Homeowner Forecloses on Bank Office

A Philadelphia homeowner is giving his local branch of Wells Fargo a taste of its own medicine. Concert promoter David Rodgers, embroiled in a dispute with the bank over required homeowner insurance, sued Wells under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act when the bank refused to answer his questions as required by law. He won a $1,173 judgment against the bank and placed a sheriff's levy against its local mortgage office when Wells Fargo still refused to answer his letters, ABC News reports. The contents of the office are scheduled for a sheriff's auction early next month.

"I think it's important for people to know this law exists and if their mortgage company is doing something irregular or shady, you can send a letter," Rodgers says. "If they don't acknowledge your request, they face damages or penalties." Rodgers is still waiting for the bank to answer his queries on why he is being forced to pay home insurance based on the value of replacing his century-old home brick by brick instead of on its market value, which has added an extra $500 to his monthly mortgage payment. (More real estate stories.)