CONSUMER INFORMATIONMortgage Bankers AssociationThe Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the real estate finance industry. The MBA is the leading source of knowledge for most anyone in the mortgage industry. The website contains vital information for both MBA members and consumers, and is the center for mortgage industry news and research. Consumers are given links to the most important resources on the internet. Home Loan Learning CenterThe Home Loan Learning Center provides step-by-step information on how to become financially literate. Armed with the facts, your next move could be into your own home. Learn about credit reports and scores; the true cost of owning a home; and how to compare the costs of owning versus renting a home. The Web site provides in-depth, easy-to-read home loan product information in the All About Mortgages section, which includes information on how to qualify for a loan, what the documents mean, what's in the mortgage payment and mortgage calculators to help consumers plan their payments. Indiana Foreclosure Prevention NetworkIn late 2007 Indiana began addressing the problem of foreclosure with the launch of a major state-wide initiative to assist Hoosiers who are in danger of losing their homes. The Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Initiative was developed by a coalition of community organizations, housing-related agencies, government agencies, lenders and banks, know as the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN). Foreclosure Prevention Resource CenterThe Foreclosure Prevention Resource Center is part of MBA's outreach to advise those who may face trouble making their loan payment to contact their loan servicer, the company to whom they make payments each month, as soon as possible to determine if an alternative to foreclosure may be possible based on the borrower's financial and employment status. The bi-lingual site includes a listing of major loan servicers and their contact information, as well as a guide to the "Things to Know When You Contact Your Lender" so that borrowers having difficulty making mortgage payments can begin an informed dialogue with their servicer about potential solutions. The site also includes an easy-to-use Glossary and Foreclosure Fact Sheet and links to other helpful sites.
Federal Reserve Board Consumer ResourcesThe Federal Reserve Board has a page on their website, The Board of Governors Federal Reserve System web site, dedicated to assisting consumers who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. Specifically, the following is part of what is available for consumers to learn about by going there; Making Home Affordable program, Guide to Avoiding foreclosure, Housing Counseling Agencies, 5 Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Scams, Credit Repair: How to Help Yourself, Q and A on Home foreclosure and Debt Cancellation, and much more! HOPE NOW Hot LineThe Home Ownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which creates partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations, borrowers and lenders to help families overcome obstacles that could result in the loss of their homes. HPF uses exciting programs like the highly successful 888-995-HOPE - the Homeowner's HOPE Hot line - to help individuals and families who are struggling financially. 1-800-569-4287 - This reference will guide consumers to an interactive voice mail system that provides local contacts for counseling and information. The local reference is driven by the caller’s telephone area code. |