Archive for August, 2009

Verifying Settlement Loan Company's Reputation

August 28th, 2009
loan35 Verifying Settlement Loan Company's Reputation



When looking to get a settlement loan you’ll find there are thousands of companies and brokers that offer settlement loans. As with any field of business some companies don’t meet specific standards or have many pending issues with past clients. When it comes to settlement loans you want to go with a reputable company with a long history of satisfied clients. Failure to do so can result in hidden fees, high interest rates and other issues that can arise when it comes to paying back your settlement loan. This article will explain some of the methods you can use to check the reputation of a settlement loan provider.

One of the great tools in your arsenal to check the reputation of settlement loan companies is the internet. It allows people world wide to view and share information about anything, from food to vacation stories and even settlement loans. There are also tons of sites that are dedicated to consumer reviews and reports regarding issues with companies they’ve used. One of the best methods to see if any reviews or complaints are outstanding is to use Google Search. In Google Search type in the settlement loan provider’s company name and view the first 3 or 4 pages of results. Keep an eye out for titles like “Rip Off”, “Complaint”, “Outstanding Issues”, etc. You can also use the settlement loan provider’s website address in the search bar; just make sure to remove the www in from of the website address.

You can also look at the settlement loan provider’s website too see which state the company is located in. You can also get this information by calling the company. Then, look on your states official website to see if there any outstanding business complaints. You can also check court records online for your state to see if anything is pending against the company itself.

Consider asking the attorney handling your pending lawsuit if they have any recommendations for a settlement loan provider. More than likely they have dealt with clients before that have applied for and received a settlement loan. They can most likely tell you a reputable settlement loan provider or at least warn you of any they know have created issues with past clients of theirs. Which ever method you choose make sure that you do your research, it’s your rightful money and you don’t want to lose it to a shady settlement loan provider.


Is The Housing Bailout For You? – Loan Modification Help Center

August 28th, 2009
loan18 Is The Housing Bailout For You?   Loan Modification Help Center



The new housing plan announced by President Obama last week has two main parts.  First, there is a $75 billion loan modification plan and, second, there is a program that helps borrowers who are not in danger of defaulting refinance their mortgage.  

These are some of the key questions to ask to determine if you can benefit from the plan:

Do I have to fall behind on my loan payments to be eligible for a loan modification?

No.  Borrowers must simply demonstrate that they are in danger of falling behind on their mortgage and that they don’t have sufficient income to make future mortgage payments.  Borrowers with ballooning mortgage payments or interest rates that are resetting may benefit from the new plan.

What are the loan modification requirements?

To be eligible for modification under the plan, the loan must be a first mortgage on the borrower’s primary residence.  Borrowers must currently be paying more than 31% of their monthly gross income toward mortgage payments. Jumbo loans that exceed Fannie or Freddie loan limits are not eligible. Ultimately, your eligibility will be determined by your mortgage lender.

What if I am “under water” and my mortgage is more than the value of my property?

As long as the amount owed on a first mortgage does not exceed 105% of the home’s current value, borrowers with limited equity can refinance into a 30-year or 15-year fixed-rate mortgage.  This refinance option is open to only to borrowers with conforming loans that are owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.  Borrowers must show that they are current on mortgage payments and that they will be able to meet the new mortgage payments.

How do I know if my mortgage is owned or guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie?

The White House will release full eligibility details on March 4, when the program begins, and it is recommended that borrowers contact their lender at that time to see if their mortgage is owned or guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie.



Does my lender HAVE to participate in the program?

No. Participation by lenders is voluntary, but the government provides subsidies to encourage lenders to modify loans. For example, mortgage servicers receive $1,000 for each loan modification and can also get another $1,000 annually for three years if the borrower stays current on the loan.

To learn more about loan modification options, visit www.loanmodificationhelpcenter.org