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Refinancing your mortgage allows you to pay off your existing mortgage and take out a new mortgage on new terms. You may want to refinance your mortgage to take advantage of lower interest rates, to change your type of mortgage, or for other reasons.
These resources will help you learn more about refinancing your mortgage:
A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancings is your first place to look for an introduction to mortgage refinancing, including useful worksheets, a glossary of terms used in the industry,
and more to help you decide if mortgage refinancing is right for you.
The Making Home Affordable Program offered opportunities to modify or refinance your mortgages, but as of December 30, 2016, no new requests for assistance under any MHA
program will be accepted.
However, this program still offers free counseling and help for homeowners who are having difficulty communicating with mortgage companies or lenders about their needs for mortgage relief. Learn more about counseling or call 888-995-HOPE (4673).
Federal Reserve rules require mortgage companies to notify homeowners when their loans are transferred to another company. The company that takes over your loan must send you a notice within 30 days of acquiring it. Even with a new loan owner, the
company that "services" or handles your loan might not change and you might continue to send your payments to the same address. If that loan servicer changes, you will receive a separate notice.
Most mortgage professionals are trustworthy and provide a valuable service, helping you to buy or refinance your home. But dishonest or "predatory" lenders do exist and engage in practices that increase the chances of borrowers losing their homes to foreclosure.
Learn about the types of scams that predatory lenders use to trick you. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has counselors available across the country to help you navigate mortgage professionals, look out for scams, and choose the right loan type for you.
Predatory lenders may try to:
Sell properties for much more than they are worth using false appraisals
Encourage borrowers to lie about their income, expenses, or cash available for down payments in order to get a loan
Knowingly lend more money than a borrower can afford to repay
Charge high interest rates to borrowers based on their race or national origin and not on their credit history
Charge fees for unnecessary or nonexistent products and services
Do
Before you buy a home, attend a homeownership education course offered by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved, non-profit counseling agency.
Interview several real estate agents, and ask for and check references before you select one to help you buy or sell a home.
Get information about the current values and recent sale prices of other homes in the neighborhood.
Hire a qualified and licensed home inspector to carefully inspect the property before you are obligated to buy.
Determine whether you or the seller will be responsible for paying for the repairs.
Shop for a lender and compare costs.
Be suspicious if anyone tries to steer you to just one lender.Learn more about how to spot predatory lending and how to protect yourself.
A reverse mortgage is a home loan that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. You only repay the loan when you die, sell your home, or permanently move away. Homeowners who are at least 62 years old are eligible. These mortgages allow older homeowners to convert part of the equity in their homes into cash without having to sell their homes or take on additional monthly bills.
Be sure to watch for aggressive lending practices, advertisements that refer to the loan as "free money," or those that fail to disclose fees or terms of the loan. To be a savvy consumer and help protect yourself, remember:
Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements
Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment
Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor
Never sign anything you do not fully understand
Make sure the loan is federally insured
Reporting Fraud or Abuse
If you suspect fraud or abuse, let the counselor, lender, or loan servicer know. You may also file a complaint:
If you’re a homebuyer, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has two programs that may help make the process more affordable.
FHA Loans
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) manages the FHA loans program. This may be a good mortgage choice if you’re a first-time buyer because the requirements are not as strict compared to other loans.
Am I eligible?
Determine your down payment, closing costs and credit score before applying:
Cash down payment can be as low as 3.5% of the purchase price.
Closing costs may be partly covered or lower than other loans.
How Do I Apply?
The FHA doesn't lend money directly to people. It insures mortgage loans from FHA-approved lenders against default. To apply for an FHA-insured loan, you will need to use an FHA-approved lender.
When homeowners default on their FHA-insured mortgage, HUD takes ownership of the property because HUD oversees the FHA loan program. These properties are called either HUD homes or HUD real estate owned (REO) property.
Am I eligible?
Your qualifications to buy a HUD home depend on your credit score, ability to get a mortgage, and the amount of your cash down payment. You can also use an FHA-insured mortgage to buy a HUD home. Learn more about buying a HUD home.
How do I apply?
Use the HUDHomestore to find listings of HUD REO properties for sale. Click on the agent tab to find contact information to learn more about the property.
Where do I call for extra help?
If you have a question or need more information about FHA loans or HUD homes, you can email or call the FHA Resource Center or check their list of frequently asked questions.
