Complaint Review: Ameriquest Mortgage Company Aka AMC - Orange California

I would like to know if anyone here might have an up date about ameriquest and their insurance?

Please put this on your website I dont have time tonight to edit it sorry. I have to leave soon to protest against ameriquest in the am. Thanks Markana | Reply | This is My STRUGGLE so far. Show Printable Version Subscribe to this Thread Message Board - Letter to Congress Woman, Deborha Pryce, Asking for Help with Ameriquest and Hurricanes Thread Tools Search Author Comment Sharon 9/14/05 at 08:10 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As someone previously posted, "eyes" are watching this site. Your suspicions about them getting this info from the Internet are probably 100% correct. Just to let you know.... Markana 9/14/05 at 08:28 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Sharon I'm hoping they are watching! and reading. are you there Ameriquest? or Mike and the gang? are you posting? We are watching you tooooo...... >>>>--------- 9/14/05 at 01:35 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ameriquest can hear me from the net From Markana. I guess Ameriquest can hear me from the net. My Attorney called and said that an ameriquest attorney called them and said that, ameriquest is very concerned and didn't know that I was still making the mortgage payments, and didn't realize that we are having this struggle. Well, let's see just how much longer it will be? I won't hold my breath.......... If I have to spend 10 years in court I will get an Answer! Good Luck to everyone! _________________________________________________ I never even herd of forced placed insurance before ameriquest. Ameriquest's cure for their mistake, was to first, sell the loan to HSBC then put forced placed insurance on 2 month after they sold the loan to HSBC, and 5 month after the storms. is that legal? Now I cant get a copy of anything, including the insurance? now since HSBC made ameriquest buy it back, before they HSBC, sold it back to amc, HSBC Paid for the balance of the insurance, and put it in my name, now after talking to the insurance dep, at amc, on recording she said that they were still putting F/P insurance on us and that it would be a waste of time for me to send her the info I have. HUM, now I have 2 times the insurance? 1 for 100,000.00 and 1 for 60.000.00 on a 60,000.00 thousand dollar loan. I Don't trust Ameriquest, and I really hope they don't try what they have done to us, on the poor victims of Katrina, That why I'm hear. Thanks, for the info about the Congress person, I will try that next. GOOD LUCK! From Florida, ) USA Me 2 9/17/05 at 09:13 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi everyone, I found this from a guy named John. PEOPLE CALL OR WRITE TO BILL LOCKYER ( ATTORNEY GENERAL ) IN CALIFORNIA AND REPORT THESE BLOOD SUCKERS ... AMERIQUEST... I ASSURE YOU THAT HE WILL RESPOND TO YOU PROMPTLY. Full speed ahead!!! Stephen 9/17/05 at 10:29 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have. No response. Me 2 9/17/05 at 11:20 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mortgage Companies Submitted: 9/16/2005 6:24:20 PM Modified: 9/17/2005 8:23:10 AM AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE COMPANY RIPOFF ARTIST, DECEPTIVE, FRAUDS, LIARS, UNETHICAL, ILLEGAL ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA *Consumer Suggestion ..I am currently working with a State representative and a State Senator and a Congressman to start an organized group of individuals to combat their PR Company AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE COMPANY Address: ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA ORANGE COUNTY California U.S.A. Phone Number: Fax: It's truly Sad to see that this company that sponsors professional sports and says they are here to help people contimue to take advantage of unsuspecting people. I am currently working with a State representative and a State Senator and a Congreesman to start an organized group of individuals to combat their PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES. I will not quit until they either discontinue lying to people or just plain close their doors. Did you know that our president has nominated their CEO to be an ambassador to Holland? I smell another ENRON here and look where their top officials are today... JAIL!!! ACORN made a deal with the DEVIL ( AMERIQUEST ) when they signed an agreement with them. they ( Ameriquest ) promised they would discontinue their unethical practices in early 2000. What happened ACORN? Someone hasn't paid attention to their members complaints. Ameriquest made their promises, however, ACORN wasn't paying attention... they only agreed to certain cities... not too smart! Don't get me wrong, there are some good organizations out there... do some homework on google. Email them, call them or whatever, just get it done NOW! call your Attorney General to initiate a complaint against them and don't quit until you get an acceptable answer from him or her. Also call your STATE BANKING AUTHORITY and again initiate a complaint in writing and be persistent! People, if you look back at some of my postings you will see my email address. I encourage you to contact me. Oh, and if you (Ameriquest) try to contact me again... DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! I NOW HAVE A FILTER TO IDENTIFY WHO IS CONTACTING ME. YOU HAVE TRIED ATLEAST 2 TIMES TO FOOL ME AND IT DIDN'T WORK. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A FORMER EMPLOYEE (BRANCH MANAGER) WHO HAS SAID THAT AMERIQUEST THREATENED TO KILL HIM IF HE DIDN'T SHUT HIS MOUTH... NICE HUH? I know a lot of you are scared, discouraged and feeling empty, but you have to take the initiative and do it NOW!!! I will do whatever I can in the coming months to help whomever I can... but you need to contact me. Again look back at prior postings and you will see my email address. I wish everyone the best and may God Bless you! Thanks for your attention... Every American is entitled to their opinions and I am not afraid to express mine... KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO GET THE JOB DONE! Thank you! John CRANBERRY, Pennsylvania U.S.A. Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Ameriquest Mortgage Company If you would like to see more Rip-off ReportsTM on AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, please use the search box below In order to assure the best results in your search: Keep the name short & simple, and try different variations of the name. Do not include ".com", "S", "Inc.", "Corp", or "LLC" at the end of the Company name. Use only the first/main part of a name to get best results. Only search one name at a time if Company has many AKA's. Click here to go to our advanced search page. Rebuttal Consumer Suggestion Submitted: 9/17/2005 6:18:13 AM Modified: 9/17/2005 6:18:13 AM I am currently working with a State representative and a State Senator and a Congressman to start an organized group of individuals to combat their PR This is my response. Hey John, Thanks for the good work. There are many people working on this same mission. We need to get more people working on the same track, to get this out to the public, Like a TV AD. The employees need to stand up for their rights to. if you let me know witch congressman you are working with I will writhe him next. Hum TV ad, I just saw an ad the other day sponsored by (Homeland security), maybe they can help us to. Thanks From Florida USA Markanna - Florida U.S.A. Section 8 info 9/20/05 at 06:46 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- District Links District Links Deborah's Views Deborah's Views Biography Biography Multimedia Multimedia Ordering a Flag Ordering a Flag Assistance with Federal Agencies Assistance with Federal Agencies Information on Visiting D.C. Information on Visiting D.C. Recomendations to Military Academies Recomendations to Military Academies Assistance with Federal Grants Assistance with Federal Grants Congressional Arts Competition Congressional Arts Competition Internships and Page Program Internships and Page Program Deborah on the Issues Deborah on the Issues I am committed to ensuring that we continue to improve the availability and affordability of housing for our nation's hardworking citizens. A significant portion of federal funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) addresses the housing problems faced by families or individuals that are priced out of the local housing market. Most of these housing assistance programs are contained in the Section 8 program, which provides rental assistance vouchers to tenants in qualifying housing. Funding for the Section 8 program has been the focus of much concern lately. In fact, I worked with Rep. Patrick Tiberi and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) to fix a funding problem to insure that CMHA could continue to serve all those in our community who currently receive housing assistance under the Section 8 program. I also strongly support efforts to improve funding for homelessness programs. I am an original cosponsor of two bills that would provide housing and services for people experiencing long-term homelessness. Additionally, I am a cosponsor of the American Dream Downpayment Act, a bill President Bush signed into law. The bill provides $200 million in annual grants for downpayment and closing cost assistance to help 40,000 working-class and minority families buy a home. In June 2004, HUD awarded more than $700,000 to Columbus as part of this initiative. Stephen 9/20/05 at 11:35 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is a growing number of "Newly Homeless" in America. They are not deadbeats, drug addicts, alcoholics or ex-cons. They are college-educated, middle-class, well-dressed and well-spoken persons who are stunned by their fate. They are baffled by the sudden feelings of guilt, loss of dignity, humiliation, and grief. They are overburdened learning a lifestyle they have never been exposed to, but must adapt to at breakneck speed. They have to learn how to live out of a car, where to get food with no money, fight with Social Security who treats them as deadbeats and fights them all the way. Where to take a shower, dealing with real bums on the street, sitting for hours in public offices trying to get help, filling out form after form after form, being treated like a lost dog at the unemployment offices, exploited by the low-level employers who fish there, how to steal a granola bar, how to drive without auto insurance, how to walk great distances, how to use public transportation, how to physically defend onesself in the depressed areas, how to get medical help with no money, watch your fillings fall out, learn the location of every public bathroom in the city, and how to maintain some sense of self as a dumpster baby. Section 8 has been a saving grace for me and I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for them. They are accommodating, pleasant and cheerful, non-resistant full of understanding. Thank You, Stephen Me 2 9/21/05 at 08:07 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I found this on the web Post a comment There are 2 comments: Are their any reports on Ameriquest of their Loss Draft Department. I've heard several stories that when homeowners sent their Hurricane check to Ameriquest for endorsement, they kept the check and they make it difficult for the homeowners to get their money back to pay for damege done by the Hurricanes. Posted by Amy at July 28, 2005 6:27 PM Request removal of this comment. I want to thank the reporters who are working on this story and you for letting other journalists out there know how crooked certain segments of our mortgage industry are. The real problem however is that OUR money [yes yours and mine] in the form of money invested in pension, mutual, stock and trust funds are giving these guys the money to keep on leveraging their own personal net worth and increasing stock prices for those that are public or soon to go public. I am an advocate fighting these crimes and have ammased over 5 million pages of docs and hundreds of hours of tapes for any journalist that wants to cover one of any number of the scandals goig on in this industy. Again, thanks to you and the reporters covering this most important story! Posted by Nye Lavalle at March 27, 2005 1:41 AM Request removal of this comment. USREP 9/23/05 at 08:20 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V Found on the web: __________________________________________________ _ Mortgage Companies Submitted: 12/23/2004 11:48:09 AM Modified: 12/23/2004 11:48:00 AM Ameriquest Mortgage Company ripoff withholding insurance checks from hurricane ravaged Floridians. Tustin California Company Ameriquest, Travelers Group - USF&G Address: 14511 Myford Rd. Ste. 200 Tustin California 92780 U.S.A. Phone Number: 800-213-6762 Fax: I read one report here already that preety much stated the situation but I will state it once more for clarity. After waiting nearly 3 months for a check from our insurance company (formerly USF&G - now Travelers Group) and getting ripped off there (time and materials for structural damage depreciated to 1991 rates) we finally recieved the insurance company's meager check which was made out to me, my wife (not on the mortgage by-the-way) and to Ameriquest Mortgage Company. After calling Ameriquest to find out how we were supposed to use this check - we were told to endorse the check and send it to their Loss Draft department. They said that they would put their endorsement on the check and send it back to us (fully endorsed check floating around in the mail - thats smart). After waiting the 10 days for the check to get there, get endorsed, and get returned to us we received a welcome package from the Loss Draft Department and a statement from Ameriquest showing that the check that we sent them was now in some special escrow account that they set up and that we had to jump through a dozen more hoops to gain access to that money and that if we didn't follow their procedures - they get to use the money for anything they want after 6 months. One consumer that reported this on this site said they were OK with that. I am definately NOT OK with any of this and I think that this is definately a RIPOFF. --- THEIR POLICY --- A. To Receive the first disbursement of funds, you must submit the following documentation .... 1) Copy of insurance company's adjuster's report. 2) Original copy (oxymoronic?) of this letter signed by all borrowers. 3) A report from OUR property inspection company to verify the damages (Insurance company and City Inspectors not good enough?). 4) A Copy of a signed contract with a licensed contractor. The contract MUST REFLECT the following payment schedule to match AMC's schedule of three equal disbursements. a) Initial Draw upon receipt of ALL required documentation. b) Second Draw at 50% completion. c) Final Draw at 100% completion. 5) Contract MUST specify the start date and expected completion date for the repairs. B. To receive the second disbursement: You must contact us when repairs are at least 50 percent complete. WE will perform a property inspection. Upon confirmation that the reparis are at least 50 percent complete, WE will release the second of three disbursements. C. Checks will be made payable to YOU and YOUR CONTRACTOR unless you provide us a receipt showing that the contractor has already been paid in full. (Another paragraph here states what must be done should you need to change contractors in the middle of repairs). D. You are required to contact us when the repairs are 50% complete. WE will request an inspection to confirm the percentage of repairs completed. When the repairs are 100% complete, WE will request an inspection to confirm the repairs are fully completed and all city/count inspections have been conducted. In addition, the following documentation must be provided by the borrower prior to release of the final disbursement: 1) Signed and Notorized Waiver of Lien from EACH contractor that performs work. 2) Affidavit signed by each of the borrowers (witnessed). 3) A property inspection may be required on repairs that AMC does not monitor. IF THE REPAIRS TO THE DAMAGED PROPERTY ARE NOT COMPLETED WITHIN 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE WE RECEIVE THE CHECK, ANY FUNDS HELD IN THE RESTRICTED ESCROW ACCOUNT MAY BE USED TO PAY AMOUNTS UNPAID UDER THE NOTE OR DEED OF TRUST/MORTGAGE, WHETHER OR NOT THEN DUE. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WITHHOLD FUNDS UNTIL ALL PARTIES HAVE COMPLIED WITH OUR PROCEDURES. --- END POLICY --- This procedure is frought with pitfalls and loopholes that will enable AMC in the end to keep this money. I have already put a new roof on this house costing me $3800 out of pocket and in debt for another $5000 that I get harassed for everyday. I am also having difficulty finding ANY contractor willing to jump through these hoops without getting any money up front. Is it just me or is this totally ludicrous? How much more should the Hurricane victims in Florida endure before we can start to put our lives back together. Kip PORT ST LUCIE, Florida U.S.A. __________________________________________________ ______________ From Crystal I closed on my loan in May of 2004. It is now September and I just got hit by Hurricane Frances. I called to file a claim with my insurance company, and to my surprise they have no idea who I am and have no information on any policy that I had. In my closing I paid the insurance company ARC Insurance. $1,131.33. The woman with whom I have dealt told me that Todd my loan officer did not complete the proper paperwork for my insurance so I have NEVER been insured not one day. There is now another LARGE storm in the ocean that is threatening our home and we are not insured. I am pregnant and have two small children, this house is all I have and I am in danger of loosing it, because Ameriquest failed to file the necessary paperwork. I have called on a number of occasions with no help. They do not seem to this they are responsible for this. Now my money was returned to TurnKey Title Company and I have heard nothing from them as well. If anyone has any advice PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA E-MAIL! Thank you, Crystal St. Petersburg, Florida U.S.A. UPDATE:Crystal: Submitted: 9/12/2004 6:23:55 AM Modified: 9/12/2004 7:25:52 PM afraid of loosing my home and the treatment i am getting from Ameriquest is terribe, I paid for my insurance in my closing and called to file a claim because of the hurricane, and my insurance company did not have a clue who i am My name is Crystal, i have posted on here already but i wanted to respond to you because i really am afraid of loosing my home and the treatment i am getting from Ameriquest is terribe I have delt with Todd the branch manager in saint petersburg and the area manager Adam Rothman. They both told me flat out that they do not care about my situation and that it is not their problem. I had a computer apprasal. I paid for my insurance in my closing and called to file a claim because of the hurricane, and my insurance company did not have a clue who i am. I was contacted by a rep from the ins co. and she told me that she returned the check on June 30 for my insurance and that i was never covered not for one day, that Todd recieved my paper work and was supposed to include it in the closing paperwork and did not. I called the title company and they dont have the check. I can not obtain coverage now because of the storm, and the fact that i dont have the money, and no one knows where it is. I have to obtain a REAL apprasal and pay for it myself inorder to get insurance coverage. Please help me. All i have is my home. Crystal - Saint Petersburg, Florida U.S.A. ____________________________________________________ ____ Janice of Delray Beach FL (3/30/05): Last September Florida had 3 hurricanes. I called Ameriquest and asked them if they could extend one of my payments and they said they would. Instead of taking that 1 payment and putting it on the end of the contract, they gave me one month to come up with 2 payments. Now how would somebody who has been suffering with hardship because of the hurricanes be able to come up with 2 payments the next month? I have been having 1 problem after another with Ameriquest. The sales talk was sweet when I went to get the mortgage but after I signed it has been hell! I had a morgage payment of $2,623, now I have to pay $3,970 and they are giving me such a runaround. They are not flexible. When people have hardship I was told, I could get special circumstance, but instead I was told if I cannot make the payment sell my house or they will take it away from me. __________________________________________________ ______________ : Mortgage Companies Submitted: 10/18/2004 6:16:28 PM Modified: 10/18/2004 6:16:00 PM Ameriquest Mortgage Company Ripoff Witholding insurance money and threatening to put in hazard loss within 6 months time frame to pay amounts unpaid on Note or Deed whether due or not Kissimmee Florida Company Ameriquest Mortgage Company Address: 505 City Parkway West, Suite 100 Kissimmee Florida 34758 U.S.A. Phone Number: 800-213 6762 Fax: We are having a time with Ameriquest Mortgage. We have been hit by 3 hurricanes and Ameriquest is witholding our funds. They have had our check for over a month now, sitting on it. It is there policy to delve it out in 3 stages and send inspectors out. That is all fine, however if the work is not completed within a 6 month period they can put it in a hazard loss account that may be used to pay amounts unpaid under the Note or Deed of Trust/Mortgage, whether or not then due. Nothing about repairing the home to its original state. It is impossible getting a contractor in the state of Florida to repair or redo your roof unless you know someone or have the funds. No Ameriquest does not give funds out until all work is completed upon its three stages to release funds. This is ridiculous. Haven't Floridians been through enough with all 3 hurricanes let alone having to deal with or worry about if I am getting my money to do my repairs. Someone help! David Kissimmee, Florida U.S.A. __________________________________________________ ______________ Mortgage Companies Submitted: 5/30/2003 11:54:31 AM Modified: 7/9/2004 11:52:16 PM Ameriquest Mortgage Funding Fraud, Unpaided Insurance Clearwater Florida *UPDATE EX-employee responds ..Hunting down people with poor credit ..I was working for thieves who pray on people with less than perfect credit Company Ameriquest Mortgage Address: 18167 US Highway 19 #620 Clearwater Florida 33764 U.S.A. Phone Number: 727-536-0770 Fax: On 11/15/02 I went to Ameriquest Mortgage to close on my Loan. When I got there, the paperwork was not what I had discussed with my rep. Steve Santos. I pointed out that from the very beginning I did not want a ARM set at the Libor Index I was only interested in a fixed for 15 years. My loan papers were for a 30 Adjustable. The interest rate was also not what I agreed to. I walked out with my paperwork and found my attorney. The following Monday they decided to give me my 15 year fixed rate, so I took it. I closed on my loan with Ameriquest Mortgage, I re-financed and thought everything was good. I decided earlier this week to check my homeowner insurance policy to make sure it was in effect, as hurricane season is upon us. I found out that I had NO Insurance because of non-payment. I was charged by Ameriquest for insurance @ closing (HUD statement item line 903) They NEVER paid it. Now I am scrambling to re-set up insurance so I am covered. I have sent my attorney my closing stmt. he says FRAUD was indeed committed against me and I plan on sueing! I would like to get these guys, if you have a simular story please email me and let's do this together. Thank-you ripped off report I wish I knew about your site before this happened. Susan Tarpon Springs, Florida U.S.A. Me 2 9/30/05 at 02:07 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the rip-off report Rebuttal Consumer Comment Submitted: 9/29/2005 8:23:57 PM Modified: 9/29/2005 8:23:57 PM I had same insurance problem I recently signed with ameriquest and I luckly dont trust must of anything anyone tells me when it comes to money so I called to make sure that my insurance was paid with my escrow account that was set up. Well much to my surprise I was up for cancellation due to non payment for two months. I paid the insurance up so it would not cancel and then called ameriquest to find out what the hell the problem was. Was it seems that he loan officer did not pay too much attention to my monthly payments for insurance and just assumed I was rich and paid my premium for the year in feb of 2005-feb 2006 ahead of time. What a big dumb#$%. I told him I paid monthly but he did not care. He set up my account for my insurance not to be paid until feb of 2006 leaving me to not only pay the escrow from now until then for the insurance but also to pay it out of my own pocket too. Well anyway I raised hell and someone from the presidents office called me and made a rude a#$ comment about why i did not take the whole 2k cash out to pay my insurance if I new it was due. Well after I called her a dummy for not listening to my complaint obviously or she would know that the loan officer told me it was taken care of,, dah,, I hung up on her. She kept for about a week to call me back and finally I answered the phone and she did not apologize of course for her rude behavior but she said if I could prove I made the payments she would reimburse me and continue to pay the remander till feb 2006 and use the money in my escrow. I got lucky like I said. Only because I checked to make sure ameriquest did what they were supposed to and also I have a big mouth and stand my ground when I know I am wronged. I wish I could warn everyone about this company but not everyone reads this web site. Gina - Hernando, Florida U.S.A Sharon 9/30/05 at 07:13 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beware and be careful. A lot of crooks from the big fish to little minnows move in after a horrible disaster like these hurricanes to start grabbing whatever they can (including whatever is left of some folks' homes). They know that when people are emotionally distraught and desperate they are at their most vulnerable. It's a sad fact but true: there is no real sympathy in the heart of a sociopath. Only an opportunity to steal even more then usual. Sorry for the negative posts today, but I am really feeling hopeless, abandoned and lost in an uncaring world. Ann Holden 9/30/05 at 08:35 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vent. Venting is not a bad thing. Sit back and watch the fireworks to come. This will get wicked, and we all have a ring side seat. Keep watching FEMA, and MERS. More to come... Ann Holden 9/30/05 at 11:08 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hurricane Brings Miss. Real Estate Frenzy By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 20 minutes ago BILOXI, Miss. - Rubble piles bear "For Sale" signs. Homes without roofs are being sold as-is. Placards announcing "We Buy Houses, Cash!," are posted on corners throughout middle-class neighborhoods. ADVERTISEMENT The Mississippi coast, wracked by Hurricane Katrina, is caught up in a real estate rush, as speculators and those looking to replace their own wrecked homes pinpoint broken and battered waterfront neighborhoods. In the weeks since the hurricane, prices of many homes even damaged properties have jumped 10 to 20 percent. But what Katrina spared, the real estate rush now imperils. The arrival of speculators threatens what's left of bungalow neighborhoods that are among the Gulf's oldest communities, close-knit places of modest means where casino workers, fishermen and their families could still afford to live near the water. Many, underinsured and with few alternatives, see no choice but to sell. "It's the oldest part of Biloxi, full of old families. This was a place they could still afford to come to and settle," said Bill Stallworth, a city council member who represents much of the area. "Now that's being taken away." It doesn't take much for a property owner in those neighborhoods to attract prospective buyers. A call to a real estate agent fetches bidders the same day. A for-sale sign in the yard is almost as good. In some neighborhoods, owners can wait for unsolicited offers from people who show up at their doorstep. Kim Weatherly, a 50-year-old casino worker who lives in Biloxi's Point Cadet community, is watching it all with a heavy heart. The neighborhood is potentially the city's most valuable piece of property, sitting on a peninsula that juts into the Gulf of Mexico that's a center for casino gambling. Many of the tiny bungalows in the casino shadows have stood for generations. The neighborhood was snug, with the houses close to each other and to the streets. Many had views of the coastal skies from their front steps and the waterfront was just a short walk away. "People with young kids, they're going to get out of town and let their kids grow up somewhere," said Weatherly, who helps run a neighborhood food bank between shifts cleaning up casino wreckage. "Old folks, they're going to retire, forget about rebuilding. That's it. I'm retiring. Give me my money." Those without flood insurance may have even fewer options and buyer Dan Triplett expects many will sell quickly. Triplett, owner of Gulf Coast House Buyers, buys and sells property and has been particularly busy since the storm. He'll buy storm damaged property or nearly vacant lots for next to nothing. While real estate brokers find top-dollar buyers, Triplett makes cash deals or pays off mortgages in exchange for land. "I deal with the other part of the spectrum of the market: people who don't necessarily care to get full price but they need to sell quickly," said Triplett, who said most of his post-Katrina business has come from retirees and those who lost their jobs. In the coming months, as severance pay runs out for casino workers, Triplett expects a "mass exodus" of people looking to sell quickly and leave. Stallworth, the city council member, hopes that people won't sell and that they will rebuild similar homes on their small lots. If they sell to developers, the properties will fall under more recent zoning that requires consolidation of lots, leading to the construction of larger houses and businesses. But there's money to be made. An upscale Biloxi house listed before the storm for $245,000 has been relisted at $268,000, real estate agent Judy Atherton said. Another residential seller who expected to sell at a profit with a list price of $109,000 recently relisted to $119,000, and Atherton expects the house will sell. People don't talk much about it yet. There are insurance payments to be discussed, federal aid to be applied for, mortgages to be haggled over. But the priest at the local Vietnamese church said a few families have already confided that they're preparing to leave. For many around the region, it likely will be a matter of price. Those homeowners who had flood insurance and want to stay may find that their insurance money won't rebuild the same home. Because of the boom, the cost of building a new home has increased from $80 a square foot a month ago to about $99, said real estate agent Nancy Stone Bourgeois. Biloxi officials are already talking about rezoning the city. Mayor A.J. Holloway said the city needs to decide what it wants neighborhoods like Point Cadet to become because they almost certainly will not be identically rebuilt. Casino employee Gene Ganucheau, whose home on the east side of Biloxi was hurled from its foundation and pulverized into little more than scrap lumber and metal, is banking on that. Ganucheau, 53, collected what he could, found a "For Sale" sign he once used to sell his car, posted it in the front yard and began taking phone calls. Ganucheau hasn't sold yet. He thinks Mississippi will allow casinos to rebuild inland and he expects the blue-collar neighborhood to become one of luxury condominiums and casino property. "Someone's going to buy us up, that and everyone else in the neighborhood," he said. There's precedent for such a transformation. A year after Hurricane Charley ravaged much of Charlotte County, Fla., real estate agents say housing prices jumped as much as 30 percent as investors and new buyers gobbled up beachfront property. Bourgeois, an agent in Biloxi, has been besieged by callers looking to buy. Some missed the Florida boom and have instructed her to make an offer on anything that opens up on the beach. Her phone rings incessantly with potential buyers, mostly investors and people who can afford to buy second homes while repairing their first. In the meantime, Weatherly expects about half her neighbors to move. Ganucheau expects most of his neighbors to depart. "This is a very tight-knit, everybody-knows-everybody community," Weatherly said. "I hate to see them go, but they have to do what it takes." Email Story IM Story Discuss Printable View SOURCE http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051001/ap_on_bi_ge/katrina_boom_or_bust 101 sec 5 10/01/05 at 09:18 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve of Sarasota FL (7/4/03): A check for a homeowners insurance claim was made payable to me, the homeowner and to Ameriquest Mortgage. Instead of endorsing it and returning to me so I can make repairs to my house, they have kept the check. I was not in arrears. My account was and is current. I would like to sell my house. I cannot sell it in its present condition. They have kept me from getting it repaired. They have been a major disruption in my life. I can't have friends over, the place looks awful. I can't show the house. It would never sell in its present condition or I would not get a fair market price. greg collins 10/01/05 at 04:42 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Steve Welcome to the forum Ameriquest is known to pull insuarance scams like the one you are involved in yours is not the first case. Ameriquest also engages in whats called forced placed insurance which is very expensive insurance which the lender or servicer replaces with yours and only covers the lenders interests .Forced placed insurance is a key element of ms fraud the topic of this forum.I'm an Ameiriquest victim myself welcome to the club and sorry to meet under these circumstances many of us are seeking action against Ameriquest and as you noticed they are in hot water so hang in there and keep fighting and we will defeat them together. Me 2 10/12/05 at 07:49 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Governor BUSH Thank you for your recent to Governor Bush asking for his help. I appreciate the opportunity to respond on his behalf. Your concerns can best be handled by the Department of Financial Services, which is the state agency that regulates mortgage companies in Florida. In an effort to assist you, I have forwarded your letter to that office. You may also wish to contact that office directly at (800) 342-2762. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Rex T. Newman Office of Citizens' Services RN/h cc/enc: Department of Financial Services 200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350 Me 2 10/12/05 at 07:57 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Florida Department of Financial Services. We have received your E-mail and entered your concern into our database. A specialist will review your information and will get back to you shortly. If you need immediate assistance from our Department, please call us toll-free at 1-800-342-2762, or directly at 850-413-3132. Thank you. Sincerely, Florida Department of Financial Services. [THREAD ID: 1-2DZF9Z] Me 2 10/12/05 at 08:06 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Division of Licensing I am in receipt to your inquiry. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, regulates the Private Investigative, Security, and Recovery Industries pursuant to Chapter 493, Florida Statutes. We also handle the issuance of Concealed Weapon or Firearm licenses to qualified individuals pursuant to Section 790.06, Florida Statutes. Our records show that we do not have an agency currently licensed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by the name of Ameriquest. I hope that this information is helpful and thank you for this opportunity to be of assistance. Sincerely, Beverly Springer, Supervisor, Public Inquiry Section Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Bureau of License Issuance Division of Licensing 2 eM 10/12/05 at 08:09 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: HUD We are sorry to hear about your situation. If you have a FHA-insured mortgage, please contact HUD's National Servicing Center for assistance by calling 1-888-297-8685 or by email at [email protected]. If the mortgage is not FHA-insured, we recommend that you contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Call 1-800-569-4287 or review our list at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/states/florida.txt to find an agency near you. Sincerely, Sarah Lavoie U. S. Department of HUD Orlando Field Office __________________________________________________ __ Visit HUD in Florida at http://www.hud.gov/florida Visite HUD en Florida en http://espanol.hud.gov/local/fl/index.cfm Stephen 10/12/05 at 09:32 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The classic beaurocratic lateral pass. I've been through the exact same thing in California. Me 2 10/12/05 at 10:36 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- if this info helps anyone, then it was worth it to me. Me 2 10/14/05 at 11:44 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a submission we received from one of the families we are working with. Thirteen-year-old Arielle Murray wrote this lovely poem which pretty much sums up how heartbreaking this whole scenario is for teenagers as they lose their lives to mold from a hurricane. We would like to share it with you. Mold...The Destroyer Only 13 years old exposed to mold People don't understand, even when they are told. For five whole years, we didn't know what was making us ill All my parents could say is it must be God's will. One doctor said one thing, one doctor said another All I know is I almost lost my mother. She laid in bed for two whole years All I saw come out of her eyes were tears. I kept on saying what's wrong with you All she said is "Arielle I wish I knew." Two years before, she took me to school, She went to my brothers baseball games, She came and watched me at gymnastics, She was my mom, she was cool. Mold took over her life, It took over all of our lives. All my dad wanted was his old wife. Then we all started getting sick headaches, and burning nose, Our whole bodys hurt, from our head to our toes. It not only effects your body, but also your brain Once your exposed you will never be the same. We tried evrything we could think of and then lost our house, All we have now is each other and love, I pray to God every single night Make us the way we use to be, make everything alright. The End By: Arielle Murray Age 13 Mold...The Destroyer Markana Today at 06:51 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If I can't get any help from the Goverment I will let People know from the sidwalk in Tampa.......Florida<<<<< Hi Vanessa we are not the only ones, GOOD LUCK!! P.S. Don't try to live in your home if there is mold MOLD KILLS!