A Foreclosure Notice Adds to Bowie Couple's Troubles

Juan and Bobbie Wilson

Ages: Juan is 36; Bobbie is 38.

Background: The Wilsons live in Bowie and have been married for two years. They have five children from their current and previous marriages -- LaQuanda, Shemel, Tyshona, DeJuan and Neylah.

Bobbie, a paralegal, was laid off in January, along with 200 others at the firm. Juan lost his job at a semiconductor company in 2008.

Before their layoffs, the Wilsons earned a combined $98,000 a year. Bobbie was hired in June as a paralegal, but the position is temporary. Although she is making $65,000 a year, the couple struggle to catch up on their bills.

Update: The Wilsons have received a foreclosure notice from National City Mortgage, their loan servicer. Although Bobbie is working now, the couple went months living on unemployment benefits or income from part-time work. They just couldn't keep up with their house payments: They owe about $10,000 in back payments. No foreclosure date has been set.

Like millions of other families, they have applied for a loan modification. But it has been a frustrating process -- they applied in February.

"Every time I call, they tell me my application is being processed and has not been assigned to a negotiator, yet," Bobbie said.

National City Corp. was acquired by PNC Financial Services Group last year. The deal included the company's residential mortgage service portfolio. A PNC spokesman, Fred Solomon, would not comment on the Wilsons' case, saying it is company policy not to discuss individual customer relationships.

"National City has increased the number of customer service representatives working on mortgages," Solomon said. "We have significantly increased trial plan modifications, and we are working with a number of homeowners to help them stay in their homes." The Wilsons are still waiting for their help.

To boost his chances of getting back in the information technology field, Juan has enrolled in the Cisco Certified Network Associate program at Prince George's Community College.

The couple paid cash for the first series of courses Juan has to take. Tuition and fees for each eight-week course are $644, for a total program cost of $2,576.

"He's really excited about the class," Bobbie said.

With less income, the couple cannot afford day care for their 3-year-old daughter, Neylah. So Juan watches her, but it's hard for him to study. He's looking for part-time work just to pay for day care to free him up to study.

At least the coursework has boosted Juan's spirits and has restored some of his confidence.

"I'll be able to get a good job quick, like after the first session," Juan said. "By the time we get to certification, I should be working."