Scam:
I thought I find the right mortgage company to refinance my home through. At the beginning of this process, I was told that there would be an appraisal fee by John Baumann. He stated that in order to be in compliance with the company he had to use my MasterCard (this where I should have paid attention to my instincts) and that the appraisal fee should be anywhere from $450-$550, and I would receive the appraisal fee returned to me. I also asked him if I should make my November payment with my current mortgage company, he said no. He picked out the appraiser because I never received a list of approved appraisers. I noticed a charge on my account for $600. I immediately called John Baumann and asked about the charge. He stated Arkansas is higher to get in appraisal in. He still assured me that I will get my appraisal fee back. On 11/14/17 Charlie, the appraiser, came to my house and was inside my home for only 20 min., he never once looked at my appliances or my air unit inside, or even under my home. He did ask me about my land and told him that it was not in my name yet because I still owed money on it. He simply said he would talk to his client about it. I immediately called John and let him know what was going on. He wanted me to do a quick claim deed and he would throw in $2500 to help pay off the land. On 11/17/17 I emailed John about getting the appraisal fee returned to me so I can go ahead and make a payment. He immediately called me and told me that since he was adding $1400 into my loan to help pay off my land that he could only return 2%. I told him to just take out the $1400 and I will pay my land off myself. He told that it doesn't matter who the $1400 goes to, he can not return the appraisal fee. I had to call my current mortgage company and make payment arrangements, they told me that I was suppose to receive a list of approved appraiser so I can pick my own. On 11/20/17 I tried calling his manager Joe Buxton but received a text saying "sorry. Can't talk right now.", so at this point I have had it. I filed a complaint with BBB. I did get notice that John Baumann tried to call me at work on 7/21/17, so I emailed John and told him I felt like I was lied to and that I do not want to proceed and that I am seeking the appraisal fee of $600 back. He emailed back saying ok, he will let his processer know to cancel the file. (which I still have the email). Please stay away from this company, there is some scamming and kick back going on with this company. I am still waiting on the returned of the appraisal fee $600.
by shanberger on November 21, 2017
total waste of time, and wondering about kick back and scam:
They push fha and mortgage insurance. Told us we were qualified for a certain amount, never put anything in writing, which we thought they had. After all, was sent there for preapproval to start looking at homes. Frank Zubel must get kick backs from the mortgage insurance companies. Told us to keep our money and only put the minimum down to get an fha loan and pay mortgage insurance. Actually told us that the money used to buy out the mortgage insurance, several thousand dollars was like putting more money down on the house. It is obviously an unrefundable fee not putting money down on the house. He wrote on a dry erase board, nothing on paper, except we wrote down what he was saying. Qualified us for up to a $1300 payment. When we went back to him for written pre approval, was told we had to put down over $60,000 to qualify for a payment of $950. Quite a stretch from the 4,000$ he originally told us to put down, and the $1300 payment. Very very scary. I have purchased many homes, and been around the block. I went with my daughter, for her first time purchase. I was not interested in this company when we left the first time, and that was before we knew they never put what they were saying in writing. Steer clear of this company, it is a total waste of time, you will be lied to, and mislead, and in todays lending market, there are many better choices, and no one needs to be mislead, and to have valuable time wasted.
by bestie on August 11, 2015