Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center Opens in Atlanta

/PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTC Bulletin Board: FNMA) today announced the opening of a new mortgage help center in Atlanta to provide counseling and other services for struggling homeowners in the greater metro area with loans owned by Fannie Mae. The Atlanta Mortgage Help Center is the third facility and fourth announced partnership in a series of planned nationwide mortgage help centers. Fannie Mae is partnering on this initiative with Forest Park-based The D&;E Group, A Financial Education and Training Institute, Inc., major mortgage servicers, and civic and community leaders from across the region.

At the center, borrowers will meet directly with dedicated on-site English- and Spanish-speaking staff and experienced housing counselors to discuss their mortgage situation. These face-to-face meetings will help borrowers better understand the range of foreclosure prevention options available to them and help them to better manage their relationship with their servicer.

"A common misconception is that foreclosure is the only option, and in reality foreclosure doesn't have to be an option," said Jeff Hayward, Fannie Mae's Senior Vice President, National Servicing Organization. "We are opening the Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center in Atlanta to provide distressed homeowners in the area the resources necessary to stay in their homes including free access to high quality counseling and in-person resolution of their particular mortgage circumstances. For those who do not qualify for a modification or other solution, our counselors will work with the servicer and homeowner to arrange a graceful exit from the property, which may include assistance with relocation costs. Homeowners who are struggling to make mortgage payments or who anticipate financial hardship should know that our doors are open for them."

Counselors will provide a full range of services, which include reviewing a borrower's loan, discussing foreclosure alternatives, collecting the required documents for the federal Making Home Affordable Program and providing help to finalize any pending loan workout efforts. Fannie Mae and The D&E Group will provide information and clarify expectations for the foreclosure prevention process. Efforts will be made to counteract local scams and groups that charge fees for modifications and foreclosure prevention services.

"The Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center offers counseling, information and tools necessary to help homeowners avoid foreclosure," said Carrie Harris, President and Founder, The D&E Group. "Struggling homeowners should seek counseling through the center or a HUD-approved counseling agency and guard against scams by avoiding any individual or business who promises a modification for a fee."

The center is only for borrowers who have a mortgage held by Fannie Mae. Homeowners can determine if Fannie Mae owns their loan by visiting www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup or by contacting Fannie Mae at 1-800-7FANNIE. Homeowners who do not have loans owned by Fannie Mae can contact the Homeowner's HOPE(TM) Hotline at 888-995-HOPE.

The center is available by appointment only and borrowers wishing to schedule a visit should call (866) 442-8573 or E-mail atlanta_mhc@fanniemae.com.

Fannie Mae exists to expand affordable housing and bring global capital to local communities in order to serve the U.S. housing market. Fannie Mae has a federal charter and operates in America's secondary mortgage market to enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market by providing funds to mortgage bankers and other lenders so that they may lend to home buyers. Our job is to help those who house America.

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US Department of Housing and Urban Development Releases Latest Version of Shopping For Your Home Loan

/PRNewswire/ -- In its first revision in over 10 years, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) advises home buyers that it is their responsibility to search for a real estate agent that will represent their interests. In Shopping for Your Home Loan - HUD's Settlement Cost Booklet, HUD states: "If you want someone to represent only your interests, consider hiring an 'exclusive buyer's agent,' who will be working for you."

The National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents (NAEBA) views this as an important element of the new era of home buying.

"'We are pleased to see that the wisdom of having someone in your corner and on your side is being conveyed to Buyers by HUD. Because most real estate agents represent Sellers, HUD emphasizes, and the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents stresses, that it is a Buyer's responsibility to find an agent who will represent their best interests in their real estate transaction," said Benjamin Clark, 2010 President of NAEBA.

Exclusive Buyer Agents (EBA) represent buyers and their interests in real estate transactions. They not only work to get the best price and terms for their buyer clients, they also serve as diligent home buying guides, consultants, and often coaches to ensure that clients achieve their desired outcomes in an efficient way. They offer full buyer representation without the potential for the conflicts of interest that occur when the company representing the buyer also represents the seller. The concept of a buyer's agent arose in the mid-1990s as real estate buyers sought to have agents that would represent only their interests and level a playing field that previously favored sellers.

Working with an EBA offers more than a dedicated representative. Data validates that buyers actually get better results. An EBA promises to work toward a better price and terms for buyers. A study conducted by Chandler & Chandler confirms that property purchased through an alliance with an EBA shows a 67% greater appreciation in value. Additionally, a survey conducted by the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents (NAEBA) found that among survey respondents, there were only 15 foreclosures out of 1,849 closings. That represents a foreclosure rate of just 0.8%, compared to the nationwide rate of 1.84% in 2008.

NAEBA views HUD's advice to consider an exclusive buyer agent as very timely given current market conditions. Clark agrees, "We are encouraged by an increased movement among consumers to seek out Exclusive Buyer Agents. Working on behalf of buyers is extremely rewarding. Consumers who hire an Exclusive Buyer Agent find that the whole process is more enjoyable because of the incredible trust between the buyer and their agent that doesn't always exist in the traditional buyer/agent relationship."

You can download a free copy of the new HUD booklet at: http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/documents/Settlement%20Booklet%20 December%2015%20REVISED.pdf

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Cash for Clunker Mortgages Program Unveiled

/PRNewswire/ -- The Cash for Clunker Cars program ended on August 24, but another stimulus program has recently been established. The Cash for Clunker Mortgages program begins October 19 and enables holders of nonperforming mortgages to trade them in for cash.

Holders of nonperforming First Mortgages are losing money each month as holding costs accrue and property values deteriorate. In an effort to allow lenders and servicers to focus their efforts on the loans more likely to qualify for the Home Affordable Mortgage Program (HAMP), Cash for Clunker Mortgages will pay competitive prices for nonperforming First Mortgages. Nonperforming loans, particularly those in bankruptcy or other litigation, demand a disproportionate amount of time and effort to service. Thus, loans eligible for Cash for Clunker Mortgages include charge offs, those secured by low-value homes and those owned by borrowers in bankruptcy or litigation, all of which are high maintenance for the servicing industry.

In an effort to provide prompt dispositions of these assets, Preliminary Indicative Bids will be furnished within 48-hours. Once the Preliminary Indicative Bid is approved by the seller, due diligence will be completed on the mortgages. Funding typically occurs within 3 to 4 weeks of receiving summary loan data. Cash for Clunker Mortgages is open to all holders of nonperforming mortgages secured by single family homes and 2 - 4 unit properties anywhere in the United States. Furthermore, both bulk pools and single assets are eligible.

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Mortgage Programs Fall Short in Keeping Homeowners out of Foreclosure

Economists debate whether or not the country is actually currently in a recession. Some say that there are positive signs that we have reached the bottom and the economy is turning around. Others, however, suggest that the country still has a long way to go and it may be years yet before we truly reach financial recovery. Regardless of who is right though, one thing is clear: many people are facing significant financial hardships and need help now.

For many, the place they need the most help is keeping their homes out of foreclosure. The sub-prime mortgage disaster has left many people unable to make their monthly payments and facing the prospect of losing their homes.

In an effort to prevent the national economy from worsening and help alleviate some of the suffering felt by homeowners, the Obama Administration introduced the "Making Homes Affordable" plan last March. So far, however, the plan has failed to have the effect the Administration claimed it would, reaching far fewer homeowners than the millions promised.

Federal Programs to Refinance and Restructure Mortgages

Making Homes Affordable created two programs meant to help homeowners keep their homes out of foreclosure by either refinancing or restructuring their home loan debt.

The first program, the Home Affordable Refinance Program(HARP), is meant to help those homeowners who want to refinance their mortgages, but are unable to secure traditional refinancing because their home has lost value in the depressed market. HARP is only open to homeowners who have their loans owned or guaranteed by the government-run Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Additionally, refinancing through HARP will not lower or otherwise impact the principal owed on the loan.

Other eligibility requirements of the refinancing program include:
-Homeowners must be current on their mortgage payments
-Homeowners cannot have been more than 30 days late on a payment within the last 12 months
-The amount owed on the first mortgage cannot be more than 125% of the current market value of the home
-The homeowner must be able to demonstrate a reasonable ability to pay the refinanced amount

The second program, the Home Affordable Modification Program(HAMP), applies to homeowners who are delinquent in the mortgage payments and either in foreclosure or facing the immediate threat of foreclosure. Once a homeowner's application is in review for the program, any foreclosure proceedings against him or her must be stayed until an eligibility decision is made.

To be eligible for HAMP, homeowners must demonstrate a financial hardship that makes it impossible for them to meet their mortgage obligations. This financial hardship may include things like unemployment and medical expenses. Some of the other qualifications homeowners must meet include:
-The unpaid principal balance on a single home cannot be more than $729,000
-The monthly mortgage payment must be more than 31% of the homeowner's monthly pre-tax income
-The first mortgage on the home must have originated on or after January 1, 2009
-The home must be the primary residence

If the homeowner has more than one mortgage lien on the property, only the first mortgage is eligible for modification under the program.

Criticisms of the Federal Programs

Even as the federal government continues to laud the successes of its Making Homes Affordable programs, those who have sought acceptance into either program are telling a different story. Some of the chief criticisms of the federal mortgage programs include:
- The programs are not helping as many people as the Administration claimed they would. According to reports, only 6% of the 4 million eligible homeowners are participating in the refinancing or restructuring programs. As of September, 88% of the 1 million ARM mortgages had not been modified or refinanced. Only 575,000 homeowners have been offered a trial program and of those, only 360,000 currently are underway.
- The programs only are mandatory for federal lenders and not private ones. Right now, private lenders like Bank of America and Citigroup are not required to participate in either program. Given that private lenders hold 85% of the 14 million mortgages in the country, their participation is necessary to offer any real relief.
- Voluntary involvement by private lenders is limited. Even though the federal government is pushing private lenders to become more involved - and giving them bail-out money as an incentive - the participation rates by private banks and other lenders are still low. Recent reports put JP Morgan Chase at the top of the list, having enrolled 20% of its eligible customers in the federal program. Wells Fargo and Bank of America round-out the bottom of the list with 6% and 4% respective enrollment.
- The process itself is difficult for homeowners. When homeowners are deemed eligible to participate in the program, they are buried under paperwork and may be forced to wait months before they obtain final approval. Many private lenders do not have the resources or personnel to handle the onslaught of requests, leading to lost documents, duplicate requests and long waits. The process is confusing at best, making it not worth the hassle for some frustrated homeowners.
- The programs do not offer relief to those who need it most.Arguably the biggest problem with the program is that it fails to help those in the worst financial straits. Homeowners behind in their payments are not eligible for the refinancing option. Those who qualify for the restructuring option must be able to make three payments on-time during the trial period in order to secure final approval for the restructured mortgage. If they fail to do so, they are dropped from the trial program and their home is subject to foreclosure. It stands to reason that an option should be made available for those in the worst financial conditions who cannot meet the eligibility requirements for either program.

Conclusion

People who have found themselves behind on their mortgages and facing foreclosure have other options besides seeking participation in one of the federally-sponsored Making Homes Affordable programs. Lenders have created their own refinancing and restructuring programs for many homeowners. If a bank program is not an option, homeowners may be able to keep their home out of foreclosure by negotiating a private settlement with the lender or filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection.

Even though the unemployment and foreclosure numbers in Louisiana are considered moderate when compared to other states, this does not mean people in the state are not suffering from the economic downturn. According to the Louisiana Economic Vital statistics, foreclosures in Louisiana increased by 46% in August 2009 over the prior month. For more information on your legal options to reduce debt, contact an experienced attorney.

Article provided by Grand Law Firm
Visit us at www.grandlawfirm.com

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Fannie Mae Undertakes 'Making Home Affordable' Refinancing and Modification Initiatives

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) today began making two new initiatives -- Home Affordable Refinance and Home Affordable Modification -- available to its servicers and borrowers as part of the Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable program. The two initiatives are designed to significantly expand the numbers of borrowers who can refinance or modify their mortgages to a payment that is affordable now and into the future.

"Making Home Affordable provides crucial tools to mortgage lenders and homeowners coping with financial hardship and declining home prices," said Herb Allison, president and chief executive officer. "Potentially millions of homeowners could qualify for and benefit from these initiatives. The people of Fannie Mae will do all they can to make the program a success for homeowners across America and to advance the nation's housing recovery."

Home Affordable Refinance

Home Affordable Refinance includes new refinancing flexibilities for homeowners whose loans are owned by Fannie Mae. Key features include:

-- Additional Flexibilities: Most borrowers refinancing an existing
Fannie Mae loan will not be required to buy new or additional mortgage
insurance if the loan at the time of the refinance is more than 80
percent of a home's value. Any existing mortgage insurance may be
carried forward to the new loan. In addition, Fannie Mae can refinance
loans up to 105 percent of a home's value with this new flexibility,
so even borrowers who are "underwater" -- who owe more than their home
is worth -- may be able to refinance. This will expand the number of
borrowers able to take advantage of lower interest rates that reduce
monthly payments, or refinance into a more sustainable mortgage.
-- Streamlined Processing: Beginning in April, all 1,600 lenders and
29,000 mortgage brokers using Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter(R)
platform will be able to process an application to refinance any
existing Fannie Mae loan, allowing for greater lender origination
capacity and easier refinancing for borrowers.

What Borrowers Need to Know:

-- To qualify, your mortgage loan must be owned by Fannie Mae.
-- You must have a solid payment history on your existing mortgage.
-- The expanded refinance flexibility ends in June 2010.

Home Affordable Modification


Through the Home Affordable Modification, Fannie Mae will work with loan servicers across the country to help distressed borrowers modify their current loan into a mortgage that is more affordable and sustainable. Loan servicers participating in the program may reduce interest rates, lengthen the payment time frame or take other steps, such as principal forbearance, to bring the monthly payments down to as low as 31 percent of the borrower's gross (pre-tax) income.

What Borrowers Need to Know:

-- To modify a loan through Home Affordable Modification, it must be for
your primary residence.
-- You need not wait to become delinquent with your payments -- a plan
can be put in place as soon as you think you may have trouble making
your mortgage payment.
-- The amount you owe on your mortgage must be less than or equal to
$729,750.
-- The program is for mortgages originated prior to January 1, 2009.
-- Certain eligibility requirements, including attesting to a financial
hardship, may apply in some cases.



To ensure borrowers currently at risk of a foreclosure have the opportunity to apply for a Home Affordable Modification, Fannie Mae servicers have been directed not to proceed with a foreclosure until a borrower has been evaluated for the program.

Finding Out if a Loan is Owned by Fannie Mae

Borrowers can find out if their loan is owned by Fannie Mae in one of two ways:

-- Call your current mortgage lender or servicer. The phone number
should be on your monthly mortgage statement or monthly coupon book.
-- Contact Fannie Mae. Call 1-800-7FANNIE (8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET) or visit
http://www.fanniemae.com/homeaffordable.

Fannie Mae also intends to make an online tool available later this month so borrowers can look up their loan and determine if it is owned by the company.

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Two-Thirds of Struggling Homeowners Meet Key Criteria for Housing Bill Relief, According to Survey by CCCS of Greater Atlanta

PRNewswire/ -- Almost two-thirds of homeowners who called Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Atlanta for foreclosure prevention counseling in recent months appear to meet the threshold requirements for relief under the new federal housing bill that took effect Oct. 1, according to a recent survey of those homeowners.

Of 591 people surveyed in late September, 381 of them, or 64.6 percent, said they met five key eligibility criteria for the mortgage refinancing program.

On July 30, President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The law created a new program called Hope for Homeowners intended to help families save their homes from foreclosure. Mortgage lenders participating in the program can allow "at risk" borrowers to refinance their current mortgage into a new fixed-rate loan insured by the FHA. Lenders' participation in the program is voluntary.

"Our survey results indicate this new FHA program holds the potential to help a large number of Americans struggling to pay their mortgage," said Suzanne Boas, president of CCCS of Greater Atlanta. "Not everyone will be able to meet the terms. But if someone meets the basic criteria laid out in the housing bill, it would be worth a phone call to their lender to ask about the FHA program."

Homeowners must meet several requirements to be considered for the program. People who called CCCS of Greater Atlanta in July and August trying to avoid foreclosure were surveyed about these requirements by email from Sept. 19-23.

To be counted among the 64.6 percent of survey takers who appear to meet the threshold criteria, people needed to indicate that they live in the home with the problem mortgage; their mortgage was originated before January 2008; they didn't have an existing home equity line or other second mortgage; they did not own another home and they spend at least 31 percent of their gross monthly income on mortgage debt.

From those surveyed, the top challenge to participation in the FHA program is paying off a home equity loan or second mortgage. Thirty-five percent of respondents reported that their home secures more than one loan.

A second mortgage or home equity loan must be paid before a homeowner can qualify for the refinance program. It is possible to pay off the second mortgage through proceeds from the new FHA loan. That could be difficult if the first and second mortgage are held by different lenders because only the primary loan qualifies for the FHA program.

Also, nearly 20 percent of respondents say they don't spend at least 31 percent of their gross monthly income on their mortgage -- a threshold required by the FHA refinance program.

Borrowers who qualify for the FHA program are responsible for paying loan origination fees, as well as an insurance premium to FHA equal to 1.5 percent of the principal annually.

There are several other conditions:

-- The borrower must certify there was no misrepresentation in their application for the existing loan.

-- The borrower must agree to share both initial equity and future appreciation with The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD).

-- The equity sharing agreement provides that if the house is sold within the first year, 100 percent of the initial equity (generally 10 percent of the value of the property at origination) will go to FHA. After 1 year, FHA is entitled to 90 percent of the initial equity. The percentage keeps dropping in 10 percent increments to 50 percent after the fifth year, where it stays.

-- In addition to the initial equity which is a fixed amount, 50 percent of any future appreciation of the property must be paid to HUD when the property is sold.

-- The FHA loan will be a 30-year fixed rate mortgage and may not exceed 90 percent of the current appraised value of the property. An additional 3 percent mortgage insurance premium will be financed in the mortgage making the initial loan to value 87 percent.

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Eight Tips to Help You Qualify for a Mortgage

RISMEDIA - Three years ago, homeowners were earning thousands of dollars just from selling their house. Home buyers were qualifying for mortgages that normally wouldn’t quality for a mortgage. It was easy to get a mortgage, because homes were flying off the market before they were listed for sale. Lenders saw dollar signs, so they found a way to help buyers get a mortgage while throwing lending principles out of the window. It’s a different story in today’s housing market. The economy has slowed down, and the free market is correcting the housing sector’s inflated success. Qualifying for a mortgage is harder than it was three years ago, but it’s not impossible.

1. Inspect All Three of Your Credit Reports. Pull your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. Make sure that all of the information is accurate. If you find an account that doesn’t belong to you, submit the necessary form to all three credit reporting agencies to dispute the account.

2. Improve Your FICO Score. Unfortunately, mortgage lenders heavily weight your lending eligibility based on a score that doesn’t accurately measure your financial stability. The FICO score only measures your ability to repay a loan. Improve your score by paying down debt, paying all of your credit accounts on time, and keeping open accounts with a $0 balance.

3. Save for a Down Payment. Buying a house with a 5% to 10% down payment shows you are serious about becoming a homeowner. If you’re looking for a Federal Housing Administration loan, you’ll need at least a 3% down payment. Mortgage lenders are more skeptical about doing 100% financing, because many of these loans are the ones going into default.

4. Increase Your Household Income. Mortgage lenders want you bringing in enough money to realistically pay for the loan. Two income families qualify easier than one income families. Pick up a second job, become a two income family, or start a home-based business.

5. Choose A Realistic Budget. The rule of thumb is a mortgage payment that is 25% of your monthly household income. Choose a price range that fits this criteria. If you make $4,000 a month, then choose a price range that gives you a mortgage payment of $1,250. The term “house poor” comes from people that spend the majority of their income on a mortgage payment. These are the same people that end up filing for foreclosure. Mortgage lenders will tell you that you can afford more than 25% of your household income, but they are the same people that helped the housing market crash.

6. Defer Your Student Loan Repayment. You get six months to defer your student loans before you need to start paying them back. If your student loans are deferred, the mortgage lender doesn’t need to include the debt in your debt ratio.

7. Stick with One Employer. Mortgage lenders like stability. Stick with the same employer for more than two years.

8. Negotiate a Price Lower Than the Appraised Value. The mortgage company will send their own appraiser out to assess the house. If you negotiated a purchase price that is lower than their appraised value, you can consider it instant equity in the eyes of the mortgage lender. You can check out Zillow.com to see the approximate value of the house.

Now is the time to buy, but lenders will no longer hand out loans to anyone. Don’t let this discourage you. Take this time as an opportunity to fine tune your personal finances. Don’t believe the fallacy that you need perfect credit to qualify for a loan. Mortgage companies are closing the doors every day. Countrywide was bought by Bank of America, and IndyMac Bank had their assets seized by the federal government last week. Lenders are looking for responsible borrowers. Your income and your credit history are the most important factors to determine if you qualify for a loan. Once you’re qualified for a loan, you can finally start the fun part of buying a house.