What is a Loan Modification?

In simplest terms, a loan modification restructures the terms of a loan without actually refinancing the property it secures. Investopia defines a loan modification as an agreement between the lender and the borrower which stipulates a long term relief from untenable loan terms. Modification of a loan applies to the terms governing the interest rate, the amount of the monthly payment, and in some cases also the length of the loan. Skilled home modification legal specialists work on behalf of borrowers with their lenders to achieve the relief of a home loan modification via drastically reduced mortgage payments.

Any homeowner currently stuck with an adjustable rate mortgage that has been or will be adjusting upwards is a premier candidate for loan modification. Millions of Americans were lured into signing up for interest only mortgage loans and while initially the loan was low and affordable, the double impact of rising interest rates and the inclusion of principal into the payment have caused borrowers to see their payments triple or even quadruple! The temporary one or two month forbearance your lender offers is a Band-Aid but not a bona fide solution to the problem that will get worse and the only way to halt the skyrocketing house payment and keep your credit intact at the same time is with the help of a loan modification.

Remember that waiting too long to get the process started may actually disqualify you from the program! Do not wait until your ARM or Interest-Only Loan resets again but instead act as soon as you realize that your financial situation is putting you at risk for foreclosure.

Why don’t I simply ask my lender for a Loan Modification myself?

It would be great if borrowers and lenders had the ability to negotiate loan modifications, but the problem is two-fold: many lenders simply lack well trained loan officers who know how to negotiate and set up a loan modification in the first place; secondly, some lenders are more interested in recouping any potential losses up front via a foreclosure than they are in keeping a customer for a long period of time with the help of a renegotiated mortgage. In both cases it is the involvement of legal specialists that provide borrowers with the results they desire.

Is Loan Modification similar to Debt Consolidation or Refinancing?

The answer is a resounding no. Debt consolidation seeks to lump a group of unsecured debts into either a loan or a program that offers lower payments. It does not apply to mortgages. Refinancing a home requires the borrower to apply for a new mortgage for the home and as such will require a down payment, an appraisal, and a lot of fees for the lender. This is often not an affordable solution for a borrower who is already stretched to the max with the current mortgage payment and the existence of an adjustable rate mortgage that eats up a lot of the available funds on a monthly basis may actually be held against the applicant and thus causes the refinance application to be denied. Loan modification seeks to restructure an existing loan.

How long is the Loan Modification process?

You will see relief in as little as two weeks or a couple of months if FHA guaranteed loans are involved. In the meantime, lenders are amenable to halting foreclosure proceedings and even the sale of a home! The added benefit of this process rests in the fact that you may be able to skip one mortgage payment and get back on your feet with your budget. Since the majority of reputable lenders prefer to have you remain a customer for life than selling off your home at a loss and thus not realizing the profit of the interest payments, the process is usually not delayed.

What are typical success rates?

Our success rate is stellar and our commitment to our clients is unwavering. With several professional and ethical companies forming our network of loan modification servicing firms, and decades of combined legal experience, your loan modification is in good hands and within 60 to 90 days you may be back on the road to fiscal health while having your good credit intact and keeping your home.