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Refinancing was not an option more many people stuck in underwater loans until the HARP mortgage was revamped by the Obama Administration last month. The Home Affordable Refinance Program has been around for years, but the government added some security and incentives to encourage more mortgage lenders to participate in the program. If you haven't had more than one late mortgage payment in the last year, there is a good chance you may qualify for the HARP mortgage.
Would refinancing help you keep your home? The HARP refinance program opens the door for many borrowers who were previously turned down in their attempt to refinance. If you have an adjustable interest rate or a loan with rate over 5%, this may be the path you need to go down to save money.
Initially the HARP mortgage program had little success because it failed to meet regulators' expectations when it was launched in Spring of 2009. One of the problems originally was that homeowners who were significantly underwater could not refinance with HARP because of the maximum 125% loan to value restrictions. The new HARP mortgage program does not have loan to value restrictions so many of these borrowers will have an option to refinance.
The FHFA said they provide revised guidelines to mortgage lenders soon.
No appraisal will be required if Fannie Mae or and Freddie Mac have enough data in their automated valuation system. Lending fees will be eliminated for borrowers who refinance their mortgages into a shorter-term loan such as a 20-year mortgage or a 15-year mortgage.
The HARP mortgage program, which had been scheduled to expire in June 2012, has been extended through the end of 2013.
- Government refinancing emerges with a fresh new HARP Mortgage.
- The Government promises to relieve banks of liabilities on existing mortgages that encourages more lenders to get involved.
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