Some Utahns rallied at the state capitol this Wednesday evening, urging lawmakers to take action against national banks using aggressive techniques in home foreclosures.
In 2010 there were 32,000 foreclosure notices filed against Utahans. That number is expected to increase to 40,000 this year. People at Wednesday’s rally say more needs to be done to help families facing foreclosure.
A local group called "Teems Utah" helps homeowners with preventable foreclosures.
Marco Fields is presidents of TEEMS who says many Utahns are being hurt by national banks who advise them to stop making payments in order to qualify for assistance.
"That's starting a lot of the homeowners on this path where ultimately they're going to lose their home. When a homeowner reaches out for help, the foreclosure process should stop," says Fields.
Homowner Terri Combs was working with her bank on a loan modification when she says the bank sold her house without warning.
"I get a know on the door and my 12-year-old daughter receives a five-day vacate notice from the gentleman that bought my house on the courthouse steps," says Combs. "For about two weeks I couldn't even sleep or eat. It's devastating losing something that you thought you had possession of."
Layton Mayor Steve Curtis says he also tried to get a loan modification He says even though he made every mortgage payment, his bank tried to foreclose.
"I was devastated. I was surprised. I was baffled," he says.
Curtis' foreclosure has since been stopped, but other Utahns are not so lucky.
"That is what is so darn maddening about it is that it's the same story under different circumstances every single day, with every single homeowner," Combs says."Every single homeowner cannot get help from these national banks and it's unacceptable."
People at the rally say Utah lawmakers need to pass legislation that would set up a mediation process. They think everyone should be involved in that conversation including banks, title companies, mortgage lenders, real estate professionals and homeowners most of all.
