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[prytania3]

An aside, this is the reason you shouldn't pay debt someone can't prove you owe:

"The banks that are foreclosing on fraudulently originated mortgages frequently cannot produce legitimate documents... Now, only fraud will let them take the homes. Many of the required documents do not exist, and those that do exist would provide proof of the fraud that was involved in loan origination, securitization, and marketing. This in turn would allow investors to force the banks to buy-back the fraudulent securities. In other words, to keep the investors at bay the foreclosing banks must manufacture fake documents.... Foreclosure fraud is the only thing standing between the banks and Armageddon."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/22/fdic-called-on-to-put-ban_n_772535.html

And you all think these clowns keep the paperwork for your credit cards? B, they don't even keep the paperwork for mortgages.

Clowns, clowns, clowns.

Ah, my esteemed and wise academic professional colleagues, who are nurturing and positive and helpful. I thought I'd update this thing. 

Good news for me I think:  My Motion to Dismiss:  GRANTED. 

I guess a little research pays off.

They have 30 days to "amend their complaint" as per the judge's orders.  I argued that their flimsy affidavit and incomplete account statement and their lack of an original signed contract (They have no contract, these junk debt buyers they had this robo-signed thing that could be for anything.) 

The judge said "prove it," and then "case dismissed" (without prejudice I think.)  Took maybe 5 minutes. 

The junk debt buyers'/lawyers showed up, and the lady attorney complaining to me had 4 other cases that day on their behalf.

I was the only one that showed up to defend--gotta love the American legal system, at least I got a hearing.  And I think the lady judge was sympathetic since it was my first time, I told them to be gentle and the judge laughed pretty good at that.

So to celebrate I treated my Mom to breakfast.  :]

So, dude, I guess you owe me a thank you.

[arts_and_sciences]

and Prytania also thanks for guiding me in the right direction-I used two different DIY forms (debt validation and affirmative defenses) for the pro se work, and I think I saw an impressed look on the Judge's face as she read over my affirmative defenses, properly captioned and everything.  Not bad for 90 days of hasty legal research.

[arts_and_sciences]

What everybody is saying is that you'll be making a bad (thoughtless, irresponsible, uninformed) decision if you incur MORE debt.

Well this being the research phase, i.e. the time to think, gather information so as to NOT make a hasty decision, no, and I never mentioned a mortgage, or applying for one, NO because I need every financial resource I can get, and if used wisely gives me necessary leverage for mobility, shelter, and more opportunity.  My hard work, studying, good academic standing means I qualify for scholarships and grants (yes I've received one or two of those) and then there are loans.  I can really use those. This is just research and planning, (albeit with a shoestring budget)  nothing concrete or even a decision being made yet (on how to meet a housing expense and complete a degree.)
 

I agree that in the purely hypothetical scenario whereby hu gets a mortgage, it would make hu's financial situation even worse. And also that a $10k Craigslist house is generally going to be worth about negative fifty grand. And that's even assuming the seller actually owns the place. There's been a rash of fraud lately in which con artists offer to sell or rent abandoned properties that they don't even own and then abscond with the victim's security deposit/hand money.

But like I said, the OP is incapable of hearing this right now. We can't save hu from huself, so I'm just going to shrug and move on.

  I've looked into these things.  Best practice is to check the county property records, see who actually owns it, and it will usually show chain of title.  I would only buy something as a Warranty Deed (not Quit Claim), (and on Craigslist one is admittedly rolling the dice.)  Ebay at least one can deal exclusively with only those having 100% feedback.  If I'm able to check the seller's reputation, and a satisfactory transaction history --may I respectfully disagree and say it's more like instant equity, because the land is already worth that. In blighted areas,  maybe not as much. Like I said, it's all in the research. I can easily see that happening, and I know it happens, and it is good to be wary of such things, and I appreciate the warning to protect me, that's due diligence and being on the alert. 2 recent examples:  a tax deed sale, and a quit claim deed title sale, one on craigslist and the other on ebay, both were questionable.  Both I knew better and steered away from.

  And just to be clear, it would NOT be for an investment (thats for rich people) it would be for housing or whatever you want to call it; my primary homestead, home base, mailing address, a place to live, residence.

Having said that, maybe it's a better idea to rent a tiny studio apartment in a uni town for a few years, it might be safer and more peaceful, and I would still have a home base, bachelor pad, storage space, etc.
 
In that case, I wouldnt own it.  And I wouldnt be building equity, just paying rent AND incurring more debt with no equity to show afterwards.

[grasshopper]

What everybody is saying is that you'll be making a bad (thoughtless, irresponsible, uninformed) decision if you incur MORE debt.

... I never mentioned a mortgage, or applying for one, NO because I need every financial resource I can get, and if used wisely gives me necessary leverage for mobility, shelter, and more opportunity.  My hard work, studying, good academic standing means I qualify for scholarships and grants (yes I've received one or two of those) and then there are loans.  I can really use those.

The debt part comes after you buy a 10K house and need to either fix it up or tear it down, both of which cost way more money than you have.

This is just research and planning, (albeit with a shoestring budget)  nothing concrete or even a decision being made yet (on how to meet a housing expense and complete a degree.)

You have housing right now, and 21K with which to complete the degree.

may I respectfully disagree and say it's more like instant equity, because the land is already worth that. In blighted areas,  maybe not as much.
...
And just to be clear, it would NOT be for an investment (thats for rich people) it would be for housing or whatever you want to call it; my primary homestead, home base, mailing address, a place to live, residence.

If the land were worth more, the owner would be selling it for more. If it's not being sold for more, that's because it's not worth more. Also, make up your mind: is this an investment, or a home? Because you can't live on land without a house.

Having said that, maybe it's a better idea to rent a tiny studio apartment in a uni town for a few years, it might be safer and more peaceful, and I would still have a home base, bachelor pad, storage space, etc.
 
In that case, I wouldnt own it.  And I wouldnt be building equity, just paying rent AND incurring more debt with no equity to show afterwards.

Why would you need more loans? You have 21K. That's more than enough to get you through the rest of your degree, what with all the scholarships and grants and such.

[prytania3]

Liberalscience, I gave you a good tip, but don't get full of yourself. People will think you are a criminal.

[harrapsempire]

As an American guy from an R1 Public Uni, It might be difficult but not impossible to get a student visa and try to arrange work from there--(I love football, and love playing and in fact I'm probably good enough to play in lower divisions and make a little money at it.) 

Anyone else thought that part was hilarious and typical of an individual very out of touch/unrealistic?

[notezenquotes]

actually, yeah. apart from FIFA not working that way at all, the visas for at least one of those countries explicitly say you can't use them to seek work in sport or entertainment.

[cyano]

OP - you don't have enough money to take your mom out to breakfast or to pay for internet/TV or to go to Europe or to buy a house. Your spending habits got you into debt. Many of us came from the same background as you. Many (most) of us are in not in the same financial situation. Even in the most expensive areas, you can rent a room for far less than what you'd put into the house. You can live in 100-200 square feet until you get yourself financially grounded. You can get internet at public library and avoid eating out, going to movies, buying anything for hobbies, etc. It's a choice.