FHA’s new principal reduction program

A new program issued by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires lenders to reduce the principal by at least 10% for qualified borrowers.  Borrowers can qualify for the FHA principal reduction program if they are current on their payments and their loan was acquired from a failed bank seized by the FDIC.   Additionally, the program […]

New Mortgage Program for Unemployed

The Home Affordable Unemployment Program (UP) takes effect July 1, 2010, offering eligible unemployed borrowers an option to temporarily reduce or suspend mortgage payments for a minimum of three months.   Applicants must qualify for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), currently receive unemployment benefits, and must request the option before missing three monthly payments.   Homeowners, […]

Republicans Want to End Fannie and Freddie

On Wednesday, Republicans announced a plan to wind down bailed-out mortgage-financing giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  This proposal has the potential to create some political headaches for Democrats and the Obama administration which have bet heavily on the companies’ futures. Republicans submitted the measure as an amendment to the financial-regulatory bill in the Senate.  […]

Lawyer vs. FHA

New Orleans residents are challenged often with the task of tracing home titles back potentially hundreds of years. With a community rich with history stretching back over two centuries, houses have been passed along through generations of family, making it quite difficult to establish ownership. Here’s a great letter an attorney wrote to the FHA […]