New Loan Modification From Fannie, Freddie: What to Know

If you’re struggling to make your monthly mortgage payment, Fannie Mae and Freddie Machavea new loan modification program so your home stays out of foreclosure — and you stay put.

The program, calledFlex Modification, goes into effect Oct. 1, 2017. It will incorporate key elements from Fannie’s and Freddie’sstandard and streamlined modification programs, as well as their expiredHome Affordable Modification Program.

Here’s a closer look at how Flex Modification works and who’s eligible.

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What is the Flex Modification program?

Created under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Flex Modification fills the need for a long-term foreclosure-prevention solution now that HAMP has expired. A loan modification is when a lender agrees to change the original terms of your mortgage — often by extending the loan term or reducing the principal balance or interest rate —to lower your monthly payments.

The program is called “Flex Modification” because it offers lenders greater flexibility in evaluating borrowers compared with previous loan modification programs. With HAMP, lenders couldadjust the terms of a qualified loan until a mortgage payment equaled 31% of the borrower’s income. The Flex Modification program applies those same measures, but it allows lenders to alsoconsider how many days delinquent borrowers are and the value of their home. It aims to reduce monthly mortgage payments by 20% for eligible borrowers.

A modified loan benefits both lenders and borrowers: It’s usually less expensive and time-consuming than a foreclosure.

Am I eligible?

Here are the criteria to be approved for a Flex Modification:

– Your mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie. Loans from the FHA, VA or USDA do not qualify.
– Your mortgage must be at least one year old.
– You must have a first-lien mortgage, which means your mortgage company willbe repaid first if you default on your loan and the home is sold.
– You must be60 days or more past due on a loan for a primary residence, second home or investment property.
– Your mortgage loan is current or less than 60 days past due, but your lender has determined your loan is in “imminent default.” That means the lender believes you are no longer able to afford your monthly payment.
– Your property is allowed to bevacant or condemned, which is when a public authority uses the power of eminent domain to seize a property for public use.

How do I apply?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin taking applications Oct. 1, but you’ll first need to check if your mortgage is owned or guaranteed by one of the agencies. Ask your lender, or use the online loan look-up tools (click here for Fannie and here for Freddie).

Once you’ve confirmed that, you’ll need to submit a complete Borrower Response Package, which includes:

– A signed and completedborrower assistance form.
– A signed and completed Request for Individual Tax Return TranscriptIRS form.
– Documentable proof of a financial hardship, such as a job loss, divorce, death or illness.
– Proof of income. Unemployment income doesn’t qualify. If you’re unemployed, Fannie and Freddie are likely to provide six months of unemployment forbearance instead of loan modification, according tothe FHFA.

Your lender or servicer should provide you with this paperwork.

What if I’m really behind on payments?

If you’re more than 90 days behind on your mortgage, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac consider your loan to be in severe risk of foreclosure. That’s the end result Flex Modification aims to avoid.

In those instances, there’s a streamlined version of Flex Modificationthat doesn’t require the documentation package or income verification. The goal of the program is also a 20% payment reduction.

How to getloan modification help

It takes teamwork to modify your mortgage loan if you’re struggling to make payments. Reach out to your mortgage servicer — either theoriginal lender, or the new one ifyour loan was resold — as soon as possible.

Deborah Kearns is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: dkearns@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @debbie_kearns.

The article New Loan Modification From Fannie, Freddie: What to Know originally appeared on NerdWallet.