HSBC Bank USA v. Brinson ( 2023 )


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  • [Cite as HSBC Bank USA v. Brinson, 
    2023-Ohio-1462
    .]
    STATE OF OHIO                  )                       IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
    )ss:                    NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
    COUNTY OF SUMMIT               )
    HSBC BANK USA                                          C.A. No.   30250
    Appellee
    v.                                              APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
    ENTERED IN THE
    EVIS BRINSON, et al.                                   COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
    COUNTY OF SUMMIT, OHIO
    Appellants                                      CASE No.   CV 2019-10-4167
    DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
    Dated: May 3, 2023
    STEVENSON, Judge.
    {¶1}    Defendants-Appellants, Alisha and Evis Brinson (“Brinsons”), appeal from the
    judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas in favor of Appellee, HSBC Bank USA,
    National Association Trustee for Deutsche ALT-A Securities, Inc. Mortgage Loan Trust, Series
    2007-AR3 Mortgage Pass Through Certificate (“HSBC”). For the reasons that follow, this Court
    affirms.
    I.
    {¶2}    On October 19, 2006, Appellant Evis Brinson executed a promissory note (“Note”)
    in the amount of $440,000.00 to Quicken Loans, Inc (“Quicken”). The Note was indorsed from
    Quicken to IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. (“IndyMac”) who indorsed the Note in blank. The Note was
    then transferred to HSBC. HSBC obtained possession of the Note on January 8, 2007, when it
    was delivered to its records custodian, Deutsche Bank (“Deutsche”). HSBC remained in
    possession of the Note until July 30, 2014, when Deutsche, as custodian, delivered the note to
    2
    HSBC’s loan servicing agent, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (“Ocwen”). On June 17, 2019, Ocwen
    delivered the Note to Blank Rome, LLP (“Blank Rome”), where it was received by Attorney
    William Purtell, HSBC’s counsel. The law firm of Manley, Deas, and Kochalski (“MDK”)
    received the Note from Blank Rome, LLP on October 19, 2019.
    {¶3}    To secure repayment of the Note, the Brinsons executed and delivered a mortgage
    (“Mortgage”) encumbering the property located at 292 Greensfield Lane, Copley, OH, 44321 to
    Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), solely as nominee for Quicken and
    Quicken’s successors and assigns. MERS assigned the Note and Mortgage to HSBC Bank USA,
    National Association as Trustee For DALT 2007-AR3 (“HSBC-DALT”) through an “Assignment
    of Note and Mortgage” that was executed on February 25, 2010 (“MERS Assignment”).
    {¶4}    On November 10, 2010, and again on September 1, 2013, IndyMac Mortgage
    Services (“IndyMac Mortgage”) entered into loan modifications with the Brinsons with MERS as
    the nominee for the lender and IndyMac Mortgage as the servicer. HSBC-DALT assigned the
    Mortgage to HSBC through a “Corporate Assignment of Mortgage” that was executed on July 30,
    2015 (“HSBC Assignment”). That assignment was made simply to recognize a change in
    nomenclature. The assignee and assignor in the HSBC assignment are one and the same entity.
    {¶5}    In 2015, HSBC filed a complaint to foreclose on the Brinsons’ Mortgage and to
    obtain judgment on the Note executed by Evis Brinson. HSBC moved for summary judgment.
    The Brinsons opposed the motion based on HSBC’s lack of standing. The trial court granted
    HSBC’s motion and the Brinsons appealed. This Court reversed and remanded, concluding that
    the trial court erred in granting HSBC’s motion for summary judgment because HSBC failed to
    demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact regarding the chain of title for the Note
    3
    and Mortgage and its standing to enforce the Note and foreclose on the Mortgage. HSBC Bank
    USA v. Brinson, 9th Dist. Summit No. 28782, 
    2018-Ohio-3467
    , ¶ 24 (“Brinson I”).
    {¶6}    On remand, HSBC renewed its motion for summary judgment. The Brinsons
    opposed the motion and moved to dismiss the complaint. The trial court dismissed the case without
    prejudice due to HSBC’s lack of standing, stating that the documents attached to the complaint did
    not support an unbroken chain of title to the note and mortgage as required under Brinson I. HSBC
    Bank USA v. Brinson, Summit C.P. No. CV-2015-10-4994 (Oct. 31, 2018).
    {¶7}    On October 19, 2019, HSBC filed another complaint in foreclosure. HSBC moved
    for summary judgment. The Brinsons opposed the motion and filed a cross-motion for summary
    judgment. The trial court granted HSBC’s motion, denied the Brinsons’ cross-motion, and entered
    a decree of foreclosure. The Brinsons appealed. This Court dismissed the appeal for lack of a final
    appealable order, finding that the decree of foreclosure failed to resolve all the issues and was not
    a final decree; specifically, the order appealed did not set forth the amount due to the State of Ohio,
    Department of Taxation.
    {¶8}    HSBC then moved the trial court to amend its decree of foreclosure. The United
    States and the City of Akron filed amended answers to reflect their current lien status. On February
    9, 2022, the trial court entered an amended decree to correct the error in its previous entry to
    include the amount due to the State of Ohio. In the amended decree, consistent with the original
    decree, the trial court granted HSBC’s motion for summary judgment and denied the Brinsons’
    cross-motion for summary judgment, finding that there was no genuine issue of material fact
    regarding HSBC’s standing to maintain the foreclosure action.
    {¶9}     The Brinsons timely appealed and assert four assignments of error for our review.
    4
    II
    ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION
    FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, AND DENYING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION
    FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, WHEN PLAINTIFF COULD NOT
    ESTABLISH STANDING.
    ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
    WHEN PLAINTIFF’S CHAIN OF TITLE AND SUPPORTING AFFIDAVIT
    CONTAINED DISCREPANCIES WHICH CREATED A QUESTION OF
    MATERIAL FACT.
    {¶10} As the first and second assignments of error both address the issue of whether the
    trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of HSBC, they will be consolidated for
    ease of analysis.
    {¶11} Appellate courts consider an appeal from summary judgment under a de novo
    standard of review. Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co., 
    77 Ohio St.3d 102
    , 105 (1996). This Court uses
    the same standard that the trial court applies under Civ.R. 56(C), viewing the facts of the case in
    the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and resolving any doubt in favor of the nonmoving
    party. See Viock v. Stowe Woodward Co., 
    13 Ohio App.3d 7
    , 12 (6th Dist.1983). Accordingly, this
    Court stands in the shoes of the trial court and conducts an independent review of the record.
    {¶12} Summary judgment is proper under Civ.R. 56 when: (1) no genuine issue as to any
    material fact exists; (2) the party moving for summary judgment is entitled to judgment as a matter
    of law; and (3) viewing the evidence most strongly in favor of the nonmoving party, reasonable
    minds can only reach one conclusion, and that conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving party.
    Civ.R. 56(C); Temple v. Wean United, Inc., 
    50 Ohio St.2d 317
    , 327 (1977).
    5
    {¶13} Summary judgment consists of a burden-shifting framework. The movant bears
    the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of genuine issues of material fact concerning the
    essential elements of the nonmoving party’s case. Dresher v. Burt, 
    75 Ohio St.3d 292
     (1996).
    Specifically, the moving party must support the motion by pointing to some evidence in the record
    of the type listed in Civ.R. 56(C). Id. at 292-293. Once the moving party satisfies this burden, the
    nonmoving party has a reciprocal burden to “set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine
    issue for trial.” Id. at 293, quoting Civ.R. 56(E). The nonmoving party “may not rest upon the
    mere allegations or denials of his pleadings,” but instead must submit evidence as outlined in
    Civ.R. 56(C). Id., quoting Civ.R. 56(E).
    {¶14} In a foreclosure action, the plaintiff moving for summary judgment must present
    Evidentiary-quality materials showing: (1) the movant is the holder of the note and
    mortgage, or is a party entitled to enforce the instrument; (2) if the movant is not
    the original mortgagee, the chain of assignments and transfers; (3) the mortgagor is
    in default; (4) all conditions precedent have been met; and (5) the amount of
    principal and interest due.
    (Internal quotation marks and citations omitted.) The Bank of New York Mellon v. Bridge, 9th Dist.
    Summit No. 28461, 
    2017-Ohio-7686
    , ¶ 10, quoting Bank of Am., N.A. v. Edwards, 9th Dist. Lorain
    Nos. 15CA010848, 15CA010851, 
    2017-Ohio-4343
    , ¶ 10.
    {¶15} Appellant’s first assignment of error raises the issue of plaintiff’s standing. A
    plaintiff in a foreclosure action must have standing at the time it files the complaint to invoke the
    jurisdiction of the court. See Fed. Home Loan Mtge. Corp v. Schwartzwald, 
    134 Ohio St.3d 13
    ,
    
    2012-Ohio-5017
    , ¶ 41. In order to have standing to foreclose a mortgage and to seek a judgment
    on a note, the plaintiff must hold both the note and the mortgage prior to filing the complaint. See
    Bridge at ¶ 20, citing Bank of Am. N.A. v. McCormick, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26888, 2014-Ohio-
    1393, ¶ 8.
    6
    {¶16} R.C. 1303.31(A) identifies three classes of persons who are “’entitled to enforce’
    an instrument” such as a note. HSBC asserts it is entitled to enforce as a “holder” of the note.
    R.C. 1303.31(A)(1). Generally, a person is a holder of the note by having physical possession of
    the note, which is either indorsed to that person or indorsed in blank. R.C. 1301.201(B)(21)(a).
    “When an instrument is indorsed in blank,” i.e., it does not identify the payee, “the instrument
    becomes payable to bearer and may be negotiated by transfer of possession alone * * *.” R.C.
    1303.25(B). Thus, “[t]he holder of a note [i]ndorsed in blank is the possessor of the note.”
    McCormick, 
    2014-Ohio-1393
     at ¶ 8.
    {¶17} “Under Ohio law, the right to enforce a note cannot be assigned; rather, the note
    must be negotiated in conformity with Ohio’s version of the Uniform Commercial Code.” Wells
    Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byers, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-767, 
    2014-Ohio-3303
    , ¶ 16. However,
    it is possible for an assignment of the note to be made by negotiation under R.C. 1303.21(A) or
    transfer pursuant to R.C. 1303.22(A). “Negotiation” is the transfer of possession of the note “to a
    person who by the transfer becomes the holder of the instrument.” R.C. 1303.21(A). The “transfer”
    of an instrument occurs when the note is physically delivered “for the purpose of giving the person
    receiving delivery the right to enforce the instrument.” R.C. 1303.22(A).
    {¶18} When a note is indorsed in blank, defenses relating to the chain of title are null and
    inapplicable, because it is immaterial how the person became the holder of the note. Bank of N.Y.
    Mellon v. Froimson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99443, 
    2013-Ohio-5574
    , ¶ 15. The holder of the
    blankly indorsed note is automatically vested with the rights to enforce the mortgage, as “a transfer
    of the note by the owner, so as to vest legal title in the indorsee, will carry with it equitable
    ownership of the mortgage.” Kernohan v. Manss, 
    53 Ohio St. 118
    , 133 (1895). “[P]hysical
    transfer of a note indorsed in blank, which the mortgage secures, constitutes an equitable
    7
    assignment of the mortgage, regardless of whether the mortgage is actually assigned or delivered.”
    Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Najar, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 98502, 
    2013-Ohio-1657
    , ¶ 65.
    {¶19} The trial court concluded that HSBC met its burden and that there were no genuine
    issues of material fact regarding its status as the holder of the Note with the right of enforcement.
    The trial court specifically found that, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
    Brinsons, when IndyMac indorsed the Note in blank, the Note became bearer paper, enforceable
    by anyone in possession and negotiable by transfer of possession alone until specially indorsed;
    that the Note was in possession of HSBC’s counsel at the time the complaint was filed; that by
    possessing the note in blank, HSBC was vested with equitable ownership of the mortgage, in
    addition to or without regard to the recorded assignment of mortgage, and; therefore, HSBC had
    standing to foreclose on the mortgage and seek judgment on the Note.
    {¶20} To the contrary, the trial concluded that the Brinsons did not demonstrate that a
    genuine issue of material fact exists for trial on HSBC’s motion for summary judgment, and did
    not meet their Dresher burden of demonstrating the absence of genuine issues of material fact in
    their cross-motion.
    {¶21} Turning to the Brinson’s first assignment of error, they state that their “true
    problem” with the trial court’s decision is its conclusion that the blank indorsement to IndyMac
    gave HSBC the right to enforce the note when IndyMac was a mere mortgage servicer, not an
    owner of the note, and therefore, not a holder with the right to validly negotiate it.
    {¶22} The Brinsons’ argument is founded on their claim that by definition, a mortgage
    servicer cannot be a holder of a note with a right of enforcement, and therefore, cannot also bestow
    holder status on a subsequent transferee. However, the authorities they cite in support of their
    argument do not address that issue whatsoever, and therefore, have no bearing on this case. See
    8
    Anderson v. Barclay’s Capital Real Estate, Inc. 
    136 Ohio St.3d, 2013
    -Ohio-1933, ¶ 27 (the
    servicing of a borrower’s residential mortgage is not a consumer transaction, and a servicer is not
    a ”supplier” under the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, R.C. 1345.01(C)); Fannie Mae v.
    Herren, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105088, 
    2017-Ohio-8401
     (negotiation of note defective as the
    corporate party indorsing note not in existence before the note negotiated; established requirements
    for reforming defective negotiation); U.S. Bank v. George, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 14AP-817,
    
    2016-Ohio-7788
     (every step in the chain of transfers must be supported by evidentiary materials).
    {¶23} Based on the foregoing, the Brinsons’ first assignment of error is overruled.
    {¶24} Under their second assignment of error, the Brinsons’ claim that nothing has
    changed since Brinson I other than that HSBC’s new affidavit offers additional explanations of the
    same documents, and that the discrepancies still exist. We disagree.
    {¶25} In Brinson I, this Court found that the documents referenced in the affidavit
    submitted by HSBC contained conflicting chains of title as to how and when HSBC Bank came
    into possession of the Note and did not address the contradictory evidence. This Court stated in
    pertinent part:
    While the affidavit stated that HSBC Bank was in possession of and was the holder
    of the note at the time the complaint was filed, the affidavit did not specify when
    or how HSBC Bank obtained possession of the note, i.e., based on the blank
    indorsement or the two assignments.
    Brinson I at ¶ 17.
    The affidavit did not address why there was an indorsement from Quicken Loans,
    Inc. to IndyMac Bank, F.S.B., but no assignment of mortgage between those two
    entities and instead an Assignment of Note and Mortgage from Quicken Loans, Inc.
    to HSBC-[DALT]. Accordingly, the assignment of mortgage in the record does not
    track with the purported indorsements on the note. Because of the discrepancy
    between the assignments and the indorsements, HSBC Bank has failed to meet its
    initial Dresher burden * * *.
    (Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 20, 21.
    9
    {¶26} By contrast, in the within case, the trial court rejected the Brinsons’ claim that
    nothing had changed since Brinson I, finding as follows:
    The Brinsons’ opposition focused on the fact that the indorsements and assignments
    of mortgage are the same from the original case filed in 2015, therefore, the same
    result should follow. The Brinsons discount the additional evidence HSBC
    submitted in this case.
    The Brinsons assert when Quicken indorsed the note to Indymac, the mortgage was
    not assigned to Indymac, therefore, breaking the chain of assignments and transfers.
    However, HSBC claimed [in its affidavit] that MERS held the mortgage from
    inception to the date of the MERS assignment in its role as nominee for the original
    lender, Quicken Loans, and each of its successors and assigns, therefore a separate
    assignment of the mortgage at this time was unnecessary.
    ***
    The Brinsons raised many questions about the history of the transfer, negotiation,
    and assignment of the Note and/or mortgage. However, the note was indorsed in
    blank by Indymac, and HSBC, through its counsel, was in possession of the note
    and had equitable ownership of the mortgage at the time the complaint in this case
    was filed, and it is immaterial how HSBC became the holder of the note.
    (Emphasis added.) Id.
    {¶27} As the trial court pointed out, HSBC’s new affidavit addressed the problem
    identified in Brinson I regarding the chain of possession of the Note and reflects how HSBC Bank
    obtained possession based on the blank indorsement. This Court has reviewed the new affidavit
    and its averments support the trial court’s findings. The affidavit was sworn by an affiant with
    personal knowledge of the servicing records for HSBC. It traces the possession of the Note from
    Deutsche, as records custodian for HSBC in 2007, then to Ocwen on July 30, 2014. It further
    states that the indorsements from Quicken to IndyMac already existed when the Note was received
    by Ocwen; that Ocwen sent the Note to counsel for HSBC, Blank Rome, on June 14, 2019; that
    notwithstanding the language in the MERS Assignment, MERS was never in possession of the
    Note; and that possession of the original Note has been consistently with HSBC since 2007.
    10
    {¶28} The trial court also addressed the issue raised in Brinson I regarding the chain of
    assignment of the Mortgage and the fact that there was no assignment between Quicken and
    IndyMac. As the trial court explained, because MERS remained as the mortgagee while Quicken
    and Indy Mac each held the Note, there was no need for any assignment to or from either of them.
    Likewise, the affidavit reflects that MERS was the record holder of the Mortgage from its inception
    to the date of the MERS Assignment, acting throughout as a nominee for the original lender and
    each of its successors and assigns. While Quicken was the original lender, it named MERS as its
    nominee in the terms of the original mortgage so that MERS could execute any necessary
    assignments after Quicken no longer had an interest in the loan. There was therefore no need for
    IndyMac to assign the Mortgage as IndyMac was never the record assignee of the Mortgage.
    {¶29} Furthermore, notwithstanding any defects in the chain of assignments of the
    Mortgage, Ohio law does not support the Brinsons’ argument. As the trial court emphasized, the
    relevant case law on this subject provides that once HSBC was established as the holder of the
    blankly-indorsed Note, it was automatically vested with the right to enforce the Mortgage because
    the transfer of the Note to the current owner carried with it the equitable ownership of the
    mortgage, and thus, it is immaterial how HSBC became the holder. Kernohan v. Manss, 53 Ohio
    St. at 133; Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust v. Najar, 
    2013-Ohio-1657
     at ¶ 65.
    {¶30} Wherefore, the Brinsons’ second assignment of error is overruled.
    ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO GRANT DEFENDANTS’
    CROSS MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON [THE] BASIS OF
    ISSUE PRECLUSION.
    11
    {¶31} In their third assignment of error, the Brinsons argue that even though the prior
    dismissal in Brinson I was without prejudice, this case is barred by the doctrine of issue preclusion
    because the issue of HSBC’s lack of standing was already litigated in Brinson I.
    Issue preclusion prevents the relitigation of an issue where (1) the party against
    whom issue preclusion is asserted was a party or is in privity with a party to a prior
    action; (2) the prior action ended in a final judgment on the merits following a full
    and fair opportunity to litigate the issue; (3) the issue was actually litigated and
    determined and necessary to the judgment in the prior action; and (4) the issue
    sought to be precluded is identical to the issue decided in the prior action.
    (Citations omitted.) U.S. Bank Trust, N.A. v. Watson, 3d Dist. Paulding No. 11-19-09, 2020-Ohio-
    3412, ¶ 24.
    {¶32} The Brinsons argue under the third prong of Watson that HSBC’s lack of standing
    was previously judicially determined on the same facts by the same parties as in Brinson I, and
    because HSBC was determined to not be a real party in interest in that case, the issue cannot be
    relitigated in this action, even if the prior dismissal was without prejudice. The Brinsons maintain
    that a dismissal for lack of standing contemplates a subsequent suit by a substituted real party in
    interest, in essence two different plaintiffs. We disagree.
    {¶33} The Supreme Court of Ohio held in Federal Home Loan Mortg. Corp. v.
    Schwartzwald, 
    2012-Ohio-5017
     that “[t]he lack of standing at the commencement of a foreclosure
    action requires dismissal of the complaint; however, that dismissal is not an adjudication on the
    merits and is therefore without prejudice. Id. at ¶ 40, citing State ex rel. Coles v. Granville, 
    116 Ohio St.3d 231
    , 
    2007-Ohio-6057
    , ¶ 51; See also Bayview Loan Servicing, L.L.C. v. Likely, 9th
    Dist. Summit No. 28466, 
    2017-Ohio-7693
    , ¶ 32-33. “Because there has been no adjudication on
    the underlying indebtedness, [the] dismissal has no effect on the underlying duties, rights, or
    obligations of the parties.” Schwartzwald at ¶ 40.
    12
    {¶34} The Brinsons cite U.S. Bank Trust, N.A. v. Watson, 3d Dist. Paulding No. 11-10-
    09, 
    2020-Ohio-3412
    , in support of their argument. However, in that case, the 3rd District Court
    of Appeals upheld the trial court’s dismissal of the first foreclosure action for lack of standing
    (inability to prove possession of the note) as “not an adjudication on the merits,” stating that the
    dismissal did not bar U.S. Bank from bringing the second foreclosure. Id. at ¶ 37. In so holding,
    the Watson Court relied upon the aforementioned Schwartzwald and Granville cases that instead
    support HSBC’s position. Thus, the Brinsons’ argument regarding the applicability of Watson is
    not persuasive.
    {¶35} Here, as in Schwartzwald, there was no adjudication on the underlying note and
    mortgage in Brinson I, thus the dismissal had “no effect on the underlying duties, rights, or
    obligations of the parties” Schwartzwald at ¶ 40. Therefore, the Brinsons’ claim that the prior
    dismissal without prejudice was an adjudication on the merits is in error.
    {¶36} Accordingly, the Brinsons’ third assignment of error is overruled.
    ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV
    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ENTERING A DECREE IN
    FORECLOSURE THAT CONTAINED INCORRECT LIEN AMOUNTS.
    {¶37} Under this assignment of error, the Brinsons argue that the amended foreclosure
    decree was incorrect because it contained prejudicial lien amounts of $256.48 for the City of
    Akron, and $32,917.03 for unpaid income taxes to the United States. In support, the Brinsons state
    that in its amended answer, the City of Akron acknowledged that its lien was repaid and that it no
    longer had any interest, and the United States’ amended answer reflected a lien amount of
    $42,917.03. The Brinsons argue the matter is not final and must be remanded to accurately
    determine the amount of the liens. We disagree.
    13
    {¶38} The Ohio Supreme Court has held that a foreclosure decree is a final appealable
    order when each party’s rights and responsibilities are fully set forth and all that remains is for the
    trial court to perform the ministerial task of calculating the final amounts that would arise during
    confirmation proceedings. CitiMortgage v. Roznowski, 
    139 Ohio St.3d 299
    , 
    2014-Ohio-1894
    , at
    ¶ 19. “Liability is fully and finally established when the court issues the foreclosure decree and
    all that remains is mathematics, with the court plugging in final amounts due after the property has
    been sold at a sheriff’s sale” Id. at ¶ 25.
    {¶39} If a dispute as to the final amounts due does arise, the parties may challenge those
    amounts by objecting to the confirmation entry or appealing the confirmation of sale. Farmers
    State Bank v. Sponaugle, 
    134 Ohio St. 3d 151
    , 
    2019-Ohio-2518
    , ¶ 19, citing Roznowski at ¶ 40
    (“an appeal of the confirmation of sale is limited to challenging the * * * issues related to
    confirmation proceedings – for example, computation of the final total amount owed by the
    mortgagor, accrued interest, and amounts advanced by the mortgagee for inspections, appraisals,
    property protection, and maintenance”). On a practical level, no foreclosure decree would ever be
    final if the court was required to compute taxes and future costs as a prerequisite for finality.
    Roznowski at ¶ 16.
    {¶40} Here, as in Roznowski and Sponaugle, the sole remaining issue is the final amount
    payable, which can be calculated and challenged during the confirmation of sale. The Brinsons
    are pursuing what the Roznowski ruling seeks to avoid, which is the endless appeal of a foreclosure
    decree where the amount owing for taxes or other items can constantly change via payment or the
    accrual of continued interest and fees.
    14
    {¶41} Therefore, based on the foregoing, whether the updated amounts should have been
    part of the amended judgment entry is a non-issue. Accordingly, the Brinson’s fourth assignment
    of error is overruled.
    III
    {¶42} The judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
    Judgment affirmed.
    There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
    We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
    Pleas, County of Summit, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy
    of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
    Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
    judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period
    for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to
    mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the
    docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
    Costs taxed to Appellants.
    SCOT STEVENSON
    FOR THE COURT
    15
    HENSAL, P. J.
    FLAGG LANZINGER, J.
    CONCUR.
    APPEARANCES:
    COLIN G. SKINNER, Attorney at Law, for Appellants.
    ROBERT L. DAWSON and JOHN R. WIRTHLIN, Attorneys at Law, for Appellee.