Lender Admits Screw-Up In Foreclosure Sale Where Homeowner Completed Trial Modification & Was Led To Believe Permanent Workout Was Forthcoming

In Phoenix, Arizona, KPHO-TV Channel 5 reports:

• Despite being up-to-date on their modified mortgage payments, an Arizona couple found that their bank was foreclosing on their home, KPHO-TV reported. "You work so hard. Put a lot of money down on your house. You pay your taxes. You pay your mortgage, and it's all stolen from you," said Jeff Zerner, the homeowner. He and his wife, Yanthy, found out about the foreclosure when the new owner posted a notice on their door Nov. 4.

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• Just days before, the Zerners thought their home was safe. They had finished their trial modification with Chase and were led to believe they would qualify for a permanent modification. "We paid Chase several hundred dollars, which they accepted in good faith," said Zerner. "I feel extremely ripped off."

• Chase officials admit they made an error by selling the house. They told KPHO-TV in a statement, "We apologize for the confusion over the modification actions and the parallel foreclosure steps Chase takes as a precaution. We have reached out to Ms. Zerner to discuss where we go from here." Loan modifications and foreclosures are parallel processes. In the Zerners' case, the sides failed to communicate with each other to halt the foreclosure until it was too late.

For the story, see Bank Accidentally Sells Couple's Home (Bank Cites 'Confusion' For Error). ForeclosureLockOuts