The Obama Loan Modification Aid Program, What Are The Benefits?

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August 31st, 2009

The objectives of the Obama Loan Modifications program are rather ambitious, to help 7 million people (the number is also quoted as 9 million, depending who you ask) modify their loan in order to afford monthly mortgage payments. In fact the way the program is designed you can save money by modifying your loan. The government is seriously backing this program with their big guns, namely $75 billion of funding. As always with these programs there are technicalities to deal with but the gist is rather simple to understand.

The loan modification program provides incentives to banks and service providers to modify your loan to a more sustainable monthly payment if you qualify through the trial period. The three month trial period tests if you are on time with your payments.

If you are, you receive a bonus that goes towards paying the principal of your loan. After that, every year you pay your mortgage without being delinquent on any payment another bonus is paid towards your mortgage principal.

These bonuses are worth extra because they pay the actual cash you initially borrowed, on which you will not have to pay interest. Who qualifies? This is one of the prickly areas of the program. The Loan modification aid program was designed to be as open as possible. You don´t have to be behind in your payments to qualify, just struggling to meet the monthly payments with your current income.

However the issue gets a little complicated due to a clause that limits a lot of home owners that are struggling. You can only qualify if your mortgage represents more than 30% of your monthly income. If it is less you will not qualify. This clause is actually under revision due to the fact that most borrowers don´t only owe on their mortgage but on their car, their credit cards, etc… This causes some of the most desperate home owners that owe money from various lenders not to qualify for the help they need. There are two main groups that can qualify for loan modification.

Those that want a loan modification but that didn´t qualify because the value of their home dropped and those that are on the brink of foreclosure. Either of these groups can get a loan modification if they comply with the programs requirements.

Don’t forget.

It is free to apply for a loan modifications. What is more, the government is paying banks to give you loan modifications. It is therefore a great idea to not trust companies who ask for expensive fees to get your loan modification processed. The best advice you can get is for a change free. Contact the Home Affordable Mortgage Program or any of the other government housing departments.

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