Americans Against Foreclosures (AAF)
Americans Against Foreclosures (AAF) is a grassroots advocacy group dedicated to supporting U.S. homeowners facing unlawful foreclosures and evictions. Founded to combat predatory lending practices and judicial biases in foreclosure proceedings, AAF claims it can assist over 50 million American homeowners—though their reported membership is around 200,000. The organization emphasizes legal strategies like subpoenaing bank representatives to produce original mortgage notes, arguing that failure to do so invalidates foreclosures since the real party in interest is never discovered. Also we discover the devastating chain-of-title breaks. See: Ibanez (Massachusetts)
Key Focus Areas
- Legal Aid and Representation: AAF connects members with independent attorneys and paralegals to challenge foreclosures in court. They highlight cases involving veterans, the elderly, and disabled individuals, alleging banks target vulnerable groups.
- Advocacy Against Systemic Issues: The group criticizes state attorneys general and courts for due process violations, including conflicts of interest among judges with ties to banks. They push for nationwide moratoriums on evictions and reforms to foreclosure laws.
- Political and Community Action: Led by figures like Andrew Prichard (described as a “soft-spoken American Revolutionary” from Connecticut), AAF has formed the AXJ Political Party to influence policy. They host radio talk shows and consolidate member complaints into class-action-style efforts.
Online Presence and Resources
- Official Website: aafmembers.net – Core hub for joining, donations, and legal resources.
- Members-Only Site: axj.nu – Features emergency updates, such as orders barring judges with bank ties from foreclosure cases, and calls for consolidated lawsuits.
- Washington State Chapter: axjwa.com – Focuses on local violations, including a pending complaint against the state Attorney General for veterans’ rights’ violations.
- Facebook Group: AAF Help Us – Active community for sharing stories and support (over 200,000 members reported).
How AAF Operates
AAF relies on member donations to fund legal battles, as they state: “We can’t do it without your financial aid to hire independent Attorneys and Paralegals.” Their strategy often involves pro se (self-represented) filings against lenders for fraud, such as affidavits lacking “real knowledge” of the homeowner’s account. While empowering, critics (including government resources) warn that such groups may overlap with foreclosure rescue scams—always verify claims independently.
Step-by-Step: How a Typical Pro Se Foreclosure Defense Looks
- Bank files foreclosure complaint (judicial state) or publishes Notice of Default/Trustee Sale (non-judicial state).
- Homeowner files pro se Answer denying everything and raising 20–50 “affirmative defenses” copied from internet templates.
- Homeowner files motions:
- Motion to Dismiss for lack of standing / failure to produce note
- Motion for Summary Judgment (claiming bank has no evidence)
- Discovery demands asking for 100+ documents
- Bank files Motion for Summary Judgment with affidavits, note copies, payment history.
- Judge almost always grants the bank summary judgment (80–95% of the time).
- Homeowner files emergency motions, appeals, or Chapter 13 bankruptcy to buy more time.
Realistic Outcomes in 2025
| Scenario | % of pro se cases | Typical delay achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Lose quickly (3–9 months) | 60–70% | Little to none |
| Moderate delay via motions & discovery | 20–30% | 9–18 months |
| Long delay via appeals or serial bankruptcy | 5–10% | 2–5+ years |
| Actually win on the merits (keep house free & clear) | << 1% | Almost never |
Dangers and Downsides of Going Pro Se
- Sanctions and attorney-fee awards – Judges increasingly award the bank’s legal fees against pro se litigants who file frivolous motions.
- Loss of legitimate defenses – Real violations (predatory lending, servicing errors, HAMP denials) get buried under junk “sovereign” arguments.
- Wasted time and money – Many homeowners pay “foreclosure rescue” companies $1,000–$10,000 for worthless pro se templates.
- Credit already destroyed – Delaying the inevitable still tanks the credit score for 7–10 years.
When Pro Se Actually Makes Sense
- You have strong, documented evidence of fraud or servicing violations and can hire a lawyer for limited-scope help (review filings).
- You file Chapter 13 bankruptcy yourself and can afford the plan.
- You only want to buy 6–24 months to sell, refinance, or relocate.
Bottom Line (2025)
Going pro se in foreclosure is legal, but it is overwhelmingly unsuccessful at permanently stopping a foreclosure unless the homeowner has ironclad evidence of specific statutory violations and presents it correctly. For the vast majority, it is a delay tactic—not a winning strategy.
If you are facing foreclosure, the highest-success options remain:
- Free HUD-approved housing counselor (hud.gov)
- Negotiating a loan modification or short sale with the lender/servicer
- Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy (with or without a lawyer)
- Demanding a seventh amendment trial by Jury. ( If it is denied appeal).
Broader Context: The U.S. Foreclosure Crisis
AAF emerged amid the ongoing fallout from the 2007–2012 housing crisis, where ~10 million Americans lost homes. As of 2025, foreclosures persist in “hot spot” ZIP codes (e.g., minority-heavy urban areas), with 2.5 million vacant properties in hard-hit cities.
For official help:
- Contact HUD-approved housing counselors via hud.gov.
- Explore programs like Making Home Affordable at usa.gov/avoid-foreclosure.
If you’re facing foreclosure, start with free counseling before engaging advocacy groups. For more specifics on AAF (e.g., joining or recent cases), visit their sites directly.
News Website: www.axj.news