good afternoon tammy.........why not call your lender?......you are entitled to know everything that has changed or been revised in regards to your loan.....see if they have granted a modification for your loan...have the hope orginization send you something in writing re; your modification....do not give anyone a postdated check.....bob mcclure- success mortgage partners- plymouth, michigan........

Please see the link to the hud approved counslors.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction…

I have never heard an appoved counslor requesting funds upfront for a mondifiaction in addition makinghomesaffordable.com out lines the items to be concerned about for scams. Look at the list carefully and you will see fees being paid up front as one of the items.http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/resources.html

Call hud in regards to this specific agency and what you shoud do or call 888-995-hope to get answers. I would not pay any money until you talk to HOPE or HUD.



Keith Manson
First Weber Group
Certified Distress Property Expert
Greenfield,Wisconsin

Hello Tammy,

According to a recent White House Press Release, “One tip-off that an offered service may be a scam is that it asks homeowners to pay upfront fees, officials said at the news conference. They stressed that none of the new programs announced by the Obama administration in recent weeks required any upfront fees.”

I would agree with everyone's assessment. Most loan modification companies are not producing results for their clients. I would go so far as to say that they can not produce any better result than the average consumer could by just contacting the lender. As with most Realtors a good portion of my business is dealing with distressed properties and stressed property owners. Many of my clients have tried the "paid help" prior to calling me... with no success. With a little advice and guidance several clients were able to work with their lender directly and successfully modified their loans... avoiding a short sale are far worse, foreclosure.

Keep in mind that lenders have realized that in some cases it is better for them to work with their current borrower to lower their payment or possibly improve their terms in order to keep them in their property. The average foreclosure can cost a lender from 35 to 50% of the value of a property (or more) so keeping a borrower in their home is better for everyone.

According to the Making Home Affordable government website, http://www.MakingHomeAffordable.com, you will need the following information for your lender to consider a modification:

* Information about your first mortgage, such as your monthly mortgage statement.
* Information about any second mortgage or home equity line of credit on the house.
* Account balances and minimum monthly payments due on all of your credit cards.
* Account balances and monthly payments on all your other debts such as student loans and car loans.
* Your most recent income tax return.
* Information about your savings and other assets.
* Information about the monthly gross (before tax) income of your household, including recent pay stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources.
* It may also be helpful to have: A letter describing any circumstances that caused your income to be reduced or expenses to be increased (job loss, divorce, illness, etc.) if applicable.

The first call you make should be to your lender, have the information above ready to discuss with them and call your customer service line to ask them what options you have available. If the person you speak with does not understand what you are asking about you can ask to be referred to one of the following departments (different lenders have different names for this department):

* Loss Mitigation Department
* Mortgage Modifi cation Department
* H.O.P.E. Department

Prior to contacting your mortgage lender you can quickly complete an eligibility test at http://www.MakingHomeAffordable.com. This test will let you know if you are eligible for a modification through the government sponsored Home Affordability and Stability Program (HASP).

For a list of mortgage lenders and servicers with contact information your can visit http://www.HopeNow.org.

Here are several HUD approved counselors:

http://www.acornhousing.org
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
http://www.chapa.org
http://www.cccsatl.org
http://www.homefreeusa.org
http://www.995hope.org
http://www.housingpartnership.net
http://www.missionofpeace.com
http://www.moneymanagement.org
http://www.ncrc.org
http://www.nclr.org
http://www.cdcu.coop
http://www.nfcc.org
http://www.nul.org
http://www.nw.org
https://www.naca.com
http://www.rcac.org
http://www.seedco.org

I hope this information helps. Best of luck...

Sincerely,


Lewis S. Bishop
Realtor & Certified Distressed Property Specialist (CDPE)

COMMUNICATE via Cell 925-368-7738 | Fax 925-889-5550 | eMail scottbishop@windermere.com

CONNECT via Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lewisbishop | LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/lewisbishop | Website http://www.LewisBishop.com

Tammy,

They looks like scam to me, HOPE does not charge anything from the homeowner. The website you have mentioned on your question is the wrong people. DO NOT GIVE ANY CHECKS TO THEM.

Here's the right link for the HOPE for loan modification: http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/

I'ts good that you have checked in Trulia, check the site which I have mentioned and govt do not charge anything from the home owner for loan modification. It's a free service for homeowners. Let me know if you have any questions.

Blaison Samuel
Certified Short Sale Specialist
510-366-9405

Hi Tammy, it seems like a scam to me. I 'm a licenced real estate broker and would be happy to do the loan modification for you for free. Just dont' expect the unreal results these scam artists are promising you because it's simply not real. Do NOT send anyboby any money until you check them out completely. You work hard for your money so if you must, put a little bit more effort into finding someone reputable.

Tammy,

I have done loan modifications for my clients for free. Why does the check need to be postdated? How legit is that? Who is your current lender? I think that a lot of these Loan Modification companies prey on those in need. I would call this number to receive information from the Department of Housing and Urban Development on a HUD certified counseling agency call 1-800-569-4287. Here is the other legit number
1-888-995-HOPE (4673)
Thanks,

Adrian Huntington
Coldwell Banker Coon & McCreary Realtors
3711 Lone Tree Way
Antioch, CA 94509
925-212-6456
adrian@YourEcoRealtor.com