
The loan modification process can be frustrating and confusing for many distressed homeowners. If you are considering contacting your lender about a loan workout to avoid foreclosure, you need to get as much information upfront as possible so you will be prepared and able to present your case in the best possible light. Programs and guidelines are changing and it is getting much easier for homeowners to get the help they need. To help you understand how the process works and what you can expect, here are the Top 10 Questions and Answers:
1. What exactly is a loan modification? A loan modification is a permanent change in one or more terms of a borrower’s home loan, allows the loan to be reinstated, and results in a payment the homeowner can afford
2. Can the lender include late charges in the Loan Modification? The federal plan mandates that the bank waive any administrative charges, late fees and penalties when offering a loan workout.
3. How will the new government programs help me get a loan modification? The Federal government has allocated $75 billion dollars to subsidize lenders and servicers who offer a loan workout to their clients. Now, the banks will have a monetary incentive to offer help to qualified borrowers. In addition, homeowners who pay their new modified payments on time will be eligible up to $5000 credit to their loan balance.
4. How do I know if I will qualify for a loan modification? The number 1 criteria your lender is looking at is your ability to make the new modified payment now and in the future. You need to supply the lender with proof of your income, along with a complete and accurate financial statement detailing your income and expenses to show them that if granted the modification, you will be able to afford the new, lower payment. You must also be able to demonstrate that you are facing a financial hardship-lower income or higher expenses for example.
5. Do I have to be currently delinquent on my payments to get a loan modification? President Obama has included a special incentive under the Home Affordable Modification Plan that will pay lenders an extra bonus for reaching out to homeowners not yet delinquent but at risk in the future. The goal is to help borrowers before they fall into default.
6. What is an acceptable Hardship situation? Each homeowner has a unique set of circumstances that caused them to fall behind on their home loan, but generally the lenders consider divorce/separation, loss of income, death of spouse, co borrower or family member, illness, job relocation, military service to be acceptable reasons to consider a loan modification. A compelling hardship letter included in your application is a very important part of a successful application.
7. Will a loan modification help me stop foreclosure? Yes, that is the goal-by working with your lender to find a loan workout solution, your loan is brought current and the foreclosure process is halted.
8. Can my missed payments be added back into my new loan modification? Yes, the arrears can be added to the new loan balance and spread out over the term to allow the loan to be brought current.
9. Can I do a loan modification myself or should I pay someone to represent me? That is entirely up to you and your comfort level with dealing with your lender. The Treasury Department is strongly discouraging the payment of any fee to a third party to represent you in a loan workout. Regardless of what you decide, the first thing you should do is learn all you can about the process, your legal rights, and what it takes to get your application approved. An informed homeowner is harder to take advantage of and will have a much greater chance of success.
10. So how do I get started to modify my loan? Before contacting your bank’s loss mitigation department or a loan mod company, do your homework-learn as much as you can about the loan modification process so you can make informed decisions.
President Obama’s Home Affordable Modification Plan offers real hope for millions of homeowners who need a solution to stay in their home. Not everyone will qualify however, and interested borrowers will have to complete loan modification application forms, provide proof of their income and meet certain eligibility requirements. Most lenders are participating in this new government subsidized plan, and homeowners are encouraged to learn how they can qualify and apply for a loan workout and avoid foreclosure.
You can get the help you need to apply and qualify for a loan modification by ordering and downloading the best selling handbook for homeowners, The Complete Loan Modification Guide. This is a low cost, easy to read home edition loan mod kit that will provide you with everything you need to prepare a professional and acceptable loan modification application. You are provided with all of the necessary forms and given detailed directions on how to complete them properly. The Complete Loan Modification Guide will take you step by step through calculating your debt ratio, completing the financial statements, writing your hardship letter and then putting it all together to submit to your lender. Learn how to apply and qualify for the Obama federal program too. Get started today on the path to secure home ownership
For more information about mortgage loan modification, please visit us at: http://www.Goverment-modification.org
#1 by david2007 on October 18, 2009 - 5:08 pm
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thanks for the help and updates on the site !!!
#2 by David Ward on October 21, 2009 - 7:52 am
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I have a loan with Liton Servicing which did not participate in the federal loan mod program. They chose to make there own guidelines. I was approved for their loan mod and had to pay a lower payment for a trial period of thre months. Then they woud send doc for the loan mod. I have made the thre payments on time. I am currently unemployed and on unemployment since 1/09. I have used more than 26 weeks now. Liton wants docs showing I will receive an aditional 9 months of unemployment before they will send the final docs.
#3 by kenneth hakanson on October 22, 2009 - 11:25 am
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have filed bankruptcy, need to know if we can save home
#4 by kenneth hakanson on October 22, 2009 - 11:26 am
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need help to save home
#5 by Alan Carter on October 27, 2009 - 11:25 am
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This is a joke. I tried to call my mortgage co before I missed my first payment for help. I lost my full time job. 7 to 8 more phone calls, requesting a little bit of info then more info then the same info and on and on. If the mortgage co. wants to work with their customers who want to keep their house they put up too many roadblocks. When a customer needs help ask for all the information needed on the first phone call.
#6 by Andrew Feldman on November 19, 2009 - 3:49 pm
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Type your comment here
#7 by carolfitz1 on December 2, 2009 - 8:23 pm
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I tried to call Option One,Lasalle bank, AHMSI all the same companies. In India don’t understand ENGLISH. Refuse to help. Want to foreclose, after they sold my home, no notification. Two years to get back in court. Now, Judge Trust in CI bankrupcy court is allowing them to foreclose again. Because they wouldn’t allow me to live in the house for two years. I filed a lawsuit, but the judge dismissed. My bankruptcy didn’t show in court, or return calls. I can prove with his emails. If you can help please email me, with phone number. Thanks.We the public need help, illegal adjustable loans at closing table. Or lose $40,000 dollars. carolfitz1@aol.com
#8 by zolu on January 11, 2010 - 3:36 pm
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I still own my home try to decresed my interest rate . i don’t gat any help .it is very bad seystm have a bank from now on i am not pay a pain . I just to have loan modification to pay my laon .
#9 by Joanie Dean on January 17, 2010 - 11:48 am
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I would like to modify my home mortgage payments, but dont know how to trust anyone. I filled out an application on this site, but that means they will call me and not sure how to check these companies out to make sure they are ligitimate. Please advise me of how I can rest assured, and find out exactly how this whole process works
#10 by Madelin Ragland on January 22, 2010 - 10:18 pm
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I want to do a loan modification but dont wont to be put in a satuation that I will get in worse problems with my loan need help.