Jimenez, et al v. Flagstar Bank, F.S.B., et al
Filing
17
ORDER GRANTING 12 Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED. No claims remain pending in this case. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment that Plaintiffs take nothing. Defendants are awarded their costs of court and must file a Bill of Costs in the form required by the Clerk of Court within fourteen days of judgment. Signed by Judge Xavier Rodriguez. (wg)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
SAN ANTONIO DIVISION
LEONARD M. JIMENEZ and CARMEN
M. JIMENEZ
Plaintiffs,
v.
FLAGSTAR BANK, F.S.B. and
AMERICAN HOMES 4 RENT
PROPERTIES ONE, LLC
§
§
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§
§
§
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§
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Civil Action No. SA-13-CV-186-XR
Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
On this date the Court considered Defendant Flagstar Bank, F.S.B.’s motion for summary
judgment (docket no. 12). For the following reasons, the Court GRANTS the motion.
I. Background
A. Factual Background
On July 23, 2008, Plaintiffs Leonard M. Jimenez and Carmen M. Jimenez entered into a
mortgage with Infinity Alliance, Inc. d/b/a 1st Choice Lending for the purchase of property
located at 7503 Forest Stream, Live Oak, Texas 78233. Plaintiffs executed a promissory note
(the “Note”) and a security agreement (the “Deed of Trust”) in connection with the transaction.1
Thereafter, it is undisputed that the Note and Deed of Trust were transferred to Defendant
Flagstar Bank, F.S.B. (“Flagstar”).2
1
2
Note, Doc. No. 12, Ex. 1A; Deed of Trust, Doc. No. 12, Ex. 1B.
See Pet. ¶ 6, Doc. 1, Ex. C; Assignment of Deed of Trust, Doc. 12, Ex. 1C.
Sometime in 2011, Plaintiffs began having trouble making their mortgage payments.3 In
January 2012, Plaintiffs received a notice of default, informing them of their right to cure their
alleged mortgage default by paying the amount of $2,809.67.4 Though the record is not entirely
clear, Plaintiffs likely cured their default at this time.5 Nevertheless, by March 2012, Plaintiffs
again were behind on their mortgage payments.6 On March 26, 2012, Plaintiffs entered into a
forbearance agreement with Flagstar (the “Forbearance Agreement”).7 Through this agreement,
Plaintiffs and Flagstar agreed that Plaintiffs’ account would be, “allowed to remain delinquent as
long as the terms of this agreement [were] followed.”8 Furthermore, pursuant to the agreement,
Plaintiffs’ monthly mortgage payments were reduced for the months of April to July 2012 by
about $300 per month.9 Plaintiffs assert that they made all of their required payments under the
Forbearance Agreement on time.10
Soon after entering into the Forbearance Agreement, on April 3, 2012, Flagstar sent
Plaintiffs a second notice of default and right to cure, stating that Plaintiffs were in default on
their mortgage loan obligations by $2,809.67.11
3
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 1, Doc. 14, Ex. 1.
Notice of Default, dated Jan. 3, 2012, Doc. 14, Ex. 2.
5
Plaintiff Carmen Jimenez only asserts generally that her and her husband, Leonard Jimenez, “always made [their]
payments; although, beginning in 2011, they were sometimes late.” Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 1. In April 2012,
Plaintiffs received a second notice to cure stating that, “[t]o cure the default we must receive all payments due since
03/01/2012.” Notice of Default, dated Apr. 3, 2012, Doc. 12, Ex. 1E. This statement suggests that Plaintiffs were
only in default for payments due since March 1, 2012, and that earlier payments had been fully paid. Neither party
provided a loan payment history for the Court’s review.
6
See Forbearance Agreement at 1, Doc. 12, Ex. 1D; Notice of Default, dated Apr. 3, 2012, Doc. 12, Ex. 1E.
7
Forbearance Agreement at 2. Plaintiff Carmen Jimenez states in her affidavit that Plaintiffs entered into the
Forbearance Agreement in April 2012 and that payments under the agreement began in May 2012; however, the
face of the Forbearance Agreement contradicts these assertions. Compare Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 1, with
Forbearance Agreement 1–2. The Court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party;
however, where, as here, the face of documentary evidence contradicts Plaintiffs’ unsubstantiated assertions, the
Court will consider only the documentary evidence and ignore the unsubstantiated assertions. See Freeman v. Tex.
Dep’t of Criminal Justice, 369 F.3d 854, 860 (5th Cir. 2004).
8
Forbearance Agreement at 1.
9
Forbearance Agreement at 1; Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 1.
10
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 1.
11
Notice of Default, dated Apr. 3, 2012, Doc. 12, Ex. 1E.
4
2
Thereafter, in the summer or fall of 2012, as the Forbearance Agreement was set to
expire or after it had already expired, Plaintiffs and Flagstar began discussing a permanent loan
modification. Plaintiffs assert that Flagstaff promised Plaintiffs a permanent loan modification if
Plaintiffs paid all of their payments under the forbearance agreement on time, which Plaintiffs
assert they did.12 On September 28, 2012, Flagstar sent Plaintiffs a proposed loan modification
agreement (the “Proposed Modification Agreement”). The Proposed Modification Agreement
would bring the loan current by granting Plaintiffs a “partial claim,” through which funds in the
amount of $3,538.49 would be advanced to Plaintiffs and applied to Plaintiffs’ loan to bring it
current.13 The Proposed Modification Agreement would also lower the interest rate and extend
the time for repayment of the loan.14
By its terms, however, the Proposed Modification Agreement was not effective
immediately. The agreement required Plaintiffs, “to make and execute other documents or
papers as may be necessary to effectuate the terms and conditions of [the Proposed Modification
Agreement] which, if approved and accepted by [Flagstar] shall bind [Plaintiffs].”15
Additionally, the September 2012 letter sent with the Proposed Modification Agreement stated,
“[t]his modification agreement will not be binding or effective unless and until it has been signed
by both you and [Flagstar].”16 The letter also conditioned effectiveness on there being no
adverse changes to Plaintiffs’ income since the initial review conducted by Flagstar and
Plaintiffs’ payment of closing costs.17
The letter also noted that, “collection activity will
12
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 1–2.
Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 1, Doc. 12, Ex. 1F; see Ferrell v. U.S. Dept. of Hous. & Urban Dev., 186 F.3d 805, 808
n.2 (7th Cir. 1999) (explaining the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s partial claim program).
14
Proposed Modification Agreement ¶ 2.
15
Proposed Modification Agreement ¶ 7.
16
Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 1.
17
Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 1.
13
3
continue pending the modification agreement becoming binding and effective.” 18
Finally,
“temporary payment coupons” were enclosed with the letter to help Plaintiffs keep track of their
required monthly payments until they began receiving their modified payment statements.19
Plaintiffs assert that they did not receive this September 2012 letter.20 Nevertheless,
Plaintiffs continued to pay Flagstar the lower monthly payment amounts they had been paying
since April 2012.21 In October, Plaintiffs even paid a slightly higher amount to cover the closing
costs that Flagstar requested before the Proposed Modification Agreement was to become
effective.22
In October or November 2012, Flagstar sent, and Plaintiffs received, another letter with a
copy of the Proposed Modification Agreement.23 Due to an error in the spelling of Plaintiff
Carmen Jimenez’s name in the Proposed Modification Agreement, Plaintiffs were unable to
execute the agreement during October or November 2012.24
In early December 2012, Flagstar sent, and Plaintiffs received, a notice of acceleration
and notice of foreclosure sale, listing a scheduled foreclosure sale date of January 1, 2013.25
After receiving the notice, Plaintiffs allegedly called Flagstar, and were told, “not to worry about
[the scheduled foreclosure sale] and that [Flagstar] would ask for an extension.”26 However,
Plaintiffs were never told, on that day or later, that they actually received an extension or that the
sale was postponed.27
18
Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 2.
Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 3.
20
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2.
21
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2; Cashier’s Check Receipts, Sept. 2012–Jan. 2013, Doc. 14, Ex. 5
22
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2; Cashier’s Check Receipt, Oct. 2012.
23
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2.
24
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2.
25
Notice of Sale, Doc. 12, Ex. 2A; Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2.
26
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2; Carmen Jimenez Depo. 49:5–6.
27
Carmen Jimenez Depo. at 49:25–50:10.
19
4
On December 24, 2012, Flagstar sent Plaintiffs a corrected copy of the Proposed
Modification Agreement.28 The agreement was sent with the same form letter as that sent in
September 2012, and it stated, the Proposed Modification Agreement “must be returned to us
within 14 days with closing funds, no later than January 7, 2013.”29 The letter also contained
the same set of “temporary payment coupons,” as in the September letter, with the last coupon
stating, “[y]our 4th modified payment is due on January 1, 2013, in the amount of $1,092.79
[the modified payment amount].”30 Finally, the December letter noted, just as the September
letter did, that “collection activity [would] continue pending the modification agreement
becoming binding and effective.”31
On January 1, 2013, Plaintiffs’ property was sold at a foreclosure sale to Defendant
American Homes 4 Rent Properties One, LLC (“American Homes”).32 Though the evidence is
in dispute, Plaintiffs assert that they sent a signed copy of the Proposed Modification Agreement
along with their January 2013 mortgage payment to Flagstar the first week of January 2013.33
Flagstar asserts that it never received a signed copy of the Proposed Modification Agreement,
and that regardless, it never signed it.34 Finally, Plaintiffs assert that Flagstar refused their
January 2013 payment.35
B. Procedural History
28
Dec. 24, 2012 Letter, Doc. 12, Ex. 1G.
Dec. 24, 2012 Letter at 1 (emphasis in the original). The September letter had listed a deadline of October 12,
2012. Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 1.
30
Dec. 24, 2012 Letter at 2 (emphasis in the original).
31
Dec. 24, 2012 Letter at 1.
32
Substitute Trustee’s Deed, Doc. 12, Ex. 2B.
33
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 3. But see Cashier’s Check, dated Jan. 16, 2013, Doc. 14, Ex. 5; Carmen Jimenez Dep.
49:25–50:17, 51:2–5.
34
Ellison Aff. ¶ 14, Doc. 12, Ex. 1
35
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 3.
29
5
On February 25, 2013, Plaintiffs filed suit in the 166th Judicial District Court of Bexar
County, Texas, naming Flagstar and American Homes as Defendants. Through their state-court
petition, which remains their live pleading, Plaintiffs assert causes of action against Flagstar for
wrongful foreclosure, breach of contract, fraud, and promissory estoppel. Plaintiffs also seek
declaratory and injunctive relief to rescind the sale and prevent Defendants from removing
Plaintiffs from the property.
The state court granted Plaintiffs’ request for a temporary
restraining order. Thereafter, Flagstar answered, and on March 8, 2013, removed the action to
this Court.36
On September 11, 2013, Flagstaff filed its motion for summary judgment, challenging
Plaintiffs’ claims as factually or legally insufficient.37 Plaintiffs responded, asserting disputed
facts, and Flagstaff replied.
In its reply Flagstar challenged, among other things, the
admissibility of Plaintiffs’ evidence.
II. Legal Standard
Summary judgment is proper when the evidence shows “that there is no genuine dispute
as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” FED. R. CIV. P.
56(a); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 251–252 (1986). “Rule 56(c) mandates the
entry of summary judgment, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party
who fails . . . to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which
that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Curtis v. Anthony, 710 F.3d 587, 594 (5th Cir.
2013) (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986)).
The court must draw reasonable inferences and construe evidence in favor of the
nonmoving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986).
36
37
Notice of Removal, Doc. 1.
MSJ, Doc. 12.
6
Although the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, a
nonmovant may not rely on “conclusory allegations, unsubstantiated assertions, or only a
scintilla of evidence” to create a genuine issue of material fact sufficient to survive summary
judgment. Freeman v. Tex. Dep’t of Criminal Justice, 369 F.3d 854, 860 (5th Cir. 2004).
III. Discussion
A. Flagstar’s Objections to Plaintiffs’ Summary Judgment Evidence
In its reply, Flagstar objects to portions of Plaintiffs’ summary judgment evidence,
asserting that portions are inadmissible.38 Flagstaff makes two general objections. First, it
objects to the introduction of declarations allegedly made by Flagstar representatives. Second, it
challenges portions of Plaintiff Carmen Jimenez’s affidavit as contradicting prior deposition
testimony. For the following reasons, Flagstar’s objections are overruled.
First, Flagstar challenges five statements in Plaintiff Carmen Jimenez’s affidavit: (1)
that, “it was explained to us that [the Forbearance Agreement] was a trial modification and that if
we made all of our payments on time that our loan would be modified;” (2) that, “we were told
that we would be approved for a permanent loan modification, that all we had to do was fill out
the agreement and send it back;”(3) that, “I was shocked because Flagstar had told me that we
got the modification and we had made all of our payments;” (4) that, “I was told not to worry
about [the foreclosure sale] and that they would ask for an extension;” and (5) that, “we were
told not to worry about foreclosure.”39
Flagstar objects to these alleged declarations as
inadmissible hearsay, parole evidence, or precluded by the statute of frauds; however, Flagstar
offers minimal argument and no legal authority explaining why the statements are inadmissible
on these grounds. The Court finds the objections meritless. The declarations, as opposing party
38
39
Reply at 6–8.
Reply at 7–8.
7
declarations, are likely excluded from the definition of hearsay. See FED. R. EVID. 801(d)(2).
The parole evidence rule is irrelevant.
The rule bars a party from offering statements
contradicting the express terms of a valid integrated agreement. See F.D.I.C. v. Wallace, 975
F.2d 227, 229 (5th Cir. 1992); Hubacek v. Ennis State Bank, 317 S.W.2d 30, 31 (Tex. 1958).
Here, Plaintiffs are not seeking to contradict the terms of the Note, Deed of Trust, or Forbearance
Agreement; rather they seek to force Flagstar to amend the Note and Deed of Trust under a
theory of breach of contract or promissory estoppel. The Fifth Circuit has allowed similar claims
to proceed. See Martin-Janson v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., --- Fed App’x ---, 2013 WL
3533682, at *4 (5th Cir. July 15, 2013) (refusing to dismiss a mortgage modification claim based
on promissory estoppel). Finally, as explained below, the statute of frauds is an affirmative
defense to a claim for breach of contract or promissory estoppel; it is not a challenge to
admissibility. See FED. R. CIV. P. 8(c); Martin-Janson, 2013 WL 3533682, at *4; EPCO Carbon
Dioxide Prods., Inc. v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA, 467 F.3d 466, 470 (5th Cir. 2006).
Second, Flagstaff challenges certain portions of Plaintiff Carmen Jimenez’s affidavit as
contradicting her sworn deposition testimony.40 While Plaintiff Carmen Jimenez’s affidavit
conflicts to some degree with her deposition statement by paraphrasing conversations and stating
facts with ambiguity, this conflict raises an issue of credibility rather than admissibility. See
Kennett–Murray Corp. v. Bone, 622 F.2d 887, 893 (5th Cir.1980) (“In considering a motion for
summary judgment, a district court must consider all the evidence before it and cannot disregard
a party’s affidavit merely because it conflicts to some degree with an earlier deposition.”);
40
Reply at 7–8. Flagstar challenges Plaintiff Carmen Jimenez’s statement that Plaintiffs sent back the Proposed
Modification Agreement “the first week of January of 2013,” when deposition testimony showed that Plaintiff
Carmen Jimenez alternately stated that she did not know or “around the 7th, 8th” Id.; Carmen Jimenez Depo 51:2–5,
49:25–50:17. Flagstar also challenges the affidavit’s description of Plaintiffs’ conversation with Flagstar in
December 2013. Reply at 8.
8
Interplan Architects, Inc. v. C.L. Thomas, Inc., 4:08-CV-03181, 2010 WL 4366990 (S.D. Tex.
Oct. 27, 2010) (finding that a slight conflict between a summary judgment affidavit and earlier
deposition testimony raised an issue of credibility, rather than admissibility). In ruling on
Flagstar’s motion for summary judgment, the Court will draw all reasonable inferences and
construe all the evidence in favor of Plaintiffs. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio
Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986). Accordingly, Flagstar’s objections to, at most, misleading
statements are overruled.
B. Breach of Contract
Plaintiffs assert a breach of contract claim against Flagstar, alleging that “Flagstar
breached its modification agreement with Plaintiffs by submitting a modification offer to
Plaintiffs that Plaintiffs accepted.”41 The subsequent foreclosure of Plaintiffs’ real property by
Flagstar constituted a breach of contract.”42 Flagstar moved for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’
claim, asserting that no binding modification agreement existed.43 Flagstar asserts that it did not
sign the contract, and that Plaintiffs did not submit an executed copy of the contract to Flagstar
until after January 7, 2013, if at all. Flagstar also asserts that it did not orally create a modified
contract, and that even if the Court determines that it did, the contract is void under the statute of
frauds.
To succeed on a breach of contract claim, a plaintiff must show “(1) the existence of a
valid contract, (2) performance or tendered performance by the plaintiff, (3) breach of the
contract by the defendant, and (4) resulting damages.” Rice v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 324 S.W.3d
660, 666 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2010, no pet.) (internal quotation marks omitted). A valid
41
Pet. ¶ 15.
Pet. ¶ 15.
43
MSJ at 10.
42
9
contract in Texas requires (1) an offer; (2) acceptance in strict compliance with the offer’s terms;
(3) meeting of the minds; (4) each party’s consent to the terms; (5) the contract to be executed
and delivered with intent that it be mutual and binding; and (6) consideration. Id. at 670.
Here, even construing all the evidence in favor of Plaintiffs, the Proposed Modification
Agreement fails as a valid contract because Flagstar did not express an intent to be bound. The
Proposed Modification Agreement was submitted to Plaintiffs as a proposal, requiring each party
to complete certain steps before it became effective. Plaintiffs were required to execute the
agreement within a certain timeframe, maintain income eligibility, and pay closing costs. 44
Plaintiffs were also potentially required to execute additional documents.45 Likewise, Flagstar
was required to sign and accept the Proposed Modification Agreement.46
It is undisputed that Flagstar did not sign the Proposed Modification Agreement. In
Texas, courts give significant weight to express requirements that contracts be executed before
they are binding. Pennington v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A., 493 F. App’x. 548, 554–55 (5th Cir.
2012) cert. denied, 133 S. Ct. 1272, 185 L. Ed. 2d 185 (2013) (citing RHS Interests, Inc. v. 2727
Kirby Ltd., 994 S.W.2d 895, 897–99 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st. Dist.] 1999, no pet.). Here,
where both the Proposed Modification Agreement and the letter sent with the agreement
indicated that the agreement was subject to Flagstar’s acceptance, it was not binding until signed
by Flagstar.
Although Flagstar accepted lower mortgage payments from March to December 2012, its
acceptance of these payments does not indicate an intent to be bound by the Proposed
Modification Agreement. Plaintiffs owed regular mortgage payments in excess of the proposed
44
Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 1.
Proposed Modification Agreement ¶ 7.
46
Proposed Modification Agreement ¶ 7; Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 1.
45
10
modified amounts. Flagstar’s acceptance of Plaintiffs’ lower payments can reasonably be seen
as acceptance of partial payments on Plaintiffs’ regular mortgage payments. See Pennington 493
F. App’x. 548, 555 (5th Cir. 2012) (holding that a lender did not indicate an intent to be bound
by an unsigned permanent modification agreement, after it had accepted lower mortgage
payments under a trial modification plan). Moreover, Flagstar continually asserted that Plaintiffs
were in default on their regular mortgage payments and that its foreclosure efforts could
proceed.47
Finally, to the extent Plaintiffs’ breach of contract claim is based, not on the written
Proposed Modification Agreement, but on a separate, alleged oral promise to modify the loan
after successful completion of the Forbearance Agreement, Plaintiffs’ claim fails as barred by the
statute of frauds.
In Texas, the statute of frauds requires that loan agreements in excess of $50,000 be in
writing to be enforceable. TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE § 26.02; see also Martin-Janson, 2013 WL
3533682, at *4. The statute defines “loan agreements” to include “one or more promises,
promissory notes, agreements, undertakings, security agreements, deeds of trust or other
documents, or commitments, or any combination of those actions or documents, pursuant to
which a financial institution loans or delays repayment of or agrees to loan or delay repayment of
money, goods, or another thing of value or to otherwise extend credit or make a financial
accommodation.” TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE § 26.02(a)(2). If a contract falls under the statute of
frauds, then “any subsequent oral material modification to the contract” also falls under the
statute. SP Terrace, L.P. v. Meritage Homes of Tex., LLC, 334 S.W.3d 275, 282 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, no pet.); see Martins v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P., 722 F.3d
47
Forbearance Agreement at 1; Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 2; Dec. 24, 2012 Letter at 2.
11
249, 256 (5th Cir. 2013) (“An agreement regarding the transfer of the property or modification of
a loan must . . . be in writing to be valid.”).
Plaintiffs’ mortgage was created in the original amount of $146,566. 48 By September
2012, the principal balance remained above $140,000.49 Thus, the loan and any modification fall
within the ambit of the statute of frauds. TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE § 26.02; SP Terrace, L.P., 334
S.W.3d at 282. Since the alleged oral agreement was not reduced to writing and signed by
Flagstar, the statute of frauds prohibits Plaintiffs from enforcing the alleged promise. TEX. BUS.
& COM. CODE § 26.02; see Gordon v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 505 F. App’x. 361, 364–65
(5th Cir. 2013) (finding enforcement of an alleged oral mortgage modification agreement
prohibited by the statute of frauds).
The equitable doctrine of promissory estoppel can bar the application of the statute of
frauds and make an otherwise unenforceable oral promise, enforceable. Ford v. City State Bank
of Palacios, 44 S.W.3d 121, 139 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2001, no pet.). Generally a party
can establish promissory estoppel by proving: “(1) a promise; (2) foreseeability of reliance
thereon by the promisor; and (3) substantial reliance by the promisee to his detriment.” Id.
However, when promissory estoppel is raised to bar the application of the statute of frauds, the
party asserting promissory estoppel must prove that the promisor promised “to sign a written
contract which had been prepared and which would satisfy the requirements of the statute of
frauds.” Martins, 722 F.3d at 257 (citing Beta Drilling, Inc. v. Durkee, 821 S.W.2d 739, 741
(Tex. App.—Houston 1992, writ denied); see also Sullivan v. Leor Energy, LLC, 600 F.3d 542,
549 (5th Cir. 2010) (“[T]he agreement must be in writing at the time of the oral promise to sign
48
49
Deed of Trust at 1.
Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 1.
12
it”).50 Here, Plaintiffs only assert that Flagstar made an oral promise to modify the loan; they do
not assert that Flagstar agreed to sign a written modification.51 In fact, when Plaintiffs were
presented with the written Proposed Modification Agreement, Flagstar reserved the right to
accept or decline the final modification by withholding its signature. Since Plaintiffs have
produced no evidence to establish that promissory estoppel applies to bar the statute of frauds,
the Court finds that Flagstar’s alleged oral promise to modify Plaintiffs’ mortgage is
unenforceable.
C. Claim for Promissory Estoppel
In their petition, Plaintiffs assert a claim for promissory estoppel. Plaintiffs’ assert:
Flagstar’s actions are barred by promissory estoppel insomuch as
Flagstar 1) made a promise to Plaintiffs by offering the loan
modification and setting forth the terms of acceptance; 2) Plaintiffs
relied on the promise; 3) the foreclosure on Plaintiffs’ home was a
resulting legal detriment that occurred; and 4) justice requires the
enforcement of that promise.52
Flagstar responds that it did not make an enforceable promise to modify Plaintiffs’ mortgage or
halt the January 2013 foreclosure sale.53
Although normally a defensive theory, promissory estoppel can be asserted as a cause of
action, where a promisor unjustly induces another to substantial action or inaction. MartinJanson, 2013 WL 3533682, at *4; see e.g. Ford, 44 S.W.3d at 138–40. “However, as when
promissory estoppel is used as a defense, if the underlying oral promise is barred by the statute
of frauds, the plaintiff must show that the promisor promised to sign a written document that
would satisfy the statute of frauds.” Ford, 44 S.W.3d at 140.
50
This Court has previously noted that Texas appellate courts sometimes omit the requirement that the contract be
prepared prior to the promise to sign it. See Montalvo v. Bank of Am. Corp., SA-10-CV-360-XR, 2013 WL 870088,
at *11 n.33 (W.D. Tex. Mar. 7, 2013) (citing Ford, 44 S.W.3d at 139).
51
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 1.
52
Pet. ¶ 17.
53
MSJ at 14.
13
The Court remains troubled by this case. Plaintiff apparently tried their best to work
with Defendant in modifying their mortgage. In the context of a motion to dismiss, the Fifth
Circuit has held that a promissory estoppel claim could survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion. MartinJanson, 2013 WL 3533682, at *5. In Martin-Janson, the plaintiffs sought discovery of the draft
loan modification agreement and sought discovery to prove that JPMorgan “promised to sign a
written agreement which itself complies with the statute of frauds.” Id.
In this case, however, the Court is addressing a motion for summary judgment. Plaintiffs
allege that Flagstar made a promise to Plaintiffs by offering the loan modification.
The
competent summary judgment evidence, however, reveals that Flagstar set forth conditions upon
which it would accept a loan modification before it would agree to execute the document.
Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ claim for promissory estoppel based on Flagstar’s alleged promise to
modify the mortgage fails for the reasons explained above.
Plaintiffs also cannot establish a claim for promissory estoppel based on Flagstar’s
alleged representations that Plaintiffs should “not [] worry about [the scheduled foreclosure sale]
and that [Flagstar] would ask for an extension.”54 “An agreement to delay foreclosure is subject
to the Texas statute of frauds, and, accordingly, must be in writing to be enforceable.” Milton v.
U.S. Bank Nat. Ass’n, 508 F. App’x. 326, 328–29 (5th Cir. 2013). As an initial matter, Flagstar
never promised to delay the foreclosure sale; it only promised to seek an extension.55
Furthermore, Plaintiffs have offered no evidence that Flagstar promised to sign a written
agreement to delay the foreclosure sale. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ claim for promissory estoppel
based on Flagstar’s alleged promise to seek an extension of the foreclosure sale fails. See Id.
54
55
Carmen Jimenez Aff. at 2; Carmen Jimenez Depo. 49:5–6.
Carmen Jimenez Depo. at 49:25–50:10.
14
(denying promissory estoppel defense where there was no written agreement to delay the
foreclosure sale).
D. Fraud
Plaintiffs’ claim for fraud similarly fails. Plaintiffs claim in their petition that, “Flagstar
acted fraudulently insomuch as Flagstar entered into a modification agreement with Plaintiffs
knowing that it was not prepared to honor the modification agreement Flagstar offered.”56 Since,
as explained above, Flagstar did not enter into a modification agreement, Plaintiffs’ claim fails.
E. Wrongful Foreclosure
Plaintiffs’ final substantive claim is for wrongful foreclosure. Plaintiffs assert that they
were not in default at the time of foreclosure and that Flagstar did not provide proper notice of
Plaintiffs’ alleged default and the scheduled foreclosure sale.57
Since Plaintiffs and Flagstar never modified the mortgage, default can only be considered
with respect to the original loan documents. Here, Plaintiffs were undoubtedly delinquent on
their original Note in March 2012, and, in fact, acknowledged being so.58 Plaintiffs do not
provide evidence that at any time after March 2012, they cured their mortgage deficiency. Thus,
the evidence shows that their account was in default at the time of the foreclosure sale.
Furthermore, to the extent Plaintiffs rely on a waiver theory to argue that Flagstar waived
its right to full payment from April to December 2012, the theory is of no avail. In Texas,
waiver is the “intentional relinquishment of a known right or intentional conduct inconsistent
with claiming that right.” Sun Exploration & Prod. Co. v. Benton, 728 S.W.2d 35, 37 (Tex.
1987). Arguably, Flagstar waived its right to full mortgage payments for the months of April to
56
Pet. ¶ 16.
Pet. ¶¶ 13–14.
58
Forbearance Agreement at 1; see also Notice of Default, dated April 3, 2013.
57
15
December 2013 when it instructed Plaintiffs through the Forbearance Agreement and receipt of
temporary payment coupons to pay an amount less than their Note and Deed of Trust otherwise
required.59
However, Plaintiffs were delinquent prior to the Forbearance Agreement and
payment coupons, and Flagstar could accelerate the Note based on this pre-April 2012
delinquency, regardless of whether it waived its right to full payment for the months of April to
December 2012. See Martin-Janson, 2013 WL 3533682, at *3 (holding that a lender could
accelerate based on a mortgage delinquency accumulated prior to an alleged waiver).
Moreover, the evidence shows that Flagstar never waived its right to foreclose based on
the delinquency accumulated prior to April 2012. Though Flagstar did not accelerate Plaintiffs’
loan in April 2012, the Deed of Trust provided that Flagstar did not waive its right to
subsequently do so.60
Furthermore, the Forbearance Agreement clarified that the “account
[would] not be considered current after the agreement end[ed],”61 and the letters received in
September and December 2012 indicated that “collection activity [would] continue pending the
modification agreement becoming binding and effective.”62 Thus, the record shows that Flagstar
continually maintained its right to accelerate based on the pre-April 2012 default.
Since Plaintiffs were in default, Flagstar could foreclose if it complied with the Deed of
Trust and the requirements of Chapter 51 of the Texas Property Code.63 Section 51.002 of the
Property Code requires that a debtor be served with two notices prior to foreclosure—a notice of
default and a notice of sale. TEX. PROP. CODE. § 51.002(b), (d); Rodriguez v. Ocwen Loan
Servicing, LLC, 306 F. App’x 854, 855–56 (5th Cir. 2009) (per curiam). Under Texas law, a
59
Forbearance Agreement at 1; Sept. 28, 2012 Letter at 3.
Deed of Trust ¶ 11 (“Any forbearance by [Flagstar] in exercising any right or remedy shall not be a waiver of or
preclude the exercise of any right or remedy.”).
61
Forbearance Agreement at 1.
62
Sept. 28, 2013 Letter at 2; Dec. 24, 2012 Letter at 2.
63
Deed of Trust ¶ 18.
60
16
foreclosure sale may be set aside as invalid if the notices required under § 51.002 are not
properly and timely served. See Savers Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n v. Reetz, 888 F.2d 1497, 1501
n.6 (5th Cir. 1989).
Here, Plaintiffs’ only challenge to the foreclosure sale procedure is their challenge to the
sufficiency of the required notice of default.64 Plaintiffs acknowledge that they received the
April 3, 2012, notice of default, but they assert that it would be unconscionable to find the notice
sufficient when almost nine months had passed between the notice and the foreclosure sale.65
Plaintiffs, however, cite to no legal authority to support their position; and, in fact, legal
authority suggests that early notice is valid. See Koehler v. Pioneer Am. Ins. Co., 425 S.W.2d
889, 892 (Tex. Civ. App.—Fort Worth 1968, no writ) (holding, with respect to the notice of
foreclosure sale that the notice need not be posted immediately prior to sale); see also Merchant
v. PHH Mortg. Corp., 12-12-00261-CV, 2013 WL 5593493 (Tex. App.—Tyler Oct. 9, 2013, no.
pet. h.) (mem. op.). Moreover, Plaintiffs do not explain how the Forbearance Agreement,
subsequent letters from Flagstar, and the December notice of foreclosure sale—all indicating
that the loan was in default—did not give Plaintiffs sufficient notice of default and underscore
the severity of the situation. The Court, therefore, finds the April 3, 2012, notice sufficient to
satisfy the Texas Property Code notice of default requirements, and rejects Plaintiffs’ contention
that equity bars the notice’s effectiveness. See TEX. PROP. CODE. § 51.002(d). Accordingly
Flagstar’s motion for summary judgment is granted on Plaintiffs’ claim for wrongful
foreclosure.
F. Declaratory and Injunctive Relief.
64
65
Pet. ¶ 14; Resp. at 5.
Resp. at 5.
17
In their petition, Plaintiffs assert a cause of action for declaratory judgment. The Fifth
Circuit has held that when a complaint purports to assert an independent cause of action for
declaratory judgment alongside another cause of action, the request for declaratory judgment
should be construed as a theory of recovery predicated upon the accompanying claim. Sid
Richardson Carbon & Gasoline Co. v. Interenergy Res., Ltd., 99 F.3d 746, 752 n.3 (5th Cir.
1996). Accordingly, district courts dismiss requests for declaratory relief when all pleaded causes
of action fail. See, e.g., Scott v. Bank of Am., No. SA:12-CV-917-DAE, 2013 WL 1821874, at *9
(W.D. Tex. Apr. 29, 2013); Amaro v. U.S. Bank Nat’l Ass’n, No. 3:12-CV-3776-B, 2013 WL
1187284, at *4 (N.D. Tex. Mar. 22, 2013); Marsh v. JPMorgan Chase, 888 F. Supp. 2d 805, 815
(W.D. Tex. 2012). Here, all of Plaintiffs’ independent causes of action fail, and accordingly,
Flagstar’s motion for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ declaratory claim is granted.
Finally, Plaintiffs’ request for an injunction enjoining Defendants from attempting to
remove or otherwise evict Plaintiffs from the property is denied as their request is not supported
by a viable underlying cause of action. See Anderson v. Jackson, 556 F.3d 351, 360 (5th Cir.
2009); Von Scheele v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., SA-12-CV-00690-DAE, 2013 WL 5346710, at
*6 (W.D. Tex. Sept. 23, 2013) (denying a plaintiff’s request for injunctive relief where the
defendant was granted summary judgment on all claims).
IV. Conclusion
In light of the foregoing analysis, Defendant Flagstar’s motion for summary judgment
(docket no. 12) is GRANTED. No claims remain pending in this case.
18
The Clerk is directed to enter judgment that Plaintiffs take nothing. Defendants are
awarded their costs of court and must file a Bill of Costs in the form required by the Clerk of
Court within fourteen days of judgment.
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 5th day of December, 2013.
XAVIER RODRIGUEZ
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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