Thursday, January 7, 2010

Mortgage Loan Mod: Avoid Home Loss By Reducing The Monthly Mortgage Check

By Randi Robbins

Mortgage Loan Mod: Techniques For Negotiating A Revised Loan

A growing number of foreclosures is having a disastrous effect on attempts to negotiate an economic recovery. Homeowners who have already lost homes number in the hundreds of thousands, with many others in fear of home loss. For those who are in the foreclosure process, there are some things that you can do to help yourself. Here is some information about getting a mortgage loan mod.

What is a mortgage loan modification?

Don't confuse a mortgage modification with a refinance on your home. The original mortgage loan consists of three components that combine to set the amount of monthly loan payment. The mortgage payment is defined by the principal, length of the loan repayment period and by the rate of interest to be charged. Modification does not require you to go through credit score checks, and other qualifying documentation procedures that would be required by a refinance.

Many homeowners in danger of foreclosure are in the position because of mortgage loans that were too large or had adjustable interest rates that have dramatically increased the amount of payment. A modification adjusts one or more of the pertinent factors so that the monthly payments drop. A drop in the interest rate can lower your monthly payment by two or even three figures, depending on the original amount.

What are the Requirements to Qualify for a Loan Mod?

A real hardship situation is the first requirement to apply for a loan mod. This may be due to loss of wage earner income, illness, or death in the household. The loss of income for whatever reason may have made it impossible to meet mortgage payments at their current level.

The mortgage payment amount each month must be at least thirty percent of the total income, but not more than fifty percent in most instances. In some instances, higher percentages are accepted. The original mortgage must be at least nine months old and you must prove that you can manage the lower payments for the foreseeable future.

What can the Lender Do?

Banks that are part of the Federal Reserve Bank system have been instructed to do everything possible to turn back the rising tide of foreclosures in the United States. The sag in housing prices has affected every other sector of the economy. Although some foreclosed homes are being picked up at bargain basement prices by investors and speculators, the preferred avenue for economic recovery is to modify the terms of the mortgage so that the homeowner can continue to stay in the home.

Don't Hide Your Head in the Sand

Embarrassment and inaction are not the way to get a loan modification in process. Economic factors that are nationwide can be blamed for foreclosure woes. Individually you are not to blame, except if you do nothing to solve the problem.

Completing the process for a mortgage loan mod is not complicated, but it must be done correctly, and inaction could cost you your home. You can prepare for a call to your lender by gathering needed documents such as the original mortgage, income statements and projects and a plan for what you can do financially to solve the problem. Make sure you are realistic about projected earnings, or you could find yourself in the same position in a few months. - 30462

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment