Modification Program:Mortgage Modification Program – HARP Versus HAMP

As many homeowners have found it increasingly difficult to make ends meat and afford their home mortgage payments, mortgage defaults and foreclosure proceedings have risen. These homeowners have several options that may put them in a position to bring their accounts current and allow them to make their subsequent mortgage payments. One such option if a homeowner qualifies is to take part in the United States Treasury Department’s Home Affordable modification program .

This program is a shared debt reduction program between your lender and the government. The first step is for your lender to reduce your monthly mortgage payments including (principal, interest, taxes, insurance and condo fees) to reflect no more then 38% of your gross income. Gross income is defined as your total salary, tips, dividends and other income prior to taxes. Once the lender or bank reduced your payments to 38% of your monthly gross income, the Treasury Department will then step in and match dollar for dollar any additional reduction that the lender provides down to 31% of your gross monthly income for up to five years.

The benefit to a homeowner is rather obvious, in many cases a very large reduction in monthly mortgage payments. Additionally, should the monthly payment be reduced by 6% or more, homeowners are eligible to receive $1,000 per year for up to five (5) years, payment that goes straight towards reducing the principal balance on the mortgage loan as long as the homeowner is current on their monthly payments.

In order to encourage lenders and banks to take part in the program, the lender also receives various significant financial benefits. First and foremost is their ability to avoid foreclosing on another house that likely has no equity. The lender shares the financial burden with the Treasury Department; additionally the lender or bank receives compensation from the Government in the amount of $1,000 for each loan modified pursuant to the program.

The lender will also receive up to $1,000 per year for each year the homeowner remains in the program and stays current on their new mortgage obligation. Should the homeowner be current when entering into the modification, an additional benefit is a one-time incentive payments of $1,500 to lender will be provided.

Learn more about Obama Mortgage Relief Plan Qualifications.