Programs and Options

These were the options available to homeowners supplied via a certified foreclosure program specialist.

Forbearance

Under a forbearance agreement, your lender may allow you to reduce or suspend payments for a short period of time. At the end of the forbearance period, you will begin making regular payments plus an additional amount of the past due payments each month until you are caught up.

PRO: You remain in your home. A temporary reduced or suspended payment provides time needed to save money, pay off other bills, find employment or additional employment, or recover from injury or illness.

CON: At the end of the forbearance period, your payment will be higher due to the past due amounts owed. Your mortgage payments could be 20% - 25% higher for a period of 1-year or more.


Mortgage Protection Plans

Mortgage Protection Insurance can guard you and your family against economic loss! With the recent turmoil the country has felt as a whole we are proud to announce that we will soon be offering insurance policies to protect you and your home against job loss or loss of income.

PRO: You remain in your home, insurance pays your mortgage until you get back on your feet..


Short Sale

If you cannot bring your loan current, afford to make payments moving forward, or are unable to sell the property for the full amount of the loan, your lender may accept less than the amount owed as full payment.

PRO: Under the terms of a short sale, your lender may forgive your mortgage debt in its entirety according to the terms outlined in The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007. Fannie Mae has announced a reduced mandatory waiting period to establish credit history to 2 years after the completion of a short sale. This mandatory waiting period after a short sale is lower than the required 5-7 years following a foreclosure.

CON: You must sell your home.


Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure

If you are unable to bring your loan current or sell your home in a reasonable amount of time, your lender may agree to have you voluntarily transfer the deed to the property to them to help avoid the impact of a foreclosure on your credit rating.

PRO: By voluntarily transferring the deed, you save your lender tens-of-thousands of dollars in foreclosure proceedings. If you are willing to do this, Fannie Mae has reduced the mandatory waiting period to establish credit history to a minimum of 4 years. This mandatory waiting period after a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is lower than the required 5-7 years following a foreclosure.

CON: Although a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure may have less impact than an actual foreclosure on your ability to establish homeownership in the future, if you are going to cooperate with your lender and take a proactive approach, a short sale is generally the better option.