By Marcie Geffner, On Wednesday March 23, 2011, 6:00 am EDT, Bankrate, Inc.
Mortgage borrowers who are turned down for loan modifications may now get additional information that could help them understand why they didn't qualify under the so-called "HAMP test."
Until recently, borrowers weren't privy to the data used to perform the Home Affordable Modification Program's, or HAMP's, "net present value" test. But as of Feb. 1, loan servicers are required to send letters disclosing up to 33 data points to some borrowers who were rejected for HAMP loan modifications. Not all loans are covered by this requirement, which is part of the federal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, so not all borrowers will receive letters.
HAMP test required
The data points focus on the borrower's financial situation, home, existing loan and proposed modification, according to Tom Goyda, a spokesman for Wells Fargo in St. Louis. Borrowers who believe they have found mistakes in the data may file appeals with their servicers. Final decisions are up to the servicers.
"If they think there are any errors in terms of the inputs used, they have 30 days during which they can provide, in writing, what their evidence is to support what they believe the correct value should be," Goyda says.
HAMP's net present value, or NPV, test measures whether a loan modification makes financial sense for the lender. If so, the servicer must offer the borrower a trial modification. If a modification isn't in the lender's financial interest, and the borrower hasn't made the payments, the servicer may foreclose on the loan.
HAMP test website
Borrowers who want to see the inputs in action will soon be able to run their own practice HAMP tests on a website being developed by the U.S. Treasury. The website is expected to be ready in late spring and will include definitions of terms and icons to explain the inputs, according to Treasury spokeswoman Andrea Risotto. The system will have security features, but it will be open to anyone who wants to use it.
The chief benefit should be greater transparency in the HAMP process. Borrowers will be able to evaluate whether their situation might pass the HAMP test and see how changes in the data could affect the results, Risotto says. For example, a borrower who believes the loan servicer's opinion of the home's value was incorrect can see whether a more accurate valuation, perhaps based on an appraisal obtained by the borrower, would affect the outcome of the test.
The website will perform only HAMP calculations, not tests based on servicers' proprietary non-HAMP loan modification models.
Inputs determine outcome
Besides the disclosed inputs, the results of a HAMP test depend on other factors controlled by the servicer, such as the estimated cost of the loan modification, the perceived likelihood that the borrower will default on the loan and cost of a foreclosure. HAMP's guidebook for servicers lists 51 recommended inputs for the NPV test.
The design of the HAMP test is critical, a point that was well-explained in a Congressional Oversight Panel's December 2010 review of federal foreclosure prevention programs.
"If the NPV model is calibrated correctly," the report states, "it will get the correct homeowners into HAMP to prevent avoidable foreclosures. However, an incorrect calibration could either act as a means to delay inevitable foreclosures or grant subsidies to those who would otherwise cure (a loan default) and therefore do not need the extra help."
Borrowers won't be able to test the model's accuracy, and they won't be able to test their servicers' assumptions. But the new data should clear up some of the mystery about what goes into the HAMP test.
Thinking about a loan modification? Our Ventura County loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.
Thanks for reading this,
Chris B Johnson, Realtor
Chris is a Real Estate Agent at Prudential California Realty.
Phone: 805-208-0823. cjohnson@prucalhomes.com.
Certified HAFA Specialist, Certified Short Sale Specialist
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Chris B Johnson provides HAFA Loan Modification and short sales help, Short Sales in Moorpark, Short Sales in Thousand Oaks, Short Sales in Westlake Village, Short Sales in Newbury Park, Short Sales in Camarillo, Short Sales in Santa Rosa Valley, Short Sales in Somis, Short Sales in Lake Sherwood, and Short Sales in Simi Valley California. Moorpark Loan Modification Help, Thousand Oaks Loan Modification Help, Westlake Village Loan Modification Help , Newbury Park Loan Modification Help, Camarillo Loan Modification Help, Santa Rosa Valley Loan Modification Help, Somis Loan Modification Help, Lake Sherwood Loan Modification Help, and Simi Valley Loan Modification Help, Moorpark short sales , Thousand Oaks short sales, Westlake Village short sales, Newbury Park short sales , Camarillo short sales, Santa Rosa Valley short sales, Somis short sales, Lake Sherwood short sales, and Simi Valley short sales. Moorpark Short Sale Realtor, Moorpark Short Sale Realtors, Short Sale Realtor. Ventura County CA Short Sales. Ventura County Realtor, Certified HAFA Specialist, Moorpark Short Sale Realtor, Thousand Oaks Short Sale Realtor, Westlake Village Short Sale Realtor, Newbury Park Short Sale Realtor, Camarillo Short Sale Realtor, Simi Valley Short Sale Realtor, Moorpark CA Short Sales, Thousand Oaks CA Short Sales, Westlake Village CA Short Sales, Newbury Park CA Short Sales, Camarillo CA Short Sales, Simi Valley CA Short Sales, Ventura County Foreclosure Help, Moorpark Foreclosure Help, Certified Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative Specialist, HAFA, HAMP. CA. DRE 10501699.You can find Ventura County Short Sale Realtor at 587 W. Los Angeles Avenue, Moorpark, CA. 93021Chris also specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Ventura County California. Ventura County Loan Modification Help, Ventura County short sales. Ventura County Short Sale Realtor, Short Sale Realtor. Ventura County CA Short Sales. Ventura County Realtor. www.theshortsaleguide.com
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Important Notice
Chris B Johnson, Prudential California Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on loan modificstions and short sales. Why?
Because most laon modifications and short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.
However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.
We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.
This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.
You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval.
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