Finding Help In The Home Refinance Stimulus Plan
All across the United States, people are struggling to keep their homes due to the financial situation nationwide. People have different situations, but the bottom line is that foreclosure is at an all-time high. This stimulus money is targeted at softening this trend through refinancing and modifying existing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac owned mortgages.
Approved lenders are given financial incentives to grant these refinance and modification packages. The reduced payment is hoped to provide enough relief to allow the homeowner to stay in their home and avoid foreclosure.
There are two basic programs within the Home Refinance Stimulus Plan:
Refinance: This option is available to those who have not been more than 60 days late with a mortgage payment in the last year. This person has probably tried to refinance their high-interest mortgage, but they did not have enough equity in the home due to the market value dropping in the current housing market. Even if they owe up to 105% of the value of their home, they can apply for a refinance. The home must be a primary residence. The deadline for application for these loans is June 10, 2010.
Loan Modification: This second option is for folks who are in arrears in their mortgage already. They may be facing foreclosure soon. In this particular scenario, a completely modified, reworked loan is issued. Various methods are employed that allow the lender to reduce the monthly payment to a figure below 31% of the homeowner's gross monthly income. The homeowner will also be eligible for up to $5,000 worth of incentives over the next five years for keeping the loan current. This is applied to the principal of the loan.
Of course, there are additional qualification guidelines for each of these plans.