John Paytten asked:




Many people wonder what they can do to qualify for a home loan modification, or whether they are even eligible in the first place. Recent legislation has loosened the rules governing a home loan modification, and as long as you are staying in contact with your lender, no matter what the situation, you should have a great chance at receiving a home loan modification.

Obviously the terms of the modification all depend on the situation surrounding your personal desire to refinance, but you do have certain rights and privileges guaranteed by federal and local statutes. By being aware of these statutes and following a few simple steps you increase the strength of your position.

Here are some tips to follow in order to be accepted into a home loan modification program.

1. If you are in good standing and wish to modify your loan for the sake of lowering your monthly payment or reducing your interest rate, be sure to remind your lender of your current status. Also be prepared to deal with fees associated with the refinancing; the bank is, after all, in it to make money.

2. If you are in a negative situation, or have missed payments in the past, have a detailed record of your payments available to remind the mortgage company of the payments that you have made. Also have detailed financial records available to demonstrate your current economic hardship. ” I lost my job” is not going to cut it. They will require a detailed list of your expenses and income in order to demonstrate that you are making a good faith effort to pay your bills, and you simply cannot afford it at your current payment schedule.

3. If you received your initial mortgage at a higher rate due to poor credit be prepared to demonstrate to the company that you have not only made your initial payments on time, but that you have worked to improve your credit score and pay off your negative debt.

4. Contact government counselors. The government has provided a plethora of resources to help you in your situation. Take advantage of them.

The process is relatively simple if you are a self-advocate and know your rights.

Duane