If you are one of the many people struggling to save your home, then loan modification may be the life raft you are looking for.

Loan modification can help you reduce your monthly mortgage payment. While not all homeowners qualify, it doesn’t hurt to look into pre-qualification.

To qualify, you must be employed and able to demonstrate that your household income has been reduced. As your Tempe realtor, I would be happy to help you determine if you are pre-qualified for assistance – at no charge to you. No upfront fees, no charge for the results. If there is a way to help you save your home, I want to help.

The pre-qualification process can be cumbersome – having a professional assist you can make the process less overwhelming. If you are pre-qualified, you are in no way obligated to continue the qualification process with me.

Loan modification isn’t always the best solution – in some cases, a short sale is the best course of action. The loan modification process is ideal for those who are unable to make their monthly mortgage payment – but can, with a little tweaking to their budget. Short sales are the better option for those who cannot pay their bills. A short sale can even be beneficial for some, taking away a massive source of financial stress. I will help you determine which avenue you should pursue.

Before you decide to hire someone to help you save your home, be sure to do your research – there are predatory companies taking advantage of those seeking assistance. Arizona Republic Real Estate reporter Catherine Reagor reported in Sunday’s paper that families across the Valley are being victimized by scam artists who are taking advantage of the uncertainty surrounding loan modification. Reagor said if the company you are dealing with guarantees that it can get your lender to reduce your monthly mortgage payment or tells you not to seek outside assistance, you may be the victim of a scam. Some victims have reported that the scammers have offered to fill out the paperwork for them, demanded payment in advance and rushed them through the process.

If you are concerned that you have been the victim of a scam, or suspect a company of wrongdoing, you can report it to one of the following organizations:

• The Arizona Attorney General’s Office
  602-542-4266
  
• Arizona Department of Financial Institutions
  602-255-4421
• Federal Trade Commision
  877-382-4357

Remember, you are not alone in this – together, we will find a solution.