Monday 26 November 2012

Before Going For Loan Modification, Ask Yourself These Questions First

By Crystal Elbert


Are you planning on applying for a loan modification? If you are, ask yourself three questions first. When we speak of loan modification, this is the changing of the terms of a loan to make it more manageable for borrowers. Loan modification is most often chosen by borrowers - other than mortgage borrowers - who are having difficulties keeping up with their regular loan repayments. This is to prevent foreclosures and being included in the black list of the many credit bureaus. The modification is sometimes carried out following extensive credit counseling. It has been a mistaken notion that loan modification is the permanent cure for loan repayment problems. But the truth of the matter is that the modification is not a panacea, and it in fact does have its own disadvantages, which you need better awareness of, before you opt for it. There are three important questions that have to be addressed before you make the final decision to get any type of loan modification.

You have to know if loan modification is really the answer to your problems or not. Loan modification can come in various forms, and if you answer the questions, you will also know which type of loan modification would work best for you and your case.

The first question would be: would you be able to repay the loan after the modifications have been applied? After the loan modifications has changed the terms of the loan, you may still be unable to pay it off. You may still find yourself having trouble meeting your monthly payments despite the loan modification. Be realistic, especially when it comes to your finances. If you're paying for a house, there is a risk that you may face foreclosure on it when you fail to keep up with the payments, even with the loan modification. A sad but true fact: financial status change so fast, so drastically. Those things that they used to be able to afford in the past could no longer be within their reach in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, people make use of loan modifications as a method of denial of the realities that exist with respect to their financial states. Still, if it (objectively) emerges that you will now be able to afford keeping up with your repayments after the modification, you should, by all means, go for it.

Next you have to consider whether the loan modification will end up giving you a fair deal in the long term. What if you end up paying for a loan that is twice as much as what you originally owed? The loan modification could result in a higher effective interest being paid since the term of the loan may have been extended.

You should also ask yourself whether you can afford to pay for the costs that are usually involved in the modification of the loan. You may find yourself owing lawyers and other professionals thousands of dollars if you retain their services in making the modification happen. Be objective and see if the cost you will incur will be worth the benefits you will get from your loans being modified.




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