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Homeowners across the United States who are undergoing financial hardship could avoid foreclosure under a plan announced on Nov. 30 by the U.S. Treasury Department. Under the plan, millions of at-risk homeowners could be free of mortgage debt without going through foreclosure, and given $1,500 for relocation. The Treasury plan, which potentially applies to 75 percent of the mortgages in the U.S., including those backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (those two organizations are currently devising guidelines), provides incentives for lenders and homeowners for completing Short Sales – transactions in which the lender agrees to a sale price that's less than the borrower owes on the mortgage. Short Sales are preferred to foreclosure because homeowners take less of a hit on their credit and lenders realize a smaller loss. However, Short Sales often get bogged down because of the complicated nature of the transaction. Deals can fall through because they take too long. Buyers are discourag...

Home Affordable Refinancing Many homeowners pay their mortgages on time but are not able to refinance to take advantage of today’s lower mortgage rates perhaps due to a decrease in the value of their home. A Home Affordable Refinance will help borrowers whose loans are held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac refinance into a more affordable mortgage. Home Affordable Modification Many homeowners are struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments perhaps because their interest rate has increased or they have less income. A Home Affordable Modification will provide them with mortgage payments they can afford.

On May 14, 2009, the Obama Administration announced its Foreclosure Alternatives Program (FAP) providing incentives and uniform procedures for short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure under the Making Home Affordable Program. The Making Home Affordable Program is designed to help homeowners obtain modifications to their loan so they can afford to stay in their home. Where a modification is not possible, new incentives encourage a quick private sale or voluntary transfer of property, which will save homeowners money and protect their financial future. A uniform process for handling short sales and financial incentives should help facilitate this process. Click here to view a summary of the incentives and process.