Rejections have become a way of life in the mortgage modification application process. Lenders, simply overwhelmed with the demand, can’t (or won’t) deliver reasonable levels of performance. That is, in spite of almost two years of efforts and 18 months of Making Homes Affordable “encouragement” the banks still produce very few successful mortgage modificationseven to very well qualified applicantswithout first putting them through rejection, at least once.
But, I have come to think that rejection is a very good sign! A review of my files over the past 6 months shows that not one single mortgage modification was granted without a prior rejection. That’s right, every one of the modifications I have completed for clients in 2010 has been rejected before being accepted. Even the ones that began with the encouraging Trial Modification resulted in a rejection of the Permanent Mod before final acceptance. Some of the mortgage modifications I have successfully managed were rejected as many as three times before we achieved the modification. Whew!
It’s hard enough to meet the challenging application procedures and follow-up effectively to keep your application on-track. To have to also escalate your rejections to supervisors, managers, Directors , Vice Presidents and CEOs and to contact your local congressperson, the regulatory agencies, the trade associations and even the press in order to get it done? This is tough stuff!
But, hey, quit with the whining! That is the way it is – so cope! You will get rejected for one of about two dozen common reasons. Sometimes I think they are posted as a type of “cheat sheet” on the computer monitors of new Loss Mitigation Agents. Things like “Your loan investor does not participate in modification programs”, “Failed the NPV calculation”, “Income too high”, “Your income is too low”, “You have too many assets”, “Your 4506-T has expired”, “Your Ratios are wrong”, “You did not provide updated docs”, “We need a note from your mommy (O.K., I made this one up!)”, and etc., etc., etc.
These reasons may be valid but all too often, they are simply erroneous, resulting from lender mismanagement of the file. Othertimes, they are patently untrue statements that slow or end the application process if you do not object. So, rather than be discouraged and give-up when you get rejected, press on. At least you’re not being completely ignored! Promptly get clarity on the reasons for rejection. Go through several agents (by simply calling back at different times) and then escalate to a supervisor if you must to get a straight answer. Then supply the missing documents, sign the updated form, or correct the typo on your income. Do whatever it takes to get them back on track. Request reconsideration when you submit the correction. If you have submitted a good and accurate application upfront, you will – eventually – get the relief that the mortgage modification programs are intended to give.
Take heart. What is worse than rejection is the months of total disregard and that most of us get in the mortgage modification process. It’s not likely to change anytime soon. Mortgage modifications will continue to be a great way to throttle the foreclosure rate and they are a great way for homeowners to get some relief. It’s just taking a lot more perseverance and nerve than it should!
Need help with your ownMortgage Modification? Visit Rockwood’s site about DIY Loan Modification at Home Loan Modification
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