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Mortgage Assistance Articles

Mortgage Charge-Off & Foreclosure

Mark CappelNovember 28, 2023

Charge-off is an accounting term used by creditors when they move a delinquent account from its accounts receivable books to its bad debt ledger.

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Second Mortgage Charge-Off

Betsalel CohenNovember 27, 2023

Letting your second mortgage go into charge-off status puts you at the risk of foreclosure. Your options to avoid foreclosure, and how to handle a deficiency...

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Credit Card Debt Foreclosure

Mark CappelNovember 27, 2023

Can credit card debt lead to foreclosure? The answer is NO! Find out more in this insightful article.

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Second Mortgage Foreclosure

Betsalel CohenNovember 26, 2023

Learn the legal and financial complexities of second mortgage foreclosure, as well as alternatives to foreclosure such as loan workout plans and mortgage modifications,

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Cash for Keys and Foreclosure

Daniel CohenNovember 7, 2023

Cash for keys is a program that can help the resident and the bank. The resident gets money and the bank gets the house vacated sooner

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Mortgage Assistance

Erik MartinApril 27, 2022

Mortgage assistance and how to qualify for mortgage relief in 2022. Congress mortgage relief and other mortgage assistance programs.

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HARP Extended Through 2018

Betsalel CohenMay 22, 2018

Once again the FHFA extends the HARP program. The latest extension means The HARP refinance mortgage will be available all of 2018. The replacement program...

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Hurricane Harvey - Getting Financial Help

Betsalel CohenAugust 30, 2017

Hurricane Harvey has caused widespread damage in parts of Texas and Louisiana. Get tips regarding mortgage payments and financial assistance...

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Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act

Daniel CohenJune 30, 2015

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 |Use The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 to not declare as income the forgiven debt on your home

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FHFA to the Rescue?

Betsalel CohenMay 28, 2015

The FHFA announced new policies that could make it easier for more people to qualify for mortgages. Will this help you? If you have 3% for a down-payment...

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My Short Sale Nightmare

Bills.com TeamApril 10, 2015

A bills.com reader provides a detailed review of his short sale experience. Examine how he fought to avoid the potential tax implication of the short sale by kn

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HARP 3.0 Mortgage Refinance Program

Betsalel CohenMarch 17, 2015

Obama Passes HARP, but borrowers are looking for HARP 3.0 Mortgage Refinance programs. When a HARP 3 update is announced, you need to be ready to move…

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Anti-Deficiency

Bills.com TeamFebruary 18, 2015

Learn if your state offers no-recourse rules for mortgage deficiency balances. In some states, the lender cannot pursue you...

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Foreclosure Laws

Bills.com TeamFebruary 18, 2015

Learn how much time a lender must allow from default to a foreclosure auction. In some states the default-to-foreclosure time is as little as 60 days, but in...

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California Mortgage Foreclosure Process

Mark CappelNovember 4, 2013

Learn the process for foreclosing on property in California, including the timing on a NOD, and a Notice of Trustee's Sale. A foreclosure can take 200 to...

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Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure

Mark CappelOctober 14, 2013

Under common law, a landlord's foreclosure terminated a tenant's lease. This rule changed in 2009 with the 'Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act,' which...

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Wells Fargo Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure Prevention

Betsalel CohenJune 4, 2013

Wells Fargo Modification is just one of many foreclosure alternatives. If you also have a second mortgage, then...

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FHFA Streamline Modification: A HAMP Alternative

Betsalel CohenMay 12, 2013

The FHFA Streamline Modification is available for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan. You must be delinquent at least 90+ days, but you don't have to prove...

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HARP 2.5? The Boxer-Menendez Refinance Bill

Betsalel CohenMarch 11, 2013

Boxer-Menendez Refinance Bill | Senators Boxer and Menendez introduced for the third time their Refinance bill to improve the HARP program; however, it still...

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RAHPP | Sen. Merkley's 4% Mortgage Pilot Program

Betsalel CohenFebruary 14, 2013

Rebuilding American Homeownership Pilot Program | Is this the start of HARP 3? The results of the pilot will help determine if Sen. Merkley can push through...

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Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Expires

Bills.com TeamDecember 13, 2012

The expiring of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act does not necessarily mean borrowers who had a short sale or foreclosure will face a large income tax...

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HARP 2 Mortgage | Keeping Updated

Betsalel CohenNovember 5, 2012

HARP 2 Mortgage Updates | The HARP 2 mortgage has stepped up helping more borrowers, with high LTVs. However, you need to shop around to find the best HARP 2...

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HARP 2 & LTV

Betsalel CohenOctober 17, 2012

HARP 2 and LTV | Although under the HARP 2 program there is unlimited LTV, many lenders have tighter rules. According to the FHFA August 2012 report, more...

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HARP 3 - Will Congress Expand the Program?

Betsalel CohenOctober 11, 2012

HARP 3 Expansion | There are a large number of borrowers who don't qualify for the HARP program. Congress is reviewing a number of proposals to expand HARP 3...

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Hardest Hit Fund: Helping Struggling Homeowners

Betsalel CohenSeptember 23, 2012

Hardest Hit Fund | 18 states established a foreclosure avoidance program to help unemployed and struggling borrowers get current and also...

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Rebuilding American Homeownership - The 4% Mortgage

Betsalel CohenAugust 19, 2012

Rebuilding American Homeownership | In late July 2012 Sen. Merkley proposed a program for all underwater borrowers. Will it become the new HARP 3 program, or...

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#MyRefi | Social Media to Mass Refinancing Plan

Betsalel CohenAugust 14, 2012

MyREfi# | The White House initiated a social campaign to gain support fro a HARP 3 mass refinancing plan. The plan requires Congressional action, but...

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Mortgage Modification or Refinance | Avoid Foreclosure

Betsalel CohenAugust 12, 2012

Mortgage Modification or Refinance | If you are having trouble making your payments, then look into a mortgage modification. But if you have good credit, then..

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Hardest Hit Fund: Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Updates

Betsalel CohenJuly 27, 2012

Principal Reductions to HARP, HAMP and Hardest Hit Funds | Due to changes in state regulations and Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae guidelines, principal reductions...

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Eminent Domain | A Mortgage Relief Option

Betsalel CohenJuly 20, 2012

Eminent Domain and Mortgages | Can a local government take over mortgage loans? Learn about a proposal to use eminent domain to help underwater borrowers refi..

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Nevada Foreclosure

Mark CappelJuly 10, 2012

Homeowners enrolled in Nevada's Foreclosure Mediation Program see the foreclosure process halt in almost all cases. Learn how to stop a Nevada...

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California Law to Protect Homeowner from Foreclosure

Betsalel CohenJuly 6, 2012

California Foreclosure Protection | The California legislature passed a law to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The law includes no dual tracking and more...

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Subprime Mortgage Lender | High Costs

Daniel CohenJune 3, 2012

Subprime Mortgage Lenders offer high priced loans for high-risk borrowers. Before you take a subprime loan, look at all your options. Learn how to...

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Lenders Participating in HARP Program

Betsalel CohenMay 22, 2012

HARP Lenders | Underwriting requirements differ between HARP lenders. Big Banks and original lenders are often more expensive. Shop around for the best...

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Making Home Affordable Program Information

Daniel CohenMay 8, 2012

Making Home Affordable Program Information | President Obama has introduced various programs to assist distressed homeowners, Find out if you can save money...

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HARP 2.0 Mortgage Rates

Betsalel CohenApril 18, 2012

Harp Mortgage Rates | Since the March 19 2012 update, HARP mortgage rates have become more competitive. If you want to find the best HARP mortgage rate, then...

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Refinance Upside Down

Mark CappelApril 16, 2012

A refinance for an upside-down mortgage is possible, but if you are already paying a low adjustable rate, then you may not see any savings in your monthly payme

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Forbearance on Mortgage Payments

Betsalel CohenFebruary 22, 2012

Mortgage Payment Forbearance | Pres. Obama in his Building America to Last program calls for an industry wide 12-month forbearance for unemployed...

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Citimortgage Fradulent Loans

Betsalel CohenFebruary 18, 2012

CitiMortgage Bad Loan | CitiMortgage settled with the FHA for $158 million due to fraudulent loan practices in the DE Lender program. You can expect...

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Fast Track Short Sales

Mark CappelFebruary 8, 2012

Short sales are not quick sales. PMI providers for Fannie Mae loans are cutting red tape to fast track short sales...

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HARP 2.0 AND PMI

Betsalel CohenFebruary 5, 2012

Mortgage Insurance and HARP: If you are eligible for a HARP 2.0 loan and have PMI then you can do the HARP refinance. The MI companies are doing LPMI....

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Chapter 13 Mortgage

Betsalel CohenNovember 1, 2011

Chapter 13 Mortgage Refinancing | Your refinancing options are limited while in bankruptcy but it is still possible. The first thing you need to do is...

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HARP Mortgage 2.0 Refinance Program

Daniel CohenSeptember 21, 2011

HARP Mortgage Program Refinance | Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) was just updated to avail low interest rates to more Americans seeking mortgage help.

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Obama to Expand HARP

Daniel CohenSeptember 8, 2011

Proposed changes to HARP will increase the number of homeowners who qualify for the Home Affordable Refinance Program.

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Mortgage Principal Reduction

Betsalel CohenMarch 11, 2011

Mortgage Principal Reduction | Due to the housing crisis there are many underwater borrowers. A controversial solution is principal reduction, which cancels...

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Mortgage Servicer

Jon PedleyFebruary 21, 2011

A mortgage servicer is the party responsible for collecting payments on a mortgage loan and managing the escrow account

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Chase Short Sale

Bills.com TeamDecember 13, 2010

If you reached a settlement with Chase regarding your short sale, then you do not owe Chase or anyone else anything for the deficiency balance.

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Hardest Hit Fund'

Daniel CohenDecember 3, 2010

$1.5 billion awarded to several states to aid struggling home owners.

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Judicial Foreclosure

Mark CappelDecember 1, 2010

Learn about judicial foreclosure, non-judicial foreclosure, and how each type works. Get the information you need from Bills.com.

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Subprime Mortgage

Mark CappelDecember 1, 2010

A subprime mortgage is offered to people with credit scores below 620, negative credit histories, or other high-risk factors. Learn more about subprime mortgage

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