Best Loan Modification Companies

What is a loan modification?

A loan modification is anything that changes the original terms of your loan. Unlike mortgage refinancing, which replaces your loan with a new mortgage, a loan modification simply changes the terms of your existing mortgage. Some ways your loan can be modified include:

• Principal reduction
• Postponing payments
• Extending your term’s length
• Lowering your loan’s interest rate
• Going from a variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate

Who qualifies for a loan modification?

Homeowners undergoing a severe financial hardship that puts them at risk of foreclosing on their house can qualify for a loan modification. Some instances of a severe financial hardship include losing a job, the death of a spouse or being diagnosed with a disability or illness that makes it difficult to repay your mortgage. Homeowners have to be delinquent for a certain amount of time, usually around 60 days, or they have to be a high risk for defaulting on their mortgage before a lender will modify their loan.

How does a loan modification work?

A loan modification doesn’t replace your existing loan with a new one, like a mortgage refinance. Instead, it changes the terms for your mortgage to make it more affordable for you. You can either get a lower interest rate, change the payment terms so you spread your payments out for longer, which will result in lower monthly payments, or switch from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate. You’ll need to work with your lender to see what options you qualify for and which one makes the most sense for you to allow you to stay current on your mortgage payments.

What is a hardship letter?

Loan modification will not be granted without a convincing letter of hardship from the applicant. This letter explains the applicant’s reasons for needing a loan modification. It should describe the specifics of the applicant’s financial situation and contain a few key elements:

• Identifying information. The first item of the hardship letter should be the applicant’s identifying information: name, address, phone number, email address and loan account number.
• Involuntary reductions of income. Any changes of income outside the applicant’s control—lay-offs, reduction of wages/hours, death of a borrower, disability, serious illness, divorce, etc.—are considered involuntary reductions of income. These should be listed and articulated clearly in the applicant’s hardship letter.
• Unavoidable expense increase. Unexpected medical expenses, damage from natural disasters, increases in property taxes or adjustable interest rates, unavoidable childcare expenses and other expenses that cause financial stress should appear in the hardship letter.
• Repayment plan and budget. Applicants should include a detailed plan for how the loan modification will help them. A proposed budget detailing plans for repayment as well as any mention of money currently set aside to pay to the lender as part of this plan. This information needs to be as comprehensive, specific and reasonable as possible. An accurate and clear payment plan increases the likelihood of approval.

Is loan modification worth it?

Loan modification helps homeowners lower their monthly mortgage payments. A loan modification can keep homeowners from defaulting on their loan and give them some breathing room to get back on track repaying their mortgage. It’s a more appealing alternative to foreclosure or bankruptcy and lets you stay in your home while you sort out your finances.

Flex Modification program

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac implemented the Flex Modification program in 2017 to replace the HAMP loan modification program that expired at the end of 2018. These programs are designed to help homeowners who are more than 60 days delinquent on their mortgage payments to get some relief and avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy. Find out more about how to apply for Flex Modification if you have a Fannie Mae loan or Freddie Mac loan.

Forbearance agreement

If you don’t qualify for loan modification, or if you just need short-term relief, you might qualify for a forbearance agreement. This isn’t a loan modification but rather an agreement between you and your lender that allows you to miss payments for an agreed-upon period of time. Because you'll still accrue interest, you should only consider this if you are in a short-term cash crunch and expect to be back on your feet relatively soon.

Repayment plan

This also isn’t a loan modification but rather a plan you make with your lender to catch up on your missed payments. Your lender will spread out the amount you owe over a period of time. During that timeframe, the lender will add on the balance due to your existing mortgage payment. Usually repayment plans run around three to six months. At the end of it, you should be current on your mortgage.