HARP2 Extended Through September 30, 2017
The HARP program is scheduled to end on September 30, 2017. Effective date: April 19, 2017.
Starting October 1, 2017, a new program will be available to help homeowners struggling with mortgage payments.
Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) Ending in 2018
The HARP program is scheduled to end on December 31, 2018
Making Home Affordable (MHA) Program Ends (Effective January 1, 2017)
Effective January 1, 2017, the MHA program is no longer available to homeowners.
Trump Administration Executive Order Targets the Dodd-Frank Act
Learn how the Dodd-Frank Act protects taxpayers from for paying for another banking bailout.
A Lawsuit Is Not Required to Rescind a Home Loan Under TILA, Says U.S. Supreme Court
A new U.S. Supreme Court decision clarified that when you have a three-year right to rescind a home loan under the Truth in Lending Act, you can rescind by sending written notice to your lender.
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Utah Case Prohibiting National Banks From Performing Foreclosures
The United Supreme Court refused to grant certiori (meaning it will not hear the case) in an important Utah foreclosure case, Federal National Mortgage Association v. Sundquist, 2013 UT 45 (July 23, 2013).
Foreclosure Protection for Military Members Extended Through December 31, 2015
At the end of 2014, Congress extended for one more year a provision in the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) that was set to expire on December 31, 2014.
New Developments in Maine Foreclosure Law (Effective: Sep 17, 2015)
How a 2015 law, LD 321, dealt with a previous court case called "Greenleaf," and the effect on foreclosures in the state of Maine.
Supreme Judicial Court Ends City Foreclosure Mediation Programs in Massachusetts
In a recent opinion, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Springfield's Foreclosure Mediation program could not stand.
Ocwen Mortgages: Cash and Mortgage Reductions Available Under New Settlement
In December 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 49 state attorneys generals, and the District of Columbia settled a case against Ocwen, the largest non-bank mortgage servicer in the country.
New Federal Rules for Reverse Mortgages
New rules restricting the amount that homeowners can borrow when getting a reverse mortgage went into effect in September 2013.
New Federal Rules: Lenders Must Consider Mortgage Borrowers' Ability to Repay
Effective January 10, 2014, federal law requires mortgage lenders to consider a mortgage borrower's "ability to repay" when issuing a loan.
Expanded Protections for High Cost Mortgages
New federal rules, which went into effect on January 10, 2014, have expanded the protections under the Homeownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA).
Ally and EverBank Join Independent Foreclosure Review Settlement
In July/August of 2013, Ally/GMAC and EverBank settled the Independent Foreclosure Review and (finally) halted their reviews.
Nolo Publishes 50-State Series on HOA Foreclosure Laws
If your homeowners association (HOA) or condominium assocation (COA) is foreclosing or threatening to foreclose on your house or condominium, you can now find state-specific information on Nolo's website.
New 50-State Article Series on Redeeming Your Home After Foreclosure
Nolo recently published 51 articles (for each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia) on whether you can redeem (repurchase) your home after losing it foreclosure.
Making Home Affordable Program Extended Through December 2016
On June 26, 2014 the Obama administration announced a one-year extension to the Making Home Affordable (MHA) program. You can now apply for the MHA programs through December 2016.
Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Break Extended Through 2014
On December 19, 2014 President Obama signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention Act.
Deadline to Apply for Making Home Affordable Programs Extended Through 2015
Today, May 30, 2013, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced that the deadline to apply for the Making Home Affordable programs is extended to December 31, 2015.
National Mortgage Settlement Checks Sent Today
If you completed a valid payment claim form through the National Mortgage Settlement, you will receive a check this month for approximately $1,480.
Oregon Foreclosures Likely to Switch From Judicial to Nonjudicial
Because of an upcoming change to Oregon's foreclosure mediation program (which will make participation in the program mandatory for judicial foreclosures) and a recent Oregon Supreme Court decision, it is likely that the majority of foreclosures in Oregon will soon be nonjudicial.
Nolo Adds 50-State Foreclosure Law Centers to Website
Find up-to-date state-specific information on foreclosure procedures, mediation programs, and more.
Errata: Washington's Foreclosure Law Procedures
In 2011, the legislature changed the law so that mortgage holders must make this contact for all loans, regardless of when they were written.
9th Circuit Makes Wells Fargo Live Up to HAMP Contract
In Corvello v. Wells Fargo, the homeowner, Mr. Corvello, applied for a mortgage modification under the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (more commonly known as HAMP).
More Protections for Louisiana Homeowners in Foreclosure
The Louisiana legislature just passed and the governor signed into law the Louisiana Home Protection Act. La. Rev. Stat. § 13:3852; La. Code Civ. Proc. § 2293(B)(1).
In what has been lauded as a groundbreaking ruling, a United States District Court for the District of Columbia recently said that a bank cannot foreclose on a reverse mortgage just because the surviving spouse was not named on the mortgage documents.
Eligibility Requirements for Making Home Affordable Program Broadened to Help More Homeowners
Earlier this year, the federal government announced changes to its Making Home Affordable (MHA) program to help more borrowers qualify for relief.
Massachusetts High Court Rules on Faulty Foreclosures
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the title held by the banks in the improperly foreclosed property was not clear title -- that is, the banks had no legal claim on the property.
BofA Gives Mortgage Help to Ex-Military Servicemembers
On Thursday, March 10, 2011, Bank of America announced a new mortgage modification program for members of the military who have left service.
California's Newest Foreclosure Scam
Scams involving purported mortgage modifications and foreclosure assistance have abounded since the California foreclosure crisis in 2009.
Foreclosures Down, But Not for the Right Reasons
Foreclosures in January, February, and March of 2011 are down by 27% as compared to foreclosures in the same months of 2010.