STOWERS, Justice.
In 2005 Max and Peggy Espeland refinanced their home with E-Loan, Inc. Shortly thereafter, their loan was purchased by another bank and securitized. The Espelands eventually defaulted on the loan and their home was sold in a non-judicial deed of trust foreclosure. The Espelands brought an action in the superior court to void the sale, arguing mainly that inconsistencies in and multiple transfers of the loan and security documents caused defects in the chain of title. The superior court disagreed and granted summary judgment against the Espelands. The Espelands filed an appeal. Thereafter, the Espelands moved for relief from judgment, citing fraud by the defendants. The superior court denied this motion. The Espelands filed a second appeal, and we consolidated the two appeals for decision. Because the Espelands have not produced any evidence of defects with the chain of title or with the foreclosure, we affirm the superior court's grant of summary judgment. Because after reviewing the record we see no evidence of fraud or malfeasance, we affirm the superior court's denial of the motion for relief from judgment.
In 2004 Max and Peggy Espeland purchased an 8,000 square foot, eight bedroom, ten bathroom home for $775,000. The previous owners, the Schefers, had been using the property as a bed and breakfast, and the Espelands intended to do the same. Neither Max nor Peggy had any experience running a small business or working in the hospitality industry, but they were hoping to "jump in there and ... make it happen." Max ran a directional drill for Norcon, and Peggy did not work apart from her duties caring for the bed and breakfast. Max's work was intermittent and entailed frequent stretches of unemployment, but he believed he was earning about $70,000 annually when they purchased the property.
The Espelands originally financed the purchase with a loan from Bridge Capital. To obtain the loan, they aggregated Max's salary and the $80,000 a year that the Schefers told them the property earned. They made this choice even though Max testified he understood that the Schefers meant $80,000 before expenses, not after. To make the down payment, the Espelands borrowed $50,000 from Peggy's parents, which they mischaracterized in their loan application to Bridge Capital as a gift.
By 2005 the Espelands were having trouble meeting their payments and wanted to refinance their loan. After looking at options, they chose E-Loan, Inc. In the loan application, Max stated that he had a monthly
The Espelands signed a Promissory Note creating an obligation to repay their loan and a Deed of Trust giving the lender, through the trustee under the Deed of Trust, the right to sell the property if the Espelands failed to repay the loan. The reference date on the Deed of Trust was September 15, 2005, and it was notarized four days later on September 19, 2005. The Deed of Trust lists E-Loan, Inc. as the lender, Pacific Northwest Title as the trustee under the Deed of Trust, and Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS)
In October 2005, one month after the origination of the loan, E-Loan transferred all of its rights — both its servicing rights
Shortly after acquiring the rights to the Espelands' loan, IndyMac Bank and Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. signed a pooling
Roughly three years later, in December 2008, the Espelands ceased making payments on their loan. IndyMac Bank contacted the Espelands and informed them that they were in default. The Espelands unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate with IndyMac Bank for a reprieve or loan modification. The record suggests that the Espelands were completely unable to make even a portion of their monthly payments; Peggy testified that after they ceased making payments, they were unable to save any money toward curing the default.
In January 2009, a month after stopping payment, the Espelands sent a Qualified Written Request to IndyMac Bank under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).
Meanwhile, IndyMac Bank had been in distress since 2008 and was under control of the Office of Thrift Supervision, becoming IndyMac Federal Bank. The Office of Thrift Supervision appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver, and in March 2009 the FDIC sold all of IndyMac Federal Bank's assets to OneWest Bank.
In early April 2009, OneWest Bank referred the foreclosure to Alaska Trustee, LLC, a company that performs non-judicial foreclosures. Foreclosure was ordered in the name of IndyMac Federal Bank, One West Bank's predecessor.
On April 22, 2009, MERS assigned its nominal beneficial interest in the Deed of Trust to IndyMac Federal Bank by assigning it the Deed of Trust.
The foreclosure was postponed three times, but the Espelands were unable to cure their default. On October 13, 2009, one day before the foreclosure sale, the Espelands sought a preliminary injunction barring the sale, which was denied by the superior court. At the sale on October 14, OneWest Bank was the sole bidder and purchased the property for $647,010.68. At the time of the foreclosure, Deutsche Bank held the Promissory Note and the beneficial interest under the Deed of Trust, IndyMac Federal Bank held the nominal beneficial interest under the Deed of Trust, OneWest Bank was the servicing agent for Deutsche Bank, and Alaska Trustee was the trustee under the Deed of Trust.
The Espelands filed their first amended complaint on June 9, 2010, which, in relevant part, alleged that defects in the chain of title invalidated the foreclosure and that OneWest Bank violated RESPA by not responding to the Espelands' Qualified Written Request. Both sides moved for summary judgment. Before oral argument, the Espelands filed a late expert-witness declaration from Neil Garfield. The court declined to consider Garfield's statement because it was unsworn.
The superior court denied the Espelands' motion for summary judgment and granted summary judgment to OneWest Bank. It found no defects in the chain of title that would prevent Alaska Trustee from foreclosing. The superior court declined to address the Espelands' RESPA claim because the Espelands had failed to exhaust the required administrative claims process, and thus the superior court did not have jurisdiction to consider the claim. The superior court issued a judgment on May 8, 2012. The Espelands filed an appeal from that judgment, contesting the grant of summary judgment and the court's refusal to consider the declaration from Neil Garfield.
The Espelands also filed a Motion for Relief from Judgment or Order in the superior court under Alaska Civil Rule 60(b). They primarily sought relief under Rule 60(b)(3) on the grounds that OneWest Bank, Alaska Trustee, and IndyMac Federal Bank were "collectively engaging in fraudulent misrepresentation, alteration and/or the production of forged documents to make a claim of ownership." They alleged that 45 pages of log notes produced in discovery
The superior court denied the Espelands' motion for relief from judgment. The court ruled that although the Espelands' allegations "if proven would constitute fraud," the evidence they presented "does not meet the clear and convincing standard." The court noted that many of their fraud claims were substantially similar to the fraud claims already ruled on and rejected in their motion for summary judgment, and to overcome that ruling the Espelands would have had to introduce new evidence, which they did not. The Espelands filed a second appeal, arguing that "the trial court in this case failed to give proper consideration to the entire record of the proceedings before it in conjunction with the specific evidence of fraud contained in the redacted documents submitted by the Appellees."
We consolidated the Espelands' two appeals for decision. In both appeals the Espelands are proceeding pro se.
We review the "grant of a summary judgment motion de novo, affirming if the record presents no genuine issue of material fact and if the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law."
We review the denial of a Rule 60(b)(3) motion for abuse of discretion.
The Espelands are challenging three of the superior court's rulings. First, they argue that the court erred when it declined to admit the declaration of their expert, Neil Garfield. Second, they argue that the court erred when it granted summary judgment to the defendants. They contend that chain of title defects, RESPA violations, and an inadequate sale price create genuine issues of material fact. Third, the Espelands contend that the court erroneously denied their motion for relief from judgment under Rule 60(b)(3) and did not give full consideration to the evidence before it.
The Espelands filed a late motion to admit the declaration of a new expert witness 11 days before oral argument on the cross-motions for summary judgment. Garfield professed
The Espelands argue that the superior court refused to consider Garfield's declaration "primarily because it disagreed with some of his conclusions, regardless of his expertise in the specific field of law underlying this suit." Although the court arguably found some of Garfield's conclusions not credible, which on summary judgment would be improper,
The Espelands' main contention is that defects in the chain of title of their loan documents invalidated the foreclosure. Secondarily, they argue that OneWest Bank violated RESPA by failing to respond to their Qualified Written Request, and that the foreclosure sale of the property did not meet legal requirements. In order to raise a genuine issue of material fact, the Espelands were required to show specific, admissible facts, not mere speculation.
The Espelands argue that OneWest Bank and Alaska Trustee did not have authority
The Espelands signed a Promissory Note creating the obligation to repay their loan and a Deed of Trust giving the lender, through the trustee, the right to sell the
The Espelands' first argument stems from that fact that the Deed of Trust refers to itself as "this document, which is dated September 15, 2005," when in fact it was not notarized until September 19, 2005. The Espelands claim this discrepancy shows that the notary was not present when the document was signed, and hence there was notary fraud in the origination of the loan. This argument is unavailing. As the superior court correctly concluded, "Alaska's notary law does not prohibit a person from signing a document which refers to itself by a date other than the date the person actually signed." A notary may notarize a document signed on a different day so long as the signer appears before the notary and acknowledges the signature.
Next, the Espelands argue that the there was a genuine issue of material fact regarding the identity of the lender. The Espelands contend that "OneWest and Deutsche Bank are far more connected than is being admitted and that they are, in fact, merely instrumentalities of an entity that has yet to be revealed and which also included IndyMac Federal, the prior holder of the Deed of Trust." This argument also fails to raise a genuine issue of material fact. Alaska law does not require that the lender be revealed in order for the transfer to be valid.
Finally, the Espelands question the transfer of the Promissory Note and Deed of Trust from E-Loan to IndyMac Bank. But there is no genuine issue of material fact regarding the occurrence of this transaction. E-Loan endorsed the Promissory Note in blank and gave it to IndyMac Bank.
In November 2005 IndyMac Bank and Deutsche Bank securitized the loan through a pooling and servicing agreement. The Espelands argue that the securitization gives
There is ample, undisputed evidence that the transfer of the Promissory Note from IndyMac Bank to Deutsche Bank occurred. MERS's records show the transfer. Charles Boyle stated in his affidavit that IndyMac Bank physically transferred the Promissory Note to Deutsche Bank at this time. Ronaldo Reyes, an employee of Deutsche Bank, submitted an affidavit attesting to the existence of the agreement and Deutsche Bank's possession of the original Promissory Note. Deutsche Bank produced the Promissory Note, endorsed in blank, from its files and delivered it to OneWest Bank, which presented it to the court, accompanied by an affidavit from a OneWest Bank employee stating that he received the Promissory Note from Deutsche Bank and personally reviewed Deutsche Bank's records. The Espelands adduced no evidence to dispute these facts.
The Espelands' second argument, that Deutsche Bank did not "receive the loan in accordance with the [Pooling and Servicing Agreement] terms," is also unavailing. The Espelands do not provide any evidence that casts doubt on the validity of the transfer. Given the undisputed evidence discussed above, there is no reason to doubt that Deutsche Bank "receive[d] the loan in accordance with the [Pooling and Servicing Agreement] terms."
The Espelands argue that "there was no evidence offered that there was ever a proper assignment to OneWest [Bank]." However, the record reveals no genuine issue of material fact whether the transfer occurred. In March 2009 the FDIC sold all of IndyMac Federal Bank's assets to OneWest Bank.
In December 2008 the Espelands ceased repaying their loan. The following April OneWest Bank requested that Alaska Trustee initiate a non-judicial foreclosure under IndyMac Federal Bank's name. As is routine, Alaska Trustee sought title insurance for the foreclosure. Because the Deed of Trust's holder of record was still MERS, First American Title would not insure the foreclosure until the holder of record matched the name in which the foreclosure was ordered — IndyMac Federal Bank. The Servicing Business Asset Purchase Agreement executed between IndyMac Federal Bank and OneWest Bank contractually obligated IndyMac Federal Bank to help OneWest Bank foreclose. MERS assigned the Deed of Trust to IndyMac Federal Bank on
The Espelands contend that there are three genuine issues of material fact: (1) whether MERS had the power to transfer the nominal beneficial interest to IndyMac Federal Bank; (2) whether the substitution of trustee under the Deed of Trust was operative;
First, the Espelands argue that "[b]ecause MERS was never the lawful holder or assignee of the note, the assignment of the mortgage to Indymac is a nullity, and MERS was without authority to assign the power to foreclose to Indymac." But the Espelands' Deed of Trust granted MERS, as nominal holder of the beneficial interest, the right to "take any action of [the] Lender" including "the right to foreclose and sell the Property." As nominee, MERS had the authority to take any action that the actual beneficiary could have taken, including transferring its nominal beneficial interest to another party. The Espelands have cited no Alaska authority to the contrary. MERS had the power to assign the Deed of Trust and thereby transfer its nominal beneficial interest to IndyMac Federal Bank.
Second, the Espelands argue that IndyMac Federal Bank's substitution of Alaska Trustee for Pacific Northwest Title under the Deed of Trust was invalid because it was executed on April 21, 2009, one day before IndyMac Federal Bank received the nominal beneficial interest from MERS. In their view, IndyMac Federal Bank attempted to execute the substitution before it had the power to do so. This argument also fails. A new trustee succeeds to the powers of the old trustee at "the time the substitution is filed for record."
Finally, the Espelands contend that OneWest Bank and Alaska Trustee still did not have the authority to foreclose. They argue, among other things, that because the foreclosure was ordered in IndyMac Federal Bank's name, OneWest Bank was without authority. But as the superior court correctly found, the "question of `why' the foreclosure was initiated in the name of IMFB [IndyMac Federal Bank] is not relevant to this Court's determination of the legality of the transaction." The two parties that actually needed authority to participate in the foreclosure — OneWest Bank and Alaska Trustee — had authority. Thus it is irrelevant which nominal beneficiary was ordered to foreclose on the Deed of Trust.
As detailed earlier, there were no defects in OneWest Bank's assumption of the servicing rights. The Pooling and Servicing Agreement between Deutsche Bank and IndyMac Bank defines the "Master Servicer" as "IndyMac Bank ... and its successors and assigns." The purchase of IndyMac Federal Bank's assets made OneWest Bank the "successor" of IndyMac Federal Bank. Further, the Purchase Agreement between IndyMac Federal Bank and OneWest Bank provided that OneWest Bank would have "all Servicing Rights accruing to [IndyMac Federal Bank] under the Servicing Agreements including all rights to ... take other rightful actions in respect of breaches [and] defaults." The Pooling and Servicing Agreement not only authorized the "Master Servicer" to foreclose, it required it to foreclose.
As the trustee under the Espelands' Deed of Trust, Alaska Trustee had authority to conduct the foreclosure. In the Deed of Trust, the Espelands granted the trustee a "power of sale" for the property. In the event of a default, the "trustee shall sell the property at public auction." This right was originally granted to Pacific Northwest Title and then transferred to Alaska Trustee by IndyMac Federal Bank in the Substitution of Trustee recorded May 6, 2009. Once Alaska Trustee received its appointment on May 6, it was empowered to proceed with the non-judicial deed of trust foreclosure in accordance with the Deed of Trust's "power of sale" provision.
In addition, the Espelands challenge the fact that the original Promissory Note was not present at the foreclosure. However, AS 34.20.070 and AS 34.20.080 provide the requirements for a sale by a trustee, and they do not require the loan instrument be present at the sale.
After carefully examining the transfers of rights and interests surrounding the Espelands' loan, we conclude that there were no defects in the chain of title giving rise to genuine issues of material fact. OneWest Bank had authority to initiate the foreclosure as Master Servicer for Deutsche Bank, and Alaska Trustee had authority to perform the foreclosure by virtue of its role as trustee under the Deed of Trust. Thus, both entities acted within their authority during the foreclosure process.
The Espelands argued in the superior court that OneWest Bank violated RESPA when it did not answer their Qualified Written Request in full, but the superior court declined to address this claim because the Espelands failed to exhaust their administrative remedies. The superior court was correct because IndyMac Bank was in FDIC receivership when the Espelands made their Qualified Written Request.
The Espelands argue that the sale price at the foreclosure was inadequate and that Alaska Trustee misled them into thinking the sale would be stayed pending the outcome of their case. The Espelands never raised their inadequate-sale-price argument in the superior court. And, after they filed their First Amended Complaint, the Espelands abandoned their argument that Alaska Trustee misled them into thinking the sale of their home would be postponed. These arguments are waived because, as we have repeatedly held, "a party may not raise an issue for the first time on appeal."
The Espelands' second appeal stems from their motion to the superior court for Alaska Civil Rule 60(b)(3) relief from judgment or order. Under Rule 60(b)(3), a litigant can receive relief from a court order or judgment by showing "fraud, ... misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party"
The Espelands argue that: (1) the log notes show fraud by clear and convincing evidence; (2) the court failed to consider the use of "notorious robo-signers"; and (3) the court failed to consider their arguments as a whole. After examining the record, including the disputed log notes, we conclude that the superior court did not abuse its discretion — nothing presented by the Espelands raises an inference of fraud, much less clear and convincing evidence of fraud.
The Espelands claim that the log notes contain evidence of fraudulent alteration of numerous documents including the Notice of Default, the 2009 Substitution of Trustee, the 2009 Assignment of the Deed of Trust, the Trustee's Deed, an unspecified Affidavit of Mailing, the payment history, and the foreclosure sale postponement letters. However, the Espelands do not state where exactly in the 45 pages of log notes they believe the evidence of fraud is located.
Next, the Espelands argue that there are discrepancies between the log notes and the affidavits submitted by Alaska Trustee and OneWest Bank in support of their authority to foreclose. In their motion to the superior court, the Espelands quoted several log notes that contain requests for a copy of the Promissory Note showing the endorsement from E-Loan to IndyMac Bank. According to the Espelands, these quotes are "convincing proof of efforts to endorse the un-endorsed, un-delivered Promissory Note in 2009-2010." The Espelands allege these quotes contradict affidavits of employees at OneWest Bank and Deutsche Bank that the Promissory Note was "endorsed and delivered to the Trust,
The log notes clearly state that the copy of the Promissory Note that OneWest Bank had in its database did not show an endorsement to IndyMac Bank. However, the fact that the copy in OneWest Bank's database was not endorsed does not mean that the actual Promissory Note itself was not endorsed. Nor do the log notes contradict the affidavits' claim that the Promissory Note was in Deutsche Bank's possession. As the superior court found, the log notes reveal that OneWest Bank persistently and repeatedly asked for a copy of the original Promissory Note showing the endorsement for about a year without success. The superior court declined "to interpret the insistent nature of the communication as evidence of collusion to produce fraudulent records." We agree that the log notes may provide evidence of procrastination, but not of fraud. We also conclude that nothing in the log notes contradicts any of the affidavits or indicates that the Promissory Note was transferred incorrectly.
The Espelands also argue that the use of "notorious robo-signers"
As further evidence that some documents were "robo-signed," the Espelands allege that certain documents were executed in different states than where they were notarized. They contend that the documents "imply same-day execution and notarization, by signers of Indymac and MERS in California and Virginia, and notaries in Texas and Minnesota." While the documents in question state that they were notarized in Texas and Minnesota, they do not indicate where they were executed and none contains any reference to California or Virginia. Thus, there is no merit to the Espelands' claim that the involvement of alleged "robo-signers" and different states of execution prove fraud by clear and convincing evidence.
The Espelands argue that in denying their motion for Rule 60(b)(3) relief, the superior court "failed to give proper consideration to the entire record of the proceedings before it in conjunction with the specific evidence of fraud contained in the redacted documents." This argument is likely in response to the superior court's statement that "[a]dditionally, the [p]laintiffs' claims of fraud and misrepresentation are substantively similar to claims made in the [p]laintiffs' original Motion to Void Non-judicial Foreclosure and rely on the same evidence." The court then
To prevail on a Rule 60(b)(3) motion, the Espelands need not prove that they would have prevailed but for the fraud or misconduct.
We AFFIRM the superior court's grant of summary judgment against the Espelands and its denial of their motion for Rule 60(b) relief.