If you lose your job or some other problems shows up and you fail to pay your mortgage payment, don’t pretend there isn’t a problem by ignoring it. Look up your lender’s number and give them a call. They may be able to help you stay in your home and keep your credit from being damaged.
Communication between you and your lender is necessary whether you have had an illness or job loss. Missing a mortgage payment is not the end of the world but, letting your mortgage company know there is a problem demonstrates you care about you home and are trying to solve the problem.
When your bank gets your call they will probably ask if your financial problem is temporary or if a major change has occurred. Losing your job may jepordize future payments and trigger a notice of default. The earlier both of you can start finding solutions the more likely a foreclosure can be avoided.
The type of loan you have will make determine what choices are available or not. For instance, if you have a conforming conventional loan some lenders will be able to start finding satisfactory solutions for you and them. If your loan is FHA or VA or some other government backed or insured loan you may have to wait several months for the opportunity to start working on the loan problem. Irregardless, you still need to call your mortgage company.
Here is a list of 7 examples that a mortgage company may suggest.
1. Waive late payment fees
2. Extending your payment by spreading it out over a 12 to 24 month period and adding a fraction of the payment to each future payment till you get current on your payments.
3. Accept a partial payment
4. Move the past due payment to the end of the loan, giving you some time to recover
5. Interest or principal can be reduced
6. Creating a separate personal loan with favorable terms for the missed payment
7. Loan refinancing or re-amortizing the current loan
Your lender does not want your property. By law they can not own real estate. They do want the payment. Lenders are aware of economic downturns and will be more flexible with borrowers, as long as, good faith and trust are present.
Lenders are not mind readers so do not expect them to call and make suggestions. They may not know what your problems are and if you are having a difficult time making your payments.
The 7 examples above are available but your lender may have policies in place that limit what they can offer. These solutions are not automatic, you must qualify for a lender to grant any changes to your loan. Lenders may ask for proof of job loss and may want financial statements to justify any offer for help. This procedure may be inconvienant and invasive but, if you can keep your house it may be worth the trouble.
Do you want to gamble and risk the loss of your home or make a phone call?