Tag Archives: program
New Steps Towards Conclusion Of Loan Modification
The Obama government is now putting pressure on the mortgage firms to speed up the process of confirming the mortgage loan modification procedure for the numerous homeowners. Many applicants have criticized that banks and lenders are beating about the bush. They are not responding to the calls and applications from homeowners. The companies are losing their paperwork, or delaying evaluations.
The treasury department has initiated some new measures to speed up the loan modification procedure. Lenders are required file their attempts to finalize the loan modifications of homeowners who have accomplished the three-month trial period. Also, the department has asked the lenders to put up new resources to help new homeowners who want apply for home loan modification. More than 650,000 homeowners started with the Obama Home Affordability program. However, very few of these homeowners have shifted to the permanent program, despite the fact that they have successfully completed the ninety-day trial period. The administration is making every effort possible to accommodate the homeowners who have recently applied for mortgage modification to stop foreclosure.
Mortgage firms are required to submit a report on the homeowners who are on the verge of completion of their trail period, and a schedule to transfer the successful cases onto a permanent scheme. The service providers are also obligated to submit to the treasury department documents supporting the same, and inform their decisions to the respective homeowners. Lenders who participated in the program, but fail to meet the requisites may be penalized.
The home loan modification program came into effect in March, 2009. The government had pledged $75 billion into the project. Already, $30 billion has been invested. The plan focuses on lower mortgage payments, and save home of every possible homeowner in distress. Interest rates were reduced awfully low, and monthly installments were brought down to less than 31 percent of the monthly income of an individual. These adjustments will be made permanent once the homeowner is current on the loan for the three-month trial period. However, there are extensive complaints of homeowners being asked to verify their documents again and again. On the other hand, lenders have reported that they are overwhelmed by the response and hence, unable to keep track of the proceedings.
To help mortgage firms speed up the loan modification process, the administration said it will work with them to set more rigorous performance measures, such as average waiting time for borrowers, document management, and response time for successful applications.
5 Things to Know about Credit Card Rewards Programs
Credit card rewards programs have come a long way. At first, they were reserved for the elite credit cards, which mostly required high priced annual fees to participate. Now, most every credit card has a rewards program, and most every program doesnt even require an annual fee. Thats the beauty of rewards programs nowtheyve become a major way for credit cards to compete for your business. So you should take advantage of your opportunities and get the best rewards program possible.
1. Experience Rewards
The first thing you should know about credit card rewards programs, though, is that todays are not your grandmothers rewards programs. Today, you can basically get anything that you want as a reward. This new system is sometimes called “experience rewards”by which you can practically name anything as a reward to the credit card concierge, and he or she will tell you then how many rewards points you need.
2. Is it for You?
Of course, you should know whether or not you need such extravagance. If you dont have the time or the inclination to, say, ask for an experience reward like an African safari, then these fancy cards are not for you. You may be better off looking for cash-back rewards programs, or a smaller scale travel rewards program with no annual fee.
3. Are You a Dedicated Customer to a Particular Brand?
A third aspect of rewards programs to know about are the very specific cards out there from, for example, a specific car maker or a theme park company. Usually, rewards from these programs go to free or discounted items from only that particular company. That makes these cards only worth it for very dedicated customerssomeone who only buys GM cars, for instance, or someone who regularly visits Disney parks or stores.
4. Shop Around for the Best Deals
Whatever type of rewards program you pick, you should be sure youre getting the best bang for your spent dollars. Many average programs offer 1 reward point for every dollar spent, or 1 percent or less cash back for every dollar spent. If you shop around for specials, however, you may be able to find even better deals in rewards programs.
5. Know the Ins and Outs of Your Deal
Lastly, never pass up the chance to beef up on your rewards points. Most cards offer chances to load up on points through special promotions. They may, say, offer triple rewards points during the first six months you have the card, or offer more cash back if you shop at specific stores or eat out at restaurants. Know these deals. Take advantage of them!