Tag Archive | "loss mitigation"

Servicers Make More by Foreclosing than Modifying

Thursday, January 28, 2010

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Foreclosures are a costly ordeal for the homeowner, the lender, and the community. Yet they continue to outstrip loan modifications because servicers have no incentive to help borrowers stay in their homes. Come read more and download the free 60 page special report...

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HAMP – Temporary Review Period for Active Trial Modifications Scheduled to Expire on or before January 31, 2010

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

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Effective December 23, 2009 and lasting through January 31, 2010, Treasury is implementing a review period for all active HAMP trial modifications scheduled to expire on or before January 31, 2010. Servicers may not cancel an active HAMP trial modification during this period for any reason other than failure to meet the HAMP property eligibility requirements. If you're in a HAMP trial period or have been kicked out of yours, you MUST read this post NOW!!!

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HAMP Update – New Program Offers Borrowers Foreclosure Alternatives

Monday, January 4, 2010

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As part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) provides financial incentives to servicers and borrowers who utilize a short sale or a deed-in-lieu (DIL) to avoid foreclosure on a HAMP-eligible loan. If you're eligible for a HAMP mod but can't complete it for one reason or another...you need to see the rest of this article now!

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Monsters, Mortgages & Making Sense of it All

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

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Someone asked me the other day in a message…. “and what has happened since your last post?” I realized that I had shared bits and pieces of the developments of our mortgage, without really going into detail. Come and read how the story of LaylaU's HAMP modification turned out and get some inspiration for your own journey/struggle.

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Home Affordable Short Sale Program – Will it Help You?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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I wrote a couple weeks ago about Congress’ latest change to the Home Affordable Program…they want to add incentives for lenders to offer short sales and/or deeds in lieu so they won’t actually have to foreclose. When I wrote that, there was no news out on the program, but now the Treasury Department has released the latest program update and here’s what I’ve learned.

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Programs for Foreclosure Mediation

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

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Summary of 22 state/local programs that establish some type of foreclosure diversion program requiring lenders to engage in mediation, conciliation, or a settlement conference. Summaries include a general program description and lender and borrower obligations under the program.

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Dirty Tricks and How To Avoid Them

Thursday, July 2, 2009

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As lenders try to minimize losses in today’s real estate climate, they’re trying to grab every income stream they can. For example, if you’re doing the right thing and trying to sell your home through a short sale, or pursuing a deed in lieu…or even if your home is foreclosed upon, they may still come after you for the debt you owe! Find out how to protect yourself in today's article.

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Inside Loss Mitigation – How to Pick Your Workout

Monday, June 15, 2009

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Ever wondered how your lender determines what workout to offer you? It seems like black magic sometimes, but there really is rhyme and reason to it. They have standard guidelines they have to follow as they consider your hardship package and decide what workout option to offer you. By knowing what they're looking for and shaping your hardship package in a truthful, yet most beneficial, way, you can stack the odds in your favor.

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Home Affordable Deeds in Lieu and Short Sales

Friday, May 22, 2009

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So what happens if your servicer says you don't qualify for a Home Affordable Modification or Refinance? The Treasury Department and HUD have added to the Making Home Affordable program to answer that question. If you're eligible for a Home Affordable Mod or Refinance but did not qualify, you need to check this out now...

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Mortgage Relief Online

Monday, May 11, 2009

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Trying to figure out whether you qualify for a Home Affordable Loan Modification or Refinance? You're obviously not alone...we've get getting tons of questions about it on many of our blog posts. While we've been doing our best to give you the qualifications for the programs, we've unfortunately been unable to provide information specific to your situation. But a project called Mortgage Relief Online can now do that!

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Home Affordable Loan Modifications Begin–Foreclosure Moratorium Ends

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

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If you've been following our coverage of President Obama's Home Affordable Loan Modification program, you're well aware we've been waiting over a month for loan servicers to get their processes figured out. Ocwen Financial Corporation announced yesterday they've figured it out and are ready to begin taking applications. Find out how to apply, what will happen after you apply, and what to expect if Ocwen isn't your servicer by reading the rest of the story on our site.

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Home Affordable Refinance and Modification Update

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

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If you've been trying to contact your lender about refinancing or modifying your mortgage through President Obama's new plans, you've likely been frustrated. Few, if any, servicers have finalized their plans or trained their loss mitigators or how they're going to handle the new plans. And according to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and a study they just finished, "76 percent of outstanding mortgage loans are serviced by companies who have committed to implementing the plans". But what's that mean for you and your mortgage? Come read the rest of this article to find out...

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President Obama’s Making Home Affordable Refinance

Monday, March 9, 2009

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Here's the post you've been waiting on about President Obama's Making Home Affordable Refinancing program. If you owe less than 105% of what your property's worth, you probably qualify, but there are several things you should be aware of. For instance...this post tells how to figure out if your loan is held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and how to start the refinancing process with this program. If you have questions, please ask as a comment...

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President Obama’s Home Affordable Loan Modification

Thursday, March 5, 2009

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This took a little longer than I wanted it to, but I wanted to be as thorough as possible for you. I'll start with the loan modification part of the President's plan first since I know that's what most of you want to know about. Come and read about the qualifications, the process, and the lack of principal reductions.

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Keeping Your Sanity

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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If you've found yourself trying to remember the name of the last person you talked to at your bank or when you talked to them, our contact tracker will help. It's not fancy, but it's essential to your sanity...and it's free! Get your copy now!

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Your Secret Weapon

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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One of the most important things you can do to insure the success of your efforts has nothing to do with your knowledge, skills, or income. You have complete control over this secret weapon and can use it to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. So what is your secret weapon?

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Writer’s Block Keeping You from Writing a Hardship Letter?

Thursday, October 16, 2008

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If you're in or nearing foreclosure, you need to write a hardship letter to explain your situation to your lender. You know that...everyone knows that. Are you stuck trying to decide what you should say or how you should say it? Do you know what your lender expects to see in the letter? If you're looking for info to help you break down your wall of writer's block...good luck finding it on the Internet. It's probably all there, but how do you know if it's correct or not. And do you have the time to devote to finding it and trying to figure out if it's true or not?

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What I Forgot to Say

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

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Yesterday's post about being proactive and calling your lender BEFORE you miss any payments left one important fact out. I was reminded of this when I tried to call my own lender this morning and got the cold shoulder. Find out why...and what you can do about it.

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The Unfortunate Truth

Monday, October 13, 2008

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It seems all the focus in the press and on the Internet these days is about homes in foreclosure and what you can do to exit foreclosure. But what if you're not in foreclosure yet? What if you haven't missed any payments? What if you're struggling every month to put food on the table and pay all the bills but so far you've been able to do so? First of all, let me say you're not alone! You have options...unfortunately, though, they're nearly all dependent upon your lender or servicer. Follow this checklist to start the process...be proactive rather than waiting for the inevitable.

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Thinking Differently…Is Your Home or Your Life More Important?

Saturday, September 13, 2008

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It's natural to assume you want to save your home from foreclosure. It's natural to want to protect what we have from danger and uncertainty. But sometimes this emotion gets in the way of doing what is truly best for us. I hope this post helps you break through that emotion. No matter what situation got you into foreclosure. Regardless of what your hardship is and whether it is resolved or not, you need to at least consider that it might be far better for you to leave your house rather than fighting to stay.

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See How Easily You Can Be Scammed

Monday, September 8, 2008

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In today's real estate environment, you have to be careful about who you trust. These ten steps will ensure you are not scammed by someone trying to 'help' you.

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How to Write a Real Estate Hardship Letter

Saturday, September 6, 2008

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Many of the sample letters we've seen on the internet have it all wrong! Keep these 5 tips in mind and you'll get your lender on your side trying to help you rather than rolling their eyes in frustration.

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Quit Trying to Save Your Home

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

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As much as we hate to admit it, not everyone is going to be able to stay in their home. How do you know if you can? It's actually pretty straight forward because your lender looks at the situation from a strictly financial perspective. When you're in the evaluation stage of deciding whether to stay and fight to save your home or not, you too. Start by asking yourself these four questions.

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4 Ways to Ensure You’re Scammed

Saturday, August 16, 2008

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Since we've decided to stop counseling with homeowners and negotiating with lenders, we've been looking for other companies that we can feel comfortable referring people to. You see, we feel it's our duty to help you weed out the good from the bad...because there are a lot of companies out there and we have a level of knowledge and experience you don't. We don't want to see anyone get scammed, but if you really want to, here's how to do it.

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Banks Don’t Want Your Home

Monday, February 4, 2008

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It's natural to think that your lender wants your home when they begin contacting you and demanding your past due payments plus additional fees and costs. However, this is rarely the case. Especially in today's market!

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