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C Thompson, Loss Mitigation Account Exec

Hire Attorney or Loan Modification Company?

These questions are coming up more often than I expected. Homeowners are becoming more and more aware and are doing research to make sure their hard earned money will be an investment rather than a loss due to hiring an unscrupulous company.

What is the difference between hiring a licensed Attorney and an" Attorney-based" company?

Which is more affordable and/or beneficial?

Can't I just work with my lender?

I am here to state facts. Distressed homeowners usually end up contacting me for advice because they Know I will deliver honest answers. Sometimes you will not like what I have to tell you but will appreciate my being straight forward.

If you would like some assistance in locating an affordable, established, and reputable Attorney, (with credentials and a money back guarantee) feel free to contact me.

 Okay so let's address the first question: What is the difference between hiring a licensed Attorney and an "Attorney based company" to handle my loan modification  needs?

1a. Attorneys have experience in analysis and arbitration necessary to reach a fair agreement. You will obtain legal representation and consultation with a licensed Attorney that will be fully disclosed in your Retainer Agreement.

1b. Loan modification Companies usually consist of former loan officers, brokers or processors. An Attorney may be A phone call away if advice is needed, but in most cases your contract will not consist of Attorneys and will  deflect any legal advice. This term, "Attorney based" is being widely abused.

2a. Lawyers must be licensed through the state in which they practice and each state keeps a file of the lawyer’s credentials.

2b. Loan modification companies usually only consist of an LLC license, maybe even incorporated.  This does not at all imply they are familiar and abide by laws and regulations. It simply means they have acquired a business license.

3a. Attorneys are retained to fight and negotiate on your behalf as well as advising you of your options that are in your best interest and are closely monitored by the Bar Association.

3b. Loan modification companies often attempt to scam borrowers by accepting money or fees for loan modification services and then rejecting any type of loan modification that is plausible for the borrower,  or imply minimal work on a file and  do not implement negotiating tactics  which will end up in less favorable results for the homeowner.

4a. Attorneys have a lot more at risk. Example: Schooling, licensing, establishing a Firm. The need for third party interference for loan modifications are temporary. They know this so why risk an entire establishment over an economy phase?

4b. Loan Modification companies were established recently due to the foreclosure crisis and has been abused. Many are in it for  the short haul and to make fast easy money. Doesn't take much to establish an LLC or to destroy it and start over with  the new phase.

5a. Attorneys show a much stronger and threatening presence in front of the lender than a loan modification company. Lawyers know what is required of the lender by law. Lenders will deal more honestly with a lawyer and be much more cooperative.

5b. Not all loan modification companies are bad but none of them  can offer the same degree of professionalism and the full spectrum of representation that a licensed Attorney can.

Very Important: "Attorney based" loan modification companies are not law firms. When you discuss the details of your mortgage with these companies, there is no attorney/client privilege. Any conversation you have with a non-law firm loan modification company is discoverable by a state agency and not protected by attorney client privilege and therefore not confidential.

Second Question: Which is more affordable and/or beneficial?

I think I answered which is more beneficial. But cost is most definitely a top factor in the equation.

In most cases you will find Attorneys to be a little more costly than loan modification companies.  But this can easily be argued if you calculate this over long term savings.

 Here is an example:

 You hire Attorney (A)to negotiate a loan modification that costs you $3000.(I know an Attorney that is more affordable but this is a typical fee)

You save $500 per month which adds up to $30,000 over a period of 5 years.  And the savings over 6 months would pay for that Retainer fee. (hypothetically speaking)

VS.

You hire a loan modification company who may charge $1500.(could cost up to $3,000 but $1,500 is typical)

 Being said that nearly 80% of loan modification companies  are fraudulent, the chances are very high for an unfavorable outcome which usually results in the homeowner out of $1500  and possibly losing their home.

But let's say you hire one of the "good "loan mod companies.  First of all, consider yourself lucky. Second, the chances of your results even coming close  to what an Attorney can do is almost nil to none.

Instead of saving you $500 they save you $300 per month. That is a savings of $18,000  over 5 years or a loss of over $10,000 depending on how you look at it.

 So my opinion is to invest in an Attorney to ensure most favorable results for You! $1,000 -$1,500 is not worth the risk to me.

Third (very commonly asked) question: Can't I just work with my lender?

Of course you can try to and I always suggest that you do before exploring  your options to hire outside help.

But in most cases you will find that you are being "put off", denied for ridiculous reasons,  ignored, or offered an undesirable plan. There is still that slight chance your lender will happily work out a plan that will be  beneficial to you. Therefore, I think it would be in your best interest to explore this option first.

It is imperative that you do not verbally agree or sign an agreement unless you are satisfied with the offer.  A lot of times, one of the stipulations will be that you will not be eligible for a modification for 12 months once you accept that offer.  And remember. your phone calls are monitored and recorded so be careful of what you say.

If you would like some assistance in locating an affordable, established, and reputable Attorney, (with credentials and a money back guarantee) feel free to contact me.

 

Important Links:

Pre-Approval Loan Modification Application

 

How to Avoid Loan Modification / Loss Mitigation Scams

Loan Mitigation Services FAQ's

Investors Facing Foreclosure

Why won't my lender won't work with me?

How to Prevent Foreclosure on Your Investment Property

www.KeepYourProperty.info

C Thompson

Case Manager

Call me: 407-219-8739

Email me: cthompson@keepyourproperty.info

 

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Why Do I Have to Miss Mortgage Payments to Get Some HELP!?

This issue has to be addressed NOW!

I hope this message clears it up for many of you out there scratching your heads.

You know, it really amazes me how many times I get a call from someone who is struggling to pay their mortgage, and tells me they have talked to their lender or some other loan modification company, and were told they need to miss a few payments in order to get some help.

Well, we all know why the lender's may be communicating this to the distressed homeowner. Because they have too much on their plate. There's just not enough manpower to handle the amount of requests for loan modifications. So they will tell the homeowner they need to be late for them to take it seriously. Sounds like a good enough excuse right? WRONG!

As for a lot of these "loan mod companies", what could their reason be to advise you to miss a few mortgage payments? Well, unfortunately, it's usually the same as to what the lenders are saying. But the reasoning is a little different. Did you know the majority of loan mod companies do not utilize Attorneys to negotiate for their clients? Let me tell you what this means. There is no negotiating. A package is submitted to the lender, which you can do yourself, by the way. The lender comes back with either a denial, a re-payment plan, or a "loan mod". These new terms are mailed directly to you from the lender. Do you see any negotiating in that? Nope. Basically, the so-called loan modification company is at the lender's mercy, just like you would be if you dealt directly with them. What if the new terms don't suit you? Well too bad, they did their job. That's what you most likely will be told.

Now, with that being said, of course if you miss a few payments the lenders will see you as a direct threat as far as foreclosure is concerned. So these other mod companies have a better chance at getting a more suitable modification. It's not promised, though, because remember, these new terms will not be negotiated.

On the other hand, if you have attorneys working on your behalf, what does their job consist of? Representing you, fighting for you, Negotiating. Attorneys use leverage meaning, they can present your case to your lender in a way that shows you have exhausted your savings, 401k, or credit cards just trying to pay your mortgage payment on time. They can also present them with proof of your hardship, finances, and budget which will build a profile for you and your unique situation. A forensic loan audit should be part of their services as well, which in most cases will add more ammo to your case. All of this, shows an immediate threat to your lender. Which means you will get better results with out having to damage your credit by intentionally falling behind on your payments. You can get help before you are late!

I know what your next question is. Is it more expensive to hire an attorney based company than it is with a company who is not? The answer is.... no. Not with us it's not. In most cases we are more affordable. I can't speak for anyone else. But anyway, that's another topic.

Here is another one of my blogs in retrospect to this one. Why Did My Lender Turn Down My Modification Application?

This is why so many of you are turning to outside help. It's too emotionally draining to handle on your own, and besides, most people don't know how to even begin to negotiate with their lender. It's best and more rewarding to put this chaos in an expert's hands. I advise you to utilize an attorney or attorney based company. Attorneys have a strong presence when presenting your case to them. There is strategy and an intended battle to help your case along. No matter what company or Attorney you choose, make sure you do extensive research to ensure legitimacy.

I have complied a handful of companies who:

1. Are members of the BBB with a Good rating or in good standing with the Bar Association if they are an Attorney
2. Are attorney based or a Law Firm who oversees the files or does the actual negotiating
3. Have proof of success
4. Have passed my legitimacy test (scam free, and researched thoroughly through reliable resources, contracts reviewed, and imperative questions answered)
5. Have reasonable fees and have a Money Back Guarantee
6. Have the clients best interest in mind
7. Are structured and organized
8. Are in compliance with federal regulations and guidelines
9. Are helping homeowners in the State you reside in

As you can see this takes a lot of footwork and many hours to develop. Each company is unique in their own way and offer different services and have variable fees. After speaking with you about your unique situation and having evaluated your circumstances, I will suggest someone who suits your needs, explain the process, and will be there every step of the way.


I have many blogs that are intended for the public to be informed and get honest answers. That is hard to come by on the Internet. I have taken it upon myself to look out for your best interest whether it benefits me or not. There is so much self gratification just knowing I am helping thousands, if not, millions of you become more and more informed so that you can determine what's best for your family, on a no- pressure basis.

Note: I present information to the public that is factual, and to the point. Many of you out there just want honest answers and to know who to trust with your most valuable asset. Sometimes, I won't tell you what you want to hear, but you will get the truth.

I am more than happy to speak with you and advise you to the best of my knowledge. (877) 646-4331

***If you found this information helpful please comment. When people leave comments, others are able to find this information with ease. That's how Active Rain works! Stay active!****

Take Care and God Bless!

More Helpful Blogs:

How to Avoid Loan Modification / Loss Mitigation Scams

Loan Mitigation Services FAQ's

Investors Facing Foreclosure

Why won't my lender won't work with me?

How to Prevent Foreclosure on Your Investment Property

www.KeepYourProperty.info



C Thompson

Loss Mitigation Case Manager

407-219-8739

Toll Free: 1-(877)-646-4331

www.keepyourproperty.info

How to write a Hardship Letter

Most people facing foreclosure think when writing a hardship letter, they need to make it as detailed as possible and end up writing a letter that is 2 to 3 pages long. Lender's do not want to spend a lot of time reading about your hardship. Which in turn means, you don't have to think so hard or spend hours writing a long letter. All they need are the basics. Below, I have a sample hardship letter that should help you when writing yours.

Sample Hardship Letter

Dear Mr. Smith:
The purpose of this letter is to explain the circumstances that have prevented us from
paying our mortgage. We have done everything we can to remedy this situation, but we
still do not have enough money to pay (insert lender’s name here) what we owe.


The main reason why we are late in paying our mortgage is (provide brief explanation
here including the approximate date of the hardship). As a result, we have fallen behind
in making our regular mortgage payment to (insert lender’s name here).

We regret this situation, but at this time we do not have the funds and are seeking your help.
Our home means a great deal to us and we are willing to do whatever we can to avoid
losing it through foreclosure. We are anxious to settle this matter and would appreciate
very much receiving a prompt response.


Respectfully yours,
Borrower’s Signature
Co-Borrower’s Signature

NOTE : If you found this information useful, please leave a comment. Thank you :-)

If you have already tried to work with your lender and find you are getting nowhere or they have turned you down for reasons you think are absurd, feel free to contact me. I will offer advice and try to let you know what your options are based on your unique situation.

You may also find these blogs helpful:

How to Avoid Loan Modification / Loss Mitigation Scams

Loan Mitigation Services FAQ's

Investors Facing Foreclosure

Why won't my lender won't work with me?

How to Prevent Foreclosure on Your Investment Property

www.KeepYourProperty.info

C Thompson

407-219-8739

Toll Free: 1-877-646-4331

Pre-Approval Loan Modification Application

Reducing Credit limits without warning!

In the last week I have had 2 clients of mine tell me their credit card companies have reduced their initially high limits to very very low limits.This was done with out permission.

There was no warning of any sort. These 2 clients of mine had excellent credit, never been late, paid more then the minimum on their accounts, and are still employed.

This is very frightening considering the state our economy is in. Right now, due to loss of income , and non stop hardships, people are depending on credit cards for back up.

As a matter of fact, when I ask my clients about their hardship (which is a qualifying factor when applying for a loan mod), the majority will tell me they have exceeded their credit card limits just trying to make ends meet.

This may be the main reason on why credit card companies are so eager to reduce credit limits dramatically on their loyal customers.

In my opinion this will only add to our economy crisis.

Any opinions on this?

Pre-Approval Loan Modification Application

Losing My Home and I am Losing My Mind!

Many people who are falling behind in payments are now facing foreclosure. Sometimes you may feel like you are losing your home and losing your mind. Or maybe even depressed and close to suicidal. And it may even be hard for you to sleep at night and hard to cope with any of your daily activities And before you know it, you are ignoring all of the notices and phone calls from your lender, just hoping they will go away. In the meantime, you fall further and further behind. And before you know it, it's too late. You have finally been pushed out of that home you worked so hard for.

Losing my home and I am losing my mind, The above scenario does not have to take place. This is your home. You know, the one you were so ecstatic about when you opened your front door for the first time? The one you planned to raise your family in and celebrate all of the holidays, and decorate to your own taste? The American dream that you were finally a part of. Isn't this enough to give you some strength to fight back? Yes, I said fight back!

The letters will not go away. The phone calls will not stop. Even if you talked to your lender and you were told you don't qualify for a loan modification, or you never heard back from them. There is still hope for you.

This is what upsets me the most. Lenders will not admit that they just don't have enough staff to keep up with all of the pre-foreclosures. Instead they tell the distressed homeowners that they don't qualify or they can't help because of some ridiculous reason. What they should be telling them is, " We can't handle your case right now. Please seek outside help."

We actually pre- qualify, approve, and structure your loan modification packet. Our attorneys then mitigate and negotiate on your behalf. What does this mean? We convince the lender that it would be wise for them to change the terms of your loan so that you can afford it. The benefits to this can be lower interest rate, past due payments added to the end of the loan, reduced principle, longer term, or all of the above. The bank is also happy with this because they no longer are facing a huge loss if they foreclose on your home. Folks! The bank does not want your home! Fight back!

In order to qualify for this service, it's pretty simple.

Are you or were you facing a hardship?

Are you past due on payments or know you are unable to make the next one?

Has your rate adjusted and you can no longer afford the payments?

Investors? Have you lost a renter? Do you want to keep your property?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, most likely you qualify.

The first step, which is facing this problem head on, is the hardest step. No more denial. No more depression. No more hiding under the covers. No more fear. You are the homeowner, so you have the leverage. Use it to your benefit and fight back! Life entails of a lot of challenges. We are built to fight for what we love and have worked hard for.

Call me to see if you qualify or visit my website and fill out the online form. I care about you and will work hard to help you. 407-219-8739 or www.keepyourproperty.info.

C Thompson

Case Manager

407-219-8739

cthompson@keepyourproperty.info

Important Informative Links

How to Avoid Loan Modification Scams

How to choose an Honest Loan Modification Company

Investors Facing Foreclosure

Why won't my lender work with me?

Loan Modification FAQs.


Pre-Approval Loan Modification Application