Lawmakers continue to develop mortgage help programs, but they haven't found the magic bullet yet.
Borrowers complain that they can't find information, the application process is a mess, and they rarely get any help.
The newest program involves paying banks and borrowers to use a short sale. Banks get $1,000 to offset losses and borrowers get $1,500 to help get back on their feet. Critics argue that those numbers won't be appealing to anybody, and the plan does not address the logistics of mortgage help any better than previous plans.
While national plans are finding limited success, local plans are popping up. Pennsylvania has offered hardship assistance for a while, and other states are interested in similar programs.
If you need mortgage help, keep contacting your lender and HUD approved counselors for information on programs that may be available.
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