AmeriSave Mortgage Reviews
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About AmeriSave Mortgage
AmeriSave Mortgage Corp. (NMLS #1168) is an online, direct-to-consumer lender that offers home purchase loans in 49 states and Washington, D.C. The company also has refinance options for those who want to adjust their rate or term or take out cash. AmeriSave has helped over 730,000 borrowers, funding over $130 billion in loans since it was founded in 2002.
- Customized rate quotes in minutes
- Lock in rate for 90 days and shop homes
- Loan officers available to answer questions via chat
- Closing in as little as 25 days
- Not available in New York
AmeriSave Mortgage Reviews
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Reviewed May 25, 2012
I worked with Rob at Amerisave and loved the automated system and the updates received. Communication was very thorough and they took care of the process fairly quick. Loved that my associate was on top of it and took care of everything. His response to email and phone calls were quick. I like how they can take us to the site to look up the rates and potential payments, and there were no hidden charges with closing cost. Everything was laid out for you in the beginning. I would recommend working with Rob.
Thank you so much for choosing Amerisave!
Reviewed May 24, 2012
Great system, online-friendly, relatively efficient and cost effective - I refinanced with them twice, using the same Sr. Mortgage Processor, Tim **. He deserves 5+ stars for both refinance experiences. I recommend him, specifically, often. Both of my processors were excellent too. I've never had anything but the fastest possible communication via email and telephone with all of them. And, they actually have always answered my questions clearly and openly.
You do need to have your act together when you get into this process. It's possibly too easy to get the process started, so you may not realize that you need to get a lot of things organized in order to stay on track. So, plan accordingly. Fortunately, I'm able to access all account information online and get them everything fast.
I do have 800 credit and a very good loan-to-value ratio, which helps. My only complaint matches some others I've seen here. My first refi had none of this. But on the most recent one, I did experience this trickling system of requests from their underwriters, e.g. "Please provide examples of how you advertise your business." Strange, 800 credit score and a 40% loan-to-value, don't worry about stuff like that! Anyway, I appreciate them being careful and not giving loans out to folks that aren’t deserving. It's how they keep their costs low. But I would like to see the underwriters collect their questions at once for me, vs. a couple every couple days for several days. With that said, both loans went from my initial click to closing within about 3 weeks. So, I do recommend them strongly overall.
We thank you for allowing us to provide your service!
Reviewed May 24, 2012
I'm writing for a second time because (a) we recently closed on a refi with a local company - got the promised rate lock and rate and an accurate appraisal - an experience that ran completely counter to the scam we ran up against with Amerisave and (b) I just received a letter from my state, which is apparently investigating Amerisave (finally, we're doing something right) asking me for an evaluation/report of our experience with Amerisave and (c) I'm concerned that recent flurry of positive reviews on this site for Amerisave may mislead folks (but, hey, maybe they are cleaning up their act).
I have been wanting to point out that one of the first positive "reviews" - 5 stars - back in January came from Sean, the Amerisave rep who first called me and lured me in with a promise that he could do better than the deal we were two days from closing. So the Amerisave rep gets to review Amerisave? Sounds a little fishy, doesn't it? He posted that review soon after I'd posted a negative review of our experience as consumers, but he didn't address any of the issues I'd complained about, just trumpeted the company's integrity and talked about how people always think their houses are worth more than they are.
My beef and experience with Amerisave is this: they promise rate locks and great rates "today", but then will not deliver. In my case, it was stalling tactics - Sean's boss was behind b/c she'd been out of the office, so she wouldn't be able to lock the rate until after the appraisal, which they want done pronto, of course. It was almost a week from the day he called me before the appraisal came back, full of inaccuracies (under counted bathrooms, forgot laundry room, inaccurate line drawing), and much lower than the appraisal we'd had done the previous month (which Sean's "boss," a few states away, said she didn't "believe").
Interestingly, the appraiser, while at my home, told me that Amerisave is notorious for not accepting/questioning/finding fault with appraisals; he even suggested another lender! Without knowing what we "needed" for the house to appraise, he seemed to know it wouldn't be accepted (and then, he screwed it all up anyway).
Sean's boss didn't "believe" a $399k appraisal done by an appraiser in December. She surely wouldn't have "believed" the $440k appraisal done in March. But she believed that completely inaccurate $350k one they did, which knocked us out of the running for the promised rate. Of course, we never heard from Sean again. And we were out $412. I subsequently read that Amerisave owns the national appraisal company from which they draw their appraisers. If this is true, something is terribly, terribly wrong - but it certainly explains a lot. Amerisave isn't in the business of financing mortgages; they're in the appraisal business and the other petty business they get from charging to run your credit.
Run from this company. I've been burned twice by them (yes, my stupidity to get sucked in by an unsolicited pitch even after being burned a few years ago), but now I'm fighting. I'm filing complaints; I'm trying to get my appraisal money back. I urge others to do so.
Our story finally ended well. We had excellent credit and income - which Sean was quick to point out when he reeled me in - and though it took some shopping, we got our home refinanced at just over 4%, a rate that was locked from the start, just as promised. But I avoided the flashy come ons and went with a local company.
Thank you for informing us of this situation! The appraisal is the determined value of a property based on similar property sold in the market. Professionally licensed appraisers determine a property’s value. As a mortgage lending company, we are not able to predict or control the value of any property. We apologize if there was any confusion with that part of the loan process. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to proceed with the loan process. However, purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations before being approved. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. The loan must be eligible to qualify for the desired rate option, based on the necessary information in the loan application. Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. We apologize if this truth was misrepresented in any way. Thank you for your comments!
Reviewed May 13, 2012
I started the process about 10 days ago and finished the first part of it in the first day. I have nothing but good things to say about Neal **, the Amerisave agent who took upon himself to finish this quickly. All the information provided was accurate, all requests were met with positive resolution. We still haven't closed, but I expect that to happen quickly.
We truly thank you for allowing us to provide your service!
Reviewed May 10, 2012
After talking briefly over the phone about accepting a VA back appraisal that was done less than a month ago, which I paid for out of my pocket, I was told they would be able to use it. So I began filling out the online forms by Joe and I made it as far as page 7 to find out I now need to pay the 7 bucks and some change to run a credit report.
Well, I had to call Joe again to get past this screen and came to find out the story now is they can't use the appraisal because it's not through them and done by who they want. And even though the VA sent their personal preference of appraiser out, it was not good enough for them. What a waste of time, as if sitting on the computer for hours and days on end, you just can't get straightforward answers. I would not recommend using these people, unless you have money to burn.
The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to proceed with the loan process. However, purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations before being approved. We do apologize if there was any confusion or inconvenience with the appraisal process. There should have been an available, and consistent point of contact for you throughout the entire process, and we truly apologize if this was not the case. Thank you for letting us know!
Reviewed May 4, 2012
I am on my 3rd refi with Amerisave, all within a 12-month time frame. We did this because I essentially get paid to refi. The fees associated with the interest rate we chose had a large negative dollar amount (credit), which negated the closing costs. I was initially skeptical of Amerisave low fees; couldn't be true. Because of my misplaced belief, I went with SunTrust Mortgage, and got screwed. I essentially paid $1,500 more in unnecessary, fancy/official sounding fee names. Lesson learned.
Our credit score during all three refis was in the 780-800 range. We have no debt whatsoever, other than our primary mortgage, and sufficient salary to pay our bills and live. Essentially, we are a low risk of default, which the credit scores try to predict. It will help if you have a computer and a multifunction fax/scanner/printer, as you will use these machines to get the required documents to Amerisave.
Glancing at the negative reviews, I am amazed at some of the ignorance. In California (and probably the other 49 states), your middle credit score is used. If it’s a joint application, the lowest of the middle credit score is used; hope your spouse/partner has good scores too. The better your score, the larger negative dollar amount associated with the interest rates. You would be wise to find out your credit score before applying for a mortgage to be sure that there are no surprises. If there are any errors that caused your credit score to be low, you will hopefully have time to get the errors corrected, raising your score.
Amerisave is a low cost mortgage broker, lower interest and fees to attract and bring in the customers. Profit comes from high volume of loans closing. $425 for an appraisal is actually average (for California and at the time of this writing, 5/2012). The only gripe I have with Amerisave is that my 2nd refi was sold to AHMSI (American Home Mortgage Servicing Inc). This company is awful, as their online payment process is so cumbersome and idiotic. The Amerisave agent who worked on all three of my refis has been great. You may get lucky and get a good agent like Robert **. Good luck in your mortgage search.
Thank you for your wonderful compliment! We truly appreciate your feedback!
Reviewed May 1, 2012
I have had outstanding service from my loan processor John **. Everything so far has gone just as promised. The home loan is now in underwriting, the appraisal was done in one day and everything should be done in another week. I got a loan rate lock good for 30 days just after employment verification. Hopefully, everything will continue as promised and the loan will be closed within the next 10 days to 2 weeks.
Thank you! We are certainly glad to be of help!
Reviewed May 1, 2012
This is our second time in 4 years refinancing with AmeriSave. They are fabulous to work with. We were pleased with the rate and simplicity of the process back in 2008. We are equally pleased thus far in 2012. Everything went (and is going) as quickly and smoothly as possible. Our credit scores are as good as, if not slightly higher, than we anticipated. The same can be said for our appraisal (which, by the way, was scheduled within 24 hours, barely giving me enough time to finish vacuuming and catching my husband in the yard finishing the installation of a new fence!). Our appraisal came back within $1,500 of my estimate given to AmeriSave a few days before.
The best thing about AmeriSave is how quickly they were able to quote a loan for me. After contacting 10-15 other lending institutions (including Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank), we were able to get a rate quote within 5-10 minutes on the phone, and received a very detailed email with a huge amount of date about rates, monthly payments, etc. from AmeriSave within the hour. Other lending institutions often would not give me a rate quote over the phone before spending 15-20 minutes of my time on the phone and asking me to look up all kinds of financial information. This was very annoying to me, in dealing with other lending institutions, when I was just shopping for a quick quote of the day’s lowest interest rates for a basic loan.
AmeriSave gave me the best information quickly so I could shop and choose the lending institution that would refinance our home with the lowest interest rate and the lowest monthly payment. We could not be more pleased! We would definitely use them again!
Great! Glad that you enjoyed your experience in choosing us as your lender!
Reviewed April 13, 2012
Amerisave advertised rate was inaccurate. Rate was 3.54 with closing cost paid with 750 credit score. They pulled our credit scores which were 806 and 689 according to them (credit bureau has 793 and 708), then tried to jack up our rate over 7/10 points saying our median score was 689! Median means combined (Webster's), not combine the lower and leave off the higher. Amerisave used only the lower score. This is bogus and false advertising. They know if you don't take what they offer, you will have a credit inquiry that looks like you were turned down, which will lower your credit score even though you turned them down. If this shady/unethical practice isn't illegal, it should be. It's hard to keep an 800 credit score.
All rate options are accurate advertisements. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. The loan must be eligible to qualify for that option based on the necessary information, and documents in the loan application. Only the middle credit score is used for the loan process. The lowest of the middle credit scores will be the scores selected to qualify for the potential loan. We apologize if there was any confusion with this part of the loan process.
Reviewed April 12, 2012
We've been scammed by Amerisave. We applied for a $250K cash back second on our home. We have no outstanding mortgages or liens on the property; we own the home free and clear. Both my husband and I have credit scores over 800 and combined income over $250K/year. And the only debt we have is a car payment of $700. After submitting all of the loan documentation and paying $525 for an appraisal of the property (which came back at $835K), we were denied the loan, because the appraiser couldn't find suitable "comps" in our area. Our home was custom-built and has over 2500+ square feet but only two bedrooms and a den. The house has a 1200-square foot living room. Amerisave told us that because the appraiser couldn't find another 2500-square foot house in our area that only had two bedrooms, the loan was denied They collected their appraisal fee and denied the loan based on this crazy (non)logic. What a racket.
Thank you for the feedback! Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. We apologize if this truth was misrepresented in any way. The appraisal is the determined value of a property based on similar property sold in the market. With the property being custom-built, there were not enough properties to compare the market value. This does present that because of the property, the loan could be a high risk to approve. We apologize if his outcome was not what was expected. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like further explanation. Your business is very important to us!
Reviewed March 30, 2012
Amerisave worked very professional to help resolve my dispute - I previously submitted a report and was very upset with Amerisave, however, Sean was very professional in following up and we were able to work together to resolve the issue. I am actually very impressed at how Sean and their customer service department responded to my complaint. Sean actually worked with me to resolve the situation before my previous feedback was published, but Consumer Affairs would not remove it after it was posted.
If you have all your documentation in order and there are no surprises on your end, Amerisave should be a good option for you. They do have the best rates, but they also need to have the strictest guidelines to keep those rates. In my case, I was unable to work with them because they don't finance condos as investment property.
Thank you! We thank you for allowing us to help correct the issue!
Reviewed March 29, 2012
To make a long story short, it appears that AmeriSave is not so much in the lending business as it is in the appraisal business. They were very quick to get our property appraised. They advertise low rates. Then many people get hooked and pay the appraisal fee ($425.00 in our case). After working fairly well with Rene **, some other person informed me that our loan was not approved. My wife and I signed a form indicating that we were aware that AmeriSave owned the appraisal corporation (Novo Appraisal Management Corporation).
This should have been a red flag. We have excellent credit (above 800). Many others, who have lodged complaints, appeared to have far more resources than we. Nevertheless, they were denied. It appears that AmeriSave advertises rates that they can not deliver. That is okay because they just plan, in most cases, to collect many appraisal fees and deny most of the loans. It may be a deliberate scam. A law should be passed preventing the loan company from owning the appraisal company.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. The appraisal fee is an upfront commitment in order to proceed with the loan process. However, purchasing this necessary item does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations before being approved. All rate options are accurate advertisements. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. The loan must be eligible to qualify for that option based on the necessary information, and documents in the loan application. We hope that we were still able to provide you excellent service, despite the outcome based on the loan regulations. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like further explanation. Thank you!
Reviewed March 28, 2012
Do not do business with this company. Their primary business plan is to obtain appraisal and loan fees; they are not a good faith mortgage broker. The fact that this outfit is located in what many consider to be the most corrupt state in the union is probably no coincidence. My complaint is similar to others posted recently. While the individual agents with whom I communicated were personable enough, the application process reeked of incompetence and highly questionable decision making. Again, it appears that this company is not in the business to broker mortgages, it is in the business to generate fee income.
We are mature property owners, have credit ratings in the 750-800 range, have had multiple mortgages/payoffs to our history. In a weak moment, I contacted Amerisave for a refinance of a condo my daughter lives in. We have about 40% equity in the property and resources sufficient to pay the remaining mortgage off if necessary. If anyone in the country is qualified to refinance a mortgage, it is us.
We sent appraisal fees, a $500 processing fee, multiple rounds of check stubs, tax forms, insurance forms, bank statements, rewrites of homeowners insurance and appraisal reports over a period of 5 months. At every step, the agents claimed that we were on the verge of an underwriting approval and that there were no problems. Once in the middle of this process, we received a denial of credit notice based on credit information that clearly was not correct or coherent. I complained and the process continued. Two days ago, I received another such notice stating that the property was inappropriate. If this were judged to be true, it could have been decided at the outset, not after 5 months of collecting very sensitive personal information. I am not happy about this and am considering more formal complaints.
Thank you for the feedback! The appraisal fee is an upfront commitment in order to proceed with the loan process. However, purchasing this necessary item does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. Amerisave is professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. We strive to help provide excellent service in helping every customer receive the loan that best benefits their needs. There may have been risk factors in regards to credit and the appraisal, that prevented the approval of the loan. We do apologize if this was the case, and if the findings were not disclosed in a timely manner. Thank you again for letting us know!
Reviewed March 27, 2012
We were trying to refinance our mortgage to 15 years and we have been getting the runaround. It seems like a bait and switch deal. Appraisal came in lower and appraiser mentions she only appraises FHA but I say we are not applying for FHA loan. So we finally got called back and now they are telling us we have to have FHA loan plus Mortgage Insurance which is crazy. I'm on always on time with mortgage. I only have car payment which will be paid off in August. They are a bunch of rip off artist! Don't ever trust Amerisave!
All rate options are accurate advertisements. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. The loan must be eligible to qualify for that option based on the necessary information, and documents in the loan application. We apologize if there was any confusion or inconvenience during the appraisal process. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com so that we can help if you would like further explanation. Thank you!
Reviewed March 27, 2012
We submitted an application online that includes paid for appraisal cost, application fees and credit report fees. And then they asked for all the documents which we have provided. They have set up the appraisal date also and the appraisal was done. We were calling them, but they never called back for any status. Normally, mortgage companies are very good in terms of calling and following up. But AmeriSave never did. We thought it is a fraud company where they make the money on appraisal or credit report fees. But we thought let's call, but nobody calls back. In the last, we received the letter saying they cannot proceed with the application due to home price being down. I lost my $512 with them. I would not recommend anyone going with them. It is a spam. Never ever trust AmeriSave.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! We are a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to proceed with the loan process. However, purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations before being approved. There should have been an available, and consistent point of contact for you throughout the process. We sincerely apologize if this was not the case. Customer service is very important to us and we truly value your business. Thank you!
Reviewed March 26, 2012
My experience with Amerisave was horrible. They pre-approved me for a loan. My credit score was around 770 and I had enough cash to ensure we were at 20-30% equity. After I forked out $375 for an appraisal, they rejected my application. Originally, I was the only person on the application and due to some write offs that I took on my taxes, they denied me because the debt to income ratio is too high. I was okay with this, however, at this point, I tried to add my fiance to the loan. With my fiance on the loan, we would definitely qualify with a debt to income ratio of around 40%. I attempted to add her to the loan and they still rejected it, sent me a canned email response and then stopped returning my calls. Rather than working with me to do what needed to be done to refinance the loan, they just cut all ties.
I would avoid working with them at all costs. They'll tell you have you have great application, get you to pay $400 for an appraisal, then they will do anything to reject your application. I could not believe how much they were trying to deny our application. My guess is that they try to get as many people as possible filling out applications to get money from the credit checks and appraisals and then find reasons to reject people. If they were legitimate, they would have continued to work with us to process a mortgage application that would get approved.
My advice to you is to shop around. Just as with many of the people that had bad experiences, Sean was my agent. Apparently, enough other people have complained that he has had to log in here and try to refute these claims. After I started shopping around, I found other mortgage lenders that had similar rates and from my experience, they are a lot more honest.
Thanks for letting us know! We are a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. Our goal is to help provide our customers with the best rates possible, and because we can provide those rate options, the guidelines that must be met to approve the loan are not very inflexible. We apologize if that particular standard was not what was expected. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to proceed with the loan process. However, purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations before being approved. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation about the process. We truly do appreciate your business!
Reviewed March 7, 2012
Stall tactics - I have a credit rating of 828, an annual income last year of $140,000.00. Refi my home of $130,000.00, appraised $165,000.00. I have filled out the same paperwork three times and they continue to ask for more of the same information. I have over $100,000.00 cash, no credit cards. Unbelievable! They need to be shut down.
We understand that because of required lending regulations, the necessary paperwork can be a little thorough. We appreciate your patience with that process. There may have been information found during the underwriting process that needed to be examined more thoroughly to help qualify the loan. We apologize for any inconvenience with the matter. Thank you for your feedback!
Reviewed Feb. 29, 2012
I applied to AmeriSave on 10/2011. I had a credit score of 815/805. I had equity line of credit which was to be mostly paid off with approx. 10k left on credit line. It was agreed upon and the process started. Credit line was subordinated and line was reduced to the 10k. No further credit line available. It wasn’t a problem as mortgage was going to be approved. I submitted paperwork numerous times. I asked questions already answered. There were constant delays for different reasons. In fact, I was told only delay was receiving subordination agreement from bank which they did supply. I was told in November the loan looked to close in a week. Again, delays. Finally, I was told in February that loan would probably not close unless I paid off entire amount. I was going to pay off the 10k within a year so did not want to finance it for 30 years. New appraisal done, which is lower of course but some items left off new appraisal.
The new credit score was down to 746. I got credit report from Credco and it showed credit at 776. So I did not compare to score supplied by AmeriSave. Why did it drop from 815? From October till present assets increased by approx. 130k and income by 3-500 per month. Loan was denied in Feb. for credit and debt ratio. Went back to reinstate equity line of credit with bank, which was 15k above amount applied for at AmeriSave, and bank agreed but needed letter from AmeriSave stating mortgage did not go through. I had a very difficult time getting that as AmeriSave would only send me the credit denial with the lower inaccurate credit rating. I only received a letter after title company helped me get it. My bank charged me monthly while process was going on for having balance higher than the 10k new line.
I do not disagree with the charge; however, I was finally left with no loan and no available line of credit, loss of rental income as money was being used to upgrade rental property. It would have not been a problem if either equity line or mortgage money was available, but I had lost both, and a contractor was awaiting payment to complete project money for appraisal credit check, etc. for naught. This does not make sense to me. Why was subordination not a problem till 4 months into the process and why second appraisal and credit check? Possible age discrimination. I am 64. I just can’t figure it out.
Thank you for your comments! At Amerisave, we see to it that a potential loan receives an accurate and appropriate evaluation based on the guidelines for qualification. There is absolutely no discrimination of any kind with the loan process. We are a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. It seems that there may have been risk factors in regards to the home equity line of credit, and subordination that prevented the loan from qualification. We truly apologize if this was the case, and if it was not disclosed in a timely manner.
Reviewed Feb. 25, 2012
Amerisave approved me for a refinance, charged me for a high cost appraisal & credit check, then denied me.
Thank you for your feedback! The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. However, purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. We apologize if the outcome was not what was expected.
Reviewed Feb. 25, 2012
Applied to refinance my property, was approved. Was told I needed appraisal done before they would lock my rate with their appraiser at $475.00 plus credit report fee charged to my credit card. Then after two weeks, I was told I have too much debt. When they knew what bills I had from the start. My credit was $721.
Thanks for the feedback! It seems that there may have been risk factors in regards to the debt-to-income ratio that prevented the loan from being qualified. We apologize if the outcome of the loan was less than satisfactory. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. However, purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved.
Reviewed Feb. 20, 2012
I applied to refinance my home in North Carolina. I never signed my application. The next morning, I have an appraiser call me to do an appraisal that morning. The fee was $610. I talked to some other lenders and found most appraisal fees are $300-400. I looked into their closing fees which were around $4,000. Those fees are outrageous. I have called their customer satisfaction department twice and was told to leave a message. I have not heard from them yet. I would stay away from this lender, my experience was not good. I won't use them or recommend them.
Thank you for letting us know! The expedited process of our loan is for the borrower’s advantage to lock in a great rate, and to close as soon as possible. We apologize if the process seemed a little hasty at the time. Thank you!
Reviewed Feb. 17, 2012
I applied for refinancing my mortgage. My credit score is 740. We just have 40000 dollars left on my current mortgage. We wanted to pay for our children's education loans because of the high rate they were getting charged. Amerisave is nothing but a sham. I have a very good income along with a good nest egg. I provided them with all the documents they needed. This went on for two months. I would keep asking them if that was the last document they needed and they would say yes. After that document was given to them, then they would keep on asking for a new document. Finally my patience ran out and I told them I am through with you. I didn't care if I lost the fee I paid for the appraisal. I wanted this monkey off my back. I felt as if someone was holding a gun to my head. The loan officer was obnoxious to say the least. Can anyone tell me whether there is any agency these guys have to report to? All they want to do is to get your appraisal fee and then you are trapped.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention! Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. We understand that because of required lending regulations, the necessary paperwork can be a little thorough. We do appreciate your patience with that process. We apologize if there was any inconvenience during the loan process, and we hope to better the situation if at all possible. Thank you!
Reviewed Jan. 23, 2012
I started a loan application as a co-borrower with my daughter. We both have excellent credit scores. After submitting all our info, they called and said my daughter can qualify on her own. Another application is started for her alone. They did a credit check and appraisal ($400+). Then they denied the loan due to insufficient income. They said she had enough. I started a third application. Now, they tell me we cannot get a conventional mortgage. We have to go FHA, which will be $220 a month more at the same interest rate because I am a non-occupant co-borrower.
They did not tell me that on the first application on which I was a non-occupant co-borrower. I checked with two other lenders and they say that is not so. Amerisave also made up a "release of mortgage" for us. It took two tries before they got that right. This wasted three months of our time and $400 plus. They do not try to work with you to get approved. These people are morons and should be shut down.
Thank you for letting us know about this issue! The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. Purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. It seems that there may have been risk factors in regards income that did prevent the loan from qualifying. This would have only been found during the underwriting process after receiving the necessary documents to determine income. We do apologize for any inconvenience on the result of the loan evaluation.
Reviewed Jan. 23, 2012
I successfully refinanced my home in November 2010 with AmeriSave. I then started the procedure again in September 2011 to refinance the same home because the interest rates were even lower than the year before. They had me pay for another appraisal on my home because the appraisal was more than 6 months old.
The appraisal came in at the same value that it had a year ago. I live in Alaska and our housing market wasn't effected like the homes in the lower 48 states. Well, the underwriters kept asking for more paperwork, after each request, they would require more and more paperwork for the loan application. Some of the papers were the same as I had provided the year before.
Well it is now the middle of January and they are requiring another appraisal (that costs $650) because the latest one was too old! I have been at the same job for 30 years, and make over $100,000 per year, also, my credit rating is excellent. I feel that I have been duped and I would recommend that no one refinances with this company. I believe that they should refund me the cost of the second appraisal because of the fact that they have misled me into thinking that I was going to get refinancing.
We appreciate you bringing up this issue! A recent and updated appraisal must be used in order to consider the for the refinance. We do apologize for any confusion or if there were delays with continuing the process. We truly do value your business, and we would like to show you that. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com so that we can correct the situation if at all possible. Thank you!
Reviewed Jan. 9, 2012
I feel I was scammed or defrauded by Amerisave Mortgage. Anyone out there who feels the same way, I have some advice and resources that may help you. Keep copies of all email and correspondence associated with the transaction. As soon as your credit is denied for some frivolous reason, cancel the credit card they have on file. It is in their small print that they can charge a $500 rate lock cancellation fee for any loan that does not close.
Use the "power of the pen". You need to fill out online complaint forms and write letters to any and all of the following agencies. Amerisave is required to respond to each complaint. The Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Also, file a complaint with your State's Attorney General and the Attorney General of the State where the Amerisave office is located. File a complaint with your State Banking Department and the State Banking Department of the state the Amerisave office is located.
Write a letter to your congressman detailing your bad experience and new legislation for consumer financial protection. If you feel your denial was based on some form of discrimination, file a complaint with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in Atlanta, Ga. The FBI investigates mortgage fraud. Complaints may also be filed with the FDIC, The National Fair Housing Alliance, and your local Real Estate Appraisers Board. I have made some headway with my complaint by contacting these agencies.
Thank you for your feedback! Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. Purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. All potential loans must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. We apologize for inconvenience with the process, and we still would like to better your experience with us if at all possible. Thank you!
Reviewed Jan. 3, 2012
As we were days from refinancing with another company, I answered my phone to hear a pitch from Sean at Amerisave. I was upset with the other company for deciding at the last minute that some very standard/legal deductions (mileage, work-related book purchases, dues) taken on our tax return would offset some $900 of monthly income, forcing us into a higher "risk" (read: higher rate) category. Sean said, "Please give me the opportunity to beat their rate and you can lock that rate in today."
As I had just been through the process, I was able to tell Sean everything about our situation, home value, debt, credit (excellent). I let him run the credit and agreed, swallowing hard, to pay for another appraisal. All the while, Sean assured us of the rate lock. It was a Thursday afternoon. As soon as I rushed the required paperwork (and we were informed of our "pre-qualified" status), Sean stopped responding to my e-mail. A few hours later, when I expressed my agitation, he assured me the rate lock "will happen tonight."
Next morning, no e-mail, no rate-lock. Finally, when I wanted to cancel the appraisal scheduled for noon Friday, Sean assured me that his boss was behind and she had to give the okay on the rate lock, but we were #32 in line, "It will be within the hour." We went ahead with the appraisal and then were told by Sean, "The rate lock will happen today." I also sent Sean a copy of the appraisal we had had done the week before (came in at $399K). That was Friday. No word from Sean on Monday so I start e-mailing. He ignored me until I got angry and then told me, "We can't lock in the rate because his boss had some "issues" with the appraisal I'd forwarded (done by another company) and didn't believe our home was worth that so we'd have to wait for the new appraisal to lock."
At that moment, I saw the writing on the wall. We were out $412 and we weren't getting a rate lock. On Wednesday afternoon, after no word from Sean, I demanded a copy of the appraisal. He sent it and guess what? It comes in at $350K. I'm a little shocked so I start looking at it. The appraiser (who had whipped through the house in a few minutes and had mentioned to me by phone that he had "plans" that Friday afternoon) had skipped a full bathroom and laundry area and included an inaccurate line drawing.
When I contacted Sean with this information and pointed out that he could easily verify by comparing the two appraisals, they sent me a rebuttal form. I could fill it out and provide some other comparables and perhaps they would reconsider. (So after spending $400 for an incompetent appraisal, I should now get to work, huh?) As you might imagine, I haven't heard a peep from Sean since (that was Dec. 22), even though he's assured us so enthusiastically on that first day that our appraisal looked "great."
Now, I must admit I'm the real idiot here. I had a horrible experience with Amerisave (better names: Ameriscam, Amerisleaze, Ameris __ks) once before, two years ago. After being promised a rate-lock, paying application and appraisal fees, our house in 2009, in New Orleans, which was a much worse market than it is today, appraised for $420K (Amerisave-ordered appraisal). But our Amerisave agent at that point stopped communicating with us. Everything stopped. We had never gotten the promised lock and months later, we received notification that our loan had been denied because of "incomplete paperwork." I complained angrily to whomever sent the e-mail, but who cared at that point?
At any rate, the highly-touted rate lock at Amerisave appears to be bogus. I'd warn others to not fall for their come-ons. Actually, I wish people who actually got promised rate-locks would write in. I'd love to know if they exist.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! We are a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. The appraisal is the determined value of a property based on similar property sold in the market. As a mortgage lending company, we are not able to predict or control the value of any property. We truly do apologize if there was any inconvenience during this part of the process. There definitely should have been an available, and consistent point of contact for you throughout the process, and we apologize if this was not the case. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com so that we can correct the situation if at all possible. Thanks!
Reviewed Dec. 21, 2011
Important info. I learned from the title company that no loan company that has provided you with a written quote can change it by more than 10% when you get to closing. It is a federal law. I verified this with a title company and bank. Both were very aware of this. After filling the application online, I stopped from applying when they asked for my credit card before signing any papers. Also another red flag went up when I asked if we could close at their office instead of having a stranger come to our home.
After several attempts by computer and on the phone Amerisave would not tell me the local representatives name or where closing could take place. They assured us we could do both but they refused to commit to a person or place. I contacted two main title companies in our area looking for an objective reference for this company and both title companies said they knew very little about them. It was very tempting with their low rates but I am sure glad we backed out!
Thank you for your comments! In order to provide our customers with the absolute best rates, we request a credit run and appraisal fees as an upfront commitment to start the loan process. All rate options are accurate advertisements. The rate will remain the same if it is locked in, and the amount of time for the lock has not expired. We apologize if there was any confusion with this part of the process. Thank you!
Reviewed Dec. 18, 2011
I, like others, was pre-approved for a loan. I sent in all documents and I was asked to wait on appraisal until they were sure that all my paperwork was approved and told me again that I was pre-approved so I had it done and then they denied the loan on grounds of too many inquiries on my credit report. Well, they saw that on the 1st day and how did I get pre-approved if I had too many inquiries. This is definitely a scam to pay for appraisal and other fees then they deny you. Why hasn’t the government done something about this company? Consumers, don’t waste your money because that’s all, you will be digged with this company.
Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. Purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. All potential loans must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. We do truly apologize if the factors in regards to the credit inquiries were not disclosed in a timely manner. You are a valued customer and we do appreciate your business. Thank you!
Reviewed Dec. 4, 2011
I applied for a refinance of my property. I have a 813 credit score, steady professional employment, and adequate cash reserves to pay off the mortgage. I have no credit card debt as they are paid off every month. I wanted to finance $83,000 on a $147,000 home. I was charged for an appraisal that was incomplete and inaccurate. The appraised value was 20% below assessed value. I have a $6,000 out building that was not included in the appraisal.
The home is only 6 years old. After weeks of constantly providing every document imaginable, they asked for a document that did not exist. They demanded a private road maintenance agreement for the 200 ft driveway between my house and the main paved road. I was denied credit from them based on "property being unacceptable". I have been charged $375 for appraisal and the fee for the credit report. I am waiting for them to try and hit me with additional fees, so I canceled the credit card they had on file.
I do plan on consulting an attorney. I do not understand why no one has started a class action lawsuit against this company for theft by deception and discrimination.
Thank you for letting us know! We understand that because of required lending regulations, the necessary paperwork can be a little thorough. We appreciate your patience with that process. The appraisal is the determined value of a property based on similar property sold in the market. As a mortgage lending company, we are not able to predict or control the value of any property. We truly do apologize if there was any inconvenience during this part of the process. There may have been risk factors in regards to the type of property that was being considered for the refinance. We apologize if there was any confusion with those particular conditions. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation about the process. Thank you!
Reviewed Nov. 21, 2011
Started the process and have run into snags along the way, documents unreadable, after faxing scanning and emailing. I have to wait a whole day or two for someone to answer my emails so the process has been over a month. As soon as I gave info, it is never enough and when I gave enough, they didn't get a clear copy. I am fed up and finished. Wish I would have dug deeper before choosing this company.
Thanks for bringing this up Jennifer! There should have been an available, and consistent point of contact for you throughout the process. We sincerely apologize if this was not the case. Customer service is very important to us and we truly value your business. Thank you!
Reviewed Nov. 16, 2011
After going through the extensive paperwork, having to pay the $500 loan origination fee and $375 appraisal fee, the appraiser comes in at 85% of the tax assessed value, and 85% of the comparable property values, so the refinance loan is turned down. Amerisave gets the $500, the appraiser gets $375 and I get **. It's a legitimate scam. Save yourself some money and avoid online mortgage/refinance offers. They are making a killing, and it's all legal because the applicant has to agree to pay the fees regardless of the outcome.
Thank you for commenting! Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. Purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. All potential loans must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. We do truly apologize for any inconvenience or if your experience was less than satisfactory. Thank you again for your feedback!
Reviewed Nov. 15, 2011
I started the refinance process, provided all the required documents within 24 hours. I have a perfect credit, and even got the required appraisal ($425) and was then informed the property couldn't be refinanced as there are 8 units that haven't been completed yet. OMG, don't you think this should be asked upfront? Do they not train their representatives to know what an automatic denial is?!
They wait all the way until it gets to underwriting before they give you the news, after the closing date had come on gone twice, because of their inept way of doing business. Why they wouldn't ask for the condo questionnaire to be completed upfront, or at least the persons handling the transaction have a clue of what disqualifies you for a loan, is ridiculous. To waste people's money on an appraisal is just downright wrong when all they need to do is ask a couple of questions. A company I would stay far away from.
Thank you for sharing this! In some cases the risk factors preventing a loan from qualification are not found until the underwriting process. The reason is because the necessary paperwork is not yet received or reviewed until that point. We sincerely apologize if the issue was not disclosed in a more timely manner. Your business is important to us so please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation. Thank you!
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2011
I applied for a mortgage with Amerisave on October 14. The appraisal was done and I provided all the documents as required. I was told that I'd be closing in the next week or so. After I couple of days, I heard back from them that they wouldn't be able to close the loan since they said that, "home is not being used as the best possible use".
According to them, the site is zoned for condos but my home is a single family. I tried explaining to them that mine is a detached single family condo which is very common in this part of the country, with a condo association. I got a reply that they're sorry and won't be able to process the loan, my loan officer was Aaron **. I've lost a month in the refinancing process, and had paid the appraisal fees. They're not willing to refund any of the fees that I had paid since it's supposedly not a fault of theirs.
Thanks for letting us know! It seems that there may have been risk factors in regards to the type of condo/single home that the property is. This would have only been found during the underwriting process after receiving the necessary documents that further describe the property. We sincerely apologize if the issue with the loan was not disclosed in a more timely manner. Your business is important to us so please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation. Thank you!
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2011
We had a recent and painful experience with Amerisave Mortgage. We found a good rate on a loan and closing costs were listed as $3000. We began the process of applying. We copied tax forms, pulled together statements and faxed everything. The process moved quickly! Within 2 days we had an appointment for the assessor to appraise the property and a title insurance contact. At the same time we were told we qualified for the loan and just needed to download the notices, disclaimers and consents from Amerisave.com.
Reviewing these papers, which you must do, we saw closing costs amounted to $10,000. They had disaggregated all the costs except for the familiar ones and slipped them into what would be our settlement agreement. We were told we would owe $7000 more than we were explicitly told we would owe when we first applied and only after all the work and effort was put in. This business practice is well thought out to entrap unwary consumers. In my opinion the intent to deceive makes it fraudulent. I would never use nor recommend anyone use Amerisave based upon their seeming practice of exploitative business practices, and that when you factor in these hidden costs, you could do just as well or better at a reputable, and in my view, more ethical vendor.
Thank you for your feedback! It seems there may have been risk factors found in underwriting that required offsetting payments so that the loan could still close. This would be the only sole reason any estimated payments would have such a drastic change. We do apologize for any inconvenience on the issue. Your business is important to us so please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation. Thanks!
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2011
We had a recent and painful experience with Amerisave Mortgage. We found a good rate on a loan and closing costs were listed as $3000. We began the process of applying. We copied tax forms, pulled together statements and faxed everything. The process moved quickly! Within 2 days we had an appointment for the assessor to appraise the property and a title insurance contact. At the same time we were told we qualified for the loan and just needed to download the notices, disclaimers and consents from Amerisave.com.
Reviewing these papers, which you must do, we saw closing costs amounted to $10,000. They had disaggregated all the costs except for the familiar ones and slipped them into what would be our settlement agreement. We were told we would owe $7000 more than we were explicitly told we would owe when we first applied and only after all the work and effort was put in. This business practice is well thought out to entrap unwary consumers. In my opinion, the intent to deceive makes it fraudulent. I would never use nor recommend anyone use Amerisave based upon their seeming practice of exploitative business practices and that when you factor in these hidden costs, you could do just as well or better at a reputable, and in my view, more ethical vendor.
Thank you for your feedback! It seems there may have been risk factors found in underwriting that required offsetting payments so that the loan could still close. This would be the only sole reason any estimated payments would have such a drastic change. We do apologize for any inconvenience on the issue. Your business is important to us so please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation. Thanks!
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2011
Joe from Amerisave was very rude and would not communicate anything about the loan status. We faxed and FedExed all the documents and they still wanted more. When I would ask Joe about the missing documents, I would not get a response. I emailed him today and let him know that I have taken a different avenue hand to close my account. Do not do any business with this company!
Thanks for letting us know! We understand with adhering to lending regulations the paperwork can be a little thorough, but we appreciate your patience with that process. There should have been an available, and consistent point of contact to give updates throughout the process. We sincerely apologize if this was not the case. Customer service is very important to us and we truly value your business. Thank you!
Reviewed Oct. 23, 2011
I refinanced with Amerisave back in 2004 and it was a great experience. So, when rates recently (Oct 2011) dropped, I went directly to them to refinance again. This time it was a totally different experience.
To begin, their web page where you can look up rates is deceptive. In order to find the true rates, you must change the credit score located on one edge of the page in small print to your credit score and changing it from a perfect score of 800 to your score dramatically changes their rate quotes. But what finally drove me away was that after applying for the refinance on Wed of one week, getting the appraisal done on Friday of that same week, I went back on Monday the following week to lock in my rate only to find that between Wed and Mon, their points for the loan jumped from 3/4 of a point to 2-1/4 points. That drove the cost to complete the refinance out of sight.
To make it worse, I discovered after complaining about the hike in the points that although their rate lock was good for 30 days, it typically took them 60-90 days to close a loan, so the rate lock was worthless. I was duped and felt cheated especially as I still had to pay for the appraisal. As I said I had a good experience in 2004, so perhaps the company has changed ownership or management since then. I definitely would not do business with them. . I lost the $425 I agreed to pay for the appraisal. I had to go through the paperwork of another mortgage application with a different company. ?
Thank you for bringing this to our attention! All rate options are accurate advertisements. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. All loan officers do request an estimated credit score from every potential customer before helping them to search for rates. The score of 800 is only the default number on the site until you input your own score. All rates do fluctuate with the housing market, so they are subject to change unless a rate lock is ordered. We apologize if there was any confusion or inconvenience with the process. Thank you again for your feedback!
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2011
One of the worse communication I ever had the nightmare of dealing with. My credit score is 814! I want to combine the loan taken for my kid's university and primary plus cash out for a total of $170,000. I spent four hours on the phone trying to reach the agent, and another three hours at night on hold as they advertised a 24/7 service. The recorded message kept saying that I will be connected in less than a minute for three hours in a row. Then, I received an email saying that my mortgage has been canceled. Do you think that I should ever proceed?
Thanks for letting us know! As soon as the loan application was started there should have been an available, and consistent point of contact to give updates throughout the process. We sincerely apologize if this was not the case. We do truly value your business!
Reviewed Oct. 5, 2011
After submitting 190 pages of supporting documentation, signing disclosures, and paying for an appraisal and credit report, I got a call today from Caz ** saying they've lost my information. I was ready to lock today as we were 3 weeks into this process. But now these guys tell me they've lost my personal information. The lower rates don't compensate for the risk of having your personal information floating around because of a lack of quality control. As a result of their lack of competence in protecting my information, I cancelled my application. I can't see rewarding this kind of behavior. I told my friends and clients about the lower rates offered by Amerisave. But I will tell them it isn't worth the risk.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention! We sincerely apologize if there were any documents that were misplaced. This is not representative of our customer service or quality control protection. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com so that we can help to correct the issue if at all possible. Thanks!
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2011
My wife and I have excellent credit. We own several properties and have plenty of money in the bank. Like other people on this site, Amerisave asked for every bit of information under the sun and we complied. Then, they said that we did not qualify. They made us pay for an overpriced appraisal, too, just like others on this site. In retrospect, I am glad that they declined us so we won't have to deal with them. Never again.
Thank you for your comments! We understand with adhering to lending regulations the paperwork can be a little thorough, but we appreciate your patience with that process. The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. Purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. It seems that there were risk factors found in underwriting that prevented the loan from being qualified. We do apologize if the outcome was not what was expected.
Reviewed Sept. 30, 2011
I was receiving reasonable customer experience right up until my refinance-cash-out was denied because of "unacceptable property". All finances were perfect. The requested cash-out was $227k and appraised value is $550k. Other than the property was "unacceptable", I have no idea why my loan was declined. It may be discrimination.
The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. It seems that there were risk factors in regards to the property type that prevented the loan from being qualified. We do apologize for any inconvenience, or if the outcome was not what was expected. Thank you!
Reviewed Sept. 27, 2011
We had an exceptionally good experience with Amerisave!
Our senior loan officer, Jake **, and his loan closer, Amanda **, were always there for us when we had questions. We closed earlier than expected and actually got a lower interest rate than we originally thought. We had no problems with the entire process.
I was a bit hesitant after reading so many bad reviews about using Amerisave but they came through with us with flying colors! If you have great credit and can provide all the information they require in a timely manner, you shouldn't have any problems with using them. Ask for Jake **. He was really the best!
Thank you so much for your compliments! We appreciate you!
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2011
I got a quote from Amerisave company that seems very attractive so I called them to find out. They promised everything, sent me a package to fill out and sent it back right away. Furthermore, they immediately scheduled me for an appraisal the next day. The appraisal cost was almost $600, much higher than the peers. Then, they let me wait and wait. After two weeks, they started to complain about the house condition, the interior setting and how the furniture was set up. Then, they notified me that the loan was declined due to my credit. My God. My average credit score was 798, my house value was over $800,000 and I only refinanced for $390,000. It was ridiculous. I think that this company was very irresponsible and unprofessional. They meant to charge high appraisal; not for the loan.
Thank you for the feedback! The appraisal fee is an upfront commitment in order to start the loan process. Purchasing this necessary item does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. It seems that there were risk factors in regards to credit that prevented the loan from being approved during the underwriting process. We do apologize for any inconvenience, or if the outcome was not what was expected. Thank you!
Reviewed Sept. 6, 2011
I just closed with Amerisave. I read a number of complaints against Amerisave and I understand the frustration that many of these writers feel. The process is difficult and the inquiries seem endless. Even sources of large deposits were asked of me, which I felt was strange.
The mortgage industry practices are highly scrutinized. Many mortgage companies have federal civil and federal criminal complaints against them. Individuals such as underwriters can be subjected to federal action if they are careless in approving loans. So it is no mystery that a large percentage of those who have great credit and good sources of income will still be denied.
It only takes one bad mark or one failed inquiry to take you out of the running. I just have to say that my experience was not a cake walk. I expected that my loan may be denied due to a number of rental properties that we own. All in all, it worked out. We closed on time. My wife and I received a great loan at practically no closing cost!
Good luck on whoever you choose to service your loan, but be aware that the game has changed.
Thank you! We appreciate the honesty in your feedback!
Reviewed Sept. 2, 2011
On August 2nd, I locked on a 10-year ARM where the points were listed as ~400 and a rate of 3.875. A few days later, I received a GFE for a 15-year fixed loan. I repeatedly asked Amerisave to correct the GFE, but nothing was done. On August 26th, they finally fixed my GFE to reflect the 10-year ARM and gave me points of 1,700, probably based on what the points were for that date. As a result, they padded their fees by $1,300.
Thanks for the feedback! There may have been risk factors found in underwriting that required offsetting payments so that the loan could still close. We truly do apologize for any inconvenience with your loan process, and we hope we were able to correct the situation. Thank you!
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2011
AmeriSave lied to me. And they made a false promise in adjusting my locked-in rates for loan refinancing. AmeriSave charged me $8 plus $375 on my credit card for the processing of my loan application. The original quoted rates differ from what they were asking me to sign. They forced me to roll in the closing cost of 10,000 dollars into the loan amount, despite the fact that I told them many times not to do that. As per Annette's directions, I arranged for 10,000 dollars with my bank. I got the funds ready for them.
On August 29, after I had been constantly asking for status, they informed me the underwriting will not accept the funds. They forced me to take a loan from 401k or personal gifts. AmeriSave VP of Sales Joseph ** has a very poor way of addressing consumer concerns. In fact, he blamed me that I am not interested in loan refinancing. It was because I was upset that the adjustments to my rates were not made. Now, with no fault of mine, they are asking me to pay $500 for doing nothing for me. Instead, I got a disappointing, unsatisfactory service.
I have faxed them every single document and every single detail of my whole life, in order to get my loan go through, for the past 30 days. They asked me to provide closing cost funds, which I did upon their request. And I followed their steps to get the money arranged. Now, they have trouble in accepting the funds. I did not ask them to cancel my loan. They refused to accept the 10,000 dollars that I arranged with my bank for closing cost. And they forced me to roll over this money into loan amount, which I do not want to do. I have spent a lot of time dealing with them. Also, I consider them responsible for $375 plus $8 fees that I have paid them for the loan processing. After I fulfilled all of their conditions and arranged money for closing cost, they declined my loan application. And they threaten me that I should be paying them $500 for cancellation. They cancelled my loan by themselves. I did not ask them to cancel it. I am seeking justice.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention! The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. Purchasing these necessary items does not guarantee the qualification of the loan. The loan must meet all guidelines and regulations in order to be approved. We sincerely do apologize if your request in regards to closing costs was not properly followed. As our customer, we truly do value your business and we hope that we can still show you that. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com so that we can help to correct the issue if at all possible. Thank you!
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2011
My wife and I have excellent credit; in the top 1%. We started a refinance of our primary residence with a particular rate in mind. Our loan to value ratio is about 35-40%, depending on the appraisal value, and we have sufficient assets to pay off our loan. Yet the AmeriSave credit report and score came just under the required value to get the rate we wanted. AmeriSave was unwilling to materially discuss the credit report findings such as 'too many inquiries' or 'too high revolving balances on credit cards'.
We only have 2 cards and we pay them off every month. They just contented that they use a model that is proprietary, thus not easily explainable and that it was a take it or leave it deal. These loan representatives are essentially push paper loan brokers executing on corporate directives to extract more yield from their customers. They can't answer questions that require any thinking, they're not paid to think. Otherwise, they're pleasant folks.
Note: I spent 1 hour with each of the credit reporting agencies to understand their scoring model and why they diverged so much from AmeriSave's. The answer: AmeriSave (and other brokers) have discretion to adjust the credit score for credit applicants without telling them why. The 'why' is simple; sell consumers on a higher rate than initially stated.
All rate options are accurate advertisements. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. The rates are subject to change with the housing market, unless a rate lock has been ordered. There may have been risk factors in regards to credit that prevented the loan from qualification. We truly do apologize for any inconvenience if this was the case for the loan. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation on the issue. Thank you!
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2011
Amerisave advertises broadly on the internet with rates that appear low. However, their pattern is to look for openings to reduce the closing credit that they advertise, with artificial, non-industry standard definitions. In our case, our closing credit was reduced by $3,000 because they redefined our refinance as a refinance with cash out. We were informed of this after the appraisal costing $450 was made.
I am partially disabled. However, they would not count my disability income payments, which is contrary to The Americans with Disabilities Act. Even still, our income was more than sufficient according to Federal Standards. This should have been a slam dunk deal because my wife and I have credit scores of 800 each. And we have substantial financial resources. So, this have been wrapped up quickly.
AmeriSave will ask unending, arcane questions, spread out over time in an out of sequence manner. They will tell you that the loan approval and closing is imminent and they just need additional information for their records. After providing that inconsequential information, we would wait expecting approval as they wrap up the paperwork. Then, they will come back and ask for more mundane information. It is both frustrating and time consuming to deal with them. Plus, they have substantial staff turn over. So, your point of contact changes, further slowing the process. They are very slow to return phone calls and respond to emails. Amerisave is totally awful and unpredictable to deal with on an important transaction. They will consume vast quantities of your time and they are unprofessional in their conduct. Their low rates are illusionary. They are one of the few national mortgage brokers that is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. If you are considering Amerisave, you should run away.
Thank you for commenting! All rate options are accurate advertisements. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. The rates are subject to change with the housing market, unless a rate lock has been ordered. We do understand that the paperwork process is very thorough, but we do appreciate your patience with that process. In order to provide our customers with the most advantageous rates, our evaluations for loan approval must be thoroughly accurate with guidelines and regulations. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion with this part of the loan process. There should have been an available, and consistent point of contact throughout the process. We sincerely apologize if this was not the case. Customer service is very important to us and we truly do value your business. Thank you!
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2011
Run, don't walk from Amerisave Mortgage. Just do an amortization schedule on the amount you want to borrow and compare it to their sample payment and you will find out they are padding the payments by up to $100 per month. Amortization schedules don't lie but Amerisave sure does! Sample is $179,089 mortgage, amortization schedule payment is $1,280.28, AM payment is $1,361.00. You do the math!
I refinanced elsewhere at 4.5%. My payment is $1,370.02 and I got the loan, not feeding Amerisave application fees and credit fees then hearing all their BS. I sent them papers 4 and 5 times until they milked the lock time and I lost my lock. Again, I say, they are shysters!
Thank you for your feedback! Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. All rate options are accurate advertisements. We have many options as far as rates go, and they do depend on the mortgage loan information that is unique to every customer applying for a loan. The rates are subject to change with the housing market, unless a rate lock has been ordered. In order to provide our customers with the most advantageous rates, our evaluations for loan approval must be thoroughly accurate with guidelines and regulations.
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2011
I have been helping someone refinance as I had a scanner on my computer for exchanging documents. Amerisave was contacted because they advertised loans at competitive rates with $1400 closing costs and $1000 lender credit, making it almost a zero-cost refinancing. This proved to be so far from the truth that I have to confirm other complaints I have read that suggested Amerisave is a scam that needs to be closed down and the individuals prosecuted. Here is what happened.
First, they asked for a credit card number to which they charged an appraisal fee and cost of a credit report review. Those costs were advertised as being included in the closing costs. See later, that they omitted to deduct this prepayment from the closing cost estimates. They asked interminably for bank statements and tax returns and even asked for the same things multiple times after we had sent them. They asked even for explanations of individual deposits as low as $100 which they called "unexplained large deposits". Then they asked for explanations of these in writing signed by the applicant.
All of these they blamed on the underwriter's caution, but I have never ever seen any delaying tactics like this before. They provided settlement statement estimates which were incomprehensible and impossible to determine the bottom line. This made me suspect they were attempting to conceal illegal fees. They omitted to give credit for the prepaid items such as the appraisal. I sent them a spreadsheet showing that they had overstated settlement costs by $2000 due to this and other errors.
As others have reported, they included a whole year's escrow prepayment in the settlement costs which we objected to vehemently. To eliminate this, we paid the property taxes early so that there would be no need to establish a huge escrow. That was a chunk of change out of our bank accounts. Basically, they would never come clean about the bottom line, which I would simply say is "NewLoanAmount - PayoffAmount + Fees - LenderCredit" and should be equal to about $400. I asked them to reconcile the numbers by phone, but they would not talk about it. They simply said all would become clear at closing. I do not buy this as I want to know what I am getting in to somewhat before we get to closing.
All their documents kept coming up with figures between $2000 and $8000, and they would then ask for proof that we could come up with the cash at settlement, which I believe was another subterfuge to continue to delay things until the lock ran out. Then they said we had to pay for multiple lock extensions and the costs would go up - except we had not requested any lock extensions, as their own documentation (and the law) says is required, because we did not believe that rates were heading up any time soon. Their documentation also states, as many lenders do, that if you get the HIGHER of the previously locked rate plus extension fees or the current rate if the rate lock expires (subject to applicable law). I trust that applicable law says this is not legal if you did not request a rate lock extension. If it doesn't, regulators need to get off their fat ** and take care of this.
They also said if we canceled, there would be a $500 cancellation fee which I believe is an illegal attempt at fraud because such a fee was never disclosed in any of the documents that were signed or even in documents that were not signed. Also, the bullying tone of communication from notably Sharon ** is very grating to any consumer as it attempts to dominate and browbeat them into acceptance of anything they say.
My conclusion is that this company is probably a scam and I have kept copies of all documents and email correspondence if any attorney out there thinks that they have transgressed legal business business practices and ants to pursue them. I have three excellent experiences of refinancing within the last three years with Quicken loans, who I can thoroughly recommend, whereas Amerisave is truly the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. After two months, a loan on acceptable terms is not yet in sight and I have come to the conclusion that they are not in the business of wanting to close on loans.
Thank you for letting us know! The credit run and appraisal fees are upfront commitments in order to start with the loan process. These prepayments should be already be accounted for on the closing statements. We apologize if there was any confusion with getting that detail corrected. Amerisave is a professional mortgage lending company that places high value on customer service, and providing loan services to all applicants in a lawful and professional manner. Our primary concern truly is to help our customers to receive the best financial benefit possible. In order to provide our customers with the most advantageous rates, our evaluations for loan approval must be thoroughly accurate with guidelines and regulations. Also, we do understand that the paperwork process is very thorough, but we do appreciate your patience with that process. We hope that any issues during the process were still able to be corrected in a timely manner. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like to discuss anything further.
Reviewed July 30, 2011
I was denied credit due to an unacceptable appraisal. Our appraisal had many errors and corrections, resulting in a denial by AmeriSave to accept the appraisal. The appraisal came in a little lower than expected. So our loan-to-value ratio rose from 68% to 72%, causing us to lose out on our rate lock and having to lock in a current higher rate (or the same rate with higher costs)! This was the only issue with valuation but not a deal breaker; however the original appraisal erroneously stated that the home was "tenant occupied" in addition to "owner occupied". This snowballed into a mess that caused several updated corrections (I have 8 different copies) from the appraiser followed by a denial by AmeriSave due to "unacceptable property" and "unacceptable appraisal".
The home is a large three story Victorian home that has a kitchen, 3/4 bath, living & dining rooms, parlor, and foyer. The second floor has two bedrooms, 3/4 bath, laundry room, and a den. Our third floor has one bedroom, one utility room, 3/4 bath and a large family room with a kitchenette or "wet bar". The kitchenette consists of a small cabinet with a sink and a small refrigerator and is used to store snacks in the family room area so as not to have to go down two flights of stairs to get a cold beverage.
The appraiser called the third floor a "mother-in-law apartment" and was clear to state that it was only useful as a mother-in-law unit because the only entrance to the unit was through the middle of the main house. Even though we and the previous owner (since 1982) had used this house as a single family dwelling, AmeriSave rejected the comparable properties and requested that the appraiser find different comparable homes with accessory units, which he was unable to do. We have been consistently shopping homes in our area for years and can confirm that the appraiser is correct about this one fact – that there just aren't any big old Victorian homes with accessory units in our area (including ours)! In the end, we believe that the staff at AmeriSave just did not believe the appraiser's assessment of the property because there were so many errors.
One major problem that we have with AmeriSave is the lack of a single contact person. Our initial contact was with Neal **. Once Mr. ** got us to give him our credit card number to charge a fee for checking our credit, we were handed off to Senior Loan Processor John **. Mr. ** asked for income and asset documentation, photo ID and tax/insurance documentation for the property and for signatures on all the proper loan documents and disclosures. He also ordered the appraisal and four times sent us an email asking to lock in our interest rate before he could progress (we locked in rates on their online system at least this many times). After the appraisal was received, he also notified us four times by email that there was an updated appraisal.
Around the time that the appraisal was received, we were contacted by Kim ** stating that she was the processor on our loan. One day later, Ms. ** asked for additional documentation requested by the underwriter. The questions were about specific transactions seen on our credit and deposit accounts and also inquiring if the amount of cash needed to close was what we were expecting. This final question was definitely repetitive since the other two contacts had already covered it. All of her inquiries were answered with the proper documentation and she never asked a single question about our property or appraisal.
The day after her last request, we received a notification from John ** stating that there was a new appraisal to download and on that date we were issued a denial of credit based solely on the appraisal. This was mailed by another contact, David **, listed as the Loan Originator. The day after we were notified of the denial, Mr. John ** started sending us solicitations stating, "Mortgage rates have fallen, giving you another opportunity to refinance." Thanks, John!
As soon as the loan application was started there should have been an available, and consistent point of contact to give updates throughout the process. We sincerely apologize if this was not the case. We also apologize if there was any confusion or inconvenience with the appraisal process due to the errors found. It seems that there may have been risk factors in regards to the property type that prevented the loan from being qualified. Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@amerisave.com if you would like any further explanation on the issue. Thank you!
Reviewed March 31, 2011
I have just completed the refinance process with Amerisave Mortgage. I am knowledgeable about the process as I have been in the mortgage business. There are many complaints listed here which originate from the ignorance of the client. Everyone makes mistakes, all of us do. Amerisave made mistakes on my loan too, but had the integrity to let the chips fall on themselves, and hold me harmless. I will do business with Amerisave any day of the week. We closed our loan at the agreed upon rate and points.
Reviewed Feb. 3, 2011
I worked with Don ** at Amerisave, and he asked me to post the experience I had, working with him and Amerisave. First, I want to say my loan closed in 24 days. Don was awesome to work with. There were a lot of paperwork, but he walked me through everything. I read some of these complaints. I have to admit that if I read these first, I would've ran. I am glad I didn't. My experience was totally the opposite. Don spent a lot of time on the phone explaining the loan process with an online lender. He told me he couldn't lock me until full application was completed, my documents were faxed in and reviewed, and we may have to wait for the appraisal to be completed, unless I have a lot of equity.
He explained the $35 preapproval charge (I still don't agree with it, but it was credited back when the loan processing was closed). He explained that appraisal is a third party, nonrefundable fee (I already knew that, and no bank or mortgage company ever refunds appraisals). He also told me that the initial rate and fees from the website were for those who are ready to lock; other than that, it is a tool to check rates while we're waiting to lock. I did what he said, and I was able to lock the next day, but rates had gone up slightly.
Don asked, “Do you want to float the rate or lock at today's rate?” I have chosen to lock. He emailed me the lock confirmation for my records. He explained the $500 fee to cancel once locked. Anytime I called Don, he answered or he called me back right away. I am not sure if Amerisave is changing its practices or if it was just working with Don, but I had no problems. I am already working with him again on a purchase. My advice is to call Don before even starting. He'll answer every question. By the way, I originally went to Chase and they wanted over $2000 more in fees at a rate of .25 percent higher. Can you guess who my loan is being transferred to from Amerisave? Yes, to Chase.
Reviewed Jan. 13, 2011
After a $30 application fee, they checked my credit and said refinancing would be a "slam-dunk". I then had to pay for an appraisal that I had just done two months previously-- another $400 that was not needed. I gave AmeriSave all the documents they requested; W-2's, tax returns, pay stubs, bank account numbers, retirement account numbers, SSN's and et cetera. When it came time to close, they said I would have to combine loans with my second mortgage, which is not a law in Texas.
I would need $8000 to close and $2000 more to buy points. So, I have spent $435 to have them try to cheat me out of more than $10,000 that was never talked about until the closing time. They tried to tell me everything would be rolled in the loan and that it would be a cheaper payment, even though I was going from a 30-year loan to 15 years. I feel cheated and violated for paying that much money, and for giving them all of my private information that I now understand some of it were not needed.
Reviewed Dec. 9, 2010
Misrepresent my refinance home loan caused my financial loses. My wife and I are working people at job for over 20 and 12 years. I strongly believe we are highly qualified for a 367,000 home loan with a house equality (according the current appraisal report) of over $490,000 dollars. Mr. Aaron ** has misrepresented my qualifications in the following incidents:
(1) Missing co-applicant in the application form for two times (at least the application were rejected two times for this same reason!)
(2) Repeatedly asking for the documents (several of them) for multiple times. When his job was taken over by a co-worker Stacy **, some documents submitted earlier were totally missing in Amerisave file system.
(3) Not responsive to my questions as a representative of my loan. Mostly avoiding answer questions to the point.
(4) So far, the reasons from the underwriter to turn down my loan application are completely due to human errors, delay of process, and misrepresentation. I am not aware of any requirements to obtain a 3.625% rate mortgage in October can disqualify my application. No one reason so far is due to my qualification! But as of now, the rate has risen to 3.875% APR and its going up higher and higher and I still did not get my loan even locked in rate! This is a ridiculous processing game Amerisave has played with me! (I am not a first time home purchaser, nor a first time refinancer. I have never seen such an inefficient process ever. Nor do I even consider working with Amerisave mortgage forever. )
(5) I have thousands of dollars of lost in accountable measure and more unaccountable mental/spiritual/life losses that need to be compensated.
Reviewed Nov. 16, 2010
I was told that there'd be no points charged in my refinance. Once I received my documents, I saw a figure to the tune of $4200 under lender fees. I questioned Hank and he said that is not points but lender fees. I happen to be very familiar with the term. I told him I knew what lender fees were and they are the same as points. I asked him to raise the rate to the point where there'd be no fees and he said that the rate is locked.
I told him that in the disclosures, it says that I have the option of choosing a different rate with lower fees. There he stopped talking to me and about a month later, he came pretending that everything was okay. He wanted to close the deal. Now I am out of $385.00. I can't believe that they are ripping people off so easily and there is no place to turn.
Reviewed Nov. 12, 2010
If you are thinking about applying for a loan with them, just run away. I checked their rates at the end of September 2010 and I got on their website for the estimated loan of $170,000 for a 30 years fixed at 4.375% stated that I would get a closing credit of -$1200 meaning that the total closing cost would be $300. I filled out a refinancing application on October 1, 2010. After I filled out the application, I was told that my loan processor is Theodore ****. At this stage, problems already started because unlike the quote I was given, the actual application stated that the credit for the closing cost would be -$300 and not -$1200. I left a message for Theodore at 10:30 am on October 1, 2010. His voicemail stated that he would get back to me within 2 hours.
By 1:30 pm, because no one had called back, I emailed their customer service department who replied that my loan processor was Keith ****. How am I supposed to know that if after filling the application, the system assigned me to Theodore? After that, I contacted Keith **** on October 2, 2010 and I reiterated that we were looking to refinance for $170,000 for a 30 years fixed at the lowest possible cost with a minimal closing cost. He didn't bother to email back so I contacted him again on October 5, 2010.
On October 27, 2010, Keith **** emailed us to let us know that we needed to send more documents. When I looked at the disclosures sent by him, I found the application to be incorrect. It stated that we were applying for a refinance loan of $160,000 and we’re seeking $15,477.57 cash as well. I emailed him to make him aware about the mistakes. From his response, it sounded that we had filled our application incorrectly. I emailed him a copy of my initial application and the application he had sent me for review prepared by Dustin **** and explained to him that I had highlighted the fields that didn't match.
Having not gotten any response, I emailed Keith **** again on October 29, 2010 to ask if any decision about our file had been made. I was very shocked by the response I got from him because our home was valued at less at what we had paid for when we bought it. We were expected to bring in $10,000 at the closing for Amerisave to process our loan application. This is a joke. On October 29, 2010, I went to their website to get a rate quote and entered all the information: amount needed value of the home, loan terms, credit score and it gave me again a great rate quote, never saying anywhere that the loan to value ratio was too high. They just lure you to fill out their application and enter your credit card number so they can charge you for credit check and appraisal and then check if they can really lend you a mortgage or not.
Now Amerisave cannot refinance us, they charged us $335 for nothing and on top of that because they requested a credit history, our score has decreased. I emailed Carol ***, their CEO but haven't heard anything. I contacted the BBB and their response was that I didn't fill out the application correctly. They are just thieves. It is because of lenders like them that the housing bubble occurred.
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2010
In early September, I applied for a refinance with a cash out. I have a credit score of 766, the value to ratio of the loan was close 1/3 the value of the home. On their website they use a calculator to determine how much credit Amerisave would give you as part of the closing cost. In my case I was going to receive a credit of $1,193.00.
They also show the cost breakdown of a "Good Faith Estimate" so that you see how the credit they are applying will cause your closing cost to be almost nothing. I was also locked in with a rate of 4.125% for a 30 year fixed loan no points. I had to rush and send Amerisave last 2 years of my federal tax returns (in full), 2 pay stubs, last 2 years w2, mortgage statement, photo ID, and bank account information. All this to get the lock in.
I was also asked for a credit card # to charge the appraisal fee of $375.00. An appraisal came to my house and estimated the value to be 750K. I was refinancing for 320K. Amerisave charge my credit card for another $30 for a credit report, which they claimed it would be credited at closing. This all happened within the first week. For almost 2 months nothing happened.
I kept calling to find out what was the delay and always with some story. But always sending me form that they needed signed to move the loan forward. At the end of October, they let me know that it was with the underwriter and it would be quick. Finally, in early November Amerisave told me the loan was approved if I sent them more information, my mortgage statement, 2 year of Federal tax return again, pay stubs, insurance information, picture Id of wife, letters stating how I was going to use the cash-out. All done.
Now I received their 1003 loan estimates, which made no sense to me and I make changes to the amounts and asked them to correct it. I get another 1003 form and again many items are work, including all the closing cost estimates. It include stuff that I never heard of like county Taxes escrow in addition to property taxes, the had all these other closing cost figures which I still do not understand. The amount to pay the off my original loan was wrong. Even after I got the current balance of the loan and sent to them they added another 3K to the payoff amount. In total, there was about 13K in hidden or fraud closing cost on top of the so-called credit they gave of 1,193.00.
During this time, I kept asking Amerisave to send me the HUD or a clear breakdown of these costs. They kept telling me not to worry, the HUD form I would receive will cover and explain everything. My closing was scheduled for 11/10 and I received the HUD settlement breakdown 4:45PM, which when I read it it still had all the fraud cost. I tried calling to cancel the closing, sent emails but no one from Amerisave called. Later tonight, some called me to confirm the closing, which stated to them I have to cancel. What a sad ride I've been through.
It cost me $405.00. I trusted Amerisave with all my personal information. This has caused me and my family a lot of stress,not getting the 30 year fixed loan with no points at 4.125% will now cost me at least $50,000 more even if I attempt to refinance now, because rates have gone up. I feel humiliated, depressed and angry. I would hope others will read this and not do any business with Amerisave. They should be shut down.
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2010
10/8/10 Searched for refinance mortgages online. Noted Amerisave advertised a 10 yr fixed @ 3.25% with $367 in lending fees. I was going to mort. what was left on my 15 year note ~$207K. Kathy P. called me and explained all the fees as well as the application process. She said my rate would not be locked in until I paid for an appraisal ($325), so I gave her my c.c. info to "lock" my rate and fees in. She also emailed me several forms that I had to either "electronically sign" or print and sign and fax back. I had 48 hrs to do so, and I did all that was requested over that weekend (10/9-10) except for electronically signing my application which contained inaccurate info.
10/11 I spoke with Kathryn and pointed out the errors. She was unable to explain why the error were made but said to go ahead and sign them that they would not affect any aspect of my loan application. I signed them. 10/12 my house was appraised by Shari Horn
10/13 The appraisal came in at $250K. I was shocked. Paid 300K 5/05 and have put another 40K into it. I questioned the appraisal/appraiser and they wouldn't move on the appraisal. Because the Appraisal came in below 80% LTV I was told I had to escrow my insurance and by 1 year of PMI of 7K.
I tried for several days to get Kathryn to call me via email and phone requests to discuss the loan and find out what I needed to do next if anything.
10/25 Kathryn finally called. We discussed the loan and I specifically asked her to reassure me that I was still locked in at my original rate of 3.25. She said just a minute and came back and said yes I was.
10/26 Kathryn called and asked if I read her email that she sent after our conversation. I said no. She said well unfortunately I was not locked in. Adn if I wanted to lock in that day at the same rate the lender fees would be ~$1960.00. $1300 more than what I was told I was locked into during my original conversation 10/8.
After a long discussion that went no where, I asked to speak to her supervisor. Her supervisor Darla ** called later that day and said I had never locked in and that by electronically signing my papers, I agreed to float the loan. I explained to her that I was never informed of that. I told her that I had a type "A" personality and if I would have known the loan was going to float, I would have locked in when I applied which I thought I had. Darla walked me through the "lock-in" process and told me she would take $300 off my lending fees if I wanted to proceed with the application. I said please proceed.
On 11/3, while checking the rates and fees, I locked in to a 3.375% 10 year fixed loan for $200,000. I was going to pay the balance of my mortgage at closing (~$7,000) to get to 80% LTV and avoid having to pay the escrow and the PMI. I phoned both Kathryn ** and Darla ** and informed them of my lock online. I also emailed Kathryn and asked her to call me and confirm she got the lock notice. In the early afternoon, Kathryn sent me a long email stating that when she submitted my appraisal for review to "core logic". They re-reviewed my appraisal 3 times and came back with an appraised value for my house at $200,000. And that I no longer could qualify for my mortgage unless I could come up with the cash to get the loan value to $190,000 and that I would also be required to escrow and pay PMI. The only other possibility was to go to FHA.
I immediately called Kathryn and I questioned her and their AmeriSave integrity. They had lied to me on several occasions and led me to believe the loan was complete and was in the process to close. I asked Kathryn to have Darla call me. I asked her not to do anything with the loan application until I spoke with Darla. I also called Darla and asked her to call me back. I also emailed Kathryn and asked her to have Darla call me. There has been no return calls to me.
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2010
I basically have good experience with mortgage refinancing companies, but this is one bad experience I had with AmeriSave Mortgage Company. I applied for a mortgage refinance on their website. I immediately got an email from their company and was followed up with a phone call from Daphne **, who was their senior mortgage processor. She told me I should not contact anyone else in their company and she will be the main point of contact.
I then discussed my current loan which was a 4.5% FRM. I told her I will proceed only if I get a better deal which is a no cost, no original fee loan which has a better interest rate. She said to watch for the rates. After 2 weeks, their website was offering 4.25 30-year FRM at 4.25 for no closing costs and no points. I immediately loved the loan, however the GFE that I received later was completely different. It had FRM at 4.5 with a $2000 closing cost. I immediately emailed Daphne and called her as well and let her know to cancel the loan as the GFE was not what we agreed on. This is a classic bait-and-switch company. She said okay.
A few days later, an appraiser showed up at our house and did a appraisal, I was at work and my wife let him in, not knowing he was from AmeriSave. I had applied for refinance with another company as well and we were expecting an appraiser from that company. A week or so later, I got a $400 credit card charge for appraisal which I never ordered. I had specifically canceled the loan process by sending emails and voice mails.
I disputed the CC transaction and I got a credit. Now after 6 weeks, I got a response saying I am charged $400 because I initiated the loan process. There is no document which I signed authorizing the appraisal. I am in the process of getting the paperwork from the CC company. In summary, this is the most dishonest company I had dealt with in my 20 years here in the US. I need to contact the Better Business Bureau in Georgia. Again I am writing this so that others are forewarned.
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2010
It was impossible to get accurate information from them. Despite numerous requests for information and then complaints to "customer service," I could not get them to answer critical questions about the mortgage process or even their rates. Having paid for an appraisal and credit report, I continued with the process prepared to back out at the closing. The closing agent (a contractor) was extremely nice and helped get me information at the last minute and I proceeded to close the loan.
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2010
On a Friday, my husband decided to refinance our home loan online without discussing the terms with me. He kept calling me at work to hurry and fax information. When I got home, I discovered that we had to pay off our home equity loan as part of the refinancing. Based on my preferences, we decided not to go through with the refinancing. I called the appraiser that night and cancelled the appraisal. I then called our credit card company and discovered that Amerisave had already started to process the $400 appraisal charge. The following Monday, my husband received an email from Steve who said, "We will cancel, but your loan was locked at your request. Please log in and review the application carefully regarding loan cancellation."
Reviewed Oct. 21, 2010
Amerisave started out promising a better-than-market automated quote on the internet, including a low interest rate, and low closing costs. They got me to invest some time in an online application and some money in a credit report (~$35). Then they bumped the rate up and doubled the closing costs - i.e. they went up to market rates for interest and closing costs, so they were then the same as everyone else. But I had already spent money and invested time and a credit inquiry with them, so I might as well continue, right?
It was a classic bait & switch. Note that my wife's and my credit scores are excellent. I'm sure they would ordinarily be able to claim the rates went up a bit because the credit scores were less than stellar. Not this time. Moving forward, they touted (via voice recording) their on-time-closing guarantee wherein they promised to pay me $1000 if they failed to close on time. That is what really suckered me in, as I wanted someone who took closing on time seriously. Note that no human at Amerisave even knew I existed yet.
Amerisave uses automated systems to do the bait & switch, get me to jump through all of the hoops & pay for an appraisal up front, so I'm invested in it before they start reneging. To make a long story short, their underwriter was just not ready to close, so they start throwing frivolous demands at me for the purpose of stalling (example: tax returns for my business for years that it didn't exist; insurance documents for an unrelated property, to show that it had no lien on it, even though the type of insurance policy would not show a lien holder under any circumstance.
A letter from my CPA stating that using $60k of my ~$300k in cash reserves for a down payment on the property would not put me in financial jeopardy; then making him do it over again, for a higher amount and to include his license number on it something that nobody has asked him for in 30 years also. Note that the amount I had to bring to closing was less than the amount on his original letter they were just volleying the ball back into my court to stall). I jumped though every one of their hoops and met their frivolous demands quickly, even after it became painfully obvious that they were just stalling for time.
The closing date came and went. They kept allowing me to believe that we would close the very next day, only to come up with a new twist or another frivolous demand at the last instant. Eventually, they just stopped even bothering to come up with new excuses, and began stonewalling. It became painfully obvious that they scheduled too many loans in too short a time for them to be able to do them all as promised.
After a week of their stalling past the scheduled closing date, my wife had to go back to work out of state, so we needed to do a specific limited power of attorney in order to close. This is a very common practice, and the Title Company provided their standard form, which we filled out and had notarized. Amerisave used that as an excuse for further stalling, saying the Title Company's form wasn't acceptable, but also refusing to provide one that was, or even committing to any specific date at which time they would agree to provide their own form (note that we shouldn't have even needed a form, as my wife was home for the entire week after the scheduled Monday closing).
Bottom line: They jerked us around for two weeks beyond the scheduled closing date before they were suddenly ready to close (maybe they were waiting for their rates to drop a little, or they had to wait for funding). They did not provide the $1000 compensation for the late closing per their guarantee and they have blown me off and each time I have inquired about that liability since then.They run a great scam. They invest nothing until the mark has invested too much to quit on them, then they introduce the screwing a little bit at a time, instead of all at once like slowly boiling the frog in the pot instead of dropping him into it.
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2010
I applied to refinance my personal residence. Within two days, they had an appraisal done on my home (which I was charged $400). The following week I contacted Larry ** and asked if they had all the information they needed and was told yes. I was also told that week that my debt to income ratio was too high for an automatic approval (I already had been pre-approved). I have numerous rental properties and had provided real estate tax receipts, insurance dec pages, etc as well as prior years tax returns. I told Larry that our situation had changed as we had paid off almost all of our mortgages on our rentals and he did need documentation to that effect. He said no and that the loan was under review.
Another week passed with no status update. Finally, after two and one half weeks on a Saturday, I get an email that my loan was denied because of incomplete credit application. The following Monday, Larry ** emails me and tells me that my loan was not approved because of my debt to income ratio. I am livid because I believe that my loan was not approved because my credit application was incomplete as per my "official" denial from Amerisave.
I believe that Larry ** did not want to deal with a complicated loan file and told me that the debt to income ratio was bad just to get rid of my file. I spent today calling Larry ** and his supervisor Joseph ** and no one will return my call. I believe that Larry ** did not want to deal with a complicated loan file and told me that the debt to income ratio was bad just to get rid of my file. I spent today calling Larry ** and his supervisor Joseph ** and no one will return my call. I am now going to pursue this to a federal regulatory agency since I am fully aware that they must disclose the reason for the denial and I have two different reasons.
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2010
I tried to refinance with Amerisave recently in Sept 2010. My mortgage officer was Christopher **. He does not reply to phone call and very rarely returns emails. After completing all the paper works and submitted $35 and $325 for appraisal, I waited for a month, before finally getting a word 'Your application was denied by Underwriter'. FYI: This message was not initiated by them, instead I had to keep sending email to this guy once in a while asking for the status. They said there was something wrong with my number of 2009 tax return. I did my research and responded about the number. Again, I kept sending emails about the status since my lock will expire in Oct 24, 2010.
After waiting for 10 days, he sent me an email saying my application was also denied the second time due to 'too high debt to income ratio'. I was confused and I did my number. My DTI is still within the 29% for mortgage only and less than 40% combined with tax/insurance. I asked him to send a letter to the UW to reconsider which he said 'there is not much I can do". To confirm my calculation, I have asked QuickenLoan to do the automated Underwriting to calculate my DTI (Debt to Income) ratio and it was approved. I have an excellent credit score and my property has less than 80% LTV. With enough DTI, I should be qualified to get the refinancing. It seems to me, Amerisave is a scam corporation. They might not be able to find investor to find the mortgage based on their promised interest, perhaps? Or perhaps they are in the business in getting $35 credit and $325 appraisal money? Who knows, but definitely one is for sure: They will find ways to decline your application.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2010
Fraud alert. Amerisave is a complete bait and switch scam, shake down operation. They lure you in and trap you a little bit more with each subsequent step. Stay away at all costs. You are baited (lured) to the site with a low teaser rate and reasonable points. First, you have to pay for your own credit report (which costs them nothing) then you commit to an appraisal, (in my case for $300) but they have this cancellation policy which will cost you $500 (lock fix fee) if you cancel the mortgage.
You think to yourself, "Why would I want to cancel a great deal like this? And you click, ooops. Now, you are really hooked in and believe (wrongly) that it can't get worse. But believe me, it does. Remember that great rate? No matter what your credit (I was an 800 score) salary (I earn $550,000 a year) or assets (I have $2 million in stocks and the bank) your "lock rate" will turn out to be adjusted up, up, up (for those who have read this far, I had only an 80% loan to value mortgage.). My interest rate jumped by .75 and my points trebled! I can't believe Bankrate.com allows them to advertise on their site! I am so frustrated. These people must be indicted.
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2010
I applied online in September of 2010. I was initially approved pending appraisal because of high credit score. The appraisal came in way below the value of what we even paid for the house four years ago and after repeated calls and emails, we did not receive a returned callback from our loan officer and gave up. I went with another mortgage company, whose appraiser came out and spent about an hour and half (compared to 30 minutes with the Amerisave appraiser), who placed a greater value of $5,000 more on the house (taking into account unique amenities such as the subdivision pond in back of the house, location in subdivision, etc.) with a different mortgage company with a 94% LTV.
Amerisave's email ended conversations providing no other options, including no returned phone calls or emails, on next steps. Then, we received an email a month later from Amerisave saying we didn't complete the credit application and were denied because of that. I reported the company to State Financial Regulatory agencies. Avoid this company like the plague.
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2010
I applied online on Sept. 2010 and was initially approved, pending appraisal because of high credit score. The appraisal came in way below the value of what we even paid for the home four years ago and after repeated calls and emails, we did not receive a return call from our loan officer and gave up. We went with another mortgage company whose appraiser came out and spent about an hour and a half (compared to 30 mins. with the Amerisave appraiser) who placed a greater value of $5,000 more on the home (taking into account unique amenities such as the subdivision pond in the back of the house, location within the subdivision, etc) with a different mortgage company with a 94% LTV. Amerisave's email ended conversations providing no other options including no returned phone calls or emails on next steps and then we received an email a month later from Amerisave saying we didn't complete the credit application and were denied because of that? I reported the company to the State financial regulatory agencies. Avoid this company like the plague. I kept both the $300 fee and the $35 fee.
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2010
I contacted Amerisave about refinancing my 15-year mortgage, VA mortgage, from 5% down to a 4% or lower interest rate. When I first looked at their options, I was told 4% was the best rate I could get and the estimated fees, etc. came to just over $721. The VA funding fees were estimated at $520. I printed the sheet out. Kyle initially told me I wouldn't need an appraisal for a streamlined VA refinancing, but later on, insisted that I would for an estimated cost of $300. Later that day, after the rate changed, I printed it out again and the fees, etc. came to about $2027. The VA funding fees were again estimated at $520. I printed the sheet out again. The guy I had been talking to on the phone and by email told me they tend to overestimate the fees and costs, so they would probably be lower. He didn't even know what my current mortgage was, even though I'd emailed him all that information and filled out the application.
He also said the $35 credit application fee was fully refundable. He told me I had to lock in my rate to get my appraisal started and the first part was the credit application. I went online and paid my $35. The VA funding fees on the exact same loan shot up to $3,432. Naturally, I printed the sheet out. Next, everyone I talked to at Amerisave told me they are always that high. Why? The rates that day were about 3.20%, so a 4% rate wasn't something I was buying down. Anyway, if they are always that high, why weren't they before I put my money in? I sent several emails and left voicemails for the guy I'd been talking to and got ignored. Finally, I emailed and told him I was out and to refund my money. The guy acted like I was getting a deal and emailed that I was dropping 3% off my rate! For the second time, he didn't even know whose loan he was talking about. I was only dropping 1%!
Why would I add nearly $4,000 back onto my loan just to reduce my payment by $160/month? I would be adding almost a year of additional payments just to get back to where I started! That's not a deal! I told him again that I was done and wanted my money back. Then I found out the $35 credit application fee that was "fully refundable" is only refundable if you close on a loan. In other words, they screwed me out of $35 by misleading me with fake rates at the outset. I wouldn't trust this company. I'll bet they rake in $35 a lot with those fake numbers.
He said the credit agencies get the money for your credit report, but we all know you can buy your credit report with your rating on it for $8. I'm so angry because I kept asking questions and Kyle kept not really answering them, but talking around them. I was kind of suspicious, but figured I would try to make it work. Amerisave managed to take advantage of a single mom for $35. They should be ashamed of themselves, but I can promise you they aren't.
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2010
I was looking to refinance to pay my home off in 10 years. I didn’t research Amerisave prior to signing a loan application but I did read on the info on their site. Sounds great. So I applied. I immediately got an email from a loan officer advising me what to do and answering my questions. I followed his instructions to the letter. After gathering all the information required, I pay the $35 for the credit report, $350 for the appraisal and I spoke to my 'assigned' loan officer again and asked if this was all I need to do. He advised me yes. Now it's a sit and wait game, but everything looks great and this should go through no problem.
I was telling some of my co-workers about it because I was so excited that it was working out great, only to come home to a voicemail saying please call me there is a slight problem. So I immediately called and he explained that my debt to income ratio was too high and that I would need to pay off some of my other debt before being eligible for this loan. Not having to finance a home in over 14 years did I once think about my debt to income ratio, nor is it mentioned in their documents, nor does their loan officer remind you this may prevent you from qualifying.
As I discussed this with my loan officer, I became more frustrated and angry feeling I had been deceived. First you tell me it will be 4 to 6 weeks before anyone contacts me on the approval and the very next day I'm denied? Hmm. So I brought to his attention that I had read some information on line complaining about Amerisave but I was trying to believe that with all the help he had provided, and his patience with me that this was not the case.There must be some mistake. His response to me was, "Well, doesn’t your company ever make mistakes?” Well, of course we all do, and so does the company I work for. The difference in my company and Amerisave is if we made the mistake or we mislead the customer into believing all is well, we refund the customer their costs and may even offer customer satisfaction if we have created a hardship for the customer.
My company is about taking care of its customers and customer retention. My company wants to keep its customers business, not chase them to the internet to post negative things about them. My loan officer then advised me his boss was the one who told him that this was the problem. So I asked if I could speak to his boss. He said sure let me give you his number. I asked if he couldn’t just transfer me because I had already read that their management team will not return phone calls or answer emails.
He stated he didn’t have that capability and gave me his boss's number. Well, lo and behold, I got voicemail. So now I'm waiting to see if I get a call back. “Amerisave is one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the country, with over 1500 employees serving customers in all 50 states and DC. Our goal is to provide low rates and excellent service to every customer. Amerisave.com was designed to make shopping for mortgages easy and straight forward. You can shop, apply and lock in your rate in minutes. Our technology shops your mortgage requirements to most of the large mortgage banks in seconds."Let's see, easy and straightforward.
Then why didn’t someone tell me wait before you start the loan process and let’s see if your debt to income ratio is in line? I checked on the internet to see how it's done. I'm no financial wizard, but it only took me a few minutes to check it and I didn’t need a credit report or appraisal for that. Hmm? Then they boast about how you can do this online in minutes. Okay, I'll buy that but some of the stuff you have to read, you need a financial interpreter to help you understand. So much for the easy and "in minutes."
Then there's the thing about technology shopping in seconds. Why did my loan officer tell me this was the waiting game part of it and it will take four to six weeks but the very next day I get a denial? I might not be the brightest crayon in the box, but I do know when someone's ** me. My employees know their job and know how to explain situations when they go wrong and if the customer isn’t happy with the answer they send it up the chain to me.
If my employee mislead someone or advised them incorrectly, then I coach them so that it doesn’t happen again. From what I see, this company doesn’t learn from its mistakes. Doesn’t learn from consumer complaints and is just waiting for the next individual to come along and read the information on their site giving the impression: We Are All About Helping You. Don’t get me wrong, my loan officer was a real friendly person and seemed to know what he was talking about when he advised me what I needed to do. But when he advised me there was a problem with my income to debt ratio, his solution was to take a larger loan out and for a longer term to pay off my truck that will be paid off in a year.
I was simply looking for a 10-year fixed loan so that I could pay off my house in no more than 10 years due to medical problems that are progressing. While I'm still able to work this sounded like a great opportunity, but it is very misleading. So if you don’t know anything about refinancing or getting a mortgage, I recommend you find someone well experienced or well versed in it. My loan adviser promptly told me I could not get my money back. He dade no mention of a cancellation fee, but I'm sure if I ever speak to his supervisor that will be my next complaint. Amerisave, if you are reading these, it might behoove you to monitor your sessions and educate your consumers before allowing them to go into more debt. Because believe it or not, it will come back to haunt you one day. Just look at some of the banks that created our economic state we're in. This could be you next. Consumers: don’t buy into “it's easy, it's simple and you'll get a really great reduce rate with this company's help.”
I'm out $385.00 for now, but how much more is it going to cost me? What happens if I don’t cancel? They have my credit card number, but the only approved charge should be for the $35 credit report and the $350 appraisal.
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2010
I found Amerisave online when I was searching for lenders to refinance my house. I should have known that things were too good to be true. When I first started the application process, the appraiser pressured me to get it done within the first 3 days and he said that was time of the essence. He charged me $500 for it even though the Amerisave website quoted substantially less.
They are very slow to respond and though they demand all kinds of stuff. I know that mortgage lenders are getting tougher, but this is incredible. BTW, I'm refinancing a mortgage that I had with Wells Fargo from 2 years ago (when I thought it was much harder to get a loan) but these guys are much worse. I've probably gotten over a dozen home mortgages over the last 20 years and these guys are easily the worst and now I'm out the appraisal and who knows what else.
Reviewed Sept. 30, 2010
I started the online loan process on Sept 8, 2010 . I was told 24 hrs for approval. I sent all documents asked for. It was said I prequalified and would have a letter of approval.Waited and did not hear from Lucas King by my calling him over and over , when I did get a hold of him five days latter ,he said he had a trip to the hospital and that there was a glitch in his system , he would fix it right away , he did not, it took another two days to get a hold of him. When I did speak to him again on Sept 27 he said another glitch in his system, two mater of fact that the system put it in as a VA loan, I did not apply for a Va loan.
Than it was we need more docs, rental agreements and a copy of 2008 w2. the program than froze again, you have to do this all thru email an online as they do not answer the phones. Again he went missing and nothing till I called and emailed over and over on Sept 30, by this time very annoyed, I get an email from a Rebeccah ** that She reviewed my application last night and have been turned down because of loan to debt. yet remember they never took into consideration that my units that I own are rented or rentable.Now I have read this site and went oh boy,,,, I wasted almost a month speaking with this company, does anyone care, is any one watching this company, this is absolutely not right.this was written to me on Sept 9
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2010
Amerisave is simply the most dishonest company I have ever had, the misfortune to do business with. Hands down they mislead, lie and refuse to return almost all calls. I applied for a refinance loan on August 23, 2010 and paid them for my credit report which by the way were in the 890 range from all three credit reporting agencies.
I had a Senior Mortgage Consultant whose name was Robbin **, who provided close to zero assistance in processing my application. I spent two weeks unable to get logged into their online system to check my loan and sign papers because their system did not recognize my Qwest email account which is simply @q.com.
After a dozen calls to Robbin ** and to the customer service line, I was fortunate to be connected to the only competent and honest person in the company. Cynthia ** who was a delight to talk to and competent enough to figure out the problem was as simple as using an alternate email address.
Finally, on September 13th, I was able to log in and sign the mandatory documents, in the interim I had provided them 100% of the documents they required from me. The appraisal was conducted and came in well beyond what is owed on the house, over $200,000 in equity.
On Tuesday, September 21st, Ms. ** called me to tell me that all of the requirements had been met and that the loan was being transferred to Underwriting. Then on Thursday at 0803, I received two emails one from Ms. ** with a link to my appraisal and one from her supervisor Todd ** telling me the loan was declined due to Credit Application Incomplete.
I then tried calling both Ms. ** and Mr. ** four to five times each and sent them both several emails asking for a call back to advise me on what had gone wrong from Tuesday when Ms. ** advised me that all of the documentation was complete and was being transferred to Underwriting and Thursday when the loan was declined.
After 5 days, I have not received a phone call or an email back from either of them. They are truly a classless and dishonest company. My advice is to avoid Amerisave like the plague; all they are doing is collecting the credit report and appraisal funds and then dropping your application. What a disgrace.
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2010
My loan with Amerisave was approved. And an appraisal had been done when I received an email saying the loan had been denied. Upon calling Michael ** from whom the email was sent, he informed me that the loan looked good and that the system had denied it, because it had not closed in 30 days. It was because I waited to lock in when rates were down.
He said he would Have Teresa ** call me and get the application going. Teresa ** did not call me, but responded to an email saying: "There is a debt to income issue. Therefore, they sent the file back to me. I am trying to work it out. I will be working on your file this weekend to see what I can do with DTI issue. As soon as I do, I will have the file reinstated. I will call you Monday." I have not been able to get either her or Michael ** to contact me since that email on the 18th of September, despite numerous emails. I left a message for each, but again, cannot get anyone to contact me. There is no change in my income or debt since the loan process started. So, I don't see how I can be denied based on that.
Reviewed Sept. 27, 2010
They advertise as if you will have your loan in 48 hours. The first two weeks went okay. Then I found out their customer service number is always a recording directing you to an email address. If you return a call, it is another recording. We are asking to refinance $375,000 on a house just appraised for $765,000. It is now approaching October and we started this 7-13. They are telling us our 2009 tax returns are not signed. They not only were signed but the IRS has the originals and our accountants gave us our copies which we forwarded twice to Amerisave.
Why are they waiting until now to tell us we haven't signed it. We basically have no only $9000 left on a new car and owe no one anything. I have never been so frustrated in dealing with a bank or mortgage company. Their customer service is the worst. I have given them every chance. They obviously do not operate from a location where there is any management to talk with. They apparently all operate out of their individual homes. They are a joke!
Reviewed Sept. 24, 2010
We applied for a loan to refinance our home at a lower interest rate, and were well into the process--we were told that we were conditionally approved--when we received a voice mail message that our loan was not approved. These people had us going through files for weeks, gathering documents that we would never let out of our house unshredded, and kept telling us "just one more thing." And after almost eight weeks of this run-around, we were left a voice message rejection. We paid the fees they requested (e.g. appraisal) so I can only think that's one of the ways they make their money. I'm not complaining about the criteria they use to make decisions--that's well within their purview, but the process they use is completely out of control and can easily lead to abuse.
Reviewed Sept. 23, 2010
On July 27, I visited the Amerisave website and filled out an application for a home loan refinance. Shortly thereafter, I determined from a virus scan that my computer had been infected with Spyware. My anti-spyware software removed it. I suspected that Amerisave had something to do with this and my suspicions were practically confirmed when a week or so later I read in Amerisave's loan disclosure document that they reserve the right to use "ad-serving" software to monitor web sites that customers visit for advertisement purposes. This was a red flag.
Another red flag was discovered in Amerisave's loan disclosure document that describes how a "teaser" rate may be reserved during the loan application process while the loan application is being approved and closed. At this point of the disclosure, then, despite being told verbally that the rate for which I applied had been locked, it states in writing that the rates and terms are subject to change.
Red flag #3 -- Despite dutifully submitting all of the paperwork electronically, by Fax and by FedEx, my Amerisave online account kept showing that they still needed these items. I informed Jeffrey ** of this and he stated that the web site was slow at updating and that they actually had everything they needed. Eventually, however, my loan was denied on the grounds that my credit application was incomplete. I won't refute this with them because I refuse to subject myself further to them. Red flag #4 -- weeks had passed and I had not heard from anyone at Amerisave.
I sent e-mails and left phone message with Mr. Jeffrey, which went unanswered. I only wanted to know the status of my loan application. More than 60 days had passed since my initial application, and Mr. Jeffrey had said that we could close in 45 days. The stress from waiting and wondering what this company was up to was horrible.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2010
Amerisave, thru some shady behind the scenes dealings found out that my sister was talking to her bank about refinancing. Then Marcus called my house looking for her. I asked him for contact info so I could have her call him back and he hung up on me. So I called the number on my caller ID and after some time on hold, guess who answered...Marcus (is he the only one working there?) When I explained that I was trying to gather call back info from him when he hung up on me, He hung up on me again! That says it all to me. Don't do business with companies like this.
Reviewed Sept. 18, 2010
This company stinks. The broker was nice when he needed my credit card info to get my $35 for a pre approval which should have been a flag because no other company I spoke to charges you unless you actually go through the approval process. Then they asked me to fix an error on my credit report. The next day, I start getting emails demanding for my assets and proof of income (which was never asked for to begin with).
I email and call back to explain that it may take 45 days to get my credit report fixed but no one responds. I also ask how they want my other documents, no response. Yet every single day, I get emails for them asking me for things and acting like I need to hurry because my rate is changing. Yet they do not call back or reply to my emails. Talk about mixed messages. They are just about getting your credit card info so they can charge it. Stay away!
Reviewed Sept. 16, 2010
I’ve completed refinance process in which my GMAC loan was to be paid off on 9/13. It is now 9/16 and my previous loan has not been paid off and I was given no notification and was told to contact Linear Title directly rather than Amerisave handling. Three days x $160 interest/day equals $ 480, and it keeps going up the longer it gets delayed.
Reviewed Sept. 16, 2010
I applied online on July 18, 2010, allowed my credit card to be charged for a credit report and agreed to allow my credit card to be charged for an appraisal. I submitted all documentation requested. The loan is to refinance, no cash out, to a 15-year amortization and a lower rate. My credit score is above 800. The LTV based upon their appraisal is 60%.
I cannot get a response from anyone on the status of my loan. They send questionnaires asking for my opinion of their service, to which I responded terribly. Despite numerous request for an update on my loan status, I have not had a response from Amerisave for three weeks. Now rates are going up and I have no idea if the rate I locked with Amerisave is even available.
Reviewed Sept. 9, 2010
Finally, they are so ridiculous to send an email a few days before the closing declining my loan because the owner bought the property in foreclosure just 4 months ago and they need more time. I cannot believe that since I was paying 20% down appraised well above the sale price and even the HUD don't need more than 90 days. Finally, I had to pay another appraisal fee and closed mine with no issues with the first option. I only have one advice, they are another high tech scam. I’ve wasted time money and unnecessary tension.
Reviewed Sept. 8, 2010
This sounds similar to everyone else. I applied for credit check and was charged for appraisal. I sent all the paperwork requested and they kept denying they received it. I asked continually for a phone call with only one received. They kept asking for the same documents. Finally, they received all the documents and agreed to lock my rate. This was on Friday. I asked for confirmation. On Wednesday, they confirmed a rate lock at a higher rate. I asked why it took so long to lock, they were busy. Even when confirmed, the rate was different from the online rate. I asked why. They started with different excuses but none applied to me.
They keep saying they could not confirm the rate I was looking at on their website. I provided a snapshot of their rate and fees and they finally agreed, but they would never confirm the new rate and fees. I am into this loan 35 days with the rate lock and no communication for 2.5 weeks. They then requested 2 years of tax returns, which I had provided 4 weeks previous. They stated the previous returns were password protected and were not acceptable. I advised they were given the password previously. They then wanted a signature. I signed the signature page and resent via email. I asked to release my rate as the rates had dropped and by their policy, the rate cannot lock until all the paperwork was completed; they refused.
A week later, my loan was denied due to high debt to income ratio. My loan was only a refinance with no cash back, 40% loan to value. A credit of $800, no debt, income to debt ratio of under 27% including the refinance. It’s crazy. I have made multiple calls to their supervisor and loan representatives with no return calls. It has been a week. I want an explanation. This appears to be fraud in many ways. I was charged for appraisal without consent and was charged higher fees and rates than are shown on their website; no basis for not approving the loan and no communication by the loan service or supervisor. Beware.
Reviewed Sept. 5, 2010
I submitted a mortgage refi application with Amerisave on July 31st. I have excellent credit and 45% equity in my condo in a very good San Francisco neighborhood. I was applying to simply lower the rate, with no cash out. I provided all the requisite information within 48 hours. I paid $440 to substantiate the LTV and loan application viability.
The Amerisave site states that many of its loans close within 10 days, and essentially all close within 30 days. Even though my loan processor, Jeff **, represented that he "could lock the rate at any time" for me, and despite my specific requests to lock the rate on August 12th - as well as repeated requests to Jeff to do so after that date, nothing was done. I was also promised a no-cost loan. I escalated the matter to his manager Dustin ** on August 27th after having waited 25 days for my application to be processed. Rather than reply, Dustin sent an email 2 days later denying the loan based on an "incomplete credit application.” I asked for an explanation, and received none. In my view, my application was complete; this non-specific and unsubstantiated reason for credit denial was without merit. I escalated the request to Mr. Mark **, Chief Credit Officer and Ms. Carol **, President of Operations. I did not even receive the courtesy of a reply from either of them.
Due to Amerisave's delays and unprofessional conduct, I now have to restart the loan application process, and may have to pay substantial fees and a higher rate. I have lost $435. In fees already paid to Amerisave. Since Amerisave refused to respond to my requests for clarification, it was impossible to resolve the problems note above. This very poor customer service is unprofessional, unacceptable, and appears to be in deliberate bad faith.
Reviewed Sept. 4, 2010
My husband and I applied to refinance our home loan. We had told Orlando and the underwriter numerous times that we did not have an impound account for our property taxes and homeowners insurance. We received the final paperwork to sign and the amount we owe is much larger than we had been told. The amount includes property taxes that are due Dec. 10th and the amount is not the amount on my property tax bill.
I explained that we pay our property taxes and we do not want an impound account. I am being told it is the "law" but of course, they can not tell me what "law" this is. I contacted our Credit Union and asked about this "law" and they said when they refinance a mortgage, they would only request payment of property taxes if the loan was closing at the end of November. The fact that the amount is different from our tax bill is an issue that they just can't answer. I would never deal with this company again. I should have never contacted this company.
Reviewed Sept. 1, 2010
I applied for my refinance through AmeriSave, and after over a month, it was supposed to close today. I received the HUD-1 two days ago and found several mistakes. After some email exchanges, I thought I could tolerate some of the small ones, although I don't like its deceptive marketing practice. But one thing really sticks: It wants to pre-collect my county property tax with an amount someone made up. My loan does not have escrow. And my property tax will be due on 12/31 which is 4 full months from today (9/1). It is too early for county to have that figure out.
AmeriSave just have a third party put some wrong information as estimate and add another 15% on top of that. When I verify with the sheriff's office and confirm, the information was all wrong; AmeriSave refused to correct the mistakes. A person titling herself as "national sales manager" put this in email as response: "Per RESPA law, we have to go with these dates and numbers.” Does RESPA law say you need to go with information you already know is wrong? I need AmeriSave to get their hands off my tax matter that is 4 full months away. I'm waiting for corrections before closing could happen.
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2010
We applied for a refinancing of our home on June 16. We were prequalified immediately. An appraisal was ordered and we were charged $450.00. We initially dealt with SP who continued to tell us our loan would close. We have yet to close and it is Aug. 27. Our credit scores were 760 approx. Loan was for $335,000 against an $800,000 appraisal. We have been lied to, neglected and treated poorly. We have responded to every request for documents only to be asked again later for more documents. I would always say "do you have everything you need? " The response would be "we have everything we need".
I found Amerisave pop ads advertising "ten day closing". I am considering hiring an attorney to file charges of Deceptive Trade Practice. I feel I will find others who want to join me.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2010
I applied online and was lead to believe that my rate was locked in. This was deceptive since it was not locked in, but caused me to commit to pay them money. They lost my documents more than once. I replaced them and followed all of their requests for more and more information. They asked me to get explanations for why I filed three disputes with my credit card company over a three year period. I did so. They then told me to do it again.
Nearly two months with no progress toward the loan. More lost forms and promises of a closing to be scheduled, but more and more requests for more information. They took weeks before contacting me. Each time I sent them info. When I took a week for a duplicate documentation request, they denied my loan for an incomplete application. Messed up credit. Was in high 700s. With the denial, I lost money paid for the appraisal and credit app. Will fight the attempt to charge my card $500.
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2010
I applied for a refinance on Tuesday, August 17 and worked through Thursday, August 19 to submit all requested documents by email. I met the appraiser at the property on Wednesday. I sent the last documents on Friday morning. My problem is that I cannot get in contact with anyone at Amerisave. The last contact was a receipt for the $400 for the appraisal on Friday morning. I have called the toll free number and left messages, begging to be contacted and sent emails to both customer service and the person I was dealing with. I refinanced through Amerisave on another property in June of 2009 and was very satisfied. So, this lack of contact has me worried. I spent $435 on appraisal and credit report and don't know where I stand.
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2010
I have applied for my 20-year fixed-rate mortgage, working with a mortgage consultant. First and foremost is I do not understand the procedure of locking the rate down. First, I have applied for $292k loan, and I had recent appraisal done for $415k. So I was well bellow 80% to lock the rate. After finishing application and paying for credit and appraisal, the guy came back and said we cannot lock the rate because my house on Zillow shows $370k. So we can lock it for $288k.
But I guess when you apply and pick the rate, it shows credit toward closing based on the credit score and loan amount. Hence, I was concerned, because I picked the rate so I can get enough credit towards closing and so I don't have to pay any extra.
I went ahead and locked the rate after talking on the phone with a rep that if the appraisal comes higher, we can increase the loan amount and credit towards closing. As expected, appraisal came higher, and we increased the loan amount. I have to call numerous times to have them adjust the good faith estimate, because the credit towards closing was not adjusted after the increase in loan amount. This rep has to get approval from his manager, and the manager at Amerisave were always in a meeting or training. (Maybe these meetings were about how to screw up customers!).
Finally, everything got squared away and got the closing date, I have signed all the papers, but the disbursement date was 7/30/2010, and they did not send paperworks on time at the title company to disburse the funds. Then I called the closing department, and she did not even called me back. And after so many calls to Amerisave and email, I finally got an answer that the package was lost in the mail.
So finally whatever they did, they funded my existing loan on 8/5/2010. So I end up paying 6 days of interest with no fault. Then I asked for reimbursement of the interest I have paid. I am still asking, and they are not responding as of yet. I would by all means not recommend the Amerisave to anyone. First, their rate on the website looks good but the actual one comes with a lot of attachments (credit score, appraisal, closing fees were also higher than their quote). The worst part is the communication; they don't respond to your inquiry promptly.
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2010
This company needs to be investigated thoroughly by government agency about their business practice. They are fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, dishonest, etc.
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2010
The rep. they assigned to me was a Mr.Casimire **. He has taken a whole month of my time and he has still not found a processor to look at my loan! He goes with the handle " Senior Processor" , but go figure, they just put you off day after day after day after day. They will not call or communicate with you , but once they have you, it's hard to change because they still charge you $500.00 to get away from them to get your loan done elsewhere! This company needs to be looked at from a Federal point of view, because they take your money from where ever you are!
Reviewed July 25, 2010
When I first applied for the original 20 year, fixed rate refinance loan of 4.5% through Amerisave, there was to be a credit of $1,734.50 towards my closing costs per their website. When I received my first online GFE on 5/27/2010, it stated that the credit towards closing was for $1,268.54. I should have questioned why the credit was for a reduced amount at the time, but thought it was still a good deal and decided to proceed with the loan.
On 5/31/2010, I received another online GFE from Amerisave that stated that the credit was now for $1,223.32. No explanation from Amerisave and no notification of the change. If it wasn't for my own due diligence to check my online paperwork frequently, I wouldn't have discovered these changes.
On 7/9/2010, I received another online GFE from Amerisave that stated that the credit was now for only $793.73. For this reduction in closing costs, it was a result of their rate lock expiring, and my request for a lower rate that was now available. They charged me to move to a lower available rate after having waited 39 days to have this loan closed, which it still wasn't.
On 7/13/2010, I received another online GFE from Amerisave that stated that there was no longer a credit and that I owe $13.77 towards closing costs. No explanation from Amerisave.
On 7/15/2010, I received another GFE from Amerisave that stated that there was no longer a credit and that I owe $498.27 towards closing costs. This was due to another rate lock expiring, but this time, no changes in the loan rate. Once again, Amerisave made another excuse for them to charge me for something. They even stated that the fees are higher, but we will split the costs with you.
I went through two rate locks that expired through no fault on my part, and, with the bait-and-switch tactics of their closing credits/charges, I decided to cancel my loan application with Amerisave. To add even more bad taste to their business practices and loan process, they threatened to charge me the $500 cancellation fee on several occasions, which they did.
I have no credit card debt, 800 FICO, 14 years at the same job, verifiable income, and a 55% loan-to-value. This should have been a no-brainer loan for Amerisave, but I think they were trying to get greedy. I'm really glad that I didn't give them my business.
Hind sight is 20/20, but I should have questioned them on each GFE update, but since it was happening so often, I thought it might have been an electronic mistake on their part and that I'll just wait for the "final" GFE. It's interesting to know that their system only keeps the last updated GFE and that the loan processor does not have access to the previous ones once it has been superseded. Hmm, covering their footsteps??? ?
Reviewed July 1, 2010
I hope that this is my final entry in my attempt to establish a loan refinance with Amerisave: (July 1, 2010, 1PM) Ms. B has given due diligence to corresponding with me, via email, over the past 2 hours. I called REALTrans again, spoke with the same rep. as yesterday, and was informed today that the appraisal was not complete. Yesterday, the REALTrans employee, Raj K., told me that the appraisal was complete and available for the broker (Amerisave) to access. Ms. B's emails stated the same information; the appraisal is not yet complete. Ms. B then gave me the option of withdrawing my application, getting an appraisal elsewhere (in other words, refinancing elsewhere) thus ending the relationship with Amerisave.
After writing a confirmation email that I would only be charged the initial $35 for the credit report and not the fees for the appraisal ($325) or withdrawing from the application ($500 once the rate is locked) and receiving agreement to the information in that email, I ended the "business relationship" with Amerisave and its employees. As I wrote in what I hope to be my final email to Amerisave, I believe that ending the relationship with this company will reduce situational stress for Amerisave staff and, most importantly, for me. I am relieved that I have not lost funds other than the $35 and wish Amerisave and those going through Amerisave for "great rates" all the best in their endeavors. If there are no further entries, all that has been stated in the past 6 entries holds true and I have had no further issues and/or dealings with Amerisave.
Reviewed June 30, 2010
Entry # 5 in the series of attempting to close a loan, satisfactorily, with Amerisave (June 30, 7:45 PM). After sending Mr. ** and Ms. ** an email with a copy of Entry # 4 that I submitted to Consumer Affairs, Ms. ** sent a prompt email reply stating that I am "not locked in and cannot be locked in until the appraisal is in." She continued by stating, "I told you that it would be tomorrow (Thursday, July 1) at the latest. We are still working on it." Stay tuned for tomorrow's (Thursday, July 1) interaction with Amerisave and an update on the status of my loan application.
Reviewed June 30, 2010
This is the fourth entry in the continuation of trying to close a loan deal with Amerisave. The process began when I applied online on Wednesday, June 16. It is now Wednesday, June 30 (exactly 2 weeks later) and the process may/may not be proceeding forward. I was able to contact REALTrans today (appraisal company) and a representative told me that my appraisal order had been deleted (order was satisfied) and was now available to view online by the broker (Amerisave).
I was not able to get details regarding the first date that it was available for viewing. I had to convince the representative to give me this information as borrowers are not supposed to call, only brokers and lenders. I explained that I had some issues with the broker which is why he provided basic info, no details. I promptly phoned both Lucas and Rebekah, both unavailable except for voicemail (always the case...a person never picks up the phone) and left voice messages for both that I was happy to report that the appraisal was available for viewing and for them to please obtain the copy and to proceed forward with my loan ASAP.
I also left both Lucas and Rebekah instructions to contact me promptly, sometime today (June 30) or no later than tomorrow (July 1) with information on the status of my loan "lock in" at 3.75% (the "promised" rate if all is in order) and details as to the status of the overall loan application. I urged both individuals to proceed as swiftly as possible (given the delays). The business day is now over (6:30pm) and I have heard nothing from either one of them throughout the rest of today. I left their messages at approx. 11:00 this morning.
I specifically asked the manager, Rebekah, to phone me with news of the appraisal. I did not receive a phone call from her despite my request. A Customer Service representative did call me today in response to a dissatisfied email I sent yesterday. I explained that I was concerned about the delays and negative information I had obtained about the company and that I am waiting to see how things will proceed from this point. They said that they would contact my representative (I am assuming that would be Mr. Lucas).
I will continue to monitor this situation publicly and guarantee that an entry will be posted tomorrow with current information (even if nothing is moving forward at all) regarding my loan application status. For those of you attracted to the current 3.75% posted on Amerisave's website, continue to monitor these daily entries to see if the 3.75% is truly as good as it sounds or a very enticing number sure to grab your attention and then loaded with unexpected issues...stay tuned.
Reviewed June 30, 2010
This is the third entry in the series of follow-ups regarding the attempt to close a loan deal with Amerisave. I have been provided with the contact information for the appraiser and told that Amerisave was able to contact the appraisal company this evening, the date of my original entry with Consumer Affairs, and that they have it in review and should be over soon.
I wrote a response to Ms. ** asking for a clearer definition of over soon. In addition, I explained to Ms. ** that Mr. ** had instructed me to contact the appraisal company 5 days ago to expedite matters, and indicated that Amerisave is not able to do so due to the HVCC rules. When I contacted the appraisal company, REALTrans, the representative looked up my name and property address, told me that the appraisal was in the system, told me that I was not to call but rather the broker/lender was to call, and advised me to tell Amerisave that they simply need to access the REALTrans system, enter their login information, and download the available appraisal.
I promptly called Mr. ** and left a voicemail message stating the outcome of my call to REALTrans and my frustration with needing to tell an Amerisave employee how to do his job. I wrote all of the above in an email to Ms. ** this evening. REALTrans is closed for the evening; I am not able to confirm that the appraisal is available, that the review is complete, and that Amerisave can access the appraisal until tomorrow after 9:00AM. I plan to contact them and ask them what over soon means and when Amerisave should have the completed and reviewed appraisal. Stay tuned.
Reviewed June 29, 2010
After forwarding my Consumer Affairs entry to Amerisave, involving Lucas ** and its Customer Service, I received a very prompt response from Mr. **'s manager, Rebekah **. This was received within hours of my posting. The first entry in this series of status on the loan application with Amerisave entries, Ms.** states that I am complaining to the wrong individuals and that the real issue lies with the new HVCC (Home Valuation Code of Conduct) laws. Her recommendation is to complain to the appraiser, and not to Amerisave. She continues to state that there is nothing Amerisave can do to get the appraisal in. I have requested to be provided with the contact information for the appraiser so that I might advocate for myself and expedite the loan process. Stay tuned.
Reviewed June 29, 2010
I am in the process of working with Amerisave to refinance at a lower rate and pay off my property earlier. I signed up for a great rate, "locked in" with my $35 fee. The paperwork I received, and signed (based upon years of working with mortgage finance/refinance and never having issues like this - my fault for not reading the fine print) states that the rate is a "Floating Rate" and that the GFE (Good Faith Estimate) interest rate was only available through the day that I actually signed on with Amerisave.
This was not what was presented to me via the website, emails or phone calls. First, the website leads one to believe that the $35 fee locks the rate. Upon talking with my representative, Lucas **, I was led to believe that getting my documentation to Amerisave promptly (verification of wages which was faxed within several days of signing on) would assure the rate. Next, I was told that having the timely appraisal would assure the rate. The appraisal was completed within 5 days of my signing on. Upon "signing on" through the internet, I was immediately pursued by email and mail regarding the need to quickly complete paperwork and return it for the rate lock. Of course, I complied to get the great rate rather than taking the time I should have to peruse the documents diligently, again my fault.
At present, the application is in limbo as the appraisal is still not available after 8 days. Mr. ** assures me that he finds it ludicrous that it is taking so long. I was advised to call the appraisal company to hurry the process along. I did this and was told that the appraisal was available and that Amerisave needed to go online, enter their code, and upload the appraisal. Upon advising Mr. ** of this information, I was told that I was misinformed and that the appraisal is, in fact, not available. I was also told that this is a highly unusual situation that they find with my application and the length of time for the appraisal. I would only be able to get the actual name of the appraiser by going through Mr. **'s manager, Rebecca ** (not sure of last name). I told Mr. ** that rectifying the situation and assuring the ongoing, satisfactory completion of my application & refinancing process is left in his hands as this is work he tells me he has been doing for years.
I will continue to monitor this situation, live, on consumer affairs and I am hoping to have a favorable resolution to report. If this continues along an unfavorable path, I will document the course(s) of action that I take to rectify the situation on my behalf. I have successfully dealt with my finances for years and this is the first time that I have been what is beginning to feel like a compromising situation. Stay tuned. At present, I have paid $35 to "lock the rate" and Amerisave was provided my credit card number to charge the appraisal fee of $325 (which has not yet been charged).
Reviewed June 26, 2010
We applied for a refinance mortgage back in January. Our credit ratings were both over 750 and we had our proof of income, etc. We did all of the paperwork and paid for a full appraisal. The appraisal came in over where we needed it to be. AmeriSave chose to "review" the appraisal, stating that the comps the appraiser used were not within the mileage/time of sale guidelines. They were all within the accepted distance and had all sold within the acceptable time frame. The appraisal review commissioned us to non-comparable homes. The closest in our own neighborhood was almost 1000 sq. ft. smaller, with less bedrooms and baths and on a much smaller lot, with a smaller garage.
They gave us the same value as that home's sales price. They came in with an unrealistic value about $30,000 less than our full appraisal so they wouldn't have to fund the loan. We think we were targeted for unfair refusal based on the number of foreclosures in our area of the country. We went through weeks of undue wasted time and energy getting paperwork done and paid over $300 for a full appraisal that they refused to use. The appraiser was contracted by AmeriSave. When we let the appraiser know what happened they were furious. We had another appraisal done with a different mortgage company and got our loan. However, AmeriSave's practice of profiling in certain areas is unethical and I would tell anyone not to waste his or her time on them.
Reviewed May 27, 2010
I provided every item listed on the list of documents needed but one. That was the 500 page Trust I hold my property in. Any other lender would leave it up to title to deal with taking the property out of your family trust to sign docs, etc. But Amerisave said they would not accept my loan into processing without all 500 pages of the trust. No lender requires that and I would know.
Reviewed May 20, 2010
$35.00 fee was taken from my American Express account. Something about a Credit Rating Fee. I was told by the Loan Officer I would not be charged. I contacted Amerisave more than three times and still no success. Contacted American Express and submitted a Dispute. They were very helpful and are investigating this type of deception Amerisave uses. I also received their credit report and could not understand where they received this credit information. My three credit rating report is 905. But they provided me with some other score and a Bankrupt Rating?
Reviewed May 3, 2010
I was in the process of refinancing my mortgage and looking for the best rates available. I already was about to close with another lender when I saw an ad for Amerisave. I took a look at it and contacted Amerisave and began asking questions. I spoke with a gentleman with the initials HM (name not disclosed for privacy) there from the start. From April 20-23, I have 43 emails in my inbox from HM.
The very first one starts with this question I asked: "A bank gave me a new refinance offer of 4.375%,$2263 monthly total with tax and escrow, and 15 years term. Can you do better?" HMs response was: "Of course click on the link below to get rates" So from there, the emails began. I am not a broker nor do I know much about mortgages, rates, and so on, so I proceeded to ask every detail I was confused about. I did not want to lose out on my other lender and needed to make sure Amerisaves pricing is actually what they tell me before I paid any fees.
After several emails and a few phone conversations, HM sent me this email: "Go ahead and complete the application and pay for the appraisal. Call me if you have any questions. "Still not convinced, I did more research and continued with my emails to HM. Email after email, HM was persistent. I kept asking him are there any hidden fees, anything that can change my rate once I paid, he kept insisting that is what it is. The application states to enter your home value and loan needed. How do I know my home value? I can only go by what I have on my paperwork from my last appraisal, right?
Only two years ago, I did my mortgage and Chase appraised my home for $350K. So all I did is enter this information in the application. HM never told me if your home value dropped then the rates will be higher than what you see. He just wanted to lure me in so kept pushing the low rates on me. So being unaware of this, I finally ended up paying the fees and applied. After 43 emails of HM telling me he has a better rate, and before the appraisal came, he redid the quote for me at $2233/mo, and I was satisfied. But once the appraisal returned at $285k , the monthly rate was much higher!
I requested for a refund, but was totally declined. I told them I was mislead and misguided. Amerisave did not want to listen to anything. I even told them my other lender appraised my home for $335k. This was like taking candy from a baby for them. I am clueless when it comes to mortgages. It was HMS job to tell me what surprises lies ahead and certain criteria needs to be met before those rates apply. I was not steered properly. I would keep away from this company totally. I wish I can post my 43 emails to show you just how badly I was lead. Loss of $325 which I paid twice (to them and other lender). Sucks. Misguided and misinformed. Thanks.
Reviewed April 30, 2010
On April 6, 1010, I completed an online refinance loan application with amerisave.com. My daughter (a co-borrower) and I entered accurate, truthful information that never changed based upon that initial application. Amerisave's application system "pre-qualified" us for a refinance, cash-out loan. The loan had an approximate 58% LTV. Both my daughter and I have FICO scores in the mid to high 700's. But, keep in mind that this was a 58% loan-to-value package. The property had a recent, independent appraisal of 335k. I was talking out $150k in cash for the purpose of buying out a partner. The property had an outstanding balance of $28.5k, which was going to be paid off with the $150k cash out. Not exactly a high risk loan by any stretch of the imagination.
1.) The amerisave.com online application is deceptive and designed to lure prospective customers to their website with low rates/lender fees. The website content misleads the customer in thinking that what the rate that attracted them to the site will be "locked in" when they complete the online application process and are "pre-qualified" (the immediate "lock" is common practice by other online lenders). What the site does not tell the customer is that the rate is not locked in until the customer submits both income and asset verification to the satisfaction of Amerisave personnel. In my particular case, the "rate lock" was delayed because the loan agent (DeeAnn **) claimed she did not receive all of the documentation (I have documentation that I sent it via email attachment) and with "issues" brought up that had already been disclosed on my initial application. This caused both my loan rate and "lender fees" to increase, costing me more money to obtain the loan.
2. The Amerisave online application process asks the applicant to pay for a credit report. I lost a week’s worth of wages, had to pay penalties on early withdrawal of my 401k plus will have to pay tax penalties when I file my 2010 taxes, and my credit is ruined for an amount of $35 (April 6 price; I researched it and this fee has varied over months/years). In order to pay this, the application process asks for a credit card number. In my particular case, I entered my Discover Card number. Amerisave charged my credit card without authorization for an appraisal later on in the process. I disclosed my credit card number to Amerisave to pay for the credit report, not anything else. As a result of the unauthorized use of my credit card, I have filed a successful dispute with Discover Card. Once Amerisave knew that I had filed a complaint for an unauthorized use of my credit card with Discover Card, they quickly refunded my money for the appraisal.
3. I fully disclosed in the initial online application that the property to be refinanced (with cash out) had been on the market within the last 6 months. My appraisal was scheduled to take place (and did take place) on April 8, 2010, at 2:00 PM PDT. In an email on April 8, 2010, 8:31 PM EDT (5:31 PM PDT), after the appraisal had already been performed, DeeAnn ** sent me an email asking me, "When was the home taken off the market?" In all honesty, the date didn't matter in light of the fact that I had already disclosed that the home was on the market within the past 6 months in the initial April 6 online application. Of course, this resulted in Amerisave increasing the lender fees to the point that I had lost confidence in Amerisave and did indeed cancel the loan application on April 9, 2010, 4:29 PM PDT. Moreover, in an email dated April 9, 2010, 4:59 PM EDT, DeeAnn ** wrote me an email outlining several options, including a cancellation/refund of appraisal cost option.
As the reader can surmise, I took Option 1 and cancelled. However, Amerisave still without authorization charged my Discover account anyway. On April 9, 2010, 8:23 PM EDT, I received a "receipt" via email from Customer Service stating that my Discover Card had been charged for $350. I immediately replied via email (time stamp: 5:30 PM PDT) and stated that per DeeAnn ** there was to be a refund for the appraisal charge. On April 10, 2010, 10:42 AM EDT, I received an email from Jessica ** from Customer Service stating, "This appraisal was completed and the appraiser has been paid. This fee will not be refunded. "
There were a couple of problems with the appraisal. (1) The appraisal was already performed after DeeAnn ** came up with issues of when the house was taken off the market (I had already disclosed that it had been within the 6-month period) and other issues she disclosed. Thus, it was someone's error at Amerisave that overlooked this fact before it went to underwriting. (2) An employee of Amerisave that I was directly dealing with (DeeAnn **) neglected to have timelines in mind and offered what she could not deliver. That being said, I took Option 1 of her offering. In doing so, I was charged for the appraisal after the Amerisave employee stated in writing that I had the cancellation/refund option. (3) The appraisal only took 15 minutes! My independent appraiser (that I had done in late 2009), took some 40 minutes, by comparison.
For the sake of documentation, the Amerisave appraisal report was neither seen, downloaded nor otherwise, received by me. Although, Amerisave quickly made it available to me via email, in lieu of their documentation stating that it was "available after closing, upon request". Guess why they wanted me to download/see it? Of course, they could claim that I had "received it" and hence their charges were legitimate. So, so many ways they can work you!
If one takes the chain of events in mind, it was Amerisave who mishandled this loan, as what information I disclosed initially on the April 6, 2010 application never changed throughout the loan application process. The personnel involved in this transaction neglected and overlooked what I disclosed at the very beginning: The home had been on the market and that it had been within 6 months. How much clearer can an applicant be?
I finally lost confidence in Amerisave and cancelled the loan application on April 9, 2010. Luckily, I had not signed nor returned any documents which (beware) includes that you agree to a $500 cancellation fee, should you cancel the loan process. This $500 cancellation fee is well documented all over the Internet by other disgruntled borrowers. Needless to say, this firm has multiple ways of insuring that they milk their customers for everything they can. Their rate lock scheme is in a class by itself, as it floats by default until, and only until, they insure a higher rate/higher fees above what their web site automated scheme hooks you with! I sincerely doubt that any applicant gets the low rate that lured them to the Amerisave web site to begin with.
Oh, by the way, be careful with their deceptive "electronic signature" part of the loan documents section of their online process. Read the documents before you click that you eSign the documents! By default, you will be signing that you are "floating your loan rate"! These folks are a piece of art, worthy of federal and state investigation. They have so many ways to reap more money out of us! It is astonishing! They cost me the chance to refinance at a 5.00% rate at the time that it was available and at the lender fee structure that I was pre-qualified for. In the end, they did refund the $350 appraisal fee, but only after I had to dispute the charge. I was out $35 for the credit report (a scam in itself, as other lenders do not charge for this service).
Do yourself a favor, read the complaints that others have posted all over the Internet and notice all the similarities among what is posted or complained about. Yep! This is the classic "bait and switch" at its finest! Borrowers beware! Let's keep posting our horror experiences with Amerisave until we shut them down.
Reviewed April 14, 2010
I did an ARM refinance loan application with Amerisave for a 30-year fixed rate. I found Amerisave on Bankrate.com. After being pre-qualified and qualified, the loan was locked at 5% interest rate on March 12, 2010. Then, they started trying to weasel out of it. First, they tried to say that the unit that is rental house was boarding house--which it is not. It is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house that we lease to six renters, all on same lease, going on third year term. I proved otherwise and had already provided them with the lease agreement of real house. The final reason for the loan denial they said was because my 2 on 1 did not have a common wall like some duplexes. They could not do it.
I have owned several similar properties and never had any bank, not loan, for that reason. I tried to talk to Mike's supervisor, but to no avail. I have talked to several banks in San Diego that I have had loans with before and they said that they could do loan and any bank should be able to. I have never heard of anyone being turned down for a loan for this reason.
Subsequently, I have seen many complaints about Amerisave on Consumer Complaint boards. I have owned and lived at the location since 1998. I had an original loan from Home Saving and did one refinance in 2001 as well. I never had a problem getting loan on this property or where I lived before.
Reviewed March 25, 2010
After I posted my complaint on this website, Amerisave contacted me and we were able to resolve all outstanding issues amicably and to mutual satisfaction. I hereby withdraw my complaint. They appear to be a decent and honorable company in my view.
Reviewed March 23, 2010
On October 30, I visited the AmeriSave Mortgage website. They were advertising a 30-year mortgage at 4.25. I filled out an application online, and after doing, so the rates were higher. I inquired of Peter ** as to why the cost was going up, and he sent a less than satisfactory email. I asked if I could lock in the 4.25 rate, he said not until a credit report was received and an appraisal. I authorized the credit report, but not the appraisal because he told me if the appraisal value wasn't high enough, I'd lose the $375.00 appraisal fee. I told him I was going to shop around. I found two companies that would not charge the appraisal fee upfront.
On October 5, I was finalizing my application with PennyMac. Peter ** requested that I fill out loan documents that he sent me via email. On October 6, I signed and returned the documents via fax. All documents had to be signed and returned. The primary document titled "Loan Term Agreement" page 1 showed that I was "floating" and my rate was not locked. On October 7, 2009, Mr. ** sent me an email stating my loan was locked and ready to go, no appraisal had been done and I had not requested to lock.
I immediately sent him an email asking why it was locked and at what rate and fees. He emailed back that I had requested a lock, he did not send me the rate and fee information. I immediately told him to cancel the application because I requested to float and he was well aware of that. I pointed out to him my choice to float on the Loan Terms Agreement which he had completed. Mr. ** kept telling me that there was no choice to float on the document, I told him I was looking at it.
I also informed Mr. ** that I had cancelled the appraisal that was schedule for October 8, 2009 so as to not to incur that charge. Mr. ** told me he was going to charge me $500 if I cancelled the application. I told him a cancellation fee was never discussed, not on their website or in our discussions. He told me the $500 was for the rate lock which I had never requested. He sent me a form titled "AmeriSave Rate Lock Request" and claimed I had signed it electronically on October 6, 2009.
On October 6, 2009 (approximately 6:30 pm PST), I faxed all forms to him after signing by hand, my request as stated was to float. I have never signed any form electronically for any reason nor have I've ever been asked to. This amounts to plain out fraud and forgery. I have kept all documentation and I'm sure a computer expert can probably prove I never signed a document electronically. Mr. ** and AmeriSave illegally charged my credit card for the $500. They need to be stopped. There was no misunderstanding, just plain criminal fraud. My FICO is approximately 796.
Reviewed Jan. 30, 2010
I applied to refinance first mortgage on my house. The property has also a second mortgage from my employer, Harvard University, and a HELOC from Chase bank. Before proceeding, I checked with Mr. R. if it is okay to refinance with two subs and he said (in writing) a resounding yes (I have an email from him to that effect). I went ahead and paid $675 for an appraisal.
3 months later, Mr. R. got back to me and said that they will not close the loan with 2 subs. He refused to refund the appraisal fee. Apparently, he lied to me when he initially said yes to refinance with two subs to lure me in the transaction hoping that I will proceed anyway by closing the HELOC because we already spent $675 on appraisal. I lost $675 and the chance to refinance my loan at an attractive rate.
Reviewed Jan. 13, 2010
I too have been scammed by Amerisave. Unfortunately, I had read a lot of complaints but was lured in by their low interest rates and supposed low fees. On or about October 13, 2009, I applied to refinance my home with Amerisave. At that time, I was required to pay a $35 application fee and a $425 home appraisal fee. I was told by my loan processor, Marcel **, on this day and many others throughout the loan process that this money would be refunded back to my credit card following the closing of the loan. Mr. ** advised me that Amerisave was having a special at the time I applied, as this credit is not always offered.
Approximately two to three weeks following the closing of my loan on November 12, 2009, I contacted my credit card company to inquire regarding the credit. I was advised that a credit had not been issued. I immediately contacted Mr. ** and was assured that the necessary paperwork was submitted and the credit should be issued any day. Mr. ** promised to follow up and give me a call back on the status of the credit. Of course, I did not receive a return telephone call. Approximately a week or two later, I had not heard back. On or about December 7, 2009, I again contacted Mr. ** regarding the credit. He returned my telephone call the following day and apologized, as he claimed he was out of town. Mr. ** promised he would research my credit and send me the reference number for the credit so that I could follow up with my credit card company. I never heard back from Mr. ** and he did not respond to my emails and/or voicemail messages.
On December 16, 2009, I contacted Amerisave costumer service representative Jessica **. I should note that throughout the process, I had numerous complaints such as them setting up closing to sign loan documents and not informing me that it was cancelled as their paperwork was not completed. I had called costumer service several times, which nobody answers and only allows you to leave a message. Jessica was my one and only return call. I explained the circumstances and she promised to speak with Mr. ** and his supervisor and get back with me. Ms. ** contacted me the same day and advised me that the company had issued credits in the past, however, no longer did so. Additionally, she denied that the company was ever running such a promotion and indicated that she would have Mr. **'s supervisor contact me for further information. Of course, Mr. **'s supervisor never returned my call. I will say that I did get the loan at good rate, however, feel that their unethical, fraudulent and deceitful business practices need to be stopped and they should be held financially accountable.
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2009
On 10/08/09, I applied to refinance a mortgage loan. I paid for the appraisal and credit report and within hours, submitted all paperwork requested. On 10/15, I sent in requested signed disclosure docs. On 10/29, I received appraisal report and on 10/29, I also received a denial of credit. The reason given was failed to submit paperwork on time. When I wrote to the compliance officer, he stated my debt to income ratio was too high. The new mortgage I was applying for was 35 cents more a month. I have never been late on my mortgage and have a credit score of 761. Why wasn't this told to me prior to charging me $350.00 for an appraisal? They had my income verification and I have zero debt other than my mortgage payment.
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2009
Amerisave offers a very good interest rate. They claimed that you can receive a loan in 10 days. My credit score was average, and it is within the FHA acceptance range for a loan. Everyone in my town is required by the EPA to tie in the city sewage system. My deadline to be tied in was 7-23-09. I started the loan process with Amerisave to get the 4m-6m to tie into the system. I started the process on June 20, 2009. I had to jump through hoops with this company. They require 4 weeks of pay stubs, bank statements for 2 months, driver's license photo, loan information, etc. I then paid $325.00 for an appraisal.
After waiting 4 hours for the appraiser, he showed up an hour late. He did a quick appraisal and then left. I received a phone call from the appraisal company that he had to come back out because he forgot to take pictures. It's pretty basic stuff for an appraisal. I then had to have my wife wait for them to come back a couple of days later for pictures. When I saw the appraisal, I was shocked. My house was appraised lower than I could imagine. I see what they did. They took the prices that some of the houses around me sold for and then estimated the value of my house accordingly. They didn't take into account that the one house had a flooded basement and the other house was full of black mold. The appraisal was very poorly done.
They then sent me 50 pages of material to read, sign, and send back to them. Their fax didn't work, so I scanned and e-mailed the documents to them. I should have known then what type of company I was dealing with when they don't have a working fax machine. Once I sent all of the information in, my loan officer convinced me to increase the amount of my loan. I did as he recommended. I then once again had to read, sign, and send the 50 pages again. When the loan procedure went past 30 days, I became very concerned with their process. I was informed a couple of times that the loan was approved and that they were only waiting for info from the title company, etc. Please don't forget that this loan was to get money to tie into the city sewage system.
I really got frustrated when the loan when past the July 23 and I became in violation of the EPA laws. It is now August 5, and I was just informed that in order for Amerisave to give me a loan, I will have to tie into the city sewage system. Do you believe it? This is like them giving you a car loan only after you purchase the vehicle? By the way, Amerisave sells every loan they make. I think that they locked me in at a low interest rate and are now looking for a way to back out! This is after they wasted over a month of my time and have placed me in an illegal situation with the EPA. Do not use this company! Go to a bank.
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2009
On 1/6/09, I completed the online application and understood it cost $35 charged to my credit card. On 1/10/09 (Saturday), I received a call from the loan officer, Jake **, letting me know documentation was coming. On 1/11/09 (Sunday), I received an email with documentation to download. I had to send the documentation to my fiancee's work email to download and print as I couldn't do that at home and had instructed the loan officer to regular mail me any information. On 1/12/09, I reviewed the refinance loan documents and the appraisal and discovered issues.
On the same day, 1/12/09, my fiancee and I had a phone conversation with the loan officer, Jake **, expressing our concerns and decided to stop the process. My fiancee emailed from her work as a follow up to our phone conversation that morning our desire to stop the refinance since the numbers didn't work and the documentation was not in order. Amerisave (Jake) stated we were responsible for a $500 termination fee! We questioned that and were met with rudeness and the Underwriting manager, Darla **'s inappropriate response to involve my fiancee's place of business.
Darla thought my fiancee was a competing mortgage loan officer because she was employed with SunTrust, so she assumed SunTrust Mortgage when she was employed with SunTrust Bank. Darla sent the entire email communication about my refinance to SunTrust Mortgage's senior VP of correspondent relationship to leverage her position and create drama for my fiancee because Darla thought she was losing the deal to SunTrust - when in fact we were Amerisave's customers!
From 1/10/09 to 1/12/09 was when this matter occurred with most of the communication happening on 1/12/09 - the appraisal was done on 1/8 prior to us receiving any loan documents and when we had received the initial loan documents and disclosures. On 1/12/09, we requested the transaction stopped but were met with extreme resistance and had already been charged fees that we had not authorized.
Reviewed May 12, 2008
I recently received a certificate of approval for a home loan from amerisave. After I received it I have been getting emails stating that more information is needed. The email has the name of the loan officer who sent me the certificate and what appears to be her email address. I am not responding to the phish and I am trying to stop them from repeating. Anyone trying to qualify for a home loan might be at risk from this activity.


