A two-year extension has been allotted for the government-sponsored Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). This is great news for underwater homeowners! HARP was set to expire at the end of 2013; however, according to the Housing Finance Agency, it will now extend through 2015 giving underwater homeowners more time to refinance.
By qualifying for HARP, underwater homeowners can expect to see their mortgage rates drop to as low as 4 percent. During the fourth quarter of 2012, 39.6 percent of mortgages in South Florida were worth less than what was owed. Although this number was down from 47 percent a year ago, this is still much higher than the national average. Not only are underwater homeowners at risk of foreclosure, they also cannot sell their property without bringing thousands of dollars to the closing table. According to the FHFA Acting Director, more than two million homeowners have refinanced through HARP. This program not only benefits homeowners, it benefits taxpayers and mortgage companies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
According to the FHFA, in January 56 percent of Florida’s refinances were through HARP. The agency is planning a national campaign to educate homeowners on the program and how they can take advantage of it before it ends in 2015. In order to qualify, a homeowner’s mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before May 31, 2009 and the loan-to-value ratios must be greater than 80 percent.
Click here to read more about the extension of HARP.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-harp-extension-20130427,0,1882210.story
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified Miami foreclosure defense attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Miami foreclosure defense attorney Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the website, Kingcade & Garcia, P.A.