Thanks to both replies. Brian, do you know where I can find the Fannie and Freddie guidelines on the requirement for the lender to negotiate a workout? HomEq asked me to go onto their web site and fill out the financial form. I told the agent that, because of the nature of our business, we qualified for the original loan without showing any proof of income. Why would he think we can show it now? He didn't have an answer, but he said that I should fill it out anyway.
Momof3boys, I am tracking down Mr. Becher's home address through the property records and plan to serve him personally with a proposal letter when the time comes.
I checked the California Secretary of State's Internet site to get an address for service on HomEq.
http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/list.html
I tried every combination of HomEq I could think of. Interestingly, there is no current registered agent listed, even though they have a principal office in California. I guess that's just one more obstacle for the people they don't want to hear from--at least not in writing.