Home Sweet Home?
FDIC Advice Good But Too Late
The FDIC Consumer News is warning homeowners to avoid falling prey to loan modification and foreclosure rescue scams. Many financially distressed homeowners are preyed upon by firms that “guarantee” financial salvation, take the homeowners last few dollars and deliver nothing in return.
Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Mod Scammers Prey on Stressed Homeowners
Many homeowners having difficulty making their monthly mortgage payments are being targeted by criminals who charge large upfront fees and falsely “guarantee” to rescue a home from foreclosure.
Try to deal only with lenders, businesses and other organizations you already know or that have been recommended.
You don’t need to pay a lot of money for help or information.
“But scam artists will demand a large upfront fee, often thousands of dollars, and they do very little to actually help the homeowner,” said Robert W. Mooney, FDIC Deputy Director for Consumer Protection and Community Affairs.
Be especially suspicious of unsolicited offers that arrive via phone, e-mail or a knock on your door.
“Some companies have falsely advertised or represented that they are part of a government-endorsed mortgage assistance network
Be particularly wary of any organization that says it guarantees foreclosure relief or that it has a near-perfect success rate.
“Also be wary of anyone who promises to pay off your mortgage or repair your credit if you ‘temporarily’ sign over to them the deed to your home, because you may be permanently losing your home to a thief.”
Ironically, the job of the con men engaged in loan mod and foreclosure rescue schemes is made easier due to widely advertised government mortgage relief programs. The lure of “something for nothing” from a government program that the con men claim to be affiliated with is one of their most successful sales tactics.
The FDIC advice comes very late for many people who would have been far better off financially had they never purchased a home beyond their means to begin with. None of the government mortgage agencies require a potential homeowner to evaluate the true financial obligations and risks of home ownership. Many homeowners currently obtaining government mortgages are being approved with debt ratios that almost guarantee a future default and are not in the home buyer’s best interest.
One Option For Distressed Homeowners The FDIC Does Not Mention
The FDIC offers those in financial difficulty some good advice in their newsletter but what is not mentioned is whether the homeowner should consider becoming a renter. In addition, many of the government loan mod and Hope programs, etc. have done little to put homeowners in a better financial position and many default soon after they were “helped”.
For a homeowner struggling with the mortgage, constantly spending in excess of income and living a financially depraved existence, why not look at the benefits of becoming a renter? In many locations, renting is cheaper than owning.
Although not mentioned by the FDIC, government makes walking away from the mortgage an easy option. A mere two years after a bankruptcy or three years after a foreclosure, current FHA guidelines allow a borrower to apply for mortgage financing.
Do The Math
Here are a couple of web sites that can tell you whether it makes sense to own or rent.
Loan Modification Scams and Fraud Widespread – Mortgage Servicing News