Citizens Direct and their mortgage representation completely pull the wool over your eyes when applying for a loan. I found this lender when I was researching the California Down Payment Assistance Program and it brought up Joseph Chaides as a preferred lender with Wells Fargo. He advised me that he is no longer with Wells Fargo and is now with Citizens Direct. I continued business with him even though he had changed however I was not aware that he is no longer in Bakersfield; he is in Brea which makes signing documents and obtaining information nearly impossible. Calling and emailing Joe is the only way of contacting him because he typically does not answer calls or return them. I’ve spoke to his supervisor Vincent Le and he would just tell me to contact Joe instead of answering my questions.



I was approved for $120,000 and I ended up purchasing a home for $87,000. Using a down payment assistance program and obtaining another 3% from the buyers for closing costs, I was advised I would only have to pay $1,937.46 at closing, which included $600 that the mortgage company required for me to pay off my credit cards in escrow. So far, I have received a letter from the mortgage company stating it would be nearly $9,000 at closing and when I went to sign the closing doc’s I was told I needed to bring in an additional $2000 (on top of the $1,000 deposit). Not only did this number vary largely several times but the closing date changed regularly. I was told, to begin with, there would be no problem doing a 30 day closing; which would get me in the house by Thanksgiving, then it went to by the end of November. The 45 day (December 12th) contract date was surpassed and I had to pay $25 per day ($375) to get the contract extended; which Citizens Direct and their mortgage company refused to pay even though we all agreed that all of my documents and requests were done in a timely fashion. When I said I did not want to pay it, they simply told me I would lose the house and all the money I had put into it. Also, the buyer is never to fix or correct anything on a HUD home, however they advised me that I needed to go paint the patio cover and install a carbon monoxide detector (because it did not pass inspection) and “be like a ninja” so no one would see me. I jumped through hoops and still was told I just needed to wait. Don't waste your time on Citizens Direct!!!