Real Estate Home Loans in Boise Idaho, Benchmark Mortgage - Prime Equity Group: May 2010

The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index rose to its best levels since our Recession began.  This is very important because housing demand is very clearly tied with how consumers feel about economic conditions and their own financial outlook.

Consumer Sentiment rose to 73.3 in May, up from the April reading of 72.2.  Buried within this report were two other nuggets:  The survey showed that the consumer inflation expectation index rose to 3.1% which is the highest reading since June of 2009.  Inflation naturally causes mortgage rates to increase, so we need to keep an eye on this.

The survey's gauge of current economic conditions edged upward to a very high 81.1 and the barometer of consumer expectations also rose in May to 68.3. This is very good news for our economy and the housing market!

The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Program provides additional options to avoid costly foreclosures and offers incentives to borrowers, servicers and investors who utilize a short sale or deed-in-lieu (DIL) to avoid foreclosures. HAFA alternatives are available to all HAMP-eligible borrowers who: 1) do not qualify for a Trial Period Plan; 2) do not successfully complete a Trial Period Plan; 3) miss at least two consecutive payment during a HAMP modification; or, 4) request a short sale or deed-in-lieu.

In a short sale, the servicer allows the borrower to list and sell the mortgaged property with the understanding that the net proceeds from the sale may be less than the total amount due on the first mortgage. Generally, if the borrower makes a good faith effort to sell the property but is not successful, a servicer may consider a DIL. With a DIL, the borrower voluntarily transfers ownership of the property to the servicer - provided title is free and clear of mortgages, liens and encumbrances. With either the HAFA short sale or DIL, the servicer may not require a cash contribution or promissory note from the borrower and must forfeit the ability to pursue a deficiency judgment against the borrower.

HAFA simplifies and streamlines the short sale and DIL process by providing a standard process flow, minimum performance timeframes and standard documentation.

• Complements HAMP by providing a viable alternative for borrowers (the current homeowners) who are HAMP eligible but nevertheless unable to keep their home.
• Uses borrower financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification.
• Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property (including the minimum acceptable net proceeds).
• Requires borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt (no cash contribution, promissory note, or deficiency judgment is allowed).
• Uses standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines.
• Provides the following financial incentives:
  • $3,000 for borrower relocation assistance;
  • $1,500 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs;
  • Up to $2,000 for investors who allow a total of up to $6,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders, on a one-for-three matching basis.
• Requires all servicers participating in HAMP to implement HAFA in accordance with their own written policy, consistent with investor guidelines. The policy may include factors such as the severity of the potential loss, local markets, timing of pending foreclosure actions, and borrower motivation and cooperation.

There are also specific forms that must be used with HAFA...

• Home Affordable Modification Program - designed to enable borrowers that meet eligibility requirements to avoid foreclosure by modifying loans to a level that is affordable for borrowers and sustainable for the long-term.
• Second Lien Modification Program - designed to enable borrowers struggling with their mortgage to lower payments on second mortgages.
• Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program - provides borrowers that do not qualify for a HAMP modification with options to avoid foreclosure through a short sale or deed-in-lieu.
• Treasury FHA-HAMP - designed to enable borrowers with FHA-insured first lien mortgage loans, that are modified under FHA-HAMP, eligible for certain incentive payments under HAMP.