Where’s the Promised Government Loan Money (HARP) for Distressed Homeowners?
THE HISTORY OF HARP
Since 2007, when the American housing bubble burst, untold numbers of homeowners have found themselves in the dire dilemma of seeing the value of their homes sink below the amount they owe on their mortgages, putting them “under water” in mortgage jargon. With most mortgage lenders requiring a loan to value ratio (LTV) of 80% or less on refinancing (not requiring private mortgage insurance [PMI]), these homeowners have been basically locked out from taking advantage of the record low interest rates. Seeking solutions, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) introduced the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) in March 2009 thus began the history of HARP.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR HARP?
HARP was designed to help homeowners obtain refinancing when the value of their home exceeded 80% LTV without having to pay the additional PMI costs. Originally, this program was intended for homeowners with 105% LTV mortgages or … Read More