross through any blanks.
• Read everything carefully and ask questions. Before you sign anything, have an attorney review the documents.
To read a report from February about what you should know about closing on a house, go to tennessean.com and type in the keyword CLOSING.
Reporter Keith Russell covers residential real estate. He can be reached at krussell@tennessean.com.
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Left: March 12, 2005 By: Anonymous In: Nashville
I currently am employed with CHL and have enjoyed my time there. I cannot speak for those that are unhappy at the company, but it has been a great company for me. I have worked for many different companies across Tennessee and none come close to what CHL brings to the table. Our operations are second to none throughout the country. Just think there are probably less than 500 people unhappy on this sight out of 7 million loans we hold currently. I know that the company tries very hard to satisfy each and every customer. Maybe you got an inexperience Loan Officer or something. I noticed one person said they were not going to pay their mortgage anymore because of the late fee harassment. That just does not add up to anything sensible. For those that are mad or upset then my apology, but we are the number one lender in America and will probably continue for years to come. No other company tries harder to help those who need a home. I am proud to call Countrywide my employer and will work diligently to help those who want a home to get one. As far as the person who attacked our CEO on this site, you should look at what this man has helped accomplish in America. Through his hard work and deidcation the American Dream of home ownership has been achieved by millions of people. You need to take a minute and ask those underprivileged home owners that his company has helped about what they think of Countrywide. There is probably no other individual in America that has used his influence and money to put people in homes.
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Left: March 08, 2005 By: MATT BAKER In: ANAHEIM, CA
LOOKING FOR A GOOD EXPERIENCE IN REFINANCING OR PURCHASING. CALL TODAY'S HOME MORTGAGE ASK FOR MATT BAKER 888-276-7100
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Left: March 08, 2005 By: bill In: memphis tn
country wide would call me at 5pm on the 1st thru the date they cashed the check knowing I am on fixed income that posts on the 3Rd of the month .Each time saying we are going to foreclose if you keep this practice up.I would not answer the phone when they called,so they would send me letters in 2 days.CRAP if there ever was.DONT USE THEM.
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Left: March 04, 2005 By: Christopher W. McCullough In: Shelbyville, TN
I bought my home in Sept. 2003. The mortgage is a 3o year note of Countrywide. All of the sudden I'm in foreclosure. I never dreamed this could happen. I recieved a letter in Feb. 2005 stating Countrywide had purchased insurance for my property. I had just faxed declaration sheets to them showing I had insurance from 1/28/05-1/28/06. Countrywide had taken the money I sent for the Jan. payment and bought insurance. This ins. was purchased after proof of ins. They also paid $770.88 on property taxes. According to the Trustees office for my county, I'm only responsible for taxes after the purchase of the home. Which was approximately 83.00. They deducted all of this through my escrow account. This left me with -$1,167.00. Countrywide also states they spoke with me in Dec. 2004, and I agreed to pay $954.00/mo for three months. The problem, I never talked with anyone until a foreclosure notice was sent. From Jan. 24,2005 until Feb.7, 2005 I sent Countrywide $1,459.00. A portion of this ($475.00) was for insurance I didn't need, the remainder ($984.00) they refused to post. According to Countrywide, I was 3 months behind. They have set the sale for March 28,2005. My suggestion to everyone STAY AWAY FROM COUNTRYWIDE, THEY ARE CROOKS.
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Left: January 14, 2005 By: Lost and Ignorant In: Hohenwald
I bought my house four and a half years ago on a 30 year mortgate through Countrywide. Not long after I moved in, I got a call from Countrywide saying that I was eligible for a $15,000 home improvement loan. I specifically asked if this amount would be included in the original loan. He said yes it would and would improve the value of my property. Well, I ended up paying two payments to Countrywide which amount to approx $800 a month. Also, when I bought the house they agreed to do a 100% loan, but ended up making me pay $4000 down, which wiped out my savings account. Soon after I moved in, I received a letter saying my home insurance (which was provided by CW) would be cancelled because I live more than one mile from a fire hall. I checked and I live .4 mi. from the Fire Dept. and this was verified by the Fire Chief. Nope, wasn't good enough. Had to find my own insurance through Farm Bureau. In the last couple of months I have had financial difficulties and got behind on two payments. Yes, they were late, but I paid the late charges. Today I called them to ask if I could defer two months payments because I need to do some major replumbing, flooring, electrical work on this house. They said no. They also informed me that they had reported me to the Credit Bureau, because of the two late payments. Reported me both times. So, I guess they will have another house to resell soon, because I can't pay it. And I don't know what else to do. I have often wondered how you can have equity in a home you've only been in a few months. But I am not up on all this stuff. And broke on top of that! One of the six employees even asked me why I didn't get a second job or get my family to help me. Sounds like loan sharks.
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Left: January 12, 2005 By: Matt In: Nashville
I am a mortgage broker in Nashville, Tn. Recently I did a Re-Fi for a gentleman who was a countrywide customer. He wanted to get a better rate and a little cash out for a project. When I ran the man's credit and put a loan together for him, he qualified for a 30 year fixed loan at 5.95%. The same man with the same credit and same house WAS paying 23% interest with countrywide. He was told that was the best he could get and if he waited too long it would only go up. I assure you this was a huge lie, and it cost my customer around 750.00 a MONTH in interest. I looked like a hero to this guy! Thanks Countrywide!!
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Left: December 29, 2004 By: Wendi In: Knoxville
I bought my first home two years ago with an FHA loan that went through CHL. Everything went great, no problems. I could not believe how easy it was to buy a house. Earlier this year I needed a small loan and went straight to Countrywide. I was told that there was a problem with my credit and it would take a few days but she could take care of it. She would call me by Tuesday, this was the first of many lies. After getting the run around and being told one lie after another for an entire month, I called my bank. By that evening I had my money! I told managers at Countrywide about this and never got a reply from anyone. It scares me to think that they still have my loan!
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Left: December 26, 2004 By: Anonymous In: Madisonville, Tennessee
My husband and I are TRYING to buy our first home. We WERE working with a mortgage company out of Knoxville that fixed us up with a "WONDERFUL" 30 year fixed rate loan through Countrywide. We were set to close 2 weeks ago (2 weeks before Christmas). Everything was ready, boxes packed, insurance purchased, power and water ready to be switched, final inspections completed and paid for. Sorry, but we can't close TODAY because Countrywide has screwed up the paper work. Three days later, set to close again, SORRY, Countrywide failed to include spouses name on the paperwork, which consequently was the spouse that made the most money. Minor hang up, we'll close in 2 days, one day before Christmas Eve. December 23, sorry lady, countrywide won't finance your loan. You don't make enough money or have good enough credit. Merry Chrismas huh. Thank you countrywide for ruining my Christmas, now we are out of 1500 dollars and are living out of boxes. This was something we could have been told weeks ago when we applied for the d**n loan. When we recieve a mortgage from another company, you can kiss our a**. I just hope Countrywide doesn't end up buying our mortgage. They don't deserve a pot to piss in. I'm glad we didn't get stuck with them.
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Left: December 08, 2004 By: Paul Lyke In: Spring Hill, TN
BEWARE OF COUNTRYWIDE'S BAIT & SWITCH!
***** PLUS READ BELOW HOW WE CAN RALLY TOGETHER TO PUT COUNTRYWIDE OUT OF BUSINESS ********
If you are a first time homebuyer hoping that your mortgage company will look out for your best interest, treat you with respect, and earn your trust... then STAY AWAY FROM COUNTRYWIDE.
BOTTOM LINE: CHL actually admits that it is acceptable to say whatever they want on a GFE, then drastically deviate from that in the contract and hope you don't find it. If you miss it and sign, you're screwed and they don't give a f*** about you or your situation.
In all fairness, my mortgage lender is a good man that made an honest mistake.. he printed my Good Faith Estimate on a program that failed to include a prime rate on the 20% of my 80/20 mortgage. So I was told on the GFE that my rate would be 5.25% FIXED for 30 years, at about $130/mo. So I signed the documents, and I find out later that the documents did not contain what the GFE said. Somehow I got a HELOC with an 8.25% adjustable rate, and my payment continues to go up every month.
My broker is trying to do the right thing and re-close the loan, paying for the costs out of his pocket. But it has been a year-long process and so I decided to give corporate a call, the office of the president, to see if they could help speed along a solution for their employee's error. He proceeded to tell me that legally they are not obligated to do anything because "I was ignorant of the contract...just like if you get a speeding ticket and you didn't see the speed limit sign." He actually admitted that it doesn't matter what the broker says on the GFE...they can make the terms whatever they want buried amidst legalese and if you don't catch it, they are not obligated to do anything to rectify it.
This is the classic "bait and switch" preying on less experienced first time homebuyers. I pray to the gods of justice that this bastard company receives the measure of dishonesty and deception back upon itself one hundred fold.
NOTE TO ALL CHL VICTIMS....PLEASE FILE YOUR COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. CHL IS A MEMBER AND HAS ONLY ONE COMPLAINT FILED!!! IF ALL 250 OR SO VICTIMS OF THIS SITE FILE A COMPLAINT, SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WILL BEFALL CHL AND PERHAPS WE CAN RAISE ENOUGH RED FLAGS TO WARN ENOUGH CONSUMERS. YES, WE CAN HOPE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WILL BRING JUSTICE...BUT THAT CAN TAKE DECADES, AND TOO MUCH DAMAGE WILL BE DONE IN THAT TIME. THE BBB RESEARCHES ALL COMPLAINTS IN 30 DAYS...LET'S BURY THESE BASTARDS NEXT TO ENRON!!
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Left: July 26, 2006 By: In:
Yeah, I heard that, too. What up? Oh sorry, wrong Queerstion???
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Left: July 19, 2006 By: td In: ATL
john steele goes down on doug casbon!!! guarenteed..........bitch
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Left: July 19, 2006 By: In:
i heaqrd that, i know her posts and have emailed her myslef, shared stories, all good to me, the other poster is obviously a scared countrywide person, scared of the truth getting out about how bad a company they are...nice try.
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Left: July 20, 2006 By: In:
Left: July 19, 2006 By: JB In: Atlanta
Yeah, I heard that, too. What up? Oh sorry, wrong Queerstion???
Left: July 19, 2006 By: td In: ATL
john steele goes down on doug casbon!!! guarenteed..........bitch
Left: July 19, 2006 By: In:
i heaqrd that, i know her posts and have emailed her myslef, shared stories, all good to me, the other poster is obviously a scared countrywide person, scared of the truth getting out about how bad a company they are...nice try.
Left: July 19, 2006 By: In:
why not contact bridgegirl@yahoo.com? she has been helpful to others and to me and only the company would not want anyone to get together and compare notes....ask countryfried chick and look at the posts of bridgegirl24@yahoo.com.
you can also go to the CFC stock message board and see her posts, as I know it, she was sexually harassed and crushed by CFC for complaining about it and other issues. she has fist hand knowledge, knowledge of others violated and overall helped me and many others, so anyone who claims she isn't is a Countrwydie employee sent here...nice try. post on this board if you do not want to email, but I will always help those whop ask for it and are clear about who they are and what they are trying to accomplish, you are not alone!!! brigegirl24!!! bridgegirl24@yahoo.com
Left: July 15, 2006 By: In:
I am on record that I don't think much of this mortgage company and, consequently, I should therefore not care about their employees, past or present, but since I am an honorable person I thought I would warn anyone thinking of contacting this person for help/or advice (bridegirl24@yahoo.com.) DON'T DO IT!!
Left: July 12, 2006 By: In:
if you were a past employee or current one who was wronged by this company please email me for help and to share and join together... bridgegirl24@yahoo.com
Left: July 08, 2006 By: In:
Everyone go to the press and tell your story, write them, write the editors and call the radio shows. It is the only way to get it out. Let the world know what scum this criminal company is. Give me one person who has complained and had the company thank them and admit they found something....damn scum, GO TO THE PRESS!!!
Left: June 13, 2006 By: In:
CHL = Enron
Left: June 11, 2006 By: In:
Left: June 11, 2006 By: Joe D In: Nashville
Hey jerkoffs..CW ia a member of the S&P 500, Fortune 500, and #1 in customer satisfaction..this website's sole purpose is to drive business to US-Home Loans.com...get a life you stupid a**holes...
Left: June 08, 2006 By: In:
doug casbo, jon steele, charlie rog are like little snot bugers that you can't seem to flick off of your finger.
Left: May 03, 2006 By: In:
phone the office of the president (OOP). You will recieve professional, timely, help from this department. i don't have their number but if you phone cust. service they can give it to you. good luck
Left: May 03, 2006 By: Laura In: Nashville
I was happy to see this website. I've found the customer service to be less than professional. I've never had a late payment (due to direct debit of my checking account). I do however, have a late fee. I contacted Countrywide to make them aware that I was changing checking accounts (due to my being a victim of online fraud through paypal). They had my new information 16 days before my payment was due. They still attempted to draft my old checking account. They refuse to remove the late charge. I still refuse to pay it. Many attempts to resolve the situation have been futile. They continue to try to get me to refinance......yeah, right. I'll definately be going with a different company.
Left: May 02, 2006 By: In:
2 more days with the fools in Atlanta. May 04 bye, bye bitches!!!!
Left: April 30, 2006 By: In:
joe anderson? why ?
Left: April 23, 2006 By: Losers In: Atlanta
I hear the branch in Chattanooga wants to secede from Rregion 18 because of the inept management.
Left: April 11, 2006 By: In:
Enron ? S&L crisis ? CHL ? Hmmmmmmm
Left: April 06, 2006 By: In:
what does united have to do with countrywide home loans ?
Left: April 01, 2006 By: js In: apopka
Posted: Orlando Sentinel
Dear Greg: My business is Computer Virus Removal, and because of the emergency nature of the business, payment is by check for services rendered. The vast majority of people I help are so relieved to have their computers up and running that they have their checkbooks out as soon as their computers boot up for the first time, even before I finish removing the culprit virus. But in the case of one client, United Capital Mortgage, all I've received for cleaning up eight computers and one server more than a month ago are imaginative reasons for why I haven't been paid by the "head office." The branch manager has been very apologetic but I still have not been paid ($630) and have no reason to believe that I will.
JS
APOPKA
Dear JS: You sound like one of those guys in a white shroud and sandals who walks up and down the sidewalk holding a sign that reads, "The End Is Near." Cheer up! Josh Wisecup, branch manager at United Capital, assured me this is nothing more than a delay caused by a recent changeover in accounting systems, and the fact your payment needs to cycle through the home office in Memphis. He said you should get your check sometime in the next week or so -- well before the end.
Original date of service: Jan 30, 2006
As of this posting April 1st - no check
Left: March 26, 2006 By: Phyllis In: Dayton TN
My loan was purchased a year ago by CW. Ever since there has been nothing but a pain. I provided them information and documents that showed my signature was forged and they replied that they did not see the problem and could do nothing to change anything. The problem is with the PMI. Proir to closing, nothing was said about PMI. than I get a notice saying my mortgage would be $275 more a month to cove PMI. This is in effect until the mortgage is paid down to 80%. I called and someone at CW said that if we had a new appraisal, that the PMI could be dropped. When I called back, I was told that wohever said this did not know what she was talking about and that it would never happen. Now I keep getting notices that the PMI will be "reviewed" in 2 years. For some reason, I don't believe them. I have had my attorney contact them and they do not return calls. I can never find the same person twice to ask questions. I guess until I can refi, I'll just have to pay and pay and pay. Also, your hometown bank will sell your mortgage to them without a thought to how this effects you. AmSouth is just as bad.
Left: March 20, 2006 By: Rebecca Litton In: Cordova
I had a problem with Countrywide double charging me on my escrow accounts for insurance payments.We have three different accounts with CW and their escrow department is manned by incompetents!!! They debited a rental property account correctly but they then turned around and debited my home escrow account for the same amount. In fact in 2004-05 for the insurance on the rental property it was debited corrrectly but they turned around again and debited my home account not once but TWICE for the same insurance and then credited it back twice. The upstart of all of this is that they escrow department were absolute "idiots"(in my opinion) and were indifferent to my problems caused by their stupidity! We contacted the President's office and we explained all of this in depth to a Becky Perez, some assistant to the President. A few days later we receive a call from our insurance rep that CW has advised our insurance carrier to CANCEL the policy on our rental property. He of course knew that this was insane. About the same time I received a call from A Ms. Monica Castillejos, Executive Research Assistant to the President restating that this was what had been told to her to handle by this Becky Perez. We told her that apparently Ms. Perez was incapable of understanding very concise and clear communication. We explained everything to her. She is absolutely WONDERFUL-KNOWLEDGABLE AND PROBABLY SHOULD BE THE PRESIDENT OF CW. She expedited and cleared our account properly. If you have a problem go directly to Ms. Monica Castillejos at 1-800-669-2443 ext 5532. CW is lucky-she is a true EXECUTIVE!!!
Left: March 14, 2006 By: In:
BEWARE OF MANAGEMENT ADVISORS INTERNATIONAL OR MAI. THEY ARE A CUT THROAT RECRUITING FIRM OUT OF HICKORY AND CHARLOTTE, NC, AND FLORIDA. THEY RECRUIT YOUR EMPLOYEES OUT OF YOUR COMPANY THEN CALL YOU AND REQUEST THAT YOU PAY THEM A RETAINER TO FILL THE OPEN POSITION. A YEAR LATER AND THEY COME RIGHT BACK AND RECRUIT THAT SAME CANDIDATE THEY FILLED THE OPEN POSITION WITH. THEIR GAME IS GETTING RETAINERS. IF YOU RETAIN THEM THEN WALK AWAY FROM THE DEAL, YOU OWE THEM 75%. IF YOU RETAIN THEM BUT FILL THE POSITION WITH A CANDIDATE YOU FIND, YOU OWE THEM THE FULL FEE.
Left: February 12, 2006 By: In:
brian "heart attack" hale needs to leave.
Left: February 10, 2006 By: Bottom Producer In:
Top Producer, your little message is still on this site...how about that..You probably don't work for Countrywide anymore anyway
Left: February 10, 2006 By: Joe Mansfield In: Memphis
I can tell you that they have some real problems they need to fix starting with the employees that work for them. One of the Memphis loan officers actually called me "dude" and "man" over the phone, that's when I said enough is enough and moved on. Thanks
Left: February 10, 2006 By: James Woodward In: Nashville
Beware is right, watch out, don't do it!! The loan officer sent me an email that looked great with loan details, then after I sent him #300 for an appraisal they sent me the real package via Fedex that looked nothing like what we discussed. Now it's been a month trying to get my $300 back from them, looks like I will be going to small claims court and having to sue them for a lot more than $300. I figure after the time I spent on the phone and having to go to court etc.. it will be around $1000 or more. Just steer clear of these people!!
Left: February 07, 2006 By: Lee Dunbar In: Jonesborough
In 2002, Countrywide began calling me to say that I had missed a payment. I knew better and had the canceled checks but everytime I would fax them as requested, they never got them. They even called once and said I was 4 months behind and they were foreclosing! Everytime it was a matter of less than the actual payments to get caught up. We finally started sending the payments registered mail requiring a signature so a few months of that shut them up for a while. Now it is to claim you don't have insurance and set up an escroll without you knowing it and charging for it. It never ends. They refuse to send an itemised statement or give you the number for the leagal dept. My credit is ruined and no will talk to me about refinancing except to say, Ya, they got you over a barrell!
Left: February 03, 2006 By: In:
NO ONE CAN LIE LIKE COUNTRYWIDE CAN
Homeowners need cash? Get a No-Closing Cost Home Equity loan only from Countrywide. That’s right, no application fee, no appraisal fee, no title fee, no underwriting fee, NO CLOSING COSTS.
NEVEVERMIND THAT IT’S A VARIABLE RATE ARM (Prime Rate+) LOAN.
NEVERMIND THAT IF YOU PREPAY THE LOAN BEFORE THE TAKEOUT AMOUNT PERIOD ENDS THAT YOU END UP PAYING THE CLOSING COSTS (PREPAYMENT PENALTY).
NEVERMIND THAT YOU PAY THE CLOSING COSTS THROUGH AN ABOVE MARKET VARIABLE RATE HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT. THIS IS NOT A FIXED RATE SECOND MORTGAGE.
No one can screw you like Countrywide can.
Left: February 03, 2006 By: jake In: cali
Improper Home Charges
Read then File a complaint
www.zimmreed.com
Left: January 29, 2006 By: In:
NO ONE CAN LIE LIKE COUNTRYWIDE CAN
Homeowners need cash? Get a No-Closing Cost Home Equity loan only from Countrywide. That’s right, no application fee, no appraisal fee, no title fee, no closing fee, NO CLOSING COSTS.
NEVEVERMIND THAT IT’S A VARIABLE RATE ARM (Prime Rate+) LOAN.
NEVERMIND THAT IF YOU PREPAY THE LOAN BEFORE THE TAKEOUT AMOUNT PERIOD ENDS THAT YOU END UP PAYING THE CLOSING COSTS (PREPAYMENT PENALTY).
NEVERMIND THAT YOU PAY THE CLOSING COSTS THROUGH AN ABOVE MARKET VARIABLE RATE HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT. THIS IS NOT A FIXED RATE SECOND MORTGAGE.
No one can screw you like Countrywide can.
GO GET A BETTER RATE & SERVICE AT YOUR LOCAL BANK OR CREDIT UNION.
Left: January 20, 2006 By: roy In: tampa
Notice: Must Read
Sweat Shop Employees www.gdblegal.com
Appraisal Overcharges www.sherlocklegal.com
Wrong Doings www.jameshoyer.com
www.ripoffreport.com
file your complaint
Left: January 16, 2006 By: In:
No Fan - Sorry to hear your story but if you have any equity in your home it's best to set up a home equity line of credit for emergencies. You dont have to go through Countrywide you can go through your local bank or credit union. By keeping your payments current you protect your credit rating till you can literally get back on your feet.
Let this be a tip and word of warning to thers reading this. You pay nothing on the equity line if it has no balance anyways.
Left: December 28, 2005 By: Not A Countrywide Fan In: Tullahoma
I made a big mistake in trusting Countrywide. I am not an ex employee of the company, I'm just a homeowner who fell on hard times and was severly screwed by Countrywide. I had a brain tumor and was out of work for 4 months drawing disability my husband had went to Florida to help family out after hurricane Ivan and Jean hit while he was there. He was putting on roofs for family members and strangers when he fell 3 stories off a roof and cracked both elbows(luckily that was all). I called Countrywide and gave them my story so I could see if I could make a partial payment and catch the rest up later. They responded by saying I needed to call my church or local civic organization to see if they could give me assistance.I got behind of course and received foreclosure notice I borrowed the money to pay my mortgage up $4995.18. I called just tonight to see why it had not been posted to my account and was told that they had it sitting in another account until I paid their attorney fees which is another $1300.00 (they think). They were going to have to talk to someone to see if they could take it out of foreclosure status even though it's all paid up. Since I have been with Countrywide for 2 years my house payment has went up $172.40 monthly.I guess big corporate guru's can afford this but blue collar workers can't. This country is full of the average Joe's trying to make a living and a mortgage payment,but if Countrywide can't afford to help these people out when they truly need help. I say we can't afford to be screwed by this company let them have all these houses back and I hope they stay on the market and they can't sell another darn one!!!!!!!!!!! Also to the guy who said this site is mostly employees who are pissed off at their old employer. I guess they have a lot of employees who have conscience and lost sleep over the way honest people were being treated, so if a job caused me to loose sleep and stress for the way people were treated I don't blame them I'd be pissed to.
Left: December 03, 2005 By: In:
Current Customers should call customer Service and tell them you want NO CONTACT
That means:
*No emails
*No Phone Solicitations
*No Junk Mail
Get customer service reps name and employee ID#
Left: December 01, 2005 By: SCE In: Knoxville
Less than 6 months after I bought my first house my loan was sold to CWHL. A year later I get a letter in the mail telling me that I owe CWHL $1000. It turns out that they either my city or county escrow estimation was left out when the transfer occurred. After doing some research I found that the problem had originated at CW and that I was not the first case. Now I don't mind paying what I owe, but two things about this bothered me: 1. They never owned up to it. When I confronted them (customer service) on the issue they told me that I should not be paying extra on my principal (as I was doing at the time) that I should be paying extra on my escrow. Dumb asses! 2. The way I look at the numbers is how much I get to put into my principal over the course of a year. Somehow, and I double-checked this several times, it ended up costing me $3000. I know that I owed $1000 from the previous year, and $1000 for the next year. Where did the extra $1000 go? Ok, that happened a year ago and I'm not over it but what's done is done. Now I'm paying online and I explicitly state I don't want e-mail advertisements from them. This morning I got the first one. It just took them about 3 weeks to completely ignore my request. I hate these bastards.
Left: November 19, 2005 By: In:
YOU ARE NOT A "TOP PRODUCER" NOR WILL YOU EVER BE. QUIT DREAMING FAGGO
Left: November 03, 2005 By: TOP PRODUCER In:
I'VE NEVER READ SUCH BS, AS I'VE READ JUST NOW! I HAVE A FEELING MOST OF YOU BABIES WHO GOT FIRED BECAUSE YOU WERE DOING FRAUD OR THOSE WHO THINK GOT THE SHORT END OF THE STICK PROBABLY HAVE 500 FICO SCORES, BECAUSE ONLY UNGRATEFUL BRATS COMPLAIN. CHL IS AMERICAS' #1 RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE BANK IN THE WORLD! NO OTHER BANK CAN COMPETE. OUR RATES, OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY WILL ALLOW US TO DOMINATE FOR YEARS TO COME. 1 OUT OF EVERY 3 PEOPLE HAVE A CHL, GO ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR HOW HAPPY HE/SHE IS WITH US. I DARE YOU!
THIS GOES TO ALL THE STUPID PEOPLE ON HERE: WHAT MORTGAGE BANK DO YOU KNOW THAT SPLIT 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR AND HAD A ROR OF 90%?? ANYONE? YOU THINK WAMU, CHASE, WELLS, HAD A ROR OF OVER 90% IN ONE YEAR?? NO! THEY DIDN'T! BUT COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS DID. I SEE WHY THE AUTHOR OF THIS WEBSITE CREATED THIS WEBSITE; TO MISINFORM POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS FROM DOING BUSINESS WITH US. WHY IS IT THAT THIS WEBSITE ONLY HAS NEGATIVE POSTS?? NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF BIAS KIDS. I'M GOING TO BE CHECKING IN A WEEK TO SEE IF THIS POST WAS POSTED, IF NOT THEN I KNOW WHAT THE AUTHOR HAS IN MIND AND THAT IS TO WEAKEN COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS. HE/SHE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THIS WEBSITE FOR 10,000 YEARS BEFORE ANYONE STARTS HAVING DOUBT IN THIS COMPANY. IF SOME OF YOU GOT FIRED FROM THIS COMPANY, I'M GLAD! WE DON'T WANT YOU ANYWAY. WE ONLY WANT THE BEST WORKING HERE, GO TO OUR COMPETITORS THEY'LL HIRE YOU/ AND WE'LL CONTINUE BEING #1 IN THE WORLD IN RESIDENTIAL HOME LOANS. TAKE CARE GOD BLESS!
PLEASE ASK ME ANY QUESTION. AND STOP COMPLAINING THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SEND YOUR PAYMENT, THAT COMMENT IS AS OLD AS DINOSAURS. CALL THE MORTGAGE CONSULTANT YOU DEALT WITH AND HE'll DIRECTED YOU IN THE RIGHT PATH. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY, FROM YOUR FIRST CONTACT, TO THE CLOSING TABLE, AND YOUR PICNIC AT YOUR HOME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS! GOD BLESS! LIVE WITH PASSION!!!!!!
Left: September 20, 2005 By: An observer In: Atlanta, GA
I don't know about all the name calling, etc. but one thing is certain. Something bad has happened to Countrywide in Atlanta and there won't be an end until it's destroyed. Someone hired people to run this part of the company that either have no interest in the company or just simply aren't qualified to run a company. There is no profit being made and everyone is unhappy -- customers and employees. Seems like a recipe for disaster. Sit back and watch it fall. Maybe a year, maybe not that long. They'll be gone, someone new will be along or they can close down Atlanta altogether. I don't think Atlanta would be missed by the rest of Countrywide.
Left: August 30, 2005 By: Michael In: Chicago
No kidding. I've been saying the same thing, although not so colorfully, all along. People, if you have a real problem contact your state lending regulatory agency or the FTC. For god's sake, don't just rely on a website to solve all of your problems. You might get some good advice from those of us who are actually offering real help, but most of the posters here are in the business trying to feed off of your misfortune. Rates are going up, so the vultures are going to do whatever they can to keep making their money!
Left: August 30, 2005 By: Jack Mehoff In:
Wow!!! Phil mygroin must be a rocket scientist!
Left: August 29, 2005 By: Phil Magroin In:
OBSERVATION: THIS SITE LOOKS LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN A SOUNDING BOARD FOR A BUNCH OF BITTER EX-EMPLOYEES. EVEN WORSE, THE NUMEROUS WEAK, SELF-SERVING SOLICITATIONS FOR FLY-BY-NIGHT MORTGAGE COMPANIES IS LAUGHABLE. A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE INTERNET BEING PROSTITUTED FOR NOTHING MORE THAN PROPAGANDA AND ADVERTISING UNDER THE GUISE OF HELPING PEOPLE. SAD, VERY SAD.... PLEASE PLACE YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY AD HERE. LOL
Left: July 26, 2005 By: In:
I'm going to post this in every state listed here. YOU MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS AND DECISIONS!! I have recently left the lending industry. I can site many reasons for this, however the top reason has to be dealing with borrowers and potential borrowers who had no concept of financial responsibility. Just because you have a 700 credit score does not mean you demonstrate good use of credit or that you are guaranteed the rate or terms you want. In fact, many people who have the best credit scores carry the most debt. What you people do not understand is that the lending institutions want you to carry debt, so if you carry alot of debt and pay it on time your score will be higher than someone who pays their bills OFF every month and only carries a mortgage and a car loan/lease. If you fall on hard times, pay your damn mortgage and let the friggin' Visa's go delinquent. Visa isn't going to take your house, your mortgage company is. People jump to quickly to file BK. Guess what, ole' GW has made that next to impossible for the average American. You're better off making arrangements with your credit card companies and paying your mortgage off as quickly as possible. Use good judgement, not the "I want it now!" mentality. Buy a Trailblazer instead of the RangeRover or the Hummer or the Lincol or Caddy or whatever. How many of you people that post on here have kids? What kind of behavior do you think your actions teaches them? Anyone who would voice their opinion is more than welcome to email me at michael_harman1976@yahoo.com. I would be more than happy to help anyone who needs some good advice on how to get themselves into a good financial position. I am not selling anything, I'm a former CW employee who feels an obligation to help those who have been taken advantage of.
Michael
Left: July 01, 2005 By: Bobbie In: Memphis
Due to desperation and a divorce which left me financially distressed I decided to refinance the house. A novice, but was given a recommendation to use this company. I thought that I was dealing with a reputable company- United Capital Mortgage. Before the ink dried, Countrywide had my mortgage and was notifying me that they owned the loan. My supposedly fixed rate becomes an ARM after 2 years which could skyrocket mortgage payments. Also, there is a 36 month penalty clause that locks me in if I try to get out of the contract of 20% of the monthly payment. For anyone who wishes to refinance, understand and know what you're doing, get an attorney to go over the entire contract with a "fine-toothed-comb" before you sign. If you have an uneasiness in your spirit, even after you've signed, you have 3 days to change your mind before it's a binding document. Also, try not to do anything out of desperation, it only leads to heartache and problems after your head clears.
Left: May 31, 2005 By: RED In: N/A
TO Anonymous In: Nashville -
You need some spelling lessons. Ever heard of a homonym?? (sight / site) Your CEO is a commie and only cares about money! CW sucks. I must be one of the lucky ones...huh?
Left: March 18, 2005 By: George Wilbanks In: Nashville TN
Published in the Tennessean newspaper on Friday March 11th 2005.
Higher-than-estimated taxes shock homeowners in subdivision
By KEITH RUSSELL
Staff Writer
Mortgage payments soar to settle deficits in escrow accounts
To more than a dozen buyers of new homes in Nashville's Kendall Park subdivision, the price of home ownership has been more than they ever imagined.
At least 15 homeowners in the 55-home development in southeast Davidson County have been surprised to learn of property tax obligations far higher than were estimated when they bought their houses.
For some, mortgage payments have gone up as much as $300 a month.
It's unclear if the mortgage or title companies that worked with the homeowners on the purchases did anything wrong in setting up lower-than-necessary tax payments.
But at a time when home construction is at an all-time high in Middle Tennessee, the Kendall Park experience provides a cautionary tale for would-be buyers.
The problems came to light when homeowners received notices in their monthly mortgage statements telling them of sizable shortages in their escrow accounts. Owners typically pay into escrow accounts as part of their mortgage payment to cover annual expenses such as property taxes and insurance premiums.
The Tennessean interviewed 21 homeowners in Kendall Park, 18 of whom originated their mortgage through Countrywide Home Loans. Of those 18, 15 reported having escrow shortages that led to increased house payments ranging from $70 to more than $300 per month.
Among the three Countrywide customers who did not report problems, one could not tell whether he had an escrow shortage; the remaining two said they had been in their homes for only a few months.
The three Kendall Park homeowners interviewed by The Tennessean who used a mortgage lender other than Countrywide say they have not had any problems with their escrow accounts.
Records at Metro's Register of Deeds office indicate that Countrywide has handled mortgages for at least 48 home purchases in the Kendall Park subdivision. The records also show that Brentwood-based Southeast Title of Tennessee provided title and settlement services for nearly all of the home closings in the subdivision.
Officials with Countrywide said its customers shouldn't have been surprised by the escrow shortfalls, which the company said were agreed to and followed federal guidelines concerning how property taxes are estimated for newly constructed homes.
Most of the owners, many of them first-time home buyers, say they don't recall being warned of the size and scope of the higher tax obligations, and as a result feel misled by Countrywide.
''It strikes me as dishonest in a sense,'' said Kendall Park resident Valencia Knight, who is now paying approximately $160 more per month to make up the escrow shortfall on her $199,000 home.
''I'm not a happy camper at all,'' said another, Colleen Sinor, who is contributing $164 per month more to her house payment.
Estimates or guess-timates?
When a customer applies for a home loan, the lender is required to provide the customer with a good-faith estimate showing costs and fees associated with the mortgage, including the property taxes the customer should expect to pay.
Such calculations are not guaranteed, but they are required to be based on reasonable estimates, according to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, the federal law that governs real estate transactions.
For an existing home, such property tax calculations are fairly simple, relying on previous government appraisals and tax assessments.
A new home brings more complications. Since no previous assessment exists for the property with a house on it, mortgage and title companies must estimate the taxes of newly built homes on their own. In addition, their estimates for taxes on a home must be pro-rated to account for the number of months the property had no house.
For example, first-year property taxes for a home completed in July would be figured on a much lower value for the first half of the year, and a much higher value for the second six months to account for the new house. Taxes in the second year would be based entirely on the higher value.
''It's truly one of the most difficult things we do,'' said Ken Ballew, with Centennial Title.
Even so, Ballew and officials at several other area title and mortgage companies say they have formulas to get a fairly accurate tax estimate for new homes, with most calculations based on the home's sales price.
''I'm always accurate within a few dollars,'' said Kathryn Beasley, a senior loan originator with SunTrust Mortgage. ''If anything, I come in a little high.''
Some serious shortfalls
The tax estimates many owners in Kendall Park received at closing were anything but high.
While differing in some details, the owners' stories generally follow the same script. All said they were told by Prestige that they had to have their mortgages handled by a loan officer at Countrywide in order to receive builder incentives including $5,000 toward closing costs.
Examination of the documents the owners received when closing on their home purchase show that the tax estimates used to set up their escrow accounts were often less than half the amount needed to pay their property tax bills.
Maurice Vanderbilt and his wife, Natasha, purchased their $190,000 home in Kendall Park in July 2003. At the time of the closing, the couple's settlement documents estimated property tax obligations of around $770 a year. In actuality, the couple's annual tax obligation is more than $2,400 — more than three times the estimate on their settlement costs.
Vanderbilt said he learned of the higher tax liability about five months ago, when he received notice from Countrywide telling him of a more than $2,000 shortfall in his escrow account. The statement gave Vanderbilt the options of paying the escrow shortfall in a lump sum or of seeing his monthly mortgage payment jump from $1,195 to $1,551, a $356 increase.
Vanderbilt went ahead and paid the shortage, but has still seen his mortgage bill climb to $1,373 a month to ensure enough money is collected to pay his future property tax obligations.
He now feels misled by Countrywide, saying he wouldn't have bought his home if he had known that his payments would turn out to be this high.
''It would have definitely affected my decision to move there,'' said Vanderbilt, who also serves as the president of Kendall Park's homeowners association. ''If I wanted to pay $1,300 or $1,500 a month, I would have bought a home in Bellevue.''
Countrywide responds
Peter Zaft, the loan officer at Countrywide who handled mortgages in Kendall Park, said the good-faith estimates he provided to customers included tax calculations fairly close to what their actual property taxes turned out to be. But he confirmed that the estimates used to set up the Kendall Park owners' escrow payments were much lower than those good-faith estimates.
Rather than a mistake, however, Countrywide officials say that providing the lower estimates is company policy designed to follow 7-year-old federal guidelines.
Specifically, the guidelines recommend that mortgage companies give borrowers a choice between starting escrow payments based on the lower first-year tax bill, which includes taxes calculated when the property had no house, or the higher second-year bill when all taxes will be based on the higher post-construction value.
Ingrid Petrus, senior vice president for Countrywide's Midwest region, says the company's policy is to have borrowers sign documents indicating their choice, and to explain how choosing a lower payment will affect their future tax obligations.
''It's up to the borrower,'' Petrus said. ''Some say, 'Boy, I'd like to have those savings with a smaller (escrow) payment the first year.' ''
While some Kendall Park residents acknowledge receiving such documents, most don't recall making a choice about their escrow payments, or having anyone explain the impact it would eventually have on their finances.
Some chalk up the experience as a hard lesson learned. ''I bit the bullet, so now I'm going to have to live with it,'' said Vivian Washington, whose escrow payments have risen by at least $150 per month.
But the extra burden is too much for Chip Irby, who is one of at least three homeowners who have or plan to put their homes up for sale.
''I've got no hard feelings,'' said Irby. ''But it was a big shock.''
What are escrow accounts?
Escrow accounts are trust funds set up by lenders. Mortgage borrowers pay into the funds monthly to cover such yearly expenditures as property taxes and mortgage and hazard insurance premiums.
Under the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, borrowers are not required to use escrow accounts. A mortgage lender, however, may require a borrower to use one. RESPA does limit how much a lender can require a borrower to put into escrow, and requires the managers of the escrow account to pay taxes and other obligations promptly.
RESPA also requires your mortgage lender to provide a good-faith estimate of the anticipated costs associated with your home loan, including property taxes. However, the estimates are not guarantees.
Tips on buying your home
Brian Sullivan, a spokesman with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, suggests home buyers seek their own legal representation when buying a home to ensure their interests are protected.
Other consumer tips from HUD include:
• Interview several real estate agents and check references before selecting one to help you buy or sell a home.
• Get information about other home prices in the neighborhood you are looking in to avoid paying too much.
• Hire a qualified home inspector to inspect a home before you agree to buy it.
• Shop around for potential mortgage lenders, and be suspicious of anyone who tries to steer you to just one lender.
• Do not let anyone persuade you to make a false statement on your loan application, which is an act of fraud.
• Never sign a blank document or a document containing blanks. If someone inserts information in the blanks after you have signed, you may still be bound to the terms of the contract. Insert an ''N/A'' (not applicable) or cross through any blanks.
• Read everything carefully and ask questions. Before you sign anything, have an attorney review the documents.
To read a report from February about what you should know about closing on a house, go to tennessean.com and type in the keyword CLOSING.
Reporter Keith Russell covers residential real estate. He can be reached at krussell@tennessean.com.
Left: March 12, 2005 By: Anonymous In: Nashville
I currently am employed with CHL and have enjoyed my time there. I cannot speak for those that are unhappy at the company, but it has been a great company for me. I have worked for many different companies across Tennessee and none come close to what CHL brings to the table. Our operations are second to none throughout the country. Just think there are probably less than 500 people unhappy on this sight out of 7 million loans we hold currently. I know that the company tries very hard to satisfy each and every customer. Maybe you got an inexperience Loan Officer or something. I noticed one person said they were not going to pay their mortgage anymore because of the late fee harassment. That just does not add up to anything sensible. For those that are mad or upset then my apology, but we are the number one lender in America and will probably continue for years to come. No other company tries harder to help those who need a home. I am proud to call Countrywide my employer and will work diligently to help those who want a home to get one. As far as the person who attacked our CEO on this site, you should look at what this man has helped accomplish in America. Through his hard work and deidcation the American Dream of home ownership has been achieved by millions of people. You need to take a minute and ask those underprivileged home owners that his company has helped about what they think of Countrywide. There is probably no other individual in America that has used his influence and money to put people in homes.
Left: March 08, 2005 By: MATT BAKER In: ANAHEIM, CA
LOOKING FOR A GOOD EXPERIENCE IN REFINANCING OR PURCHASING. CALL TODAY'S HOME MORTGAGE ASK FOR MATT BAKER 888-276-7100
Left: March 08, 2005 By: bill In: memphis tn
country wide would call me at 5pm on the 1st thru the date they cashed the check knowing I am on fixed income that posts on the 3Rd of the month .Each time saying we are going to foreclose if you keep this practice up.I would not answer the phone when they called,so they would send me letters in 2 days.CRAP if there ever was.DONT USE THEM.
Left: March 04, 2005 By: Christopher W. McCullough In: Shelbyville, TN
I bought my home in Sept. 2003. The mortgage is a 3o year note of Countrywide. All of the sudden I'm in foreclosure. I never dreamed this could happen. I recieved a letter in Feb. 2005 stating Countrywide had purchased insurance for my property. I had just faxed declaration sheets to them showing I had insurance from 1/28/05-1/28/06. Countrywide had taken the money I sent for the Jan. payment and bought insurance. This ins. was purchased after proof of ins. They also paid $770.88 on property taxes. According to the Trustees office for my county, I'm only responsible for taxes after the purchase of the home. Which was approximately 83.00. They deducted all of this through my escrow account. This left me with -$1,167.00. Countrywide also states they spoke with me in Dec. 2004, and I agreed to pay $954.00/mo for three months. The problem, I never talked with anyone until a foreclosure notice was sent. From Jan. 24,2005 until Feb.7, 2005 I sent Countrywide $1,459.00. A portion of this ($475.00) was for insurance I didn't need, the remainder ($984.00) they refused to post. According to Countrywide, I was 3 months behind. They have set the sale for March 28,2005. My suggestion to everyone STAY AWAY FROM COUNTRYWIDE, THEY ARE CROOKS.
Left: January 14, 2005 By: Lost and Ignorant In: Hohenwald
I bought my house four and a half years ago on a 30 year mortgate through Countrywide. Not long after I moved in, I got a call from Countrywide saying that I was eligible for a $15,000 home improvement loan. I specifically asked if this amount would be included in the original loan. He said yes it would and would improve the value of my property. Well, I ended up paying two payments to Countrywide which amount to approx $800 a month. Also, when I bought the house they agreed to do a 100% loan, but ended up making me pay $4000 down, which wiped out my savings account. Soon after I moved in, I received a letter saying my home insurance (which was provided by CW) would be cancelled because I live more than one mile from a fire hall. I checked and I live .4 mi. from the Fire Dept. and this was verified by the Fire Chief. Nope, wasn't good enough. Had to find my own insurance through Farm Bureau. In the last couple of months I have had financial difficulties and got behind on two payments. Yes, they were late, but I paid the late charges. Today I called them to ask if I could defer two months payments because I need to do some major replumbing, flooring, electrical work on this house. They said no. They also informed me that they had reported me to the Credit Bureau, because of the two late payments. Reported me both times. So, I guess they will have another house to resell soon, because I can't pay it. And I don't know what else to do. I have often wondered how you can have equity in a home you've only been in a few months. But I am not up on all this stuff. And broke on top of that! One of the six employees even asked me why I didn't get a second job or get my family to help me. Sounds like loan sharks.
Left: January 12, 2005 By: Matt In: Nashville
I am a mortgage broker in Nashville, Tn. Recently I did a Re-Fi for a gentleman who was a countrywide customer. He wanted to get a better rate and a little cash out for a project. When I ran the man's credit and put a loan together for him, he qualified for a 30 year fixed loan at 5.95%. The same man with the same credit and same house WAS paying 23% interest with countrywide. He was told that was the best he could get and if he waited too long it would only go up. I assure you this was a huge lie, and it cost my customer around 750.00 a MONTH in interest. I looked like a hero to this guy! Thanks Countrywide!!
Left: December 29, 2004 By: Wendi In: Knoxville
I bought my first home two years ago with an FHA loan that went through CHL. Everything went great, no problems. I could not believe how easy it was to buy a house. Earlier this year I needed a small loan and went straight to Countrywide. I was told that there was a problem with my credit and it would take a few days but she could take care of it. She would call me by Tuesday, this was the first of many lies. After getting the run around and being told one lie after another for an entire month, I called my bank. By that evening I had my money! I told managers at Countrywide about this and never got a reply from anyone. It scares me to think that they still have my loan!
Left: December 26, 2004 By: Anonymous In: Madisonville, Tennessee
My husband and I are TRYING to buy our first home. We WERE working with a mortgage company out of Knoxville that fixed us up with a "WONDERFUL" 30 year fixed rate loan through Countrywide. We were set to close 2 weeks ago (2 weeks before Christmas). Everything was ready, boxes packed, insurance purchased, power and water ready to be switched, final inspections completed and paid for. Sorry, but we can't close TODAY because Countrywide has screwed up the paper work. Three days later, set to close again, SORRY, Countrywide failed to include spouses name on the paperwork, which consequently was the spouse that made the most money. Minor hang up, we'll close in 2 days, one day before Christmas Eve. December 23, sorry lady, countrywide won't finance your loan. You don't make enough money or have good enough credit. Merry Chrismas huh. Thank you countrywide for ruining my Christmas, now we are out of 1500 dollars and are living out of boxes. This was something we could have been told weeks ago when we applied for the d**n loan. When we recieve a mortgage from another company, you can kiss our a**. I just hope Countrywide doesn't end up buying our mortgage. They don't deserve a pot to piss in. I'm glad we didn't get stuck with them.
Left: December 08, 2004 By: Paul Lyke In: Spring Hill, TN
BEWARE OF COUNTRYWIDE'S BAIT & SWITCH!
***** PLUS READ BELOW HOW WE CAN RALLY TOGETHER TO PUT COUNTRYWIDE OUT OF BUSINESS ********
If you are a first time homebuyer hoping that your mortgage company will look out for your best interest, treat you with respect, and earn your trust... then STAY AWAY FROM COUNTRYWIDE.
BOTTOM LINE: CHL actually admits that it is acceptable to say whatever they want on a GFE, then drastically deviate from that in the contract and hope you don't find it. If you miss it and sign, you're screwed and they don't give a f*** about you or your situation.
In all fairness, my mortgage lender is a good man that made an honest mistake.. he printed my Good Faith Estimate on a program that failed to include a prime rate on the 20% of my 80/20 mortgage. So I was told on the GFE that my rate would be 5.25% FIXED for 30 years, at about $130/mo. So I signed the documents, and I find out later that the documents did not contain what the GFE said. Somehow I got a HELOC with an 8.25% adjustable rate, and my payment continues to go up every month.
My broker is trying to do the right thing and re-close the loan, paying for the costs out of his pocket. But it has been a year-long process and so I decided to give corporate a call, the office of the president, to see if they could help speed along a solution for their employee's error. He proceeded to tell me that legally they are not obligated to do anything because "I was ignorant of the contract...just like if you get a speeding ticket and you didn't see the speed limit sign." He actually admitted that it doesn't matter what the broker says on the GFE...they can make the terms whatever they want buried amidst legalese and if you don't catch it, they are not obligated to do anything to rectify it.
This is the classic "bait and switch" preying on less experienced first time homebuyers. I pray to the gods of justice that this bastard company receives the measure of dishonesty and deception back upon itself one hundred fold.
NOTE TO ALL CHL VICTIMS....PLEASE FILE YOUR COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. CHL IS A MEMBER AND HAS ONLY ONE COMPLAINT FILED!!! IF ALL 250 OR SO VICTIMS OF THIS SITE FILE A COMPLAINT, SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WILL BEFALL CHL AND PERHAPS WE CAN RAISE ENOUGH RED FLAGS TO WARN ENOUGH CONSUMERS. YES, WE CAN HOPE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WILL BRING JUSTICE...BUT THAT CAN TAKE DECADES, AND TOO MUCH DAMAGE WILL BE DONE IN THAT TIME. THE BBB RESEARCHES ALL COMPLAINTS IN 30 DAYS...LET'S BURY THESE BASTARDS NEXT TO ENRON!!
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