Resources

Legal

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HOPE NOW

HOPE NOW is an alliance between HUD approved counseling agents, servicers, investors, and other mortgage market participants that provides free foreclosure prevention assistance. The HOPE hotline (888.995.4673)  is staffed by HUD-approved credit counselors who can help you sort out your financial situation and explore your options.

Don’t Borrow Trouble

Don’t Borrow Trouble is Freddie Mac’s anti-predatory lending initiative dedicated to helping consumers identify the common signs of predatory lending and avoid taking out loans designed to fleece consumers. Before you take out a loan to finance your way out of your current situation, visit DontBorrowTrouble.com to learn how to protect yourself.

FHA (Federal Housing Administration)

The Federal Housing Administration (part of HUD) is the largest government insurer of mortgages in the world, insuring over 35 million properties since its inception in 1934. Like HUD, FHA is a great place to go to find out about the latest programs available to help homeowners. The FHA Web site also provides a Lender Locator and mortgage calculators.

VA (Veteran Affairs)

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is dedicated to providing excellence in patient care, benefits, and customer satisfaction to veterans of the armed forces. If you’re a veteran, you may have even more resources for saving your home from foreclosure, so contact the VA to find out what’s available.

Books

Loan Calculators

Report Suspected Loan Modification Fraud

There are many different local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and government agencies involved in fighting real estate and mortgage fraud. The more information we can give them about suspected instances of fraud, the better they can protect us. Visit this page on Ralph R. Roberts’ other blog–FlippingFrenzy.com–where you can find detailed information and state-by-state links for reporting suspected instances of real estate fraud.