The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Program is a government-sponsored initiative overseen by the US Treasury Department and administered by Fannie Mae assisting all Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)-eligible homeowners in avoiding foreclosure, specifically through short sales or deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. HAFA directs lenders to assist eligible homeowners in quickly and effectively implementing short sales or deeds-in-lieu by providing financial incentives to lenders that carry out foreclosure alternatives through the program's guidelines set forth in Supplemental Directive 09-09 Revised (revised March 26, 2010).
The program was introduced in part with the intent to remove the stigma from short sales and help keep communities from being destroyed through massive foreclosures. HAFA in its current state is only applicable to conventional-type, non-Governmental Serviced Enterprises (non-GSE) mortgages and therefore does not apply to loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. These organizations may have plans to release their own versions of HAFA.
A HAFA short sale streamlines the short sale process in the following ways:
Compliments HAMP by providing viable alternatives for borrowers who are HAMP-eligible
Uses standard processes, documents and timeframes
Provides financial incentives to borrowers, servicers and investors
Requires that borrowers be fully released from future liability for the debt
Utilizes borrower financial and hardship information collected in conjunction with HAMP, eliminating the need for additional eligibility analysis
Allows the borrower to receive pre-approved short sale terms prior to the property listing
Prohibits the servicer from requiring, as a condition of approving the short sale, a reduction in the real estate commission agreed upon in the listing agreement.
HAFA provides financial incentives as follows:
Homeowners qualify for $3,000 (updated March 26, 2010; was previously $1,500) in Borrower Relocation Assistance after a short sale or deed-in-lieu has been completed (may classify as taxable income in some cases). Some lenders are complementing HAFA in providing benefits up to $5000.
Financial incentives for servicers participating in the program include up to $1,500 (updated March 26, 2010; was previously $1,000) servicing bonus upon completion of a short sale or deed-in-lieu
Financial incentives for investors include up to $2,000 (updated March 26, 2010; was previously $1,000) for those who allow a total of up to $6,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders. This reimbursement will be earned on a one-for-three matching basis
Lenders pay all servicing fees — homeowners have no out-of-pocket expense
First Source Solutions is a CDPE certified brokerage who has help many homeowners avoid foreclosure. Contact us today to find out if you qualify for the financial assistance HAFA has to offer.
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