FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY INCREASES 7 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER

FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY INCREASES 7 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER

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Obama foreclosure plan makes little impact

In a report released today, a congressional oversight committee concluded that the attempts to keep people in their homes is having little effect. The report from the Congressional Oversight Panel, created by Congress to monitor bailout spending, came as the Treasury prepared to release Wednesday its latest monthly report on the $50 billion Home Affordable Modification Program, or HAMP. That report will show that so far more than 230,000 households had been given permanent reductions in loan payments by the end of March, a Treasury spokeswoman said. That is up from 168,703 a month earlier.

By comparison, nearly eight million households are behind on mortgage payments or already in the foreclosure process.

HAMP loan modifications typically leave borrowers still heavily burdened by debts from second mortgages, car loans and credit cards, the panel noted. The typical household with a HAMP modification still must devote 59% of total income to debt service. "Most borrowers who proceed through HAMP will face a precarious future," the report said, adding that "many borrowers will eventually redefault and face foreclosure."

Even if you can get a modification, that doesn't mean that other options are not a better alternatives, such as bankruptcy, short sale, or a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

For a link to the full report of the panel, click here:

Congressional Oversight Panel: Evaluating Progress of TARP Foreclosure Mitigation Programs

Credit Repair After Bankruptcy - Steps To Take

Even after one files bankruptcy, there are still steps that need to be taken to improve your credit score.

1) Be sure to check with credit agencies after filing. Many people are scared to look at their credit report after filing, but you should several months after filing or discharge to be sure everything is accurate. You want to be sure the bankruptcy is listed and any discharged debt doesn't show as anything more than a bankruptcy filing.

More can be found at this article below:

RT @NYDailyNews: There is life after bankruptcy http://bit.ly/c5rWzT

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/04/05/2010-04-05_there_is_life_after_bankruptcy_credit_could_thaw_in_1824_months.html

2) Make attempts to obtain credit after discharge. You can get secured credit cards by applying for that specific type of card. You simply give collateral, such as equity in a car or cash, to show the creditor they have something of value to collect if you don't pay.

3) Any debts not discharged or incurred after filing must be paid on time. Don't think that "oh well, my credit is shot anyway." If you make all your payments on time after filing, you can be on the road to financial recovery.

Chris Barsness

http://www.bankruptcylawyerla.net