Archive for January 2013

Foreclosure Stories: The $20,000 Loan

I had a potential deal on the table to purchase my condo for $20,000. The only problem was that I didn’t have that kind of money.  Actually let me rephrase that, I didn’t have any money. I’m still “in-between jobs” and what assets I had were depleted long ago. In case you didn’t know, banks... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
January 16, 2013 at 8:55 am • 

The CTA Fare Hike Wouldn't Be Necessary If They Signed A Reality Show Deal

Mayor Emanuel and CTA Board, I’ve found the solution to your budget woes.  A fare hike wouldn’t be necessary if you inked a deal with a production company for a reality show about the CTA. Think about it. I’m fairly comfortable in the assumption that most of you all don’t ride the CTA very often... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
January 14, 2013 at 6:20 am • 

Foreclosure Stories: My Home Is Worth $20,000

The south and west sides are ground zero for mortgage fraud in Chicago.  Wave after wave of foreclosures and vacant or half finished buildings have decimated property values. If you have the available money, you could take about $100,000 and literally buy a city block in certain neighborhoods. That’s how much the property values have... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
January 9, 2013 at 9:43 am • 
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Foreclosure Stories: My Mortgage Gets Sold

Just because I wasn’t paying my mortgage didn’t mean that I didn’t have contact with my mortgage servicer. They called dutifully—in some cases up to four or five times a day—to get me to pay my past due balance. I was truthful with them. Since they couldn’t make a reduction in my payments, there was... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
January 5, 2013 at 8:47 am • 

Foreclosure Stories: Getting Lucky

Do not think that the answer to any mortgage problem you may have is to simply to stop paying. You entered into a legal contract. It is enforceable and you could very well find your ass out on the street if you choose to do what I did. It’s a dangerous game that I don’t... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
January 3, 2013 at 1:54 pm • 

Foreclosure Stories: I Stopped Paying My Mortgage

January 2012 was the last time I paid my mortgage in full. Like many unemployed or underemployed Americans, I had some tough decisions to make regarding my finances.  If I paid the mortgage, how was I going to eat?  How was I going to keep the utilities on?  How was the phone bill going to... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
January 2, 2013 at 9:58 am • 
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