Littton Success III

[Lucinda321]

Hi there,

Thank you to everyone who's contributed to this wonderful site!

If anyone has experience with Litton and their loan modification system, please chime in. Long story short, due to illness and several other abnormal expenses this year we became a good three months behind on our mortgage, in fact a bit more because I kept paying the monthly amount but I wasn't quite able to make the past due payment. Add the costs of the lawyers and the fees and we're about $4,000 behind. Litton offered us a loan modification, and we gratefully accepted. The problem was that my husband was just coming off of a short-term disability, and we had to wait three weeks after Litton wanted the initial payment for the loan mod acceptance to send it in. We let Litton and Titanium, who they're apparently working with, know about the delay and they were cranky but said to just send the money in as soon as we had it. We did send it to them, and we attempted to pay the first month's new payment right on time, but while they kept the initial payment they returned our mortgage payment. I called to ask why and they told me that the modification is still being processed so my house is still in foreclosure, but we'll be notified ASAP about it. Meanwhile my home is up for Sheriff's sale on 2/1/08.

We don't know what to do. The loan modification is perfect for us and we thought we were all set, but we're terrified that they'll take our home while still processing the modification!! If anyone has any advice please let me know, thank you so much,

Lucinda

[Moe Bedard]

Thank you to everyone who's contributed to this wonderful site!

Thank you Lucinda and I appreciate that you posted your story.

Litton offered us a loan modification, and we gratefully accepted. The problem was that my husband was just coming off of a short-term disability, and we had to wait three weeks after Litton wanted the initial payment for the loan mod acceptance to send it in.

Did they give you a dead line and your broke that dead line?

We let Litton and Titanium, who they're apparently working with, know about the delay and they were cranky but said to just send the money in as soon as we had it. We did send it to them, and we attempted to pay the first month's new payment right on time, but while they kept the initial payment they returned our mortgage payment.

I am curious to know who this Titanium is. Do you have any more info on them, a website maybe?

I called to ask why and they told me that the modification is still being processed so my house is still in foreclosure, but we'll be notified ASAP about it. Meanwhile my home is up for Sheriff's sale on 2/1/08.

You need to request and “demand� a “life of loan history� via a “qualified written request� . This is a law under Section 6 the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA). By law, the lender or servicer is required to acknowledge the request within 20 business days and must try and resolve the issue within 60 business days.

Per HUD
Qualified written request

For purposes of this subsection, a qualified written request
shall be a written correspondence, other than notice on a
payment coupon or other payment medium supplied by the servicer,
that–
(i) includes, or otherwise enables the servicer to
identify, the name and account of the borrower; and
(ii) includes a statement of the reasons for the belief
of the borrower, to the extent applicable, that the account
is in error or provides sufficient detail to the servicer
regarding other information sought by the borrower.

You need to know exactly what they are charging you for.

We don't know what to do. The loan modification is perfect for us and we thought we were all set

Your stuck in a clogged system Lucinda. You need to FIGHT for to stop foreclosure and make sure that you get due process. I know that is easier said than done.

You have to keep calling, be nice and make sure it goes through.

Have you tried seeking legal help?

[Lucinda321]

I've been calling and calling, because I keep getting different stories: When they sent my November payment back the note with it said that it wasn't sufficient funds, and when I called they said that was just because the mod is still being processed and to send the money back in. Then I called again to ask about how the process was going, and someone in customer service said they wouldn't accept my personal check. They never, ever told me all funds had to be certified, only the initial payment for the mod; I'd already sent the money back in a second check! So I called to ask if I should cancel that check and send a money order and they said no, just wait for them to contact us about the mod approval...

We did send in the initial mod acceptance payment three weeks late, because we had to wait for my husband's disabilty funds to come to us. We were in contact with both Litton and Titanium about our situation that whole time and they said to just send the money ASAP. The original plan was to give them the initial payment late September and then pay the first payment November 1st. We weren't able to send them that initial payment until October 24th when we received it from Prudential Financial, and then we immediately sent in the Nov. 1st payment. They kept the initial payment but not the new mortgage check.

Titanium Solutions is apparently a loss mitigation company that Litton uses as some type of middle man, I don't quite get how they fit in but the loan mod seems to be done by them for Litton. I have their number: 1-800-500-1733. They've been very nice btw. Litton? Not so much. Their foreclosure lady basically hates me now, she's tired of my questions and basically hung up on me today when I called to ask if I should send a certified check for the December payment.

We haven't gotten legal help yet, they keep saying the mod is in process and I'm scared to spend money on a lawyer that could go toward the mortgage...

[Moe Bedard]

Maybe try calling 888-995-HOPE and see if they can step in and help? Again, it sounds like your just caught in the system.

And that original late payment on your loan modification put a real kink in the deal. Now they just think your guys are dead beats on paper. Most likely they don't even know how you have been trying to jump through hoops to get this worked out.

What state are you in?

Would you qualify for free legal help?

[Lucinda321]

Actually I did call 995-HOPE a few days ago; a friend of mine who's in danger of losing her home due to a job loss gave me their number, she found them on the 'net. They were very nice, and they said just the fact that Litton was willing to work with us was very, very positive. We agreed that if I don't have an answer from Litton by next week I'll call them and discuss doing a repayment plan/workout through them.

While I realize that it looked awful that we were late on that first payment, we told them from the very beginning that we would have to wait a few weeks to have that money and the minute we had it we sent it to them in a certified check. Since we were supposed to have October payment-free and make the first new payment on November 1st and we did just that, I feel that even with the delay we showed our non-deadbeatness (is that a word?)

We're in Columbus Ohio. I don't know if we're eligible for free legal help, not sure how to find out but I'll get on it. The most frustrating thing is not knowing if the mod is a go or not and what to do next, whether we should plan to move in Feb...? I'm an at-home preschool teacher, I *need* my home for my business; just moving my gi-normous oak swingset will take a week .

[jscamp]

Hi,
When you were late and unable to make the first payment on time, it throws all the fees and interests calculations off. Lenders use a computerized system to calculate your payments. So they have to go back and refigure everything to get the proper payment.

I have been a loss mitigation consultant and have been helping people with various lenders for the last 6 months...50 or more so far. I am unfamiliar with Litton, but many of the lenders are the same. I loss mitigate in Michigan. Loan modifications normally take 30 to 60 days to get in place. You might try getting a forbearance agreement in place while they work on your loan modification and/or make a written formal request to delay the sherrif sale for 30 days while your loan modification is being considered. Usually it costs about $28.00 in fees to postpone the sherrif sale week to week. You might ask Litton about their fees. This would be worth the extra fees if they would be willing to delay or postpone the sherrif sale while you get your work-out. If they agree, also check with the attorney who is foreclosing on your home and make sure that the attorney is aware of the postponement or just check with the attorney to see when they have the foreclosure scheduled. Ask for an accounting of all of your fees, charges, and payment history. Sometimes lenders lie or mislead or the person who has your file doesn't care. If you can't get anywhere ask to talk to a supervisor or call again and speak to someone who is helpful. Be persistent and keep following-up with your lender every couple of days or so to know what progress is being made on your loan modification. Know who has your file and keep in contact with them. Make sure they have all documents requested from you (financial statement, bank statements, income verification documents, harship letter etc.). They need the complete package with everything signed and dated. Put your loan number in the top right hand corner of every document or letter you send them and always verify by calling them and asking if they received your information. You seem to be doing everything you can.

One other thing to keep in mind regarding personal checks. Lenders do not like to see bounced checks or stop payment on checks. Lenders like certified checks because it's immediate payment once received or they like Western Union or speed pay for the same reason. If you use a personal check, it make take several days to clear. Put loan numbers on all payments and checks and when in foreclosure call lender to verify that they have received payment or if not give them the information needed so they can track down your payment and follow-up again.

[Lucinda321]

Thank you jscamp, your information is appreciated.

Since Litton was expecting to receive no October money from us, only the September 28th initial payment and then the November 1st new mortgage payment, I'm flabbergasted that receiving that initial payment in October could throw things off this badly but it does make sense. I'll be calling them (and asking for someone besides the foreclosure lady who snapped and basically hung up on me yesterday) on Monday morning and requesting the forbearance and delay on the sheriff's sale. Again, thank you!!! (and thank you Moe!)

If I may ask anyone who might know: Litton has already put the foreclosure on our credit report. If/when we are approved for the modification and we make our payments on time after this, will we be able to remove the foreclosure from our credit at some point? It doesn't seem right to have that on our credit for a house we still have...

[Moe Bedard]

It will be very difficult to ever get that foreclosure mark removed, unless your prove that it was unlawful. You would most likely have to obtain legal counsel to do that.

I would not take his advice above until you speak with legal counsel. A forbearance, once your in it, is very difficult to get out of.

Remember if is not in writing, you have absolutely no protection. It is all hearsay by employees, that usually have no pull to over ride deadlines. But they will say fine, just to get you off the phone. What do they have to lose?

Here is the website for Ohio Legal Aid http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/OSL...icWeb/DeskRef/

This site offers public information and resources that focus on the civil (non-criminal) legal problems and issues of low-income Ohioans.



Use this site to connect with your local Ohio legal aid provider and to review self-help legal information.

To call your local Ohio legal aid provider, use Ohio's toll-free legal aid telephone number:

1-866-LAW OHIO
(1-866-529-6446)

For the hearing impaired: Use this site to find the local Ohio legal aid provider in your area. Then, call the Ohio Relay Service at 1-800-750-0750 and ask the service operator to connect you to the provider you are trying to call.

http://www.olaf.org/

Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation
10 West Broad Street, Suite 950
P.O. Box 15266
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3483
(614) 752-8919
Fax: (614) 728-3749
mail@olaf.org
The Foundation does

[Lucinda321]

Does the fact that they sent us a modification in the first place, in writing and with the terms all spelled out, mean anything? Especially since we've done everything they said we had to in order to put the mod into effect (even with the lateness of the initial payment they did accept that payment.)?

[Lucinda321]

Long story short: I called Titanium again, and they made a three-way call with Litton again, and a very nice lady in Litton Loss Mitigation told me that her screen STILL says that I never sent the initial loan mod good faith money . So I told her that it had definitely been received and I'd been TOLD it was received and on what day, and then she was able to find out that it had indeed been received, and the loan mod has moved from 'processing' to 'pending'. Which is apparently a good thing but I don't trust them. According to the lady from Loss Mit the sheriff's sale should hypothetically have been stopped by now since I did indeed send the good faith money. She's going to talk to the foreclosure lady who hung up on me Friday, and then someone is supposed to call me back and tell me what's going on and what to do next. Meanwhile I also called the Hope people, they're calling me back tomorrow between 8am and 5pm. I may not even need them but I want them to have a file on us all ready to go.

I *think* there's a light at the end of the tunnel. But I just don't know yet...

[Moe Bedard]

Awesome. Progress maybe? Thanks for the update and please let us know if this does go through.

[Lucinda321]

Hello all,

I *think* I have good news. On the advice of 995-HOPE, I had my bank trace my initial mod payment certified check. Sure enough it was never cashed , and that's why my mod never processed. I immediately called Litton and insisted that I speak with Loss Mitigation and NOT Foreclosure, and made it clear that since the foreclosure lady was awful to me I would have to speak with another department on the advice of my lawyer . This is the first time they let me speak to Loss Mit, before they always transferred me to foreclosure no matter what I said. The Loss Mit young lady was very nice and helpful, she took the time to find my actual certified check (!) and made sure her boss and the boss of whomever in the foreclosure dept. were made aware that we sent it WEEKS ago. She called me back tonight and let me know that we've done all we need to in order to meet the mod requirements and the Sheriff's Sale will be cancelled immediately!

I won't believe it 'til my home is gone from the Sheriff's sale page online AND they accept my mortgage payment instead of sending it back, but I'm cautiously optimistic that this nightmare is over...

[evel1999]

Lucinda that is great news. So glad you were able to trace your payment and get this modification going again and stop the forclosure.

Great news that you will be getting a Loan Modification.