Bountiful UTAH – I recently received a question from Grant. Here was his question.
"I have an FHA loan and want to get a loan modification. My bank is playing hardball and won't modify the loan at all. My friend got a loan modification and said it was pretty easy. What can I do to modify my loan?" Grant.
Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here.
Here is the answer. I don't know the specific rules for FHA Loan Modifications. But, I do know how to find them. Here is what I have learned about FHA Loan Modifications and FHA Short Sales.
The FHA Program takes the loss on any short sales or loan modifications. Because of that they get to make the decisions on how loan mods and short sales are implemented.
The FHA program is administered by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Most people call it "HUD." HUD has specific employeeds that administer the FHA Loan Program.
Those employees do not review loan modifications or short sales themselves. Instead, they give specific written instructions to the lenders that handle the loans.
These specific instructions are called Mortgagee Letters. If the lender wants to be reimbursed for any loss by the FHA Insurance, then they must follow the instructions.
They issue updates to their directions regularly with new Mortgagee Letters.
Here is the bottom line. Your lender has to follow those written instructions. The good news is that you and I can access and read thru these letters online.
To find out the specific rules for an FHA Loan Modification, you will have to read thru the following Mortgagee Letters. Mortgagee Letter 2009-35, Mortgagee Letter 2000-05, Mortgagee Letter 2002-17, Mortgagee Letter 2008-21, Mortgagee Letter 2010-11, and Mortgagee Letter 2009-23.
I just found some good information in Mortgagee Letter 2002-17. "At no time shall the loan be considered delinquent solely because the borrower has not paid late fees or other foreclosure costs."
I have seen lenders put a borrower into default status and charge late fees on late fees. One late fee can blossom into thousands of dollars in charges. It looks like FHA doesn't like that practice.
There are probably a total of 40-50 pages that you will need to read thru. But, because you know the rules you will have the upper hand in any negotiations with your lender.
I think that is worth spending a little extra time reading thru everything. Thinking about a short sale?
I can help you short sale your property and never pay the bank another penny. Send me an e-mail at utahhomesaver@gmail.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.
When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at (801) 651-0707
Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.
Thinking about a loan modification? Our Layton loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.
Thanks for reading this, dave forsberg.
dave is a Real Estate Agent at Prudential Utah Real Estate - Bountiful. Layton Short Sales Realtor:
Phone: (801) 651-0707. utahhomesaver@gmail.com.
Greater Salt Lake Short Sales. Real Help for those that need it most.
View My homes for sale at BuyUtahNow.com.
