I Really Need Advice about CitiMortgage

[gabbysnana]

Normally, I’m a very patient person. CitiMortgage is working really hard to change that. I have been trying since March to get our mortgage modified, and it’s like they are wanting me to disappear.


Everytime I called, I was transferred to a different representative. To my knowledge I have never talked with a counselor. One representative took all my financial information down and ordered an home appraisal. It took me 4 weeks to talk with a different rep who informed me our home was worth $14,000 less than what we paid for it 2 years ago. I thought great, now we can begin working on the modification. Oh so WRONG!!!


At first, we were told we did not qualify. Then out of the blue, we received a call and the offer we received was to lower our interest rate by 1% which took just a few dollars off our payment. The rep advised me that if we would decline the offer we could then try a traditional modification. We refused the offer and the rep told me to call in one week to talk to a counselor who had been assigned my file…still no name just call the number and I should talk to anyone who answered.


I waited the week, called, talked once again to a different person who told me that there was no file. She then put me on hold for a couple of minutes and came back on telling me the only offer we had was declined by my husband. My husband has never talked to anyone at CitiMortgage. Now I’m told to call back on Friday, July 24^th.

I started researching once again on Loan Safe and found the information for Jeanne Drake. I pulled all my documents together and sent them Fed Ex to Ms. Drake. I then called Ms. Drake yesterday, July 21, was put in voicemail, left a message (by this time I was sobbing) asking Ms. Drake to call me. As of now, 4:30 pm on the 22^nd I have had no call nor email from anyone at CitiMortgage. I also sent an email attaching the documents to homeownerhelp@citi.com and have heard nothing. I have called several times that are not documented above over the past 3 months.


I filled out the registration for assistance with NACA. I have an appointment next week, on my birthday – woo – just what I want to do on my birthday, however what a gift it would be to know that help is available.

Here is a partial copy of why and how we are in such a financial ruin:


We are writing this letter to explain the unfortunate circumstances that have caused us to become delinquent on our mortgage. We have done everything in our power to make ends meet but unfortunately we have fallen short and would like you to consider working with us to modify our loan. Our number one goal is to keep our home and we would really appreciate the opportunity to do that. We are having problems making our monthly payments because of financial difficulties created by several factors, unemployment, reduced income and unexpected illness.

S** had been with the newspaper for over 20 years and due to workforce reduction, his last day of employment was September 15, 2008. S** received $320.00 a week from Missouri unemployment up until he finally found work in January 2009. His hourly rate at the newspaper was $22.00 per hour and he worked 40 hours a week. S** began work at Herff Jones on January 15, 2009 and is currently making $16.20 an hour. His position is seasonal and he will be laid off beginning August 21, 2009 through January 21, 2010. (Letter from Herff Jones will be sent with all other supporting documents.) Because of these changes S**’s income has gone from over $45,000 per year to approximately $27,000 per year. I have been on disability since January of 2002. I receive a monthly payment of $1,467. My disability is permanent therefore, other than small benefit increases, my monthly income won’t change.


Additionally, our medical insurance premiums have doubled in cost. We now pay over $360.00 a month. In February I fell & broke my hip leaving us with additional medical bills to pay. We already pay over $400 a month out of pocket for medical treatment and for medication and this will not change unless I get a medical miracle.


Our daughter and son-in-law have been loaning us the money each month to pay our mortgage. They will pay one more month for us and then will not be able to loan us any more as if they did, that will put them in a difficult financial situation themselves.

CitiMortgage worked with us on the Obama plan and t first said we didn’t qualify. However, they were using figures that S** would work full-time for all 12 months. They did offer us a reduction that came to a $3.00 (three dollars) reduction in our mortgage payment. After that was done, CitiMortgage ordered an appraisal and our home that we paid $116,000 for in July of 2007 is now appraised at $100,100.


S** is still sending out his resume attempting to find work in his field with pay comparable to what he was making at the newspaper. Out of over 100 resumes he had 2 responses, one from his current employer, Herff Jones.

I’ve researched and figured to see what it would take to keep our mortgage current and my ideas are outlined below.




I don’t know what else to do. I owe for July’s payment and August is just around the corner. Do I have to be behind 3 months in order to qualify for a “traditional” modification or do I need to be current? I am so frustrated and confused. PLEASE can someone suggest what I should do next?


Thanks for letting me vent.

Praying in Missouri

[Moe Bedard]

Hello and thanks for sharing your unfortunate Citi story. I am sorry to hear about what you and your husband have been though over the last year and also the ordeal with Citi.

Just to let you know, this is typical and how the system works when trying to obtain a loan modification. Remember that there are millions of homeowners having the same mortgage problems and the system is just bogged down with to many people who need help and not enough people to help them. Sure they try and do what they can, but in the end, all mortgage servicers are severely under staffed and I don't see an end in sight.

Bottom line, it takes tenacity, people skills and persistence to get a loan modification. The people who get them fight and don't give up. They realize that they are just another loan number and in order to stand out, they need to be that greasy wheel that calls until they do get help.

I think you are on the right track and continue with NACA at you side and keep on keeping on

[e!!wald]

Moe is definately right gabby...we have also been at it with citi since march, persistance is key..i have 7 pages of notes from all of the people we have spoken with, our file was lost twice, flat out cancelled once and transferred from person to person what seems like every few days...i was told just today that on average one person from citi has about 500 casefiles to deal with so I decided from the get go to be overly polite, understanding but still calling 3-4 times a week looking for updates..i wish you nothing but success going forward!!! keep up the good fight

[SillyWorld]

Citi Runarounds here too since March, went with NACA let them deal with it anymore

[gabbysnana]

Moe, that is music to my ears! I figured that it would take time to get this done, I just wasn't quite sure. I will start the follow-up calls in the morning. I did get in touch with a rep "Amber" around 7pm. She asked me a few questions about the documents I sent Fed Ex, said she had notated my account and "someone" (go figure) would be in touch. Now that I've heard from you all, this wheel starts back up in the am. Thanks so much for what you do!

[gabbysnana]

Thanks!! I know we're not alone in this fight, but it sure helps when someone responds to remind me of this. As Moe said, I'll just keep on keeping on. I hope things work out for you real soon! It's the waiting and not knowing that drives us nuts. I love this board, don't you?

[giari3]

gabbysnana: You are doing great! Keep calling make sure you document all your calls. Dates/times/names/#"s and what was said. You might be on hold sometimes or the call might get disconnected or you may be transferred several times with no answer. It will probably continue to be very frustrating for you. I have approximately 36 calls to CitiM since March 2009. I am determined to not give up. Fight for what you believe is right! Even if your a passive type of person, now is the time to get very persistent and perhaps a little agressive, but not rude. Keep up the fight and you will prevail! If they deny you on a certain modification, then ask why you were denied and what other options are available. Do not be satisfied with just "you do not qualify". Good luck to you! Keep us posted. We are all in the same boat gabbysnana