Just hired J. Griswold Law to handle Loan Mod w/ CW

[elpjohnson]

chochocho.....

I kept all of my payments current during my modification process (with an attorney).

[chrval21]

I have made the choice to stop paying to see if the lender will respond. I tried to work with the Lender while making my paymnent and no response. I am not having much luck still with the help of an attorney just waiting to see what the outcome will be only time will tell.

[chrval21]

chochocho,

I have stop making my payment in order to pay attorney and I'm nervous about that decision. I am glad to hear others have had success with the law offices of griswold but I have not seen anything spectaular about there services. I have to constantly contact them for an update and they have my paperwork since October 2008. The only thing I can say is good luck because in this game it seems that's all there is.

[Merlin]

I tried a mod with HomEq on my own. The terms they offered was a temporary relief for 5 years. I hired an attorney because it was not going anywhere. I was just about to walkaway till I decided to hire an atoorney.

[chooch]

I went with the Griswold firm a couple of weeks ago. I was just about ready to walk away also, but figured I would gamble with the 3k Griswold charged to see if they can get me a sweet deal with Countrywide 1st. If not, they said they would help me settle the National City 2nd so I can do a deed in lieu with Countrywide. They said they do alot of business with Countrywide, so I will keep you all posted on my situation.

[tracimccoy]

jdhines448,
I have a question for you...I am a real estate agent whose income has been drastically reduced to say the least. I have only been behind one time since owning this house----have a conventional 80/20 loan and and upside down by about $80,000. Tried to sell but cant---just called CW and the guy told me I needed to get another job. I asked him what happens to people like me who pay on time but are hanging on by a thread--he said, "just sell your house." Very kurt. Do you have to be behind or have an ARM or sub-prime loan for someone to be able to help?

[chooch]

Traci, this is just my opinion from my experience with Countrywide. I have an 80-20 also; Countrywide being the 1st with a conventional loan. Countrywide would not give me the time of day until I was 90 days delinquent. Their agents are morons, and they have a very high turn over rate. You will rarely deal with the same person. Other lenders are much easier to deal with then Countrywide, even now that they are owned by BofA. I was lied to over and over again by their Home Retention Dept. When they do your income vs. debt disclosure, they skew the #'s at the same time they explain that what they are doing is beneficial to you. In reality, it was not until I retained the law firm that I was explained the proper way to document my income and debts. This law firm specializes in litigating with Countrywide. If they come through for me, I will immediately post it. I am not advocating the law firm I went with, but it appears that lenders seem to listen to lawyers better then consumers. Even if the law firm is unable to get me a good deal, they will still buy me more time in my house, and the 3k I paid is tax deductible according to our accountant. Since you are self employed, it might be worth talking to a lawyer now.

[tracimccoy]

Thanks a lot. It makes sense. You know I do short sales and help people all the time make decisions about their own real estate dealings but now that it is for myself I am paralyzed! I have contacted Griswold and I just need to fill out the paperwork. I cannot believe that smug little twirp told me to get another job!
Thanks for your response.

[chooch]

I hired a realtor buddy of mine about 8 months ago who augmented his business plan to specialize in short sales. Our house has been listed since then with him, but to this day, he still hates Countrywide because they are extremely difficult to deal with. He told me flat out if we get an offer, the offeror better have alot of patience because by the time Countrywide gets arround to review and approve the deal, the offeror will be dead from old age. I hope Angelo Mozilo joins that Bernard Madow in federal prison.

[herrapaj]

Hi Guys,

As I was reading this topic, my husband and I felt a little relief. We talked to Veronica of Griswold Law and at first we were a little hesitant. We all know that nowadays some people who claim to be a pro. loan mod. or loss mit. all they need is $$$$$$ and once they have your $$$$$$ they don't even bother to perform the work.

The most thing my husband and I was concern or hesitant because we have a 4-plex with American Servicing Company. Out 4-plex is neg. cashflow because the market value went down the drain and etc. I know investing $2995 to the law firm is like the end of the world when you don't know the bank is going to approve or not when there's a neg. cashflow. I asked her if this does not work out with the lender, will we get our $2995 back.

I don't know if any of you guys have any positive outcome with your investment property? If not do the law firm refund your $$$ back? I know it's a dumb question but I just want to know if it's worth it.

I know with our main home with CW, I have confidence that the lender will be able to ok for a loan mod.

[chooch]

I think a refund is not likely. They did say however if they are unable to work out a mod to my liking, they will help negotiate a deed in lieu with the 1st and settlement with the 2nd.

[Schnelle]

Thanks to your thread Jeff, I too hired Griswold Law to handle my loan modification.

Mortgage info:
80-20 Interest only mortgage
1st mortgage - 220,000 at 6% fixed for 10 yrs
HELOC - 65,000 adjustable rate
status: current

The mortgage investigator from Griswold told me he was confident that my loans will be modified to:
1) 1st mortgage: fixed rate at 4%
HELOC: fixed at 5%
OR
2) 1st mortgage: fixed rate at 4% for 5 yrs
HELOC: fixed at 5% for 5 years

Either option will result to a lower monthly payment. I was told that once the modification process begins, mortgage payments will be placed on hold and I would not have to make the payments until modification is completed; credit reporting would also be placed on hold so it should not affect my credit. Has anyone been told the same thing? I feel uneasy not making payments since I would like to preserve my credit rating.

Jeff, do you have any updates on your modification?

[brokemama]

They will not refund the money. I asked that question.

[jdhines448]

Nothing new to report. CW web site says we are actively being processed, so we hope to hear something realtively soon. Griswold has very helpful thus far. Best of luck in your mod!