I've met some ungrateful and manipulative people in my life but this guy ranks near the top...

"Sam" contacted me via my website (www.wendysmithrealestate.com) in August '08.  He had gotten himself into a real mess with his mortgage payments.

During the initial consultation, I shared my findings and showed Sam that he is upside-down in his home and that the 1100 square feet house was much too small for 2 adults and five children, I suggested to Sam he short sale the house. For the same monthly amount he could rent a house with a back yard for the children, in a nice neighborhood and much more living space.  Sam was adamant: unless he could BUY a larger house he wouldn't sell the one he has.  OK, well, there was no way he was going to qualify for a new loan.

I agreed to work with him and his lender to negotiate a loan modification.  Sam's hardship was a permanent loss of income:  his primary source of income had been from foster care; he had since adopted the five foster children.  While he still received monthly support for the children the support was less than that paid for foster care.  

My job, as I saw it, was to try to negotiate a permanent payment reduction for Sam.   At this point, I felt it very noble of Sam to adopt five children and reduced my standard fee by 33% and agreed to a payment plan for the fee.  

Anyhow, upon talking to HSBC, it was learned that Sam had not been truthful when queried about his payment history (prior to the current default).   There was a history of re-finances and the current loan originated in 2006, had never had 12 consecutive monthly payments.   Mmmm, not a good pattern from the lender perspective.

HSBC agreed that if Sam would make just 3 on-time payments, then they would consider a loan modification.  The Loss Mitigator and I discussed a permanent rate reduction coupled with an amortization over 40 years rather than 30 years to further reduce the monthly payments. 

Sam just had to make 3 payments on time and in December '08 - the loan modification could be put into place.  

On December 1st Sam called HSBC.  HSBC extended the temporary rate reduction for 18 months.  In June 2010, Sam's interest rate will jump back up to the rate & payments he cannot afford.  

It was this point Sam decided that I had not done my job and demanded a full refund of the fee (paid by his mother) or else he would file complaints against me.  His emails threatened to call the local Board of Realtors, the state licensing commission, the BBB and of course the local TV stations.     

Hard to believe!  Sam had shot himself in the foot!  Instead of a permanent solution, he "negotiated" an extension of the temporary rate reduction.  Of course HSBC would agree to that!  Then to top it off, he wanted his money back (it wasn't even HIS money).

I've talked to his mom several times.  She is embarrassed by Sam's demands and lamented that she tried to raise him to do the right thing.   I offered to send her back 50% of the money she paid but with one stipulation:  Sam had to agree to not file any complaints and that this entire issue was closed.  Sam would not agree.

Earlier this week, Sam contacted the local TV station with a complaint.  I don't know if he's called anyone else yet.

This isn't about the money, this is about a person who uses the experience and expertise of a professional and then after the service is done, cries foul and demands a refund.  

If only I could take back my services and time.   I just got off the phone with his mom; she just got out of the hospital.  She's still embarrassed and again apologized.  I assured her there are no hard feelings, we chatted awhile and I wished her well.  I still feel bad for her.