New Mortgage Aid Program Helps Homeowners Refinance Loan AARP Bulletin

New Mortgage Aid Program Helps Homeowners Refinance Loan AARP Bulletin

New Mortgage Aid Program Helps Homeowners - Refinance Loan - AARP Bulletin

New Mortgage Aid Program

Revamped plan helps ' underwater' homeowners get lower-interest financing

Q. Thanks to the terrible real estate market, my home is now worth a lot less than what I owe on it. I'd like to refinance. Isn't there a new government program to help people in my situation?
A. Not a new one, but a revamped one. In October, President Obama announced the overhaul of the Home Affordable Refinance Program, which hadn't helped nearly as many homeowners as the government predicted. See also: Photo by Alamy Federal loan program has been modified to help more American homeowners qualify. Housing officials say the retooled effort could help more than 1 million homeowners like you refinance to today's rates — around 4 percent — and save on average about $200 a month. Under the new terms of the program: You will no longer be required to get your property appraised when you apply for refinancing. That means you can qualify regardless of how "underwater" you are. A slightly tarnished credit history will no longer disqualify you.

Time to Refinance

and learn how to save more money.

You must be current on your mortgage for the last six payments.
Your loan must have been sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before June 2009. You can determine whether you meet that condition by going online to or . You can get more information on the Web on the and on a . If your loan doesn't qualify, you may want to contact your servicer or other lenders to discuss other programs that might work for you. For general information on mortgage financing, go to the . Also of interest: Carole Fleck is a senior editor at the AARP Bulletin. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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