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Ben Maddy

Loan Modification Everett, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Washington

08-18-09
Ben Maddy

LOAN MODIFICATION EVERETT, LYNNWOOD, MILL CREEK, WASHINGTON

By now, nearly every homeowner in Washington realizes housing values in areas around Everett, Lynnwood, and Mill Creek, Washington have been plummeting, in addition to escalating unemployment, rising interest rates, and mushrooming foreclosures. According to recent reports, half of American mortgages will be "underwater" in 2011, the owners of the homes owing more than the houses are worth.

Lately, the Obama administration has put greater pressure on lenders and their mortgage servicers, who act as bill collectors on behalf of investors who own mortgage bonds. On Aug. 4 the Feds unveiled the first of their monthly "name and shame" exercises, which publishes data on the loan modification efforts of about three dozen companies. Contrary to what many may believe, it costs the lenders more for a foreclosure than to modify the loan, and coincidentally lenders are more willing to modify the loan in order to prevent foreclosure.

Loan Modification permanently changes one or more of the terms of your loan which can lower your payments to make them affordable, correct defaults, and offer a fresh start. By modifying the loan, borrower can meet the terms of the new loan, and continue to do so into the future. Mortgage mediation allows homeowners to stop the foreclosure of their family's home, while lowering the monthly payments and modifying the loan terms.

Loan Modification:

  • Lowers the homeowner's monthly payments;
  • Lowers the loan's interest rate;
  • Swaps a rising adjustable rate for an affordable fixed rate;
  • Reduces the principle balance of the property;
  • Corrects payment delinquencies and defaults;
  • Adjusts the length of the loan terms

Recently, the Obama administration introduced the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) to help Americans modify their loans and by providing incentives to mortgage lenders to complete more loan modifications for their customers. Amidst one of the lowest points our economy since the 1970s, thousands of Americans now face rising unemployment, increasing interest rates, plummeting housing values, and losing their homes out of no fault of their own. With a Free Loan Modification Evaluation, Everett, Lynnwood, and Mill Creek, Washington homeowners can freely discover the answers to any foreclosure questions they may have, and start the process of saving their home.

According to the Department of Treasury, "Anyone with high combined mortgage debt compared to income or who is 'underwater' may be eligible for a loan modification. This initiative will also include borrowers who show other indications of being at risk of default. Eligibility for the program will sunset at the end of three years." As reported by the LA Times, "This program applies to borrowers who are unable to make - or are struggling to make - mortgage payments that exceed 38% of their monthly income."

Those homeowners that choose to modify their loan on there own, face even greater challenges. Lost in a flood of modification requests, borrowers often wait weeks or months by their phone in hopes of an update on their situation. As has been reported in recent news headlines, lenders are not doing all that they can to help homeowners modify their mortgages, and the vast majority of modification requests have been denied. A large majority of borrowers were also encouraged, directly or indirectly, by their lenders to fall behind on their mortgage payments in order to qualify for modifications that never came. More than half of the clients who walk through servicers doors have been turned down when they tried to secure a loan modification on their own.

Under President Obama's "Making Home Affordable" plan, Everett, Lynnwood, and Mill Creek, Washington homeowners can save hundreds a month by getting a home loan modification or mortgage refinance. Any homeowner now facing foreclosure, or about to be, should immediately begin exploring all the options available to them, including the new government programs designed to help you get a successful loan modification.

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Loan Modification Seattle

08-14-09
Ben Maddy

LOAN MODIFICATION SEATTLE

Seattle skyline

With falling housing prices, rising interest rates, and many now owing more than their home is worth, homeowners around Seattle, Washington, are now looking too modify their home loans in order to avoid foreclosure and save their homes. With a new foreclosure filed every 13 seconds, and with reports showing half of American mortgages underwater in 2011, loan modification is fast becoming the last hope for millions of distressed homeowners scrambling to afford their failing mortgages.

According to a recent report from the U.S. Treasury Department, 42 percent of modified loans done by the largest servicers have lowered homeowners' mortgage payments. This is a large improvement when compared to the 26 percent of modified loans that received lowered monthly payments during the 4th quarter of 2008. This year, at least 2.4 million foreclosures have been expected to be filed, while one million foreclosures have already been filed in the first quarter of 2009. According to RealtyTrac, one out of every 440 American homes have filed for foreclosure.

Current Housing Market Facts:

* There are approximately 110 million households in the U.S.

* About 75.5 million of these are homeowners.

* Approximately 68% of the 76 million, or 51.6 million, have mortgages.

* 14 million U.S. homeowners, 27% of those with mortgages, were underwater at the end of Q1 (Deutsche Bank estimates)

* Deutsche Bank estimates that nearly half of the 52 million mortgagors will be underwater by the end of next year.

President Obama's $75 billion Making Homes Affordable program is aimed at assisting 3-4 million borrowers avoid the 9 million foreclosures expected over the next four years. With a free loan modification evaluation, homeowners around Seattle, WA, can immediately see the savings possible under Obama's new programs, and explore all the benefits they qualify for, and begin the process of saving their home.

Stop Foreclosure Now
Loan Modification:

* Lowers your monthly payments;

* Lowers your interest rate;

* Swaps a rising adjustable rate for an affordable fixed rate;

* Reduces the property's principle balance;

* Corrects defaults and payment delinquencies;

* Adjusts the length of the loan terms

Under President Obama's "Making Home Affordable" plan, the majority of Seattle, Washington homeowners now qualify for benefits and hundreds in savings with a loan modification. The program demands that a borrower’s mortgage payment cannot exceed 31% of their gross income, and because most loans exceed 31%, nearly all homeowners are technically eligible for HAMP assistance. In addition, borrowers who have been denied a refinancing or home loan modification in the past are now able to have a second chance.

Troubled homeowners can save hundreds a month by getting a mortgage loan modify or mortgage refinance. Any homeowner now facing foreclosure, or about to be, should immediately begin exploring all the options available to them, including the new government programs designed to help you get a successful loan modification.

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Loan Modification Bothell, Woodinville, Kirkland, Washington

08-13-09
Ben Maddy

LOAN MODIFICATION BOTHELL, WOODINVILLE, KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON

A recent report from the U.S. Treasury Department shows that 42 percent of loan modification done by the largest servicers did lower the homeowner's monthly payments, while 26 percent of modified loans received lower payments in the 4th quarter of 2008. 2.4 million foreclosures are expected to be filed this year alone, with one million foreclosures already filed by the end of May. One out of every 159 households with mortgages received notice of foreclosure in just the first quarter of 2009, according to RealtyTrac, and one in every 440 American homes filed for foreclosure.

Properties in areas like Bothell, Woodinville and Kirkland, Washington have likewise seen falling housing prices, rising interest rates, and now face going "underwater," owing more than their home is worth. With a secure modification of their home loan, thousands of Washington homeowners still have hope to save their homes, and be able to afford to stay in them.

A Successful Loan Modification Can:

  • Lower the homeowner's monthly payments;
  • Lower the loan's interest rate;
  • Swap a rising adjustable rate for an affordable fixed rate;
  • Reduce the principle balance of the property;
  • Correct and forgive payment delinquencies and defaults;
  • Adjust the length of the loan terms

Thankfully, most homeowners around Bothell, Woodinville, and Kirkland, Washington now qualify for benefits and savings with a loan modification under Obama’s "Making Home Affordable" program. With this plan, a borrower’s mortgage payment will never exceed 31% of their gross income. Since most loans exceed 31%, nearly all homeowners are technically eligible for HAMP assistance, including borrowers who have been denied a refinancing or home loan modification in the past.

By simply filling out a free loan modification evaluation, homeowners can immediately see what benefits they qualify for, the savings they may expect to see, and start exploring all the options available to them while beginning the process of saving their home.

Bank Owned For Sale

For the banks and lenders, a foreclosure is a time-consuming and highly costly process in which they would prefer to avoid. Because of this fact, a successful loan modification is often available but requires skilled negotiations and knowledge in which many homeowners may not possess. This is where a trusted and well-qualified mortgage mitigation professional can make all the difference. While many scrupulous and fraudulent companies have left a bad reputation in recent news, certified and respectable professional servicers are commonly able to get a home loan modified easier and more efficient than a borrower can on their own.

Homeowners seeking a modification from their lender on their own need to provide the most accurate and essential information possible since all information will be used for or against them. Homeowners, therefore, must understand their lender's guidelines and how to use them in their favor, as well as assure all essential paperwork has been provided to the lender. Distressed borrowers also face being lost in the shuffle of an increasing flood of modification requests, often waiting by their phone for months to hear from their lender, and ending up in "cookie-cutter" modifications which result in later default, or even worse situations than when they started the process.

President Obama's "Making Home Affordable" plan will help distressed Bothell, Woodinville, and Kirkland, Washington homeowners save hundreds a month with a home loan modification or mortgage refinance. Any homeowner now facing foreclosure, or about to be, should immediately begin exploring all the options available to them, including the new government programs designed to help you get a successful loan modification.

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HOME LOAN MODIFICATION WASHINGTON

08-12-09
Ben Maddy

HOME LOAN MODIFICATION WASHINGTON

According to a new Deutsche Bank report, the percentage of American homeowners owing more than their homes are worth will nearly double to 48 percent of those with mortgages in 2011, an estimated 25 million homeowners. Thousands of Washington homeowners are now in a position where the amount they owe on the mortgage exceeds their home's value, and all while house prices continue to fall. Predicting half of all U.S. mortgages being underwater in 2011, homeowners across the country are in great need of loan modification.

It is estimated by Deutsche Bank that 14 million American homeowners had negative equity, owing more than their house is worth, at the end of the first quarter of 2009. While housing prices continue to fall, about 27 percent of U.S. homeowners are now "underwater" on their mortgage. At the current rate, nearly half of all American home mortgages will be underwater in 2011. [Marketwatch, 8/06/2009]

  • 41% of prime conforming borrowers will be underwater by the first quarter of 2011
  • 46% of prime jumbo borrowers will be underwater by the first quarter of 2011, jumping from 16 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2009
  • 41 percent of prime conforming loans will be larger than their properties' value by the first quarter of 2011.
  • 46 percent of prime jumbo loans will likewise be "underwater," a jump from 29 percent. [Reuters, 8/05/09]

After three years of price drops, this does not look comforting for stabilization in the U.S. housing market. Deutsche Bank reported that decline in home prices will have its greatest impact on prime borrowers and "conforming" loans meeting the guidelines of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Prime conforming loans are commonly less risky due to stringent requirements, and make up two-thirds of mortgages.

Such a jump in these markets is significant as they make up the largest share of the total mortgage market, with Prime jumbo loans making up 13 percent of the total market. While prices continue to fall, more and more Washington homeowners will go underwater on their mortgage, making it more difficult to refinance, and leaving a Home Loan Modification the best solution.

With housing prices dropping, interest rates rising, and more and more homes underwater, refinancing is no longer a viable option, and without modifying these loans with a modification, half of America is likely going to lose their homes. Mortgage mitigation allows for a borrower to permanently change the terms of their mortgage, allowing for affordable monthly payments. Modifying a home loan can lower the interest rate, extend the term of the loan, or add any of the borrower's missed payments to the balance of the loan. With a free loan modification evaluation, homeowners can immediately see the savings available to them under various government programs, and begin determining which plans and savings they best qualify for.

Washington homeowners can save hundreds a month by getting a mortgage loan modify or mortgage refinance with President Obama's "Making Home Affordable" plan. All homeowners now facing foreclosure on their home, or those who are about to be, should immediately begin exploring all the options available to them, including the new government programs designed to help you get a successful loan modification.

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LOAN MODIFICATION, WASHINGTON

08-11-09
Ben Maddy

LOAN MODIFICATION, WASHINGTON

As the Federal Trade Commission has been cracking down, lenders are now under pressure to assure a loan modification for more homeowners unable to afford their mortgage loan payments, or those now "underwater." Will it help? Banks and lenders have shown over these last months that they are in no hurry to assure distressed homeowners a modification. It has been estimated that nearly 5 million Americans will lose their homes over the course of the next three years, even with the government modification effort.

So far the Obama Administration has rolled out its $75 billion plan in hopes of spurring lenders to help modify the mortgages of millions of distressed homeowners. Upon unveiling the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), the Obama administration said its original $50 billion plan would help 4 million borrowers, about 1 in 15 Americans with a mortgage, through its modification incentives. However, according to Treasury findings, only about 230,000 trial modifications are in process so far, representing only 9% of the 2.7 million mortgages that are at least 60 days past due and considered eligible. [Boston Globe, 8/05/2009]

On Tuesday August 5, the Treasury Department released the first monthly report on the performance of loan servicers in the Obama administration's home mortgage modification program. As reported, only 15 percent of eligible homeowners have been offered assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, and some loan servicers have yet to modify a single loan. The Treasury said that loan modification servicers' performances had been "uneven," and requested they ramp up efforts to reach 500,000 trial modifications by November. The Administration now hopes that threat of bankruptcy will motivate mortgage servicers to pursue more modifications. [Forbes, 8/04/09]

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Under the Administration's program, if a borrower is in "imminent default," the lender and government will rework the mortgage by lowering interest rates, extending the term of payments, or lowering the principal to reduce the monthly payment to less than a third of the borrower's current gross income. If eligible, the borrower's payments would be lowered to 31 percent of their present gross income, allowing them to save their home and afford to stay in it. [Forbes, 8/6/2009]

Bank of America had the highest number of eligible borrowers due to its acquisition of subprime giant Countrywide, however only offered trial modifications to 176,000 borrowers, just 13% of those who qualified, and only 4% took the bank up on it.

While lenders like Bank of America and Wells Fargo have received billions in federal bailout money, and give the impression that they are willing to work with borrowers, it has become increasingly common over the past two years for lenders to deny the majority of modifications. Many lenders told borrowers to wait for details on a planned new government modification program, offering them hope that more help was soon to come, however none came.

A common problem faced by borrowers is that lenders such as Countrywide and Bank of America deny modifications for homeowners who are not behind in payments yet have experienced a drop in income. These lenders seem far less focused on working with borrowers and more willing to let these homes go to foreclosure.

So-called "non-profit" loan modification servicers are being paid incentives from the government programs in an attempt to increase the ability for mortgage mitigation. Under HAMP, servicers now receive $1,000 from the government for every borrower who is able to make their payments for three months straight, and up to $4,500 for three years of regular payments. Under the plan, borrowers must complete a three-month trial period making their newly lowered payments, coincidentally weeding out borrowers who will end up in re-default, unable to afford the lowered payments as well. [ABC News, 8/4/09]

Trying to get a home loan modification done yourself is often much more difficult, and frequently results in inappropriate modifications, unaffordable payments that can then result in future re-default and foreclosure, or even a worse situation than when they began the process. Borrowers seeking modifications from their lenders have repeatedly been asked to fax mortgage information and hardship letters only to wait for a call that never comes. While working and struggling to stay afloat, distressed homeowners are unable to call and keep up with the banks and lenders in order to get any help. Many homeowners call their lender numerous times trying to work out their situation, sometimes dozens of times over months of waiting, only to be told to call a different department or wait longer because the office doesn't have their paperwork yet.

By using a certified and reputable modification company, homeowners commonly have a much greater chance of acquiring a legitimate and successful mortgage mitigation. Modification companies are able to represent the borrower in a way they are unable to do themselves, and most homeowners find themselves getting lost in the shuffle of millions of modification requests. As a result, distressed homeowners are left without any communication on their case, placed in "cookie-cutter" plans that do not offer them the best options, or are simply denied automatically due to strict requirements, and often end up in a worse situation than they were before they began the process. With a free loan modification evaluation, homeowners can immediately see what savings and benefits they qualify for under new government programs, and begin the process of saving their home.

The Obama administration's "Making Home Affordable" plan now qualifies thousands of Washington homeowners for hundreds a month in savings with a home loan modification or mortgage refinance. Any homeowner now facing foreclosure, or about to be, should immediately begin exploring all the options available to them, including the new government programs designed to help you get a successful loan modification.

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