Loan Modification Success

Many homeowners have been hit hard by the recent changes in the housing market. We all know someone who has been threatened with foreclosure or is fearful that they will lose their home due to interest rates resetting, job loss, illness or other factors.

Some homeowners took equity out of their homes in good times and with decreased values they now find that their homes are worth less than what they actually owe. All this fear has lead many to foreclosure, including intentional foreclosure or “walk aways.”

Whether it’s a friend, neighbor, family member or yourself facing this issue the fact is that it effects all of us by bringing down property values. The reality is that there are other options to foreclosure and walking away, including loan modification.

This option is getting a great deal of attention in the media right now due to the lenders’ panic to come up with solutions to foreclosure. The good news is that modifications are easier to get now than before, but you have to understand how to to approach this subject so that you can successfully work with the bank and possibly save your home.

The following information is from my book, Mortgage Walkaway Options. Let’s start with the basics. A loan modification occurs when there is a change in one or more of the terms of a loan, which reduces the loan amount and generally makes payments more affordable.

In simple terms, it means refinancing a loan to a lower amount. The lender and borrower must agree in writing to change the terms of the loan. Up until now many lenders didn’t want to speak with borrowers who had not yet defaulted on their loans.

This is because they had a plethora of active files sitting on the desks of their loss mitigation department already, and they were having trouble dealing with the ones who were in default and did not have the manpower to add more files that were not yet considered risky. Luckily that seems to be changing. There are a few recent regulations and announcements that will help you achieve a successful loan modification.

Firstly, if your first loan is with Bank of America or JP Morgan Chase you are in luck. B of A, now one of the largest lenders in the business, announced in October that it was going to begin review of all of its loans that were variable interest rate loans and option ARMs. Upon review, the lender plans to notify homeowners if they qualify for loan modification, and then to work with the homeowners toward resolution. Chase also announce it is putting a hold on foreclosures with the intent to work out modifications with qualified borrowers.

This news is HUGE for several reasons: one, it takes the burden off the homeowner to try for resolution with a lender who often does not have time nor manpower to help.

Two, the bank is actually being proactive in preventing more foreclosures, which will help many stay in their homes and eventually help the real estate market and likely induce other lenders to follow suit.

If your loan is with another lender who has not yet instituted such a policy, you can seek help under the newly enacted government plan, Hope for Homeowners. This legislation took effect October 1, 2008 and allows you to refinance your loan into a new 30-year fixed rate loan if you qualify.

Your loan will be based upon an appraisal of the CURRENT market value of your home, so if prices have gone down since you purchased your new loan payments will be based upon current values, making them much more affordable.

This program requires you to contact the lender to initiate the process. There are important considerations you need to be aware of in regards to this program. For example, if you sell your home after the modification takes place the new lender will be entitled to a percentage of the gain on the property (appreciation and equity sharing). The amount changes over time.

Also, you will not be able to take out equity on your property after the change unless these second liens are directly related to property maintenance.

To understand fully the ramifications and qualifications under this legislation you can go to the website, www.MortgageWalkawayOptions.com and download my book, or you can feel free to call me and I will be happy to help you. My direct number is (760) 310-9466.

Most importantly, know your options in the face of foreclosure and educate yourself BEFORE taking any action. Right now is a great time to modify a loan, as there is a general consensus among lenders that this option benefits them the most (as does it benefit you, the homeowner).

Take advantage of the programs available to you so that you don’t have to lose your home or worry about an upcoming rate change. Just as important, you need to be in constant contact with your lender‚keep a record of all correspondence and communications with your lender and be vigilant‚keep calling.

If you are not having luck there are numerous counseling groups that can assist you. My favorite is HopeNow. They can be reached at (866)995-HOPE (4673). Best of luck to you!