LAS VEGAS -- For many Southern Nevadans, home loan modification has become a horror story of excessive hold times, lost paperwork and unfavorable terms.
According to the most recent national statistics, some 300,000 homeowners have received permanent help through the government. And the banks say they're granting even more modifications through their own programs. But 8 News NOW still hears from people every week who are upside down, want to stay in their homes, have an income but can't get a reduced payment.
"These are numerous faxes, letters, everything that they've asked for," said Cheryl Kegley, a homeowner.
When her fairytale romance ended in divorce, Cheryl Kegley hoped to salvage the home the couple bought in 2006 near I-215 and Tenaya. The home is now worth less than half of what they paid for it.
"I've been working for almost two years. Phone calls, numerous, probably hundreds of hours of phone calls. Just waiting to speak with someone, to plead with someone to help me," said Kegley.
With $25,000 in savings to help sustain her, Kegley applied for a loan modification with Chase Home Finance. Along with pay stubs from her job in law enforcement, bank statements, tax records and other personal documents, Kegley sent a hardship letter. Dated July of 2009, it explains that as a one income household, she can't make her monthly payment of nearly $2,400.
"If they would simply were to lower my interest payment to the current market, I would be able to survive and maintain my home," she said.
Kegley's documentation of the last 20 months reads like a comedy of errors that isn't funny. When loan representatives claimed they didn't have her paperwork, Kegley says she sent it again, six times, only to receive the same number of rejection letters.
Among the excuses, she makes too much money, she has "excessive debt," she has "significant cash reserves," and her payments are on time.
Finally in August of 2010, Kegley says Chase lowered her payment and then sold her mortgage the same month to another servicer, IBM Lender Business Process Services. It claims no knowledge of the prior modification but after six months of Kegley's persistence has agreed to cut her payment by $50 a month.
"I have accepted the fact that I can no longer fight this fight. I'm sorry. I would like to maintain my home, but I can't."
With her savings account empty, Kegley has now fallen three months behind on her payments. In response, Fannie Mae sent a letter recently suggesting she should explore a loan modification.
"We call and we get the same runaround," said Executive Director Barbara Buckley, with Legal Aid of Southern Nevada.
Buckley, a former lawmaker, created Nevada's foreclosure mediation program. It's supposed to be a chance for homeowners in default to sit face to face with their lenders.
"What certain lenders look at is well, if I have a group that's paying, I'm not going to work with them. Because I'll keep receiving those payments. They'll find a way to make those payments. So I'm going to just keep taking those payments and work with the group that's defaulting," said Buckley.
That group, which now includes Kegley, has had some success with foreclosure mediation. Nearly half of those who participate in the program remain in their homes.
"This was my American dream." Yet after nearly two years of fighting, Kegley says she's ready to surrender but not before she has the last word.
"My goal now is just to ask anyone, someone out there. When are the banks going to be held accountable?"
8 News NOW asked IBM Lender Business Process Services about Kegley's situation. After first claiming they couldn't discuss it for privacy reasons. 8 News NOW offered them a signed waiver from Kegley. They then responded saying it was simply their policy not to comment on the loans they service.
Getting your federal representative involved might help. Kegley has nothing but praise for Senator John Ensign's staff. Also, be persistent and check out the foreclosure mediation program if you're willing to default on your loan.
