When the Obama administration rolled out the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in 2009, officials estimated 3 to 4 million borrowers would seek relief from their mortgages through the program during the worst recession and housing market collapse in decades. More than two years later, however, those projections have proven to be optimistic, to say the least. According to the Treasury Department, only about 700,000 homeowners had sought aid from HAMP through the third quarter of 2011.

helpA major reason for the smaller number is that many distressed owners of Greenville NC real estate are intimidated by the confusing process involved in applying for HAMP and don’t know how to go about getting the help they need.  It doesn’t have to be that way, however.

Stephfan Nurse, a loan modification expert and founder of ConsumerEducationOnline.com, says, “The key is knowing and understanding your options. With education, you are empowered."  His online site is designed to give owners of Greenville NC real estate the information they need to navigate the process. It includes a free pre-qualifier, where homeowners can input their figures and determine for which modification program they qualify.  It also offers software to assist in preparing financial statements and necessary documents, thus reducing stress on the applicant.

In order to make the loan modification process go as smoothly as possible, it is necessary that you, the owner of Greenville NC real estate, understand it fully and seek available help. Visit Making Home Available for free HUD-approved counselors, helpful phone numbers, detailed explanations of terms, etc.

Be aware that HAMP is not your only option. The fact is that more than 70 percent of modifications now are internal modifications made available by the investor holding the mortgage note. The only way to get an internal modification is to ask for one. Worth noting: HAMP bases its modifications on gross income (your mortgage must exceed 31 percent of what you make in a month) while internal modifications are based on monthly net (after-tax) income.

Another important tip: Be complete and thorough in your paperwork. Lenders receive thousands of faxes every day, so make sure your account number is on every page and that all questions and categories are filled out. It's also best to follow up with the lender weekly.  Being diligent, informed, and proactive are effective ways to hold on to your Greenville NC real estate.

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Whether you are considering buying a home, selling a home or both, Liz Freeman knows the Greenville, North Carolina area inside and out.  Most of her team members were born and raised in Pitt County, NC which has provided them with strong ties to the area, allowing them to become a successful Greenville NC real estate team.

Liz Freeman and her team have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Greenville NC real estate market. Liz assists buyers looking for Greenville NC real estate for sale and aggressively markets Greenville NC homes for sale. Liz is also a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), avoid foreclosure and short sale expert, committed to helping families in financial hardship find options to foreclosure. For more information you can visit Liz Helps.com. You can reach Liz by filling out her online contact form or give her a call.