New HAMP Incentives Benefit Homeowners Big Time

by Shannon from Dayton, OH and by Lucia from Canyon Lake, CA

Ask Kate about four new HAMP incentives that will benefit struggling homeowners big time: Making Home Affordable (MHA) apparently read the memo that rising interest rates for homeowners ending their fifth year of the HAMP program are going to increase the banks' default rates. In order to prevent a new avalanche of foreclosures, MHA is offering generous financial incentives to HAMP borrowers.

New HAMP Financial Incentives

Here are the details on the new HAMP financial incentives of December 2014, designed to reward borrowers for timely mortgage payments by building equity, lowering payments, improving rates, and creating a safety net.

1. Equity: In year six of the loan term, up to $5,000 will be applied as a reduction to the modified mortgage balance, in addition to the existing $5,000 incentive accrued during years one to five. Yes, that's a total of $10,000 to eligible borrowers for making timely house payments.


2. Affordability: After the principal reduction, eligible homeowners can request a re-amortization of their loan balance to lower monthly payments.


3. Interest Rate: For those with a fixed rate, eligible borrowers may find their rate can be lowered by a half point (.5 percent).


4. Safety Net: Homeowners who have used HAMP to modify mortgages but are no longer able to afford their homes may be eligible for a cash payment of $10,000 by transitioning into either of the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA), Short Sale or Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure versus walking away from the home.

So call your loan servicer today to determine your eligibility for any or all of the HAMP incentives. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Now for Shannon's HAMP quit claim question and Lucia's 2nd mortgage modification question...

Loan Assumption with Quit Claim Deed During Loan Modification

By Shannon from Dayton, Ohio

Hello Kate,

I am trying to help a friend out. He went through a divorce last year and in the divorce decree it stated that they were going to let the house go into foreclosure. Neither could afford it alone but that his ex wife was to stay in the home until the foreclosure.

They were just notified of the foreclosure process but his ex wife told him that the lender agreed to work with her on a modification. The bank has asked for a quit claim deed in order to just consider her income for the modification but my friend is reluctant to sign.

I am a licensed Real Estate agent but this is not my area. It is my understanding and some of my colleagues if he signs the quit claim deed, he is still on the hook for the mortgage but will no longer have interest in the home. In which case his income-to-debt ratio will be too high to ever get any kind of loan so long as she is in the house.

My advice was to sign the quit claim deed simultaneously with an assumption of the loan as part of the modification. Is there any other way around this? It really would be best if the kids could stay in the house.

Ask Kate answers: Loan Assumption with Quit Claim Deed During Loan Modification

Hi Shannon,

Yes, signing a quit claim deed releases the interest in the property but not the mortgage, giving the ex-spouse full responsibility for the debt with no asset to back it up.

Quite a precarious position for your friend. But I think it's an excellent idea to ask the lender to add loan assumption to the mortgage modification conditions.

I frequently receive questions on quit claim deeds from numerous angles and both sides of the party. For further thoughts and help, please read:

• If You Don't Own, Why Would You Choose to Owe


• Is it Wise to Refinance a Home in My Husband's Name


• Mortgage Assumption After Mortgage Modification


• Modify Your Mortgage with a Non-Borrowing Spouse


• HAMP Loan Modification and Your Credit After Divorce

Best wishes to your friend and thank you for your question,

How Do I Modify My 2nd Mortgage with HAMP 2MP

By Lucia from Canyon Lake, CA

Hello Kate,

Presently I have a Wells Fargo HAMP 1 modification from 2011. I also have a HELOC with the same servicer that was not modified.

My HELOC will recast this year and I would like to apply for the 2nd mortgage modification program (2MP) which Wells Fargo participates in.

When I called Wells Fargo, they told me I have to re-qualify for the 1st mortgage modification again, including all new paperwork.

But I only want to modify my $23,000 HELOC. Do I have to go through this miserable task again? What are my options? It seems ridiculous to have to re-qualify for HAMP 1 in order to get 2MP.

Ask Kate answers: How Do I Modify My 2nd Mortgage with HAMP 2MP

Hi Lucia,

Making Home Affordable's 2nd mortgage modification, 2MP, is not a stand-alone program. 2MP must be applied for during or directly following the 1st mortgage modification.

This is because there is no consideration of loan qualifications at the 2nd mortgage level. In fact, your loan approval is merely pulled over from the 1st mortgage modification package.

I do understand the process can be miserable. But perhaps you could apply for HAMP Tier 2 and 2MP at the same time and lower both payments. Hopefully, this could lessen the misery of applying once again for HAMP! Best wishes,

Have You Seen These Ask Kate Answers

• Is Certificate of Occupancy Required by FHA Loan Guidelines
• Mortgage Refinance: Calculate Breakeven Points
• Zero to Low Down Payment Programs for Home Buyers
• FHA Loan Requirements: Can I Rent Out My Home

You are invited to ask Kate a mortgage question. Or you can post a comment by clicking the link near the bottom of this page.

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