Anyone can encounter financial problems that affect their ability to meet their obligations. Homeowners who are struggling to pay bills may be concerned about what will happen if they get behind on their mortgage payments. Those who are worried about the possibility of foreclosure will want to understand their options, and in some cases, they may qualify for mortgage relief through the Flex Modification Program. 

Eligibility for the Flex Modification Program

To determine whether they qualify for the Flex Modification Program, homeowners will need to understand who owns their loan. This program is available for mortgages owned or guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). While a mortgage may have originated with a bank or another private lender, many mortgages are sold to other investors, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While these loans may then be sold to another investor, they will often be guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, allowing homeowners to take advantage of relief through the Flex Modification Program.

To qualify for the Flex Modification program, a homeowner will need to meet certain requirements. The mortgage must have originated at least one year prior to being evaluated for relief, and a loan must be a conventional first mortgage, giving the lender the right to be repaid first if a foreclosure sale is completed. A homeowner may seek relief if they are more than 60 days delinquent on mortgage payments, although if the property is the homeowner’s primary residence, they may seek relief if they are current on mortgage payments or are less than 60 days delinquent, including in cases where a lender determines that they are in “imminent default” and will no longer be able to make monthly mortgage payments based on their financial circumstances. While a homeowner will usually be required to provide documentation of financial hardship, proof of income, and other information, those who are more than 90 days delinquent may qualify for streamlined procedures that will allow them to receive a modification more quickly and with fewer documentation requirements.

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Originally published: November 29, 2015 -- Updated: August 10, 2021

UPDATE: In addition to understanding how the dismissal of a bankruptcy case may affect their ability to refile for bankruptcy and address their debts, a person will also need to understand how foreclosure proceedings will be affected. An initial bankruptcy filing will place an automatic stay on any collection actions, meaning that creditors will be required to cease all attempts to collect the debts owed or repossess property. This automatic stay applies to foreclosure proceedings, so by filing for bankruptcy, a person may be able to prevent the loss of their home. However, if a bankruptcy case is dismissed, a person is returned to the same position they were in before filing for bankruptcy, and creditors will be able to resume foreclosure proceedings.

A recent case in Pennsylvania illustrates how the dismissal of a bankruptcy case may affect foreclosure proceedings. In this case, a homeowner filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy to prevent the foreclosure of their home. Because the debtor did not file all of the necessary documents, the bankruptcy court dismissed their case. The debtor filed a motion for reconsideration, and the court granted this motion and reinstated the bankruptcy case. However, between when the case was dismissed and when it was reinstated, the lender resumed foreclosure proceedings and sold the home. While the debtor argued that the automatic stay for the initial bankruptcy filing should have applied, the court ultimately ruled in the lender’s favor, finding that the lender was allowed to resume foreclosure proceedings following the dismissal of the case.

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Selling or purchasing a home can be a stressful and exciting time. There are several tasks you must remember and several documents you must sign in order to ensure that everything goes smoothly. This is why it is important to make sure that you properly execute the right documents. One such document you must have is the deed. The deed transfers the title of the property to or from you. There are four commonly seen deed categories: Quit Claim, Warranty, Special Warranty, and In Trust Deeds. When buying or selling real estate, it is important to understand the differences in each type of deed. Here is what you should know.

Quit Claim Deeds

A Quit Claim Deed does as it sounds: it renounces one’s interest in a piece of property. The individual who acquires the property through a Quit Claim Deed does not promise that the property will be free of third-party interests, such as liens. A Quit Claim Deed also fails to provide any warranties as to the property or nuisances within the property. Put simply, with a Quit Claim Deed clear title of the property is not promised.

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Many families in the United States face the threat of foreclosure due to financial difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, most of these families have been able to avoid losing their homes thanks to the moratorium on foreclosures that was put in place in March of 2020. This moratorium has been extended several times, and while it was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021, it has been extended once again. Homeowners may be able to make use of provisions that will allow them to maintain ownership of their homes.

Foreclosure Relief for Federally-Backed Mortgages

The federal foreclosure moratorium has been extended through July 31, 2021. This moratorium applies to homes financed through USDA Single-Family Housing Direct and Guaranteed loans, as well as single-family mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

In addition to this extension, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has implemented a new rule that will provide protections for homeowners facing foreclosure while also offering options for financial relief that will allow them to resume mortgage payments and continue owning their homes. This rule will go into effect on August 31, 2021, and it will last until January 1, 2022. This will ensure that homeowners will have protections during foreclosure proceedings that take place after a borrower is delinquent on mortgage payments by at least 120 days.

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During a residential real estate transaction, all encumbrances on the title of the property will need to be resolved before the transaction can be completed. These encumbrances may include liens by creditors seeking repayment from the homeowner, such as mechanic’s liens. Those planning to sell their home will need to determine how to address any mechanic’s liens and resolve these issues to ensure that they can complete the sale successfully.

What Is a Mechanic’s Lien?

A mechanic’s lien allows a contractor or supplier who performed repairs or made improvements to a home to collect payment for any unpaid work. While homeowners will usually be able to resolve any payment issues with a general contractor, subcontractors or suppliers who were not paid by the primary contractor may also use mechanic’s liens to collect the payments they are owed. 

Requirements for Mechanic’s Liens in Illinois

Illinois law requires subcontractors or suppliers contributing to work on a single-family home to provide a preliminary notice to the homeowner within 60 days after work on the property has begun. This notice is necessary to establish the right to pursue a mechanic’s lien if payment is not received. A Notice of Intent to Lien must also be filed within 90 days after labor was last performed by a subcontractor or materials were furnished by a supplier. 

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