Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    jojoba17's Avatar
    jojoba17 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jul 16, 2009, 09:02 AM
    Improper lien on my house
    I've bought my house 5 years ago and now I'm in the process to refinance.
    When the tittle company did the search they found out that there is a lien on my house from the previous owner.
    Basically the previous owner had two mortgages on his house, but when we bought, it only appeared one of them because the second mortgage wasn't registered. This second mortgage was only registered by the bank 5 years later, which is last year, when the house was already mine for 4 1/2 years.
    Clearly the bank made a mistake and now I'm paying 90/days to hold the interest rate in order to have it removed by the bank.
    The laywer that is doing the closing had sent a letter to the legal department on the bank, but it may take a month and they are not sure if they will reimburse me for the lock extension that I have to pay daily plus her attorney fees doing the follow up and letter.
    Do I have a case to pursuit a lawsuit against the bank? It's been very stressfull and time consuming especially in time of crises. In case I have a case for a lawsuit, do I have to end up paying the attorney costs?
    Thanks
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Jul 16, 2009, 09:58 AM

    What does the Attorney you've hired to straighten this out have to say about it?
    jojoba17's Avatar
    jojoba17 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Jul 16, 2009, 10:39 AM
    I didn't hire a lawyer for this case, she is the one that was doing the refinance of my house.
    But she believes that I won't be able to get much back and end up paying a higher fee for a lawyer to pursuit this lawsuit.
    I'm really mad because my husband and I have to take off to be fixing a mistake the bank made and paying for it as well.
    Thanks
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
     
    #4

    Jul 16, 2009, 11:15 AM

    Well, if an Attorney familiar with the situation doesn't think it's worth the time and trouble, then I would go with that suggestion BUT you can ALWAYS sue in Small Claims Court for what you are out of pocket. It's fairly inexpensive, you can represent yourself, you just might prevail.
    AK lawyer's Avatar
    AK lawyer Posts: 12,592, Reputation: 977
    Expert
     
    #5

    Jul 16, 2009, 11:50 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by jojoba17 View Post
    ... when we bought, it only appeared one of them because the second mortgage wasn't registered. This second mortgage was only registered by the bank 5 years later, which is last year, when the house was already mine for 4 1/2 years.
    Clearly the bank made a mistake
    Yes, so it appears. However the bank is the victim of the mistake, not you or your buyer.

    If a mortgage creditor fails to record its mortgage before a subsequent bona fide purchaser for value records, the mortgage is simply ineffective against the BFP. End of discussion.


    Quote Originally Posted by jojoba17 View Post
    ...
    they are not sure if they will reimburse me for the lock extension that I have to pay daily plus her attorney fees doing the follow up and letter.
    I really question whether you should be responsible for your buyer's attorney fees, but I suppose it is a matter of the fine print in the agreement you have with your buyer.
    I suggest you get your own attorney to review this to see. The buyer's attorney is not going to properly advise you on this question.


    Quote Originally Posted by jojoba17 View Post
    ...
    Do I have a case to pursuit a lawsuit against the bank? It's been very stressfull and time consuming especially in time of crises.
    I don't think so, as I said before. I don't think a mortgagee has a responsibility to determine, at the instant it records the mortgage, whether the mortgagor still owns the property.

    Quote Originally Posted by jojoba17 View Post
    ... In case I have a case for a lawsuit, do I have to end up paying the attorney costs?
    No. In most states, in most cases a successful plaintiff pays his/her own attorney fees.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Lien on House [ 11 Answers ]

My ex husband has bought a new home, and is planning on buying another one. He is arrears with spousal support, child support and medical reimbursement. I have been down-sized from my job, and am at a place where I NEED the money now. Never acted on this before. I have been told that it is a...

Can I lien a house [ 2 Answers ]

Some 32 months ago me and my girlfriend at the time purchased a home (I am not on the deed or mortgage only her, I did not qualify for the mortgage ,but she didn't meet the income requirements,so the lender used my income to make her qualify) We split last Dec 07 and have an agreement for the...

Lien on house [ 2 Answers ]

My Homeowners association put a lien on my house for unpaid late fees/atty fees. I paid my HOA fee late and did not pay the late fees and now I find out that they put a lien on house for the late fees/atty fees. My wife and I are struggling to pay our bills and our mortgage takes up our income and...

Possible lien against house [ 3 Answers ]

When my husband's grandmother died, my father-in-law inherited the house. To keep himself from losing the house (whole different story) he deeded the house to my husband and brother-in-law. Over the past few years they have paid the property tax on the property. My father-in-law has been very...


View more questions Search