Posts Tagged ‘Feldman’

Feldman Law Center ? Loan Modifications Ramped Up by Government

The world of loan modifications is ever changing, and proof positive is the federal government’s ever-expanding role in influencing banks to offer loan modifications.  It was recently reported that the government is frustrated with the progress of their federal loan modification program, and are trying to influence major banks to increase the number of loan modifications for homeowners.  Of course, increasing the number of loan modifications means relaxing the standards which they are currently using to allow for mortgage loan modifications.

Banks such as Bank of America, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo were all summoned to a meeting in Washington, D.C. to discuss ways to improve the federal loan modification program, which was announced in February 2009.  The Obama Administration put a great deal of effort and hope into the program, but it has not yet produced the kinds of results people thought it would.  The administration’s goal is to complete 500,000 trial loan modifications, although some analysts fear this is far too optimistic.  The government has discussed ways to expand the program, including ways to simultaneously modify mortgages and home equity loans.  When President Obama took office earlier this year, the number of foreclosures was sky rocketing due in large part to the subprime mortgage crisis and the adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) which were offered so rampantly.  As a result, millions of Americans were losing their homes and the government felt it needed to intervene.

While the level of government involvement is new, loan modifications, are nothing new.  California loan modification attorneys have been helping people stay in their homes for years, by helping them get home loan modifications without government interference.  Millions of people throughout California have used California loan modification attorneys for their California home loan modifications because attorneys carry a special place in our current culture.  When a loan modification attorney calls a bank or lender, they get a much quicker response because they have the law on their side.  When people try to handle loan modifications on their own, they usually do not know what they are doing exactly and can make many mistakes as a result.

The recent government programs have helped a few people, but since the banks all have huge bureaucracies and the federal government is one giant bureaucracy, people often get lost in process.  Trying to call the federal loan modification program hotline can cause major headaches, and trying to get one huge bureaucracy to call another huge bureaucracy can take months and months.  While it is encouraging that the federal government is trying to help the average homeowner, a loan modification attorney can get better results in less time.

A loan modification can help adjust a number of mortgage terms to lower your monthly mortgage payment, thus allowing you an affordable payment you can pay consistently.  California loan modification attorneys, such as those at the Feldman Law Center, have years of experience in helping people avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.  Our loan modification attorney team is highly skilled in helping California homeowners in avoiding foreclosure, avoiding bankruptcy, avoiding a short sale and avoiding the “just walk away” option.

Feldman Law Center ? Why Loan Modifications Are Better Than Short Sales

When facing the loss of their house, short sales are a method that some people choose to use in order to stop a foreclosure from taking place. This tactic takes place when it seems likely that the bank will lose less money than it would with a foreclosure.

By definition, a short sale means that the home is being sold for less than is owed on the mortgage. In evaluating the pros and cons of a short sale, some of the cons include: having to pay taxes, insurance, and mortgage payments on the property until the house is sold; competing with other bargain basement-priced homes in the area; getting a negative mark on your credit report; losing all of your investment in the property; and the possibility of still owing money towards the mortgage of a home that you no longer own or live in. After dealing with all of these problems associated with a short sale of your house, you still have to find a place for you and your family to live. While a short sale may be one of the options you have, we believe that there are better options out there for you.

If you are facing a similar problem, you should consider a home loan modification. Many California companies offer loan modifications, but not all companies have the benefit of experienced, licensed attorneys. The Feldman Law Center specializes in California loan modifications, which can help you avoid a foreclosure, bankruptcy, or short sale on your home. An attorney can help secure the most advantageous deal for you, your family, and your property.

Loan modifications are one of the best options to choose when facing the loss of your home. When comparing a home loan modification to a short sale, you could potentially avoid all of the cons of a short sale. You would stay in your home, keep the investment you’ve made in the home, and avoid the hassle and expense of completing a short sale and finding new accommodations.

Most California loan modifications include lowering or fixing the interest rate of your mortgage, which means that monthly payments would be stabilized to an amount that is more attainable for you. It can also include reducing the principle balance that you owe or forgiving some of your mortgage payment defaults or missed payments on fees. A modification completed by one of our loan modification attorneys can include any or all of the above features. The main advantage of having an attorney complete the negotiations with a lender is that our attorneys can achieve better results than you can achieve alone, and can achieve them more quickly.

The attorneys of The Feldman Law Center are experienced negotiators of home loan modifications. Our founder, Steven C. Feldman has been licensed by the State Bar of California for over 25 years. Free quotes and consultations are available for you to help you make the most of your current situation. Contact us today and let us help you with your home loan modification.

Feldman Law Center ? News Regarding FDIC Loan Modifications

At the Feldman Law Center, our loan modification attorney team keeps their eye on all mortgage loan modification news in order to properly inform and education every client we work with.  Our California loan modification company works hard to provide top notch advice as well as a skilled legal ability to get you the best loan modification agreement possible.

Recently, the federal government has been paying far more attention to the loan modification process than they have in the past.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Federal Housing Administration have rolled out plans over the last year to combat the rising foreclosure proceedings.  The FDIC loan modification program and the FHA loan modification program have received some heavy criticism from large financial institutions such as Moody’s Investor Services.  In a recent Moody’s report, the FDIC loan modification program may eventually reduce cumulative losses for mortgage loans involved in the subprime mortgage crisis.  The FDIC loan modification program is designed to help more people get quality loan modifications by creating a streamlined framework with key incentives, including:  a loss-sharing arrangement for existing investors; and a thousand dollar stipend for every successful loan modification.

Ultimately however, Moody’s feels that the participation in the FDIC loan modification program might be limited, which weakens the effectiveness of the program.  The FDIC loan modification program will have a lesser cumulative impact on the losses suffered by banks, lenders and homeowners.

A California loan modification can be had by utilizing the skills of a California loan modification attorney.  At the Feldman Law Center, our loan modification law firm can provide the kind of unique experience and highly sought after knowledge necessary to procure a loan modification.  Working with any lender or federal agency involves lots of red tape and bureaucratic road blocks; but with a skilled loan modification attorney, you could overcome those challenges.

Many people are interested in how a loan modification can help them change their financial situation and keep them in their house for the long haul.  Throughout California, foreclosure signs are popping up in neighborhoods all over the state, and even in some areas that never thought it would happen to them.  Even such neighborhoods as Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Walnut Creek are suffering from the subprime crisis, and everyone in the state is suffering as a result.  California unemployment has reached double digits, and it could get much worse.

A loan modification is an agreement between the debtor and the mortgage company to renegotiate the terms of the mortgage loan.  This is done so that the borrower can have an affordable, reasonable monthly payment, allowing them to keep making payments over the long haul.  A California home loan modification attorney can help the borrower negotiate with the lender, arrange the loan modification application and communicate with the bank or lender.  With a loan modification attorney at your side, you can get the best loan modification possible and keep yourself and your family in your home.

Feldman Law Center ? Foreclosures Overwhelming California Homeowners

Feldman Law Center – News by Feldman Law Center — Unfortunately, California homeowners are being overwhelmed by foreclosures, and many people feel there is no end in sight to the situation.  Legislation from California and the federal government has helped some people, but it is not enough.  Loan modification attorneys are working with people everyday who either do not have access to the right information, or who feel left to deal with lenders all by themselves.  While the legislation can be helpful, President Obama and the California legislature are not there to help make phone calls and negotiate loan modifications.

Foreclosure sales in California rose about 32 percent in the month of May of 2009, and 35 percent in April of 2009.  Just the California foreclosures from the month of May represent more than $8 billion in total loan value.  That means $8 billion worth of homes were foreclosed upon.  However, the good news is that lenders continue to voluntarily postpone the majority of foreclosure sales.    Lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies, are doing everything possible to delay foreclosures, and that includes working with California loan modification attorneys and homeowners on loan modifications.

In fact, of the foreclosures scheduled, lenders postponed 40 percent at their own request and another 33 percent at the mutual request of the lender and the borrower.  This means that lenders are absolutely willing to renegotiate the terms of mortgages, and homeowners who are in danger of (or are in the midst of) foreclosure proceedings still have hope.  Foreclosures often seem like the end of the world, and even with the new legislation, they can be overwhelming.  However, as evidenced by these statistics, lenders are not interested in taking over your home.  The Feldman Law Center has seen lenders take unique steps to negotiate with borrowers and homeowners in an attempt to keep the homeowner in their home, making affordable payments.

Things are particularly tough for homeowners in southern California.  Researchers from Columbia Business School said that over 30 percent of borrowers in San Diego and San Bernardino counties owe more than the refinancing limit with Sallie Mae and Freddie Mac.  In Los Angeles county, there are 29 percent of borrowers who do not qualify for refinancing because of the less-than-5-percent restriction from those two major mortgage lenders.

However, loan modification attorneys can help homeowners and borrowers overcome these restrictions.  Foreclosures seem to run up on people quicker than they think, in part because they are focusing on their immediate crisis (such as paying a car loan) and not the looming one of foreclosure.  However, it is never too late to contact a California loan modification attorney to help you keep your home and avoid foreclosure.  A qualified California loan modification attorney will know the laws, know the lenders, know the mortgage companies and be able to offer quality advice on a variety of subjects.  Trying to fight a foreclosure without a qualified loan modification attorney is a bad idea.

Visit us at www.feldmanlawcenter.com or call 800-588-0425.

Feldman Law Center ? The Specifics of President Obama?s Plan

President Obama’s historic presidency began in the midst of possibly the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.  The housing and real estate markets seemingly jumped off of a cliff, taking with it the financial stability of every other industry.  Obama passed sweeping legislation to help homeowners make payments and deal with the financial crisis while staying in their homes.  This plan in turn helps lenders who need homeowners to continue making their mortgage payments.  A key part of this plan is the loan modification process, which now helps homeowners even more.

The federal government is relying heavily on loan modifications with the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 and Making Home Affordable Program.  Under these programs, current borrowers who are at imminent risk of default may qualify for a loan modification as long as the immanency of the default is tied to a specific event.  By specific event, they mean a pending interest rate increase in your mortgage loan or a demonstrable change in economic situation such as your spouse losing his/her job or a severe medical condition.

Ultimately, the plan centers around the thought that struggling borrowers can stay in their homes as long as they make their monthly payments (regardless of the sharp decline in value).  The plan has many backers, including billionaire Warrant Buffet.  In a recent letter to shareholders, Buffet wrote “Commentary about the current housing crisis often ignores the crucial fact that more foreclosures do not occur because a house is worth less than its mortgage (so-called ‘upside-down’ loans).  Rather, foreclosures take place because borrowers can’t pay the monthly payment that they agreed to pay.”

In the end, regardless of what the cause is for the foreclosures, homeowners are looking for ways to stay in their homes and everyone is hoping that Obama’s plan is the path toward that reality.  For homeowners facing foreclosure, struggling to make payments, and overwhelmed by creditor and lender phone calls, having someone they can trust by their side could make a huge difference.  During these difficult financial times, California loan modification attorneys are doing their best to be more than just an attorney; they are trying to be a confidante.  

A California loan modification attorney can sit down with you and discuss your options and if any new options were opened up under the Obama plan.  At the Feldman Law Center, our California loan modification attorney team is up to date with all federal and state laws governing loan modifications.  FDIC loan modifications, California loan modifications and more all fall under our jurisdiction.  We can help you find the program that’s right for you and your financial situation.

Millions of California residents are investigating California loan modifications as a possible solution to their financial troubles and as a way to avoid foreclosure.  If you find yourself in this situation, you should contact a loan modification attorney and get as informed as you can about all the state and federal loan modification programs available to you.

Visit Feldman Law Center at feldmanlawcenter.com or call 800-588-0425.

Feldman Law Center – Harvard?s Study, Citi?s Recommendations and Home Loan Modifications

A new report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies indicates that if there is to be any stabilization in the housing market, it will be at “…extremely low levels that will make the climb up all that more difficult.” Muting any of the recent news in the steadiness of new construction and sales are housing price declines, a record level of foreclosures, rising interest rates, and a shrinking job market. Summing up the study, Nicolas P. Retsinas, Director of the Joint Center said, “Although there are some signs of improvement or at least steadiness in new construction and sales, housing starts stand near 60+ year lows and any life in home sales is coming from distressed foreclosure sales, temporary first-time buyer tax credits, and low interest rates that moved higher in recent weeks.”

Sounding like they were trying to find anything at all possible to spin to the positive, the center was optimistic about the coming of age of the “echo baby boom”, counting on the largest generation in American history to “refuel demand for housing of all types”. Considering that the EBB’s are witnessing the meltdown firsthand, it’s hard to make a convincing argument that the collective will be urgently buying real estate any time soon.

Separately Roger Orf, CEO of Citigroup Property Investors, was calling for governments to force banks to sell their foreclosed properties in a process he dubbed “creative destruction”. Orf favors an immediate clearing of the deck in terms of toxic properties as opposed to the malaise of a gradual unwinding of assets.  Orf doesn’t expect fully functioning property lending markets to return before 2011, by when he hoped banks will have completed repair of their capital bases through a wave of real estate sales. The amount of damage to real estate prices as a result of Mr. Orf’s proposal is unknown but when the government forced savings and loans to sell their junk bond portfolios in the early 90’s prices dropped by up to 85% on bonds that were paying interest and backed with solid financials. In that instance, buyers simply stepped aside and let bond prices plummet to levels that carried no risk for the buyers.

What both reports signify is that the need for home loan modifications will continue for the next few years as prices either stabilize or drop and interest rates on mortgages continue to reset and recast. With a relatively small number of reluctant and extremely careful new homebuyers the lenders, servicers, and investors behind today’s mortgages could become much more interested in getting mortgage loan modifications completed, especially if a modification is the only way to generate cash flow from a property in a portfolio. While it’s unlikely that Mr. Orf’s proposition ever comes to pass, the foreclosure of properties will become less desirable if more buyers don’t materialize or if the value of REO’s at the banks continues to decrease.

With over six hundred completed loan modifications The Feldman Law Center proven home loan modification process can help homeowners to either avoid or stop a foreclosure proceeding. If you are struggling with your payments and worried about the possibility of foreclosure, call The Feldman Law Center at (800) 527 8497. Take the first step toward regaining control of your mortgage payments today.

The Feldman Law Center?s Code of Ethics and Practices – Feldman Law Center

Feldman Law Center – In a recent interview, Steve Feldman of The Feldman Law Center said “Only by holding ourselves to extraordinarily high standards will we be able to deliver the best results possible to our collective clients.” Standing behind that statement is The Feldman Law Center’s Code of Ethics and Practices which sets the standard that all Feldman employees adhere to every day.

The Code:  
1) In our negotiations with lenders on behalf of our clients, The Feldman Law Center will employ all its resources to get the best results possible in each case every time.
2) We understand that every client has unique circumstances which shape their current situation. To that end, we analyze their total financial picture to determine which course of action will provide the best outcome.
3) Regardless of our opinion on the optimal course of action, each client always has the final say on their goals and objectives. Once determined, we will pursue those goals with passion and diligence.
4) We are obligated to work with urgency and efficiency for every client.
5) A flat fee for services will be charged regardless of additional work, time, and effort spent above and beyond the normal loan modification process.
6) The entire team at The Feldman Law Center owes each client its best efforts throughout the entire process. This includes regular updates and correspondence until the process is completed.
7) During all interactions with clients, proper expectations should be set and communicated. Standard procedure is to always provide accurate and straight forward information.

The Feldman Law Center prides itself on providing optimal results specific to the circumstances of each of their clients. If you are struggling with your mortgage payments you need a dedicated team of professionals to get the results you need, now. Call The Feldman Law Center today at (800) 527 8497.