Home Loan Modifications and Your Credit Score

A Home Loan Modification can help you stop foreclosure and stay in your home. But if you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your credit, and whether in a good or bad way. Unfortunately, there’s no single answer—it all depends on how far behind you are and the kind of mortgage loan modification you’ll be granted.

Best-case scenarios

Technically, since you’re not borrowing any money, a home loan modification won’t hurt your credit score. If you’re paying less in interest, you have a smaller debt burden. And since most lenders prefer an interest rate reduction, there’s a pretty good chance that a Home loan modification will improve your credit score.

The implications are even better if your lender forgives part of the principal, although this is less common. If they write off $50,000 from your loan amount, it will show up on your report as a smaller loan, which can increase your credit score.

The lender factor

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen that way. It also depends on how your lender reports the home loan modification to the credit bureaus. Many of them will consider it paid for less than the original amount owed, which will count against your score. If you’re already in foreclosure, the impact on your credit can be substantial. Of course, compared to a short sale or a foreclosure, a Mortgage Loan Modification is still the best way to maintain your credit standing.

Tax implications

One of the early problems with Loan modification is that the amount forgiven is usually taxable. That means if your debt is reduced by $50,000, the IRS views it as income and imposes the corresponding tax. This can catch homeowners off guard during tax season, as many of them don’t know the tax implications at the time of the modification.

To avoid such incidents, the IRS announced in 2007 that Loan modification would no longer be classified as “prohibited transactions.” This applied to all loans originated from January 2004 to July 2007, the peak of the sub-prime boom, and those due to adjust from January 2009 to July 2012. If your mortgage falls under these categories, you won’t have to file a 1099 declaring the change as taxable.

A loan modification is much like going to court: you can save your money and get a court-appointed lawyer, or you can invest in professional representation and get the best mortgage assistance. Your loss mitigation won’t happen overnight, but if with a capable Loan Modification Attorney, you can be sure you’re in good hands.

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Countrywide to Tighten Up Loan Modifications

Homeowners hoping to get a loan modification with Countrywide may want to rethink their options. Countrywide Financial, best known for excessive lending practices that led to widespread defaults, now has so many bad debts on its books that it may have to tighten up its loan modification service.

Home Loan Modification allows defaulting borrowers to work out new terms with Countrywide, so that they can avoid foreclosure and stay on track. Countrywide began offering the service through their Home Retention Department at the height of last year’s real estate bubble. However, due to the volume of requests coming in, many cases were delayed and resulted in foreclosure. The company hit an all-time low in 2008 and was recently bought out by the Bank of America.

In line with the change, the Loan Modification Department of the Law Offices of Marc R. Tow is also taking measures to protect its clients. The firm, one of the leading loan modification services in the country, will only negotiate modifications with Countrywide for clients with viable cases and those who are in serious financial trouble.

Changes are also expected in national Loan Modification policies. While loan modification is still open to borrowers not in default, new laws may soon limit the service only to those in bankruptcy or serious delinquency. This will allow lenders and loan modification companies to focus their attention to clients who are most in need.

The firm will continue to help clients with loans serviced by other companies. Besides loan modification, the Law Offices of Marc R. Tow also offers assistance with loss mitigation alternatives such as short sales.

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What kind of loan can I get to consolidate private student loans?

I have $100,000 in private student loans from two lenders. The interest rate is over 10%. Is there a way to get another loan to pay this off at a lower interest rate? What kind of debt consolidation program should I consult? Most student loan companies only deal with Federal loans it seems. I keep seeing ads for mortgage loans with low monthly payments– is there something similar I could get for a personal loan? THANKS!


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How Atlanta Homeowners Can Benefit From the New Home Loan Programs

The Federal Making Home Affordable Program has created a number of home loan programs that will help keep Atlanta families in their homes, stabilize Atlanta’s communities and assist Atlanta homebuyers during these troubled times. Under these new home loan plans, Atlanta homeowners can:

Refinance their mortgage to a new, lower, fixed interest rate. Refinance even with declining property values. Refinance with lower income and asset verification requirements. Refinance Multiple Investment Properties.

Each of the above possibilities require that Atlanta Homeowners be current on their existing home loans. However, for those Atlanta families that have already fallen into hard times and are behind on, going to be behind on, or have an impending ARM adjustment/balloon payment with, their existing home loans can;

Obtain a modification on your mortgage that can potentially reduce your monthly payment, or offer other alternatives that can help you keep your home.

Finally, for those Atlanta families that are looking to purchase their first new home, or even upgrade their current home, programs are available for them to;

Purchase beautiful Atlanta homes with credit scores as low as 580 Purchase their new dream home with no out-of-pocket money down

The U.S. Treasury, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have developed these programs in an effort to help both troubled and current Atlanta borrowers, to get back on track and improve their current financial situations.

 

So How Do They Work? Refinance

For Atlanta Homeowners that are current on their mortgage payments but unable to refinance because their home value has decreased, you may be able to refinance to a lower rate, or a lower-risk, loan through the refinance solution that is part of this program. Examples of how the refinance program can help Atlanta Homeowners:

Fixed-rate mortgage to fixed-rate mortgage Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to fixed-rate mortgage Super conforming fixed-rate mortgage to super conforming fixed-rate mortgage

 

Loan Modification

For Atlanta homeowners who are behind in their mortgage payments, in the foreclosure process, or are current on their payments but have recently experienced a significant hardship, you may be able to modify your loan to a lower rate through the Loan Modification Program. Significant hardships are set as circumstances that may make it difficult for you to pay your mortgage going forward.

Purchase

For Atlanta area families and individuals that are in search of a loan for their new dream home, financing and programs are available to help them purchase;

Bank owned foreclosures at below market value With 580 credit scores With no, or little, money down With down payment assistance

 

How Do I Know If I Qualify?

Atlanta Loan Pros can help you move through the qualification process, and help you find the homeowner program that fits you best. Atlanta Loan Pro will work with Atlanta Homeowners to assist them in putting together the best purchasing package, and discover whether loan modification or a refinance, is the best option for them.

For more information, please contact Atlanta Loan Pros at 678-925-8001 or atlantaloanpro@gmail.com.

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How exactly does a secured loan work?

If I got a secured loan against my home and I sell me home, do I have to pay my unsecured loan off when I sell my home? Or can I continue to have my loan and pay it off every month for the term of the loan?
No, I am not talking about a home equity loan. A secured loan against my home- do I pack that back when I sell my home or not?


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Would a construction loan be the type of loan for building a new home?

If you wanted to build your own house, would you apply for a construction loan? What are the terms of a construction loan? How hard is it to get one?


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How does a preapproved car loan work?

I’m about to get a new car just dont know what yet. Want to get the loan today because Friday Im going to go look. Want the money with me so I can buy it on the spot.I know for a regular car loan they ask for a VIN number.If I get a preapproved loan and dont use all the money that is on the loan how would i use or return it?


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Your Lawyer and Your Settlement Loan

When considering a settlement loan while having a pending lawsuit a few things comes to mind.

A. What will my lawyer think?

 

B. Will he approve of me getting a settlement loan?

 

C. Will it affect any agreements with my lawyer?

In fact, you might find it hard to believe that lawyers actually like when their clients get settlement loans, as long as it doesn’t affect any agreements between you and your lawyer. With contingency agreements there may be a limit to the amount you can get in a settlement loan. You’ll want to consult with your lawyer regarding this.

A few reasons exist why lawyers like the idea of settlement loans. Lawyers understand the hardship of their clients during a pending lawsuit. Certain type of cases won’t allow the client to work at all, resulting in no income on the client’s side. During this a big financial stress can build; medical bills, mortgages and other payments will not wait for a lawsuit case. This is why lawyers see settlement loans as a way to help their client financially during their pending lawsuit.

With the above reason of financial issue comes to second reason why lawyers don’t mind settlement loans. They allow the case to go to trail and reach a verdict; instead of the client settling for a less amount due to debt building up or lack of financial assets. Allowing a lawsuit to go on till the end can greatly increase the money awarded at the end of the case.

The fact that settlement loans are private and confidential is another great reason. They can not and will not affect the outcome of a pending lawsuit. In fact the defendants will never know that you received a settlement loan. Remember, with a settlement loan you keep the money even if you lose and don’t have to pay it back.

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What is an interest only loan and what are the benefits and drawbacks?

I was recently pre-qualified for a loan and the loan officer didn’t mention any other loan programs except for an FHA? I had to ask about the first time buyers program. I’m just wondering what are some other loan programs and where could I find out about them.


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Would a Settlement Loan be Right for You?

If you’re in the middle of a pending lawsuit you already understand the financial stress than can build during that period. This is especially true for injury or accident related lawsuits. During this period the plaintiff in the case won’t be able to work, and depending on the situation might never able to work again. As with most lawsuits this can be a very trying situation; most lawsuits tend to take many months if not years to complete. During this period the plaintiff in the case can become delinquent with monthly bills, medical payments, car loans and mortgages. In worst cases you can actually lose your home or vehicle during a pending lawsuit; and have adverse effects on your credit history.

Many people in this situation tend to do the worst thing and take out more credit. This can include applying for more credit cards or taking out a home equity loan. This is dangerous, if you lose your pending lawsuit you’ll still be liable for that money that was loaned. A better option in this type of situation is a settlement loan. They are a great way for a plaintiff in a pending lawsuit to take hold of their financial issues, and in the process protect their assets and credit history.

The best part of a settlement loan is it doesn’t have to be paid back until the end of your lawsuit. If you happen to lose your lawsuit you pay nothing back. That means the money you spent and that is left over the settlement loan is yours to keep and will not effect your credit history or any personal property you would other wise take out equity loan on. Settlement loans are based on the merit of your lawsuit, so if it’s a strong lawsuit against the defendant you’ll almost certainly get approved.

Remember, you need to make smart financial moves during your lawsuit. A traditional loan can be damaging if you fail to win your case since you’ll still be responsible for the payments. This is why the settlement loan is a far better option, you’ll be able to secure the financial funds you need to proceed with life and not be in danger of a loan you can’t afford if you lose.

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