Loan Modification Program failed miserable in Florida

Loan Modification Program failed miserable in Florida

Florida Homeowners hold on to their property with a needle and a thread, hoping for a loan modification under The Making Homes Affordable program.  According to the Florida Realtor’s website, only 8,405 in Florida get mortgage modification. This is simply pathetic and a nightmare!

Here are some basic rules to qualify:

• The property must be owner occupied with the owner still living in the home
• The borrower must have sufficient income to support the new mortgage debt
• The first mortgage may not exceed 105% of the current market value of the property. For example if the property is worth $200,000, the borrower must owe $210,000 or less.
• The borrower/homeowner monthly housing expenses (PITIA), defined as principal, interest, taxes, insurance and association dues must be more than 31% of gross monthly income.

These are the reason, in my opinion, why this loan modification program was doomed from the beginning:

1. Property values in Florida declined at a staggering rate of 30%, 60% and even 80% in some areas, since the housing boom of 2005. Making it impossible to qualify based on current market values/mortgage ratio.
2. High unemployment rates in Florida
3. Homeowner must have income to qualify for this program.
4. Bureaucracy

Short Sales do close in Florida and if you are looking for more information about Short Sales, I invite you to visit www.shortsalesuperstars.com a forum for homeowners and real estate agents that deal with short sales on a daily basis and where I am a member.