Consumer complaint received 2017-07-22
Product: Mortgage — Other type of mortgage
Issue: Closing on a mortgage — 
Company: Lima One Capital, LLC (NY)

I was approached by a representative for XXXX XXXX after researching the firm found them to be reputable. I was told by the loan broker that I was going to be able to get a 7 % Construction loan that will be able to be refinanced 12 months after loan. 
The loan amount would be {$100000.00}. 

A few days before closing a different XXXX XXXX XXXX representative asked if I would like more money back at the closing to start the project and I said that would be great. 

At the closing table after I planned for this loan and set up contractors with the idea of actually getting money I noticed that the 7 % was really 12 %, my loan was brought up to {$150000.00} but I did n't get any money at closing because I was charged {$25000.00} in fees. 

The closing rep XXXX XXXX besides leaving a check on the table in my name to make it look like I was getting the check because he put it right in front of my face, he allowed the wrong zip code and said that no changes needed to be made its good do n't worry. So I signed all the paperwork and then he said I will be able to get money once this paperwork goes through. 

I cancelled the loan immediately after by calling the original loan broker. I told him that this is a hard money loan and has nothing to do with construction. I did not like what was going on. The loan officer said t they will take care of everything and they will get me money right away and that I will have no issues with this loan the 7 % will be for the next loans you do with us and I said no. The loan broker emailed and text me that I would have no issue at all and he wants to get this loan done so we can create a relationship and that he will make sure everything is taken care of. After being assured that I would have no issues and this would be the best way to get money going forward. 
I was told I was getting money back at closing there was a mistake. I was promised that the inspector is in XXXX 2 days a week and from the inspection request to wire transfer in my bank is 4 day turnaround and I would have no issues at all with getting the money as a draw. The company will pay me for work I have completed. 
I agreed more because I was desperate than being sold on the loan and also because I was told I was actually getting some money to start this project the next day just come tto the office and a check will be prepared. 

The check was {$2500.00}. Needless to say I was upset because I had to use more of my own money I did n't have to build this house. I thought that it wold get better from here but it just got worse. 
I was never given a draw request from company turns out my general budget was the draw request. The budget was a few lines of estimates that mostly included the total house being finished. 
Therefore unless the entire house was finished I would n't be able to get my money. 
Thank goodness I had siding and roof and windows by themselves on my budget so I could at least pay the workers for their time. 
After the windows were finished in the entire house and was able to get some money but the day I was supposed to get money they needed wire instructions. It took 2 weeks to get my first installment of {$19000.00}.
It would n't be until a month later that I received some more money. Turns out that when asking for the 2nd draw I was told that closing paperwork needed the correct zip code. Since the zip code was wrong on the closing papers they will mail the paperwork to me and I need to get it back to them. This was on the day the wire was supposed to be in my bank. I drove to the office that I closed after fixing the zip code on closing paperwork and that office was not there anymore. That New Jersey Lima office was closed permanently and after calling the office and speaking to the rep. The same rep that told me my check was in the office she told me that she thought I was bringing check to South Carolina office. At this time I knew it was a scam. 
I called the office they allowed me to change my budget to make it more suitable but more of the same nonsense. I was given total of {$49000.00} in 2 draws that took over 2 months, I have paid close to {$40000.00} in fees because I am being charged {$1600.00} a month interest only and also I am being charged {$150.00} inspection fees and wire transfer  fees. The situation is a terrible mess and I have all of my records including emails, texts and notes on phone calls. I have 2 XXXX XXXX I am a XXXX XXXX  and XXXX and I can not let this company do this to someone else. 
People involved XXXX XXXX escrow manager XXXX XXXX Construction rep XXXX XXXX administrative assistant XXXX XXXX Closing rep XXXX XXXX loan broker