One evening last week, I answered my cell phone and heard from a desperate lady. I, as an appraiser in Missouri, was asked for advise on this woman's overall mortgage condition. She found my website and ActiveRain Profile on Google. Her house was on the other end of the state, well outside my St Louis Metro Area, however I listened to her problem.
A licensed/certified appraiser in Missouri valued her home at $96,000 two years ago. She took out a cash out refinance mortgage on an adjustable rate mortgage. Her mortgage person told her the rate would adjust in two years, however she could improve her credit score over two years and refinance into a better mortgage. Well two years are up and she applied for a new mortgage, two Western Missouri appraisers have appraised her home for less than the current mortgage amount, $77,000. She cannot refinance her home, and her current interest rate is 11%. She mentioned the cashout mortgage was to consolidate credit card balances.
Did the real estate market fall in her town? Maybe SO! Did an her local Missouri Appraiser overvalue her home, two years ago? I do not know! Did her Mortgage Professional act outside of a fidicuary responsibility in burying her? Probably not. I heard many accusations about three appraisers, mortgage originators and the overall banking system. I did not hear her say that if she had not used her house as an ATM, she would have been in a better financial situation. I have not investigated her files, however she did tell me that SHE WAS THE ONE that spent her cashout funds. She wanted a remodeled kitchen and a finished basement.
I am here story after story of people that spend more money than they earn and wonder why they have a tough time, some even blame others. That problem is when you spend borrowed money, from people who make the rules, you always have a potential problem. Most people need to borrow money for their home purchase and car purchases, nothing wrong with living the American Dream. I do not understand those that spend money month after month without a repayment plan, then mortgage their family's security (house) to pay for a lifestyle they cannot afford. I see few of these people state their personal responsibility in their own finances.
Comments (7)Subscribe to CommentsComment