Consumer complaint received 2017-12-21
Product: Mortgage — Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Struggling to pay mortgage — 
Company: Selene Finance LP (NJ)

My home and livelihood were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy which led to me falling behind on my mortgage. I have spent the last couple of years going back and forth with my current mortgage lender Selene Finance trying to resolve this matter but instead of working with me they are pushing me to foreclosure with a sale date set for XXXX XXXX. At this time, I am caring for my ex-husband who is XXXX XXXX XXXX. I also care for an adult son with XXXX XXXX XXXX. I dont want to have my house taken from me and my family put on the street because my mortgage lender will not work with me or give me the time of day. 

I have owned my house for 17 years and worked as a nurse for 25 years but began working as a realtor during the mortgage boom years. Even with the recession I was still able to keep up with the bills but then when Hurricane Sandy hit my home was so damaged that there were repairs that needed to be completed immediately to keep the place inhabitable. Due to the overwhelming number of insurance claims, it took YEARS to get our claim processed and by the time they got to our claim the claim company had shut down. At the same time, my real estate business was suffering and I could not keep up with the mortgage payment and defaulted a few years ago when the loan was with XXXX. I have tried repeatedly to resolve this and then the loan was transferred to Selene. I was approved for a government assistance program that required Selene Finance to review and sign off but their agents dragged their feet and basically ignored this  assistance offer and then told me I had to do a short sale. Before I could respond or accept this outcome they set a foreclosure sale date. 

When Hurricane Sandy came through this area it devastated home 's and home values. A portion of our roof was blown off, our foundation was damaged, there was seepage in the basement, etc. This was a true disaster, and that is why I became delinquent on my mortgage because I had to keep my home in livable condition. As I described I take care of my ex-husband ( take him to doctor etc. ) who is XXXX, XXXX and an XXXX and a XXXX military veteran. I have an adult son who suffers from sickle cell XXXX and I care for him as well, and have my XXXX and XXXX daughters in the household. I am back on my feet financially as a realtor and receive XXXX benefits for my family. Due to the increasing income from my self-employment I am in a much better place and able to afford a reasonable mortgage payment. My concern is that the agents of Selene are denying me access to government, internal and state programs that I may qualify for. I already was approved for a state assistance program but their agents kicked the can down the road and ignored the paperwork that was provided. I continually tried to reach my assigned contact, but it was impossible to get any type of response or call back. I was constantly in limbo. 

I received a letter stating that I had turned down the option of short sale or deed in lieu. That is not true, it appears to just be justification so that Selene can try and auction off my home.. Selene has not allowed me the option of being reviewed for any programs nor have they given me a chance to go through mediation as required by the state of New Jersey. My voice deserves to be heardthis problem could have been solved if Selene would have accepted the state program I was qualified for but instead they are denying me access and trying to auction my home.