American Financial Resources, Inc.

2017-01-03

Jupiter, FL

Application, originator, mortgage broker

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: On XX/XX/2016 I began the process to refinance through " eLend '' and signed the initial mortgage disclosure package. I agreed to a XXXX year loan fixed rate of XXXX %. I provided all requested documents in an expeditious manner and satisfied all requests from the lender to include an appraisal they directed me to use. On XX/XX/2016 I received an email from processor XXXX indicating my loan has been conditionally approved and the rate lock of XXXX % would be expiring on XX/XX/2016. In addition the email requested documents within XXXX hours. I immediately sent all requested documents, satisfying the request and sent an email to XXXX indicating the documents were sent. I did not receive a response until after the rate expired on XX/XX/2016. I was informed the rate would be extended. After several attempts to contact XXXX to once again check on the status of my loan, I received an email indicating the rate lock had expired again on XX/XX/2016. I spoke to origination XXXX XXXX and explained I have sent all requested documents and did everything on my part to satisfy the loan, but " eLend '' has allowed the rate to expire twice. XXXX apologized, but said the best they could do was increase the rate to XXXX % and charge me fees. I pleaded my case once again and XXXX called back explaining he would waive the fees, however could not give me the original rate of XXXX % even though it was " elend 's '' fault for the rate expiration. As a result, I have lost credits paid towards closing costs and have an increased rate due to elend 's lack of ability to process a loan.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-12-15

Phoenix, AZ

Application, originator, mortgage broker

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: I am applying for a XXXX year fixed rate mortgage with eLend also doing business as XXXX. On my original loan estimate that I received and signed the total cash to close is {$1900.00}. I received the updated closing documents showing the new closing cost of {$4600.00}. I have made multiple attempts to contact eLend and resolve this. I am unable to reach my loan processor or a team lead. I have only been able to speak with sales XXXX who has explained to me that there have been changes to the escrow withholding in addition to the title work and that is what is causing the change. The entire point of the loan estimate is to protect the consumer from bait and switch and in this instance that is exactly what is happening.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-12-01

VA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: VA mortgage

Complaint: This company - American Financial Resources- is a repeat violater of the " Periodic Statement Rule '' of the " Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ''. " The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) implements these rules. Under the periodic statement rule, your mortgage creditor or servicer must provide you with a mortgage statement each billing cycle ( usually monthly ) that meets certain timing and content requirements. In most cases, the statement must be sent within four days after the end of the courtesy period of the previous billing cycle. A " courtesy period '' is the time period between the date the payment is due and the date the late charge kicks in. '' In my case the grace period is the XXXX of each month, after which late payments kick in. So, that makes the latest that AFR is supposed to have my eStatement available online as no later than the XXXX of each month. They have, on four occasions since XXXX XXXX, 2016 failed to provide me with my eStatement by the time period required by law. I have had to email them about this each time and they are always late in getting the eStatement to me. The last eStatement that is available to me is for XXXX XXXX, 2016. At this time they still do not have my XXXX eStatement available for me to download - and today is XXXX XXXX, 2016.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-11-24

LA

Credit decision / Underwriting

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: I monitor my credit report & score thru XXXX XXXX & XXXX-I recently applied for a mortgage thru complete Mortgage of XXXX who sent to American Financial Resources. My XXXX score from XXXX XXXX, creditwise shows XXXX my score for XXXX from XXXX shows XXXX. My XXXX score from XXXX shows XXXX but when I got my scores back from the mortgage company, they had my XXXX score as XXXX & my XXXX score of XXXX. I know there is some difference in scoring but it makes me think that the mortgage company is trying to get a higher interest rate. I compared the actual reports from XXXX & XXXX themselves against the reports I get from XXXX & XXXX XXXX & there is n't much difference between them. Can you please explain why there is such a discrepancy between these? thank you
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-11-21

Burlingame, CA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: American Financial Resources is my mortgage servicer. My monthly payments includes an amount paid to escrow for insurance and property taxes. American Financial Resources debits my escrow account for disbursements, such as the property tax bill, but the tax assessor does not actually receive the check payment until 25-30 days after when the disbursement was taken from my account, meaning AFR is floating the payments to their benefit. Most recently they disbursed my tax payment on XX/XX/2016 for a bill that was due on XX/XX/2016. I called AFR customer service and they stated the check had been mailed on XX/XX/2016, yet as of XX/XX/2016 the tax collector has not received it. This is creating a problem for me as I am refinancing with closing the week of XX/XX/2016. The new escrow agent is reporting the taxes as up-paid and requiring me to pay twice, even though I have shown them AFR claims the payment was made. AFR should not be allowed to float the escrow payments as is their practice.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-11-14

Quartzsite, AZ

Settlement process and costs

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: On XXXX/XXXX/16, I submitted an online application to refinance our 1st and 2nd mortgages to reduce our APR and shorten the term of the loan from 30 years to 15 years. When the appraisal came back $ XXXX under estimate, we were presented with a couple of options to proceed. Since continuing 'as is ' would cost us {$270.00} add'l per month, we chose to increase our rate and use the excess funds ( originally intended to payoff the 2nd mtg ) to payoff cc debt and do some needed home improvements, saving $ XXXX in pmts and leaving us with some cash in the bank. I called to inquire about changing the loan details for the payoffs and was told we 'd receive the check anyway, so no changes were necessary. At closing, I confirmed with the notary that the check would be sent to our home address. I called title prior to closing to confirm that the check would be XXXX XXXX to our home address. We did not receive a check because eLend wired it to our XXXX and paid off our 2nd mtg - saving us ZERO in monthly expenses. We are still left with existing cc debt at $ XXXX, the add'l pmt for the XXXX at $ XXXX, outstanding home repairs, and no cash cushion in the bank. Had it been made clear that we would not be receiving the check for $ XXXX, we would not have included this in the refi, and would 've simply refi 'd the 1st mtg only. I feel that we were mislead, either by miscommunication or omission, with regard to the final steps of this loan process. Had the closing disclosures specified to whom the payoff would go ( ie : '2nd mortgage ' or XXXX & XXXX XXXX ' ) it would have been an easy correction to make when we signed with the notary and could 've easily rescinded and restructured the loan during the 3-day ROR period.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-10-25

Greenwood, CA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: My mortgage servicing company has improperly calculated my escrow payments. I have repeatedly told them that they have n't calculated my escrow account properly but they will not change it. I currently pay about {$110.00} per month than what I should. The mortgage servicing company has inflated the tax basis of my property. They also established this escrow account without my permission.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Untimely Response

2016-10-24

Winton, CA

Credit decision / Underwriting

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: Approximately on XXXX XXXX, 2016 I contacted XXXX. The were very eager to help me re-finance with money out. I completed all their paperwork with in about 7 days. They then told me it went to the underwriters. At this time I paid {$490.00} for an appraisal for my house to qualify for this loan. My appraisal came in at {$320000.00} and I wanted to take out all I could which meant I wanted my loan to be {$260000.00}. I then waited for the rest of XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX calling them approximately every 10 days to find out where my refinance was at. And everytime I called they said it was at the underwriters. I kept asking if they need more information. NO NO you are are fine, Finally on about XXXX XXXX, 2016 I received an email from them listing about XXXX things they needed from me in order to close. By this time I contacted another mortgage lender and closed within 3 weeks. I think they should refund my {$490.00} for my appraisal fee. When entering into a contract with them I believe time is of the essence. and by stalling my home loan for 3 months is NOT a timely fashion. Every other time I have refinanced my home the loan has been completed within 30 days. Thank you XXXX CA XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with monetary relief

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-10-21

Tupelo, MS

Application, originator, mortgage broker

Mortgage: FHA mortgage

Complaint: Lender set an original closing date on my loan for XXXX XXXX, 2016 but had not collected enough information needed to close so we were not able to close. I am now going into the fourth month with no set closing date and lender is asking for a lot of same information already provided. Does not respond when ask what is needed to close. I feel that I am being put in line behind other buyers for whatever reason.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-10-20

Natrona Hts, PA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: FHA mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-10-13

Charlotte, NC

Settlement process and costs

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-10-08

Aurora, CO

Application, originator, mortgage broker

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-10-04

Billerica, MA

Application, originator, mortgage broker

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: Applied for a loan 5 months ago, home purchase with a construction loan to make improvements. NOT an fha loan. Underwriter demanded a HUD inspection ( {$750.00} ) then refused to accept his findings and demanded an Engineer Inspection ( {$700.00} ). Underwriter has delayed beyond reasonable time standards, even refusing appraisal and sending it back three time. Last time for a non-essential typo. Now four days before closing the closing costs are {$3400.00} higher than original estimate. All due to the excessive delay by underwriter.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-09-21

Fred, VA

Application, originator, mortgage broker

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: I had been looking to refinance by home mortgage as the interest rates are now lower than it was when I had purchased my home. I found a company called " Elend '' or " American Financial Resources, Inc '' who offered me 3.375 % interest rate and a lender credit of {$800.00} among other costs that were mentioned in the loan estimate which was provided to me by the representative of Elend. A copy of the loan estimate is available with me in the email format which can be provided if needed where the above costs and credits are mentioned. Based on the comparison of rates from other providers I went with Elend ( or American Financial Resources, Inc. '' ) solely because they provided a lender credit of {$800.00} which was higher than other competitors and hence the total cost of closing would be less. However, after my loan application was processed ( nearly 2 months after the initial rate lock agreement was signed ) I received a " Closing Disclosure '' document from Elend 3 business days before the closing date in which lender credit was reduced to {$65.00}. On questioning the representative from Elend about why the lender credit was decreased I got a response that it was not something they could do anything about. In this case the creditor ( Elend ) has not complied with XXXX XXXX XXXX ) ( XXXX ) ( i ) because the actual amount of lender credits provided is less than the estimated ''lender credits '' disclosed pursuant to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and is therefore, an increased charge to the consumer ( me ) for purposes of determining good faith under XXXX XXXX XXXX ) ( XXXX ) ( i ). In the hindsight if Elend had let me know from the beginning that the lender credit that they would provide would be {$65.00} then I would have never chosen them as my provider because I had better offers from others. I think that this tactic of mentioning a higher lender credit was used by Elend ( American Financial Resources , Inc ) just to get me to use them and not to actually provide the credit that they promised. They are also in violation of XXXX XXXX XXXX ) ( XXXX ) ( i ). I hope an appropriate action is taken.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-08-30

Jersey City, NJ

Loan modification,collection,foreclosure

Mortgage: Conventional adjustable mortgage (ARM)

Complaint: American Financial Resources ( AFR ) is the is the Servicer on my mortgage. Currently shows that America Financial Resources is a XXXX XXXX affiliate of this lender of my mortgage. XXXX financial is the affiliate owner of AFR. Homeowner has submitted the RMA requesting modification over three times and the same results : lost paperwork, or denied without explanation. The most recent realization is that the XXXX and XXXX, 2016 mortgage payments possibly will be late. Homeowner has generated a NPV Report, data collection date of XXXX/XXXX/2016 and shows homeowner can possibly qualify got a modification. Homeowner will be be in default since XXXX/XXXX/2016. Homeowner is formally applying for a RMA application. Recent comparable of comps sold in the last 90 days is {$150000.00} value as compared to $ XXXX XXXX. This shows a LTV of 183 % in homeowners current mortgage condition. The comparable recent sales : recent comp is {$150000.00} to {$160000.00}, sold in XXXX, 2016. The income, DTI and LTV Loan to Values used by the services in the denial of the RMA application are in error. I have provided a recent NPV Report dated XXXX XXXX to show proposed modification data date XXXX/XXXX/2016. 1. The estimated homeowners value is overstated ; off by {$120000.00} 2. Current street value of the home is {$150000.00} as of XXXX/XXXX/2016. The Homeowner is requesting : who or whom, is the current investor/lender. The servicer and the investor are signature to the XXXX States Attorney Generals Agreement : the National Mortgage Settlement Agreement.
Company Response: Company believes the complaint is the result of a misunderstanding Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-08-09

Cutten, CA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Other mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-08-06

Mill Creek, IN

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: I paid {$100.00} extra each month towards the principal on my loan, on XXXX, XXXX, XXXX and XXXX/XXXX/16. There is no prepayment penalty and I am trying to reduce the amount of interest and pay the loan off early. Instead of applying the payments to the principal each month, on XXXX/XXXX/16 the company applied {$350.00} to the XXXX payment and only {$42.00} to the principal. I also had scheduled a payment for XXXX XXXX and again on XXXX/XXXX/16. The company now says I do n't need to make another payment until XXXX/XXXX/16. This will not reduce the amount of the principal, nor will I save on the interest or pay off the mortgage early. I e-mailed the lender twice and spoke to a customer service representative on XXXX/XXXX/16, who told me she would correct the account. She did not do so and I have n't had a response to the emails. I am a co-signer on the loan.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2016-07-07

Fort Worth, TX

Credit decision / Underwriting

Mortgage: FHA mortgage

Complaint: I have spend the last 6 months under contract on a house. I was pre-approved for financing on my purchase. We had a clear inspection, appraisal, structural engineering report, everything was supposed to be good to go. Finally at the end of the line we were supposed to close, until my lender notified me that the underwriter would not accept the appraisal. The underwriter stated that there were not enough comps to support the loan. After talking to the appraiser, they believed the appraisal was good and needed no changes. Now I 'm stuck not being able to close on a house I 've been on contract on for 6 months, after spending thousands of dollars on the inspection and appraisal and various other fees.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-06-30

Clinton Township, MI

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-06-02

Clarkesville, GA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Other mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-23

Mesa, AZ

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: VA mortgage

Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-03-30

Clinton Township, MI

Application, originator, mortgage broker

Mortgage: Other mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with non-monetary relief

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-03-30

Discovery Bay, CA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Conventional fixed mortgage

Complaint: I have American Financial Resources Inc ( AFR ). as the mortgage company, with XXXX as the servicing company. The company charged a late fee based on when the check cleared my bank. The payment is due by the XXXX of the month and was received by the bank on the XXXX. It cleared the bank on XX/XX/2015. I called and spoke to the AFR and they credited me the late fee. My regular payment is {$1700.00}. I made the payment due as indicated on the XX/XX/XXXX statement of {$1800.00} ( {$1700.00} + XXXX for late payment ). In XX/XX/XXXX the amount due was {$1600.00} per the statement which reflected the late payment credit for {$62.00}. I sent a Payment of {$1600.00}. Now in XX/XX/XXXX, AFR charged me a late fee of {$64.00} for paying the statement balance of {$1600.00} in place of the regular payment of {$1700.00}!!! I paid what the statement showed as payment due and I got charged another late fee for not sending in the regular payment. My Complaint : 1. Per the AFR XXXX XXXX supervisor ( XXXX XXXX ), they will charge me late fee based on when the check is cashed by them and not when the payment is due. SO if my payment is received by them on XX/XX/XXXX and clears my bank on XX/XX/XXXX, they will charge me a late fee because the cleared on XX/XX/XXXX. This is a violation of the terms of contract which state the payment receipt is due by XX/XX/XXXX. 2. For making the payment as stated on the statement as minimum payment due, AFR charged a late fee stating the charge is due to me not sending the regular payment due. I paid what the statement asked for and still got charged a late fee for sending partial payment!! American Financial Resources and XXXX are making their own rules and charging fees that are not legal. Please help!!
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-03-23

Walla Walla, WA

Loan servicing, payments, escrow account

Mortgage: Other mortgage

Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-03-23

Seneca, SC

Loan modification,collection,foreclosure

Mortgage: Other mortgage

Complaint: A home in a community I manage is in foreclosure during which portions of siding have fallen off the third floor side of the unit. Over a year has passed and nothing has been done. The sublayer is now warped and everyone passing this unit sees the dilapidated condition of the home. It is the only eyesore in this beautiful community. Each owner is responsible for their own exterior. We are no closer to getting it repaired than we were over a year ago.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response