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.
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.
http://start2.occupyourhomes.
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
