Homeowners who are significantly underwater-meaning the mortgage balance is much higher than their home is currently worth-are reluctant to accept a Bank of America loan modification unless it also includes principal reduction. Why keep making payments on a home that may never see any equity again? The bank realized this attitude some time ago, and introduced an earned principal forgiveness option-but has anyone actually ever received help under this program?
A Bank of America loan modification with principal forgiveness is elusive, but the option offered under the National Homeownership Retention Program-the bank’s in house effort to help borrowers-has certain restrictions and requirements. Here is some basic information on how this plan works and who may qualify:
- Loans must be at least 60 days delinquent
- The home must be 120% loan to value-meaning the loan balance is 20% higher than the current market value
- Eligible loans are Option Arms (negative amortization) Sub-Prime and 2 year hybrid arm programs
Homeowners who currently have a negative amortization payment will lose
that option, however the goal of the Bank of America loan modification with principal forgiveness will be to forgive all or part of the negative amortization amount to reduce the principal to as low as 95 percent loan to value. This will re-establish an equity position and provide incentive for homeowners to keep making timely payments.
Borrowers who currently have other types of eligible loans could have their loan balance reduced to equal 100% of the current market value of their home. Bank of America principal forgiveness is on an earned basis, and the reduction will be forgiven over a period of five years, as long as the homeowner continues to make timely payments.
The Bank of America loan modification method will consider reducing the loan balance first to reach the new target payment, then utilize the other HAMP methods, such as lower the interest rate and increase loan term. The goal is to achieve a new target payment that equals 31% of the borrowers gross monthly income.
Although this plan has not been implemented widely, the bank estimates that they will be able to offer principal reduction to 45,000 borrowers, which equates to about $3 billion in total reduced principal. Borrowers who think they may fit the guidelines should request this option when speaking with the bank about loan modification options.
Make sure that you complete your Bank of America loan modification application correctly-find out if you qualify for principal forgiveness. Use the #1 best selling resource for homeowners, The Complete Loan Modification Guide kit and Loan Mod Quick APP calculator. This powerful tool provides the inside information you need-find out how much income you need to qualify, how to prepare your financial statement
correctly and know exactly what to ask the bank for! Visit MyLoanModificationCenter.com today for more information.














