Know When to Walk Away (Know When to Run)

January 25, 2011

Wow, I haven’t blogged in some time!  I wanted to point out, though, this useful article on NYTimes.com today running down the factors to consider when deciding to keep or walk away from your upside-down house.  Typically, big banks don’t pursue deficiencies in Texas, so that’s not as much of a factor as you would guess.

Click here to read the article (it’s short).


The Unforgiven (Home Loan Modification – Part 5)

April 5, 2010

An editorial in today’s New York Times sheds some light on a new mortgage modification plan that goes into effect today.  Lenders are now going to have to do modifications for people who are unemployed and for people who are current on their loans.  I would add the word *supposedly* because in my experience, lenders almost always need some extra prodding in the form of a letter from an attorney or even a lawsuit.  Though you would hope legal action wouldn’t be necessary to get your loan modified, it may be worth it, as you will save a lot of money over the life of the loan.  I do advise clients to try modification on their own first, as I’ve had some clients who’ve had good luck with it.  If you go back and forth with your lender or servicer, if they lose your documents or deny you for no reason – that’s the time to get an attorney involved.

Also, use caution selecting your representative – under Texas law, ONLY an attorney can represent you in a loan modification.  Anyone else offering the service (besides your own lender, of course), is not legitimate.

Click here for the editorial.


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