Are you currently struggling to pay your home mortgage? Perhaps you're even facing foreclosure on your residential property. Well, if you haven't yet heard, there's a new Federal resource available to you called the Making Home Affordable Program. Unfortunately, there are also many scam programs popping up, all asking you for money upfront and making promises they can't keep regarding your home mortgage. Before you enter any foreclosure or loan modification program, read this helpful information from the Making Home Affordable web site to help you determine if you're being conned or not...
The Federal government provides free resources to get you the help you need. Homeowners can call the Homeowner’s HOPE™ Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for information about the Making Home Affordable Program and to speak with a HUD-approved housing counselor. Assistance is available in English and Spanish, and other languages by appointment.
Tips to Avoid Scams
- Beware of anyone who asks you to pay a fee in exchange for a counseling service or modification of a delinquent loan.
- Scam artists often target homeowners who are struggling to meet their mortgage commitment or anxious to sell their homes. Recognize and avoid common scams.
- Beware of people who pressure you to sign papers immediately, or who try to convince you that they can “save” your home if you sign or transfer over the deed to your house.
- Do not sign over the deed to your property to any organization or individual unless you are working directly with your mortgage company to forgive your debt.
- Never make a mortgage payment to anyone other than your mortgage company without their approval.
What to Do if You Have Been the Victim of a Scam
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) for assistance in English or Spanish.
Remember - all this help is FREE! Don't lose your home and your money - be smart, be informed, and be aware!
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC
Spring! Yes, it hs officially arrivedand to most people who are thinking about buying or selling property it conjures up the age old tradition known as “Spring Market”. Due to the unsteady economy and the obvious factors, the “Spring Market” really doesn’t exist anymore…Sellers put their homes, condos and multi-families on the market when the time is right for them and if that time happens to be in the Spring, great. Great if it should happen this year, inventory will increase giving a Buyer the opportunity to evaluate more properties in their price range, desired location and specific requirements. The Seller on the other hand has more competition, a topic for another time.
Yes, the good weather will bring out more competion for the buyer as well. People are just generally more apt to spend a Sunday visiting open houses in the good weather. With days being longer there is still time to take a stroll around Fresh Pond in Cambridge or go for a bike ride on the Minuteman bike path from Arlington to Lexington and beyond after spending a couple of hours running from open house to open house.
So, if you’re thinking of buying a property or just looking around this Spring, you'll want to be well-informed. You don’t want to come up short if you find yourself in a position to make a decision a little faster than you envisioned. No one wants to be in the awkward situation of looking down at documents never seen before and being asked to sign them. Wouldn’t you rather feel you know exactly what to expect? Download our “Better Buyer Kit”, read it and get familiar with everything from the paperwork to real estate terms. You'll have the info you need to proceed with the home buying experience with confidence. Sound good? We hope so.
In addition we are here to answer any questions you may have and we look forward to hearing from you, Contact Us. Hope you find the kit helpful and here’s to some sunny days ahead.