Well the last year has been pretty crazy in the loan modification business. We have seen lots of companies being shut down by the California Department of Real Estate and California State bar (ex. brokers, attorneys, “attorney-backed” and “attorney-based” law centers and fictional “law groups” etc.) who were found out as being nothing more than scams, shams, and ripoff artists.

Some of the reasons these companies were the subject of cease and desist (or desist and refrain) letters is the following:

-They held themselves out as loan modification specialists and loan modification experts when in fact they had no special skill, training, experience, or track record.
-They took advance fees without the proper advance fee agreement that received a letter of non-objection from the DRE.
-They collected advance fees but failed to properly place funds in a Client trust account.
-They failed to properly provide verified accountings as required by the California Department of Real Estate.
-They failed to have all of the loan modification advertising approved by the DRE.
-They took files that were in notice of default (this applies to the non-attorneys) in violation of the Foreclosure Consultant Law.
-The committed other acts of outright fraud, misrepresentation, deceit and false advertising.
-In the case of Loan Modification Attorneys they may have illegally partnered with non-attorneys (such as brokers and foreclosure consultants) that would not only tout the attorneys services – taking the form of an illegal runner or capper – but also illegally splitting what could be construed as a legal fee, and engaging in other shady conduct that violates an attorneys code of ethics.
In addition, Post SB94, some entities accepted an advance fee in violation of SB94 which prohibits both attorneys, brokers, and foreclosure consultants from accepting any type of advance fee for loan modification or foreclosure forbearance work.
- They failed to provide refunds when their contracts stated they would, or where verbal representations of 100% money back guarantee were given.

Yes, there were a whole lot of callous and cavalier people/companies raking homeowners over the coals for their own personal gain, and without any morals or scruples. I guess you could say there were a bunch of Bernie Madoff’s in the loan modification business.

From what we could tell, the Attorney loan mod scammers often were either the “newbie” Attorneys who had no clue what was going on and didn’t care (and may have had a hard time finding legal jobs in the tough economic climate following law school) and/or 20 or 30 year attorneys who could care less whether or not the State bar stripped their license to practice law (I think some of these attorney violators were racking up so much money, and trying to ship it off-shore for their retirement purposes). In fact, we heard one Southern California Attorney, who was disbarred for his loan modification shennanigans, had over 1,700 loan files that he had charged over $6,000 a piece to help modify their loans (yes, that is about 11 million dollars). This information was relayed to our office by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) who helped stopped the attorneys scam, and put the joker out of business.

Other attorney/brokers that we have seen have been callous and calculating, and when approached with demands for loan modification refunds, have simply said “if you sue me I will file bankruptcy…” This is the attitude of a lot of scammers.

There was one scammer that our office dealt with, Mr. Jason Adelman of Bakersfield (we believe he was runnning a Nevada Company), who agreed to settle his loan modification scam suit, but then disappeared starting up a new “Investment” company in the Bakersfield area. Our information also shows that this guy is a youth football coach and/or little league coach in the Bakersfield area. This guy failed to have an approved advance fee agreement, and failed to perform reasonable services or provide refunds upon demand.

This is just a flavor of the things we saw from the loan modification side of life in 2010. Taking this for what it is, and given the large number of complaints from California homeowners dealing with these types of heartless vultures, it is no wonder SB 94 was passed.

Now some “enterprising” lawyers (one in particular in southern california) have broken their loan modification contract into THREE PIECES (charging for each service after it is performed) in an effort to snub their noses at SB 94. This particular firm is also bringing in about 200 files per month, or so we are told. This is the nature of the loan modification beast in California, and homeowners are advised to be very suspect and wary when dealing with a loan modification company. Do not pay any advance fees for loan modification work to either an attorney, “law center,” “law group,” “Attorney-based” company, foreclosure consultant etc.

In many cases, as a homeowner, you can try to do your own loan modification. Yes, it will most likely not be an easy task as most will testify. However, you should try to contact your lender and see if they are willing to work with you, and submit your financial documentation and see if they will provide you any type of loan modification assistance. Loans are getting modified, but not always on the terms the homeowner wants. If you are lucky, and if you have a bona fide hardship, and meet the financial criteria, you may be able to save yourself some money by doing your own modification.

Our firm has offices in Newport Beach, California, and Phoenix, Ariozna. We still help select clients in Arizona who are seeking various loss mitigation solutions including loan modifications, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, short sales, and bankruptcy – Chapter 7. As for California, we take Wachovia and World Savings Option Arm Loans on a “no-up-front-fee basis (Contingency if you will) meaning you really have nothing to lose.

The Law Offices of Steven C. Vondran, P.C. is licensed to practice law in the States of California and Arizona. Mr. Vondran is a licensed real estate broker in both states as well. Currently the firm handles Real Estate, Bankruptcy, and Foreclosure Defense work in addition to assisting real estate brokers in the area of Broker Law. He can be reached at steve@vondranlaw.com or by phone at (877) 276-5084. Emails are not confidential and create no attorney-client relationship. This is an advertisement and communication pursuant to state bar rules. We only seek to solicit and serve homeowners, real estate investors, and brokers in California and Arizona.

OUR MISSION: “WE ARE FIGHTING FOR “TRUTH IN LENDING” (a strange concept, i know!):

(1) WE ARE FIGHTING FOR TRUE AND ACCURATE DISCLOSURE OF A LOAN PRODUCT, ITS NATURE, AND TERMS (TELL PEOPLE THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LOANS THEY ARE LOCKING INTO). GIVE THEM THE CHARMS BOOKLET AND CALIFORNIA ARM DISCLOSURES

(2) WE ARE FIGHTING FOR TRUE AND FAIR DISCLOSURE OF THE PRICE-TAG FOR THE LOAN (APR AND FINANCE CHARGES THAT ARE TRUE AND ACCURATE). ACCURATE TRUTH IN LENDING STATEMENTS

(3) WE ARE FIGHTING FOR FAIR AND ACCURATE DISCLOSURE OF THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE LOAN WHEN APPLICABLE (GIVE PEOPLE THEIR REQUIRED COPIES AND GIVE TRUE DATES UPON WHICH LOANS CAN BE RESCINDED)

(4) WE ARE FIGHITNG FOR FAIR AND HONEST UNDERWRITING THAT IS BASED UPON A CLIENTS TRUE ABILITY TO REPAY A LOAN (WHICH MAY MEAN VERIFYING INCOME AND TELLING SOME PEOPLE THEY DON’T QUALIFY) AND TRUE AND ACURATE APPRAISAL OF PROPERTY THAT SUPPORTS THE UNDERWRITING.

(5) WE ARE FIGHTING FOR FULL DISLCOSURE OF THE HOLDER OF THE LOAN (INVESTOR) AND PROOF AS TO WHO OWNS THE RIGHT TO BE PAID, AND THE RIGHT TO FORECLOSE, AND WHO MUST BY LAW CONTACT CALIFORNIA HOMEOWNERS TO DISCUSS LOAN MODIFICATIONS AND ASSESS BORROWER FINANCES.

(6) WE ARE FIGHTING FOR FULLFULL AND FAIR ACCOUNTING FOR PAYMENTS, LATE FEES, ESCROW CHARGES, AND OTHER CHARGES IN THE LOAN SERVICER’S BACK-ROOM. ANSWER THOSE QWR’S ON TIME, AND IN UNDERSTANDABLE DETAIL. STOP REPORTING NEGATIVE CREDIT DURING THIS PERIOD.

(7) WE ARE FIGHTING FOR HONESTY AND “TRUTH IN TRIAL PLANS” – IF HOMEOWNERS DON’T QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE RESTRUCTING / LOAN MODIFICATION, DON’T SEND THEM A TRIAL PLAN THAT LEADS THEM TO BELEIVE THEY DO. IN ADDITION, BE TRUTHFUL ABOUT THE PRECISE TERMS OF THE LOAN MODFIICATIONS (DISCLOSE THE TERMS CLEARLY) AND HONOR YOUR TRIAL PLAN AGREEMENTS.

ITS TIME THE LENDERS OPEN THE BOOKS AND SHOW US WHERE THE BAIL-OUT MONEY HAS GONE. WE NEED SOME TRANSPARENCY. WE NEED SOME ACCOUNTABILITY TO SHOW WHAT HAS BEEN DONE WITH TAX-PAYER MONEY. WAS YOUR LOAN ALREADY PAID OFF VIA THE BAILOUT, AND NOW THEY WANT TO COLLECT MORE MONEY FROM YOU FROM A LOAN THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ALREADY PAID? IF YOUR LOAN WAS SECURITIZED INTO A “LOAN POOL” IS THERE ANY CHANCE YOUR ENTIRE POOL OF LOAN WAS BAILED OUT AND PAID OFF? IF SO, DOES THAT MEAN THEY STILL GET TO COLLECT FROM YOU AS WELL? WHAT IS THAT? ISN’T THAT A WINDFALL……..UNJUST ENRICHMENT?

PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE REPRESENTED BY A FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER WHEN TRYING TO RESOLVE ONE OF BIGGEST PROBLEMS MOST HOMEOWNERS WILL EVER FACE. IN MANY CASES, A FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER CAN EVALUATE YOUR LOAN, REVIEW YOUR MORTGAGE DOCUMENTS (FORENSIC AUDIT), DEMAND THAT DEBTS BE VALIDATED, SEND MODIFICATION PROPOSALS, REVIEW TRIAL PLAN AND OTHER LOAN MODFICATION AGREEMENTS, ADVISE ON DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS, DISCUSS POTENTIAL BANKRUPTCY AND SHORT-SALE OPTIONS, AND ENSURE THAT YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FORECLOSURE LAWS ARE ADHERED TO AND PROTECTED. THE BANKS HAVE EXPENSIVE LAWYERS ON THEIR TIME, YOU DESERVE TO BE REPRESENTED DURING THIS CONFUSING AND STRESSFUL ORDEAL. THIS IS THEIR GAME AND THEIR BATTLEFIELD.

IF YOU ARE AN ARIZONA HOMEOWNER PLEASE CONTACT US (877) 276-5084 TO DISCUSS YOUR FORECLOSURE CASE.

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KEYWORDS: ARIZONA FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / ARIZONA FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / PHOENIX FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / PHOENIX FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / TRUTH IN LENDING LAWYER / TRUTH IN LENDING ATTORNEY / PREDATORY LENDING LAWYER / PREDATORY LENDING ATTORNEY / QUALIFIED WRITTEN REQUEST / RESPA LAWYER / RESPA ATTORNEY / PHOENIX TRUTH IN LENDING LAWYER / PHOENIX TRUTH IN LENDING ATTORNEY / FORENSIC LOAN AUDITS / ATTORNEY LOAN AUDITS / SCOTTSDALE FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / SCOTTSDALE FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / SCOTTSDALE TRUTH IN LENDING LAWYER / SCOTTSDALE TRUTH IN LENDING ATTORNEY / SCOTTSDALE LOAN MODIFICATION LAWYER / PHOENIX LOAN MODIFICATION ATTORNEY / OPTION ARM LOAN LITIGATION.

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ABOUT US:

The Law Offices of Steve Vondran in licensed to practice law in California and Arizona.  Steve Vondran, Esq. is a licensed attorney and real estate broker in California and Arizona.

He can be reached by email at steve@vondranlaw.com or toll free (877) 276-5084

Offices:

Arizona Office (Esplanade): 2415 E. Camelback Road, Suite 700, Phoenix, AZ, 85020.

California Office (Fashion Island): 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1100, Newport Beach, CA 92660

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Our Real Estate Law Services:

1. Loan Modifications / Loan Workouts (World Savings and Wachovia Loans)2. Commercial Lease Modifications3. DRE audits, hearings and investigations4. Real Estate Broker admissions cases5. Foreclosure Defense6. Mortgage Law & Predatory Law7. Phoenix Real Estate Zoning Attorney – Greater Phoenix (Scottsdale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Casa Grande etc.)8. Phoenix Eminent Domain Attorney / Inverse Condemnation / Prop 207 (Greater Phoenix)9. Real Estate Arbitration, Litigation and Mediation10. Foreclosure Consultant Contracts / Loan Modification Contracts11. Real Estate LLC’s & Incorporations12. Real Estate Partnership Law13. Quiet Title Actions14. Forensic Loan Audits – Greater Phoenix (Truth in Lending (TILA), RESPA, HOEPA, Fraud, etc.)______________________________________________________________________________

KEYWORDS: ARIZONA FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / CALIFORNIA FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / PHOENIX FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / PHOENIX FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / SCOTTSDALE FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / SCOTTSDALE FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / ORANGE COUNTY PREDATORY LENDING LAWYER / ORANGE COUNTY FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / ORANGE COUNTY FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAYWER /  TRUTH IN LENDING LAWYER / TRUTH IN LENDING ATTORNEY / SOUTHER CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE LAW ATTORNEY / MORTGAGE LAWYER / RIVERSIDE FORECLOSURE ATTORNEY / RIVERSIDE FORECLOSURE LAWYER / RESPA LAWYER / RESPA ATTORNEY / FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAW / PHOENIX LOAN MODIFICATION ATTORNEY / PHOENIX FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE LAWYER / ORANGE COUNTY PREDATORY LENDING AND MORTGAGE LITIGATION ATTORNEY / NEWPORT BEACH FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / NEWPORT BEACH FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ATTORNEY / CALIFORNIA FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LAWYER / PREDATORY LENDING LAWYER / LOAN RESCISSION ATTORNEY / TILA RESCISSION LAWYER / WACHOVIA OPTION ARM LOAN / WORLD SAVINGS OPTION ARM LOAN / RESCIND MY LOAN /

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HELPFUL FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LINKS:

To see some of other other websites dealing with the financial crisis please review the following websites:

(1) www.OptionArmLawyer.com (potential attacks against the predatory option arm loan – aka “Pick-a-Prey”)

(2) www.TrialPlanFraud.com (tackling issues involved with what we call trial-plan shennanigans)

(3) www.BKAttorneyS.net (BK Attorney Steve – Chapter 7 Bankruptcy information for Arizona and California Homeowners)

(4) www.RescindMyLoan.net (website that discusses Truth in Lending Rescission information)

(5) www.LoanModRadio.com (site which features foreclosure defense issues in streaming audio)

(6) www.ProduceTheNoteAttorney.com (general information on the “Produce the Note” foreclosure defense strategy that is running rampant on the Internet)

www.LoanModSolutions.net (Submit your Wachovia / World Savings Loans)

www.LoanModificationRipoff.net (Submit your Loan Mod Scam – we may be able to take your case on contingency).

Our profiles will also be listed on www.ContingencyCase.com an online legal directory for lawyers who will consider taking cases on a contingency fee basis in a variety of legal areas.  I will be listed for our World Savings and Wachovia Option Arm loans.

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Our Real Estate Law Services:

1. Loan Modifications / Loan Workouts (World Savings and Wachovia Loans)

2. Commercial Lease Modifications

3. DRE audits, hearings and investigations

4. Real Estate Broker admissions cases

5. Foreclosure Defense

6. Mortgage Law & Predatory Law

7. Phoenix Real Estate Zoning Attorney – Greater Phoenix (Scottsdale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Casa Grande etc.)

8. Phoenix Eminent Domain Attorney / Inverse Condemnation / Prop 207 (Greater Phoenix)

9. Real Estate Arbitration, Litigation and Mediation

10. Foreclosure Consultant Contracts / Loan Modification Contracts

11. Real Estate LLC’s & Incorporations

12. Real Estate Partnership Law

13. Quiet Title Actions

14. Forensic Loan Audits – Greater Phoenix (Truth in Lending (TILA), RESPA, HOEPA, Fraud, etc.)

THE LAW OFFICES OF STEVE VONDRAN IS LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND US CONFIDENTIAL EMAILS OR POST CONFIDENTIAL CASE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR BLOGS OR WEBSITES. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF PRIVACY.

WE SERVE ARIZONA REAL ESTATE CLIENTS IN THE FOLLOWING CITIES: PEORIA, SURPRISE, SUN CITY, PHOENIX, GLENDALE, CASA GRANDE, SCOTTSDALE, TEMPE, MESA, CHANDLER, MARICOPA, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, AVONDALE AND OTHER SURROUNDING CITIES IN THE GREATER PHOENIX AREA.

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND COMMUNICATION PURSUANT TO STATE BAR RULES.