[Catherine]

Dear Professor Shays,



I don't have the words to express how grateful I am you took the time to read my post 'Set up for foreclosure'
to direct me here. The kindness, understanding and support through this difficult time from so many taking their time to help others is such a blessing to those of us living in fear, sadness, depression, guilt and for me total confusion. My lender is First Franklin being serviced by Home Loan Services that I read is being taken over by BofA this month. These guys started my loan on a lie for a better one and seem to be ending it the same way. After months of doing everything they told me the only thing they may have done is modify my loan into a payment much higher there is no way I can afford due to back property taxes. We never missed a payment until this November when it adjusted. According to HLS I was denied a short refi because the investors refuse to take a loss. They straight up told me they would rather take their chances on a foreclosure. Is that the bottom line I must accept? If what I am reading is correct thank God I live in California. Although after reading posts I am left with more questions than answers on where to go, what I should pursue and truth of the matter after all this is said and done the last person I would trust to make the right choices is myself. Some said if the investors refuse to budge there isn't anything anyone can do, but there are laws in place that say otherwise? Can those laws help me keep my home? I do understand in my head from a business financial point being upside down about 200k on a loan for 378k, 18k in back taxes and 10k behind in payments is very important to factor into this equation. Explaining that to my heart I don't hear this may be the best outcome in the long term. All I have ever wanted that was promised to me is a payment of 2k a month to include taxes. My husband in the Union so I don't count on his income. When he is working we look great on paper, but I know times get rough. Union work has all but dried up in California. He is planning to travel the United States. That being said I can and would commit to 2k if they would work with me. The last contact I had with the negotiator he was pushing me to short sale. He kept saying the investors will never allow me to stay in my home or take a loss. How can he say that and what does that really mean? The short FHA refi offer was for 50k more than I could list my house currently. Why and how would they accept that much less if I took that route? I guess what I am humbly asking for is insight, guidance for the best direction to go from here with a clearer understanding of what my future holds or any way I can change it with one last ditch effort to save my home from foreclosure? If I need to pay someone to do this I will to keep the free help for those that can't afford it. After reading up on all the scams out there turning this over to someone I can trust would be greatly appreciated. In advance thank you for the any answers and the kindness I have seen them given, Catherine

Paso Robles, California