Curtis and Twyla Christian are your average middle-class family trying to survive in a tough economy.

They’re not drug addicts. They don’t have serious health problems. They aren’t having issues with the job market.

Yet they are facing threats of foreclosure on their two-story Victorian home in Hinckley.

Three years ago, the Christians bought their home through a mortgage broker they had never met. Through a cold call, the broker promised them that he could get them into their dream home with no money down.

They closed on an 80/20 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).

According to Curtis, the mortgage broker falsified documents, even giving his employer a blank stated income sheet to sign. The broker then filled in an income at an elevated amount so they could qualify.

When they arrived at closing, the Christians were told they would have not one, but two mortgage loans with the first loan being an interest only loan.

“The house we were renting was already sold, so when we showed up at closing and were told we would have two mortgages, what were we to do? We had no choice. We didn’t know until moving day,” explained Twyla.

“You go into it thinking your realtor and broker are looking out for your best interest when in reality, I can’t say for all brokers and agents, but a lot of them are just concerned with their commission,” Curtis added.

The Christians have since learned that their broker can no longer work in real estate in the state of Minnesota.

In 2005, the Christians’ combined mortgage payments started at $1,000 per month. Today they are paying $1,800 per month because of the adjustable rate increase.