Realtor Raps FAP Short Sales

A San Diego real estate agent is taking on the “big banks” in a self-styled David and Goliath battle. Bob Hamzey, sure the banks are taking advantage of the Obama administration’s “Foreclosures Alternative Program,” (FAP) is asking for the submission of personal stories documenting alleged short sale abuse. After the collection process is finished, Hamzey will bundle the testimonials into a single package, a compendium of complaints, to send to the big guy in the White House. He is asking others to send him their personal stories of getting caught up in short sale abuse. Hamzey intends to send these stories to federal regulators in an effort to encourage the Obama administration to develop a system that is fair and responsible for the people they were designed to help. The FAP streamlines the short sale process for distressed homeowners, under guidance from the OCC and FDIC. But, Hamzey says, the big banks unfairly use the program to make top dollar. “The banks have been transferring their equity lines of credit in the middle of the short sale process to affiliate companies,” said Hamzey. “These affiliates are not under the auspices of the OCC or obliged to follow the rules set up under the president’s new program. In essence, they are almost free to be as uncooperative as they please.” Hamzey claims that by not signing off on the short sale package, the affiliate companies may force the first mortgage to foreclose.