The announced enhancement to the Obama loan Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) is set to roll out on July 1 of this year. Contact us in the sidebar to get advice on your situation. We get this from a recent CNNmoney article on the early results from the program:
Separately, the administration plans to roll out its new program for the unemployed on July 1. Eligible borrowers could enter a forbearance program, which either suspends their monthly payments entirely or reduces them to less than 31% of their pre-tax household income.
Later in the year, two more initiatives will begin. One will encourage servicers to lower loan balances for delinquent borrowers when that is more advantageous to mortgage investors than reducing interest rates.
Principal reduction would be available for eligible borrowers who owe more than 115% of their home’s current value. The balance would be forgiven as long as the homeowner makes timely payments for three years.
The other initiative will allow some borrowers who are current on their mortgages but have seen their property values drop to refinance into Federal Housing Administration loans worth no more than 97.75% of their home’s price. The program is set to start in the fall.
If the borrower has a second lien, the total mortgage debt could not exceed 115% of the property’s value. Homeowners, however, must meet FHA’s qualifications and have a credit score of at least 500. Their new monthly payments would be no more than 31% of their monthly income.