Will Financial Institutions Embrace “The Housing Affordability and Stability Program” (Even if They Don’t Have To)?
When the Obama administration’s “Housing Affordability and Stability Program” (HASP) was announced last month it came with a lot of hoopla, back-slapping, and smiling politicians. For homeowners burdened by mortgages that continue to spiral out of reach, the announcement brought a degree of relief, hope, and the thought that the government was finally going to do something for the people of Main Street instead of Wall Street.
HASP is made up of two programs, “The Home Affordable Modification” plan and “The Home Affordable Refinance” plan which both get their starts at FNMA (Fannie Mae) and FHLMC (Freddie Mac). The program guidelines are expected then to be accepted and utilized by mortgage lenders across the country. “Expected” is the key word as lenders’ participation in both programs is voluntary as long as long as they did not accept Financial Stability Act funds. It is at this juncture where many homeowners are going to be disappointed to learn that HASP is not going to help them either due to the fact it is not going to be available to them or that, even if available, they’re not eligible because they don’t qualify for it.
Regarding availability, it is very unlikely that financial institutions not mandated into program and existing outside of the Fannie Mae/ Freddie Mac umbrella are going to voluntarily sign on to the homeowner-friendly guidelines of the plan without receiving additional government concessions. At the heart of the matter is the reluctance of lenders to have loan terms dictated to them in a cookie cutter fashion, especially when those terms would lock in losses on thousands of loans in their collective portfolios. The problem, as the lenders see it, is that while the formula for reducing borrowers’ payments will vary significantly, the four elements in the equation are going to be difficult to swallow. These elements include cutting interest rates to a floor of 2%, maturity extensions out to 40 years, forbearance of missed payments and penalties to the back end of the mortgage, and principle reductions to 90% of appraised value of the home.
Regarding eligibility, homeowners with mortgage balances greater than $729,750, even if they are with Fannie Mae/ Freddie Mac, are excluded from the plan, it’s as simple as that. For homeowners in many metropolitan areas, especially those on either coast, HASP is going to be non-event whether for refi’s or loan modifications.
Considering the public relations nightmare that would ensue for the already bruised and battered players in the mortgage industry, homeowners should not expect any kind of official announcement from their lenders regarding their non-participation in HASP. Instead, borrowers participation questions are currently being answered by lenders with responses like, ”We are examining our options” or “Implementing the guidelines is expected to take some time”.
For homeowners already behind on their mortgage payments, waiting for their lenders to sign on to The Housing Affordability and Stability Program and then ride to the rescue could be a huge mistake. If a lender has not made an announcement regarding their participation in HASP, chances are they are not participating. To learn about your options, call Feldman Law Center (949) 544 8224 today.
April 22nd, 2009 in
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