Consumer complaint received 12-12-2015 about Mortgage (FHA mortgage) with HOMEBRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. (MD).
Issue: Application, originator, mortgage broker

Complaint: As first time homebuyers, my wife and I discovered that the Maryland Mortgage XXXX offered a home credit that would turn 25 % of our mortgage interest deduction into a tax credit. This incentive would really help our ability to afford a home, so I sought out a lender that was qualified to complete loans that participated in the program and would provide us with the tax credit. 

The tax credit certificate must be obtained on a homebuyer 's behalf by an approved lender. Our lender failed to register us for the tax credit as he said he had done so we will not receive the tax credit certificate and will lose out on the {$2000.00} annual tax credit each year we live in our new home. 

I worked with XXXX XXXX XXXX NMLS # XXXX ) and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Company NMLS ID # XXXX XXXX, a division of Homebridge Financial Services, to obtain a home mortgage through the Maryland Mortgage XXXX. XXXX told me he was familiar with the program and ensured me throughout the process that he had done all that was required to obtain the Maryland XXXX. 

A week before we were set to close, I called XXXX to ensure everything was in order. I told him that according to the Maryland XXXX website ( http : //mmp.maryland.gov/Pages/MDHomeCredit.aspx ) we had to obtain the Mortgage XXXX XXXX before closing. He ensured me that everything was in order. 

When we got to closing on XXXX XXXX, 2015. I asked XXXX if he had the Mortgage XXXX XXXX with him. He said he did n't have it, but he would call the program right away to get things squared away. He assured me that everything was in order. The closing attorney included documentation from the Maryland XXXX website as evidence that I had done all that was required of me as the lender to get the tax credit. XXXX said he had had trouble getting the website to work properly, but he would download the certificate and give it to us right away. 

Later that day ( the day of closing ) and in the days ahead, I discovered that XXXX never completed the registration for the XXXX and that my family and I would lose out on the {$2000.00} annual credit for as long as we live in the home. I was extremely frustrated because the availability of this credit was precisely why I chose to work with XXXX and XXXX and he ensured me throughout the process that everything was in order. In the days and weeks that followed I was in constant communication with XXXX to get the situation resolved. XXXX said that he thought he had done what was required, but he never registered us for the program. Since he never verified that we were registered, it was n't until after we closed that he realized he had made a mistake but at that point it was too late for him to get it corrected. 

In the weeks following, I spoke with the state mortgage program and was told there is nothing they can do to issue me the certificate after closing despite the fact I did everything I was supposed to up front and it is due to my lender 's error. 

I also spoke with the head of XXXX 's mortgage branch, XXXX XXXX, who expressed his dismay that XXXX failed to register us for the certificate. He said he would get to the bottom of things and figure out a resolution. Since that phone call in early XXXX, XXXX has never called me back and has not answered or returned any of my numerous calls. 

I have included documentation showing that XXXX said he thought he registered us for the program ( verifying that he knew that was our intent ) and from the state saying that there was nothing that could be done after closing to fix XXXX 's error. 

Buying our first home was a major long-term financial commitment and our expectation to obtain the Maryland XXXX helped us make the decision to buy our home. XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX 's failure to register us for the tax credit as they promised causes us significant financial harm.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation