Hello all,

I accidentally stumbled onto this site and it's nice to know there are others that are fighting the good fight. Sometimes I feel like it's me vs. one of the biggest banks in the world and there have been some great success stories I've read in the last few hours in this forum.

Background: 2006 bought my first home with almost nothing down. Purchase price was $181,000. Got a first ($145,000) and a second ($36,000). At the time neither lender was Citi, but very shortly thereafter, Citi purchased BOTH the first and the second on my home.

Fast forward a couple of years, dad gets ill requiring nursing home (not cheap) and I lose my job at the same time. Sob story over, but I was finally foreclosed upon in December of 2010. I should say that I tried my best to re-negotiate the terms of my loan (apparently my first didn't quality because it was tied to a Fannie Mae program of some sort) to no avail. Additionally, I tried a short sale, which Citi did not agree to (admittedly the company I was working with to complete this low balled them). In hindsight, I think I may have been duped by the short sale guy, but at that point I was desperate. By then it was probably too late anyway. Alas, Citi foreclosed and ended up selling the house at auction.

I was told that since they held both of the mortgages that I was done with the house and (other than terrible credit) done with the whole mess.

Fast forward to about 4 months ago, I receive a knock at the door and it was the local constable with a lawsuit filed on behalf of Citi by an attorney in Lubbock, TX informing me he was suing me for the full balance of my 2nd mortgage of $36,000.

My question to the forum - has anyone been through a similar situation with Citi (or any lender for that matter)? Does anyone have any advice? I'm not sure where else to turn. I have "hired" a family friend to help me but this isn't his area of expertise. I couldn't come up with $36,000 or any amount close to that. Do you think they would consider settling at all?

I can't think you in advance enough for any helpful hints and advice you might have. I was just getting back on my feet and then this happened.

Thanks!