The United States government, in an effort to help homeowners in America escape foreclosure, has granted $75 billion in aid through a program aimed at the modification of loans. Mortgages for millions of American families will have dramatically lower payments per month, allowing them to remain in their homes. The guidelines for qualifying for this program, set out here, are fairly simple.

The primary residence of the homeowner is alone qualified.
First mortgages are the only ones which qualify; second trust deeds are not eligible.
Serious financial difficulties, either current or imminent, must be proved.
However, missing or late payments are not a necessary prerequisite.
Demonstrable income is required, as well as certain qualifications.
A finished application for the loan program, including all required documentation, needs to be handed in to the bank responsible for the lending.

The benefits for those borrowers who qualify are as follows, the most immediate being the reasonable payments of 31% of the monthly gross. In addition, interest rates can be lowered to as little as 2%, the extent of the loan period may be stretched up to 40 years, and even the principle of the loan can be modified, the cost of such modification being divided equally between the bank and the federal government.

Although the loan program is a voluntary one, certain financial bonuses, which include $1500 for mortgaging institutions and $500 for service agencies, are expected to encourage participation among the greater part of lending banks and service agencies. Bonuses will also be granted to the homeowners. Mortgage holders who are consistent and prompt with their modified payments will be given a yearly incentive which will add up to $5000 at the close of the fifth year.

This program should be hugely successful, so mortgage holders who are interested should get the loan modification applications and begin collating the necessary documents. In order to make the application as complete as possible, the process smooth and hassle-free, and ensure success, make sure you know how to fill out the application, gather all required documentation, and look over everything to see if you have any questions. By doing so you will help the lender process your application thoroughly, promptly, and with all the attention you deserve.