Fannie Mae Blinked, But Mark We Still Got Your Back!

When word of the planned candlelight vigil in support of Desert Storm veteran Mark Harris, outside of Fannie Mae’s South Eastern Regional Office VP’s home went public last week, one of Fannie Mae’s senior VP’s made contact with Mark.

They made an offer that is closer to keeping Mark Harris in his home for good. This in its self is a huge deal! Fannie Mae is not a bank, and they rarely engage in direct negotiations with home owners.

Because negotiations are underway we are calling off the planned demonstration today at Mark’s request. The fight for Marks home is certainly not over until a deal is made that can keep him in his home where he belongs. We are all on pins and needles waiting to see what will happen this week.

While we wait for Fannie Mae to come to the table with a deal that Mark can live with, we need to make sure that we're keeping the pressure up. Our goal is to get 5,000 signatures on Mark's petition by the end of the week. To do that, we need your help! Can you send this petition to at least 5 of your friends asking them to support Mark Harris in the fight for his home? Can you help us meet this goal? 

http://start2.occupyourhomes.org/petitions/disable-desert-storm-veteran-needs-help-to-save-his-home

We'll be sure to send updates on Mark Harris as soon as they come in, and will be ready to take action to keep Mark, and the many others that are facing a housing struggle in their homes this holiday season. You can check out some of the stories of the other brave residents who have chosen to fight the banks for their homes at our website here.

Below is Mark Harris' Story:

I have worked hard and tried to do the right thing my whole life. I joined the Army in 1982 just out of High School, and served a year in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. After transitioning from active duty I got a job with UPS and was proud to join Teamsters Local 728. I purchased my home in 1996 with a VA backed home loan and refinanced it in 2004.

In 2005 I started my own trucking business, and then the economy crashed. I got illnesses related to my time in Desert Storm, and I fell behind on my mortgage. I’ve been trying to catch up ever since; recently I’ve applied for the HomeSafe program here in Georgia. While my application was being processed my VA benefits kicked in, which meant I could afford to make my payments.

Sadly, as my finances were finally coming together in October 2012, Green Tree Mortgage Servicing foreclosed on my home on behalf of Fannie Mae, despite the fact that I was doing everything I could to catch up and modify my loan.

Fannie Mae auctioned off my home, knowing that HomeSafe was working with me. Now that I am receiving my service connected disability compensation I can make my monthly payments but Fannie Mae wants me out now. All they're willing to offer me is $1500 cash for keys to get out.

In looking over my assignment documents I’ve also discovered that some of the country’s most famous robo signers signed the mortgage assignment that was used to foreclose on me.

Fannie Mae is aggressively moving forward with an eviction, and it could happen as soon as November 15th. As a veteran, I thought the toughest battles were behind me. I never thought I’d be struggling to keep a roof over my head. I fought for this country, so I know I have a right to fight for my home! - Mark Harris