Foreclosure Alternatives Program (FAP)

Obama Administration Announces Financial Incentives and Uniform Process for Short Sales

On May 14, 2009, the Obama Administration announced its Foreclosure Alternatives Program (FAP) providing incentives and uniform procedures for short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure under the Making Home Affordable Program. NAR had urged the Treasury Department, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to take action to improve the short sales process, urging transparent and uniform procedures.

Eligible borrowers are those who meet minimum requirements under the Home Affordable Modification Program but do not qualify for a modification or do not maintain payments under a modified loan. Under FAP, servicers, borrowers (homeowners losing their homes), and second lien holders may qualify for incentive payments. Other program features include standardized documentation, valuation based on either appraisals or broker price opinions (BPOs), timelines, and limits on commission reductions. The program terminates at the end of 2012.

The Administration also released a Making Home Affordable Progress Report. More than 75 percent of all loans in the nation are covered by the 14 servicers that to date have agreed to participate.

NAR Press Release
NAR Summary of the Foreclosure Alternatives Program
Treasury-HUD Press Release
FAP Fact Sheet
Making Home Affordable Progress Report (May 14, 2009)