Countrywide Loan Modification: Do You Qualify for a Principal Reduction

The economic recession has affected a lot ofyou might be eligible.
homeowners. And in areas where the home valuesFirst, Countrywide settled claims that were valued to
have declined significantly, many of them are nowbe $8.6 billion dollars to homeowners who were holding
realizing the truth that they are unable to pay for theirrisky loans and ever since that original settlement, two
mortgages. As most of them were not ready for theother states were also included to help other
risks involved with these loans, they are now findingborrowers as well. Borrowers living in these states
themselves applying for countrywide loan modificationhave the option of applying for a principal reduction.
to help avoid foreclosure.The states that are included in the special Countrywide
Countrywide Financial Corporation is a FinancialLoan Modification program are:
advertising and service company (which means that itArizona, Texas, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois,
has possession of stocks of other companies) thatNorth Carolina, Michigan, Florida, Ohio, and Washington -
develops residential (Countrywide) mortgage bankingas well as Tennessee, Mississippi and Pennsylvania.  If
and other dealings.you live in one of these states, then you may be
Through its National Homeownership Retentionqualified to participate in the Countrywide loan
Program, the Bank of America provides theirmodification program offered as part of the predatory
customers the significant help and resources that theylending lawsuit.  However, should you be ineligible, then
need to maintain homeownership. It also aids theiryou can still apply for a reduction of payment in order
customers to achieve $8.4 billion to 400,000to avoid foreclosure.
Countrywide borrowers nationwide. Not only this, butSecond, for those homeowners who are stuck in Pay
Countrywide has started positive outreach to helpoption Arm loans (this is where the loan balance
suitable borrowers.actually augments with each minimum payment), then
At this time, the Federal government is nowyou are a good candidate for a principal reduction.
encouraging all lenders to consider principal reductionIn most cases, each Countrywide loan modification is
for borrowers who meet certain requirements. If youexamined on a case by case basis, but borrowers
are a borrower who meets a lender's requirementscan make the odds better by understanding the
for a countrywide loan modification option, thenlender’s requirements for acceptance and the
chances are you are qualified for a reduction in yourproper procedures on how to how to complete the
principal balance. Although not every homeowner canapplication properly. It is highly recommended that
avail of this option, those who are suited to this will findhomeowners apply for a Countrywide loan
it very helpful in avoiding possibilities of foreclosure.modification as most lenders have set aside billions of
Here are some helpful guidelines to help you know ifdollars to assist borrowers in saving their homes.