| Over 5 million homeowners across the country are | | | | borrowers gross monthly income. This means that |
| struggling, confused and frustrated as they seek loan | | | | the total housing expenses: principal, interest, taxes |
| modification help. If you are one of these borrowers, | | | | and insurance do not exceed the allowable |
| you may get the help you need with a modification | | | | percentage of the total gross (before deductions) |
| from your current home loan lender. A loan | | | | monthly income. |
| modification is a change in the terms to your home | | | | Borrowers will also have to show that they have |
| loan to make it more affordable. The Federal | | | | suffered a financial hardship and are therefore unable |
| government is offering a subsidized plan that includes | | | | to afford the current monthly house payment. There |
| interest rate reductions, longer loan terms and even | | | | are as many hardship situations as there are |
| principal forgiveness as a way to help borrowers stay | | | | borrowers, however, certain occurrences are widely |
| in their homes. You may qualify for one of these | | | | acknowledged as acceptable hardships. Some of |
| programs, so now is the time to get help to submit | | | | these include: death of a family member or co |
| your application and begin the loan modification | | | | borrower, divorce or separation, loss of income, |
| process. $75 Billion dollars has been allocated to help | | | | health/medical bills, military service, job relocation, |
| distressed borrowers stay in their homes. | | | | disability. A well written hardship letter is important |
| Most lenders are offering the more aggressive loan | | | | and will help get you the help you need. |
| modification program backed by the Treasury | | | | Lenders have been flooded with calls from |
| Department that is designed to reach out to their | | | | homeowners seeking loan modification help. A loan |
| borrowers who are facing financial difficulty. This new | | | | modification application that is completed properly and |
| effort is designed to make the process more | | | | includes all of the required forms will get through the |
| streamlined and reach more homeowners needing | | | | system much faster and have a better chance of |
| loan modification help. The Federal plan, called Home | | | | approval. Take the time to learn about the process, |
| Affordable Modification, has already granted loan | | | | find out what your lender requires so you can |
| modifications to approximately 250,000 borrowers | | | | complete the financial forms properly. Even the most |
| and is continuing to make offers to thousands of | | | | deserving homeowner may be denied the loan |
| additional homeowners. | | | | modification help they need if the application is not |
| Not all homeowners will qualify for a loan modification. | | | | completed properly. This is not rocket science, but |
| Each lender has guidelines put in place to determine | | | | you do need to know the basics so you will have a |
| which loans have the best chance of sustained | | | | chance at receiving approval. |
| performance and will not re-default after a | | | | There is a great deal of loan modification information |
| modification is granted. Homeowners must submit an | | | | available on the internet, including a best selling |
| application that includes a breakdown of their current | | | | handbook for homeowners. Take the time to do |
| financial situation, showing their income and expenses. | | | | your homework, and learn as much as you can about |
| After reviewing this information, the lender will | | | | how the process works so you will know what to |
| determine if the homeowner meets the required | | | | expect. Then you can work directly with your bank |
| debt to income ratio for qualification. Most lenders | | | | to find a loan workout solution and have a good |
| have set the acceptable debt to income ratio at | | | | chance of success. An informed homeowner is a |
| between 38 to 45%-the federal plan calls for a new | | | | powerful homeowner. |
| target payment that equals just 31% of the | | | | |