I'm done with school for the next three days! Whee!

I'm kinda with megan. Just how much responsibility doesn't lie with the person defaulting? Do we give a pass for stupidity? Easily intimidated by fast talking people so you sign fast?

The whole homebuying process is scary, complicated and intimidating. Terms like "rate lock" "option period" "earnest money" freak people out. Everything is on a tight schedule. It's pretty easy to convince someone that they'll lose their option money, plus whatever fees they've paid for an inspector if they don't stop dithering and sign.

It's not stupidity, it's misinformation or outright lying. I put probably 90% of the blame for owner-occupied forclosures on companies looking to close a bunch of loans quickly without giving their buyers the information they need.

It's not stupidity, it's misinformation or outright lying. I put probably 90% of the blame for owner-occupied forclosures on companies looking to close a bunch of loans quickly without giving their buyers the information they need.

Yeah, its not referred to as "predatory lending" for nothing.

For one, their credit tanks, and credit reports are being just for everything from employment to auto insurance these days.

This. And it's there for a while.

By any chance is this Countrywide?

Redacted isn't with a mortgage company. He/She is a lawyer.

I kept telling them that I couldn't afford it, I'd have no money for a downpayment or a cushion if something went wrong with the place or if my fees were increased. Now, they're all telling me I was right to rent.

Which may be true. But there are (mostly conventional loans through banks) programs that help low to moderate income borrowers put little to no payment down, though you'll likely pay PMI (still there are programs to reduce that too) until you have 20% equity.

There's no reason it can't be done. It just takes making sure you have all the information you need.

Redacted isn't with a mortgage company. He/She is a lawyer.

Ah.

I think cases of misinformation/lying are clearly wrong and should be sanctioned/punished/something. But many of the things we are talking about to me simply sound risky. And risky is something you are allowed to do. Of course, you should know the risks going in and it doesn't make you stupid if your gamble fails. But neither should it be a surprise to you if your gamble fails when the odds were stacked against you to begin with. Which doesn't mean that it doesn't suck hard when it fails.

It's not stupidity, it's misinformation or outright lying. I put probably 90% of the blame for owner-occupied forclosures on companies looking to close a bunch of loans quickly without giving their buyers the information they need.

I don't think it's stupidity. And certainly many subprime lenders are simply taking advantage of the fact that so many people are so clueless about money. I'm really trying to budget to be able to pay off my ginormous student loans and I've been listening to a lot of Dave Ramsey on the radio. The number of people that call up with $500/month car payments, or that can't believe the rate on their "adjustable" mortgage is going up is just astounding.

Loans terms are complicated and I feel very sorry for people that were outright deceived by lenders, but there is also a culture here of living way beyond your means and I think that plays a very important role in what's going on.

ETA: Or what Stephanie said.

Oh, hey Aimee! Reading through messages I see that we did work on a Countrywide Option Arm Loan. Happy ending though.

[Counselor] convinced Countrywide to modify her loan to a 30 year fixed rate at 5.25%!!! By doing this, she is going to save $500 a month!

But many of the things we are talking about to me simply sound risky. And risky is something you are allowed to do. Of course, you should know the risks going in and it doesn't make you stupid if your gamble fails. But neither should it be a surprise to you if your gamble fails when the odds were stacked against you to begin with. Which doesn't mean that it doesn't suck hard when it fails.

It's not explained to them as a gamble or a risk. It's "we do this all the time no problem" which is what they're hearing from all over the place- like Kathy's friends telling her she needs to buy; its a sure thing.

I dealt with Countrywide once looking into a 2nd mortgage line of credit. I could not believe what they were trying to tell me was a "good deal". And the guy was slimy.