Consumer complaint received 2022-06-21
Product: Mortgage — Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Applying for a mortgage or refinancing an existing mortgage — 
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. (VA)

XX/XX/2022 I applied to refinance my house with my current lender, Chase. It was directed to the office of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX Florida. The primary reason for the refinance was to consolidate debt, I had replaced a roof, had large oak trees removed, including damage to the house, had the deck fixed when it came loose from the house and replaced a sliding glass door- this was all on my credit card. Repairs to the vehicle had kept my debt high. 

I had also been maintaining payments on my mortgage, actually overpaying to reduce the principle, my credit and payment history was good. I also requested a loan that would cover my existing debts, which was 66 % of what would be my appraised value. The interior of the house needed work, however the refinance would free up my revenue stream so that I would be able to address. 

The appraiser identified that my master bathroom had " discoloration '', some water damage and mentioned inspection. XXXX XXXX demanded the inspection, I complied grudgingly since I had intended to have them remodeled, the bathrooms were XXXX XXXX XXXX. The inspector came and stated that the bathroom was old, had some seepage damage around the doors and that the discoloration was because of well water, probably acidic with iron in it, otherwise the bathroom was functional. 

The following was their response, that they were not satisfied with the inspection. 
" It looks like they werent satisfied with that inspection, unfortunately. The following came back from XXXX : The Plumbing Inspection received does not address the water damage and potential discoloration in the master bathroom. Inspection to determine the source of water damage in the master bath shower/wall. Inspection to determine what is causing the discoloration/staining of the shower walls, flooring, toilet and bath tub and mediation of the discoloration/staining in those areas. This is not normal wear/tear and requires remediation '' In a conversation with XXXX XXXX XXXX he confirmed I was in a Catch 22 to denial, that XXXX XXXX was going to deny the refinance that would have allowed me the funds to address the concerns. In phone conversations with XXXX XXXX, post appraisal, he said that the bathroom was dysfunctional. After the inspection stating that the bathroom was functional XXXX XXXX kept repeating " but it is dirty ''. I kept stating I know, I need to clear my debt to be able to address the 30 year old plumbing and clean my house. I was thinking my girlfriend is wheel chair bound and I need to remodel these bathrooms and get a cleaning crew in for the house and XXXX XXXX is crying about it being " dirty ''. 

I also talked to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and contacted Corporate. Apparently this is their policy. In addition to the repairs I had also taken care of my girlfriends medical expenses, incidentals and since then she had gone on social security and XXXX. As a result of Chase 's policies as defined by the XXXX offices of XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX this has been put on hold. 

So as a conclusion I would not recommend Chase for anyone who might have some issues with the place, who had offset their spending to maintain and XXXX XXXX XXXX ( I am a veteran also ), seniors or just someone trying to do a fixer upper. Chase will provide a Catch 22 to denial. In Chase 's request they asked to contact the inspector, I told them that they could, I doubt that they bothered. Neither is there any disclosure of explicit denial, it was all verbal with reference to the attached note. 

The only concern should have been the money, whether I could make the payments, my credit history and the risk involved with the loan. Not that the house was dirty, I was not trying to sell the place. This Catch 22 to denial suggests class discrimination, because I could not afford some things I was considered of lesser class and should be denied the ability to address them.