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A Reverse Mortgage Primer: Consumer Debt Advice from NCLC

Reverse mortgages are one way that families in financial distress can tap into the equity in their homes to meet their needs. This article provides advice for consumers on who should consider a reverse mortgage, how it works, foreclosure risks, impacts on spouses, partners, and heirs, and whether it is a good idea.

How to Prepare for the End of HAMP

This article highlights steps to take to prepare for the end of HAMP and other Making Home Affordable programs that sunset at the end of 2016. Reference can also be made to Treasury Supplemental Directive 16-02 and 16-03.

March 21 Deadline for Servicers to Assign to HUD Certain Reverse Mortgages to Protect Surviving Spouses

HUD created a March 21st deadline for reverse mortgage servicers to assign the reverse mortgage to HUD without financial penalty in order to protect certain surviving non-borrower spouses from foreclosure. This article explains the meaning of the deadline and what actions non-borrowing surviving spouses should take so that they can remain in their homes. For a certain category of surviving spouses, it is important to act before March 21.

Mortgage Relief for Homeowners Affected By COVID-19

This article provides tips and explains new protections for homeowners having difficulty making mortgage payments. Included are federal and state forbearance programs and moratoria on foreclosures. Just as important, the article explains how to apply for forbearance, how forbearance prevents foreclosure, and what mortgage repayment options are available once the forbearance period expires.

New Protections from Foreclosure of Reverse Mortgages

A May 6th HUD guidance provides new protections allowing non-borrowing spouses to remain in a home after the spouse borrowing on a reverse mortgage moves to a long-term care facility or passes away. This article details the new protections, examines other foreclosure risks with a reverse mortgage, and sets out borrower rights and strategies to avoid those additional risks of foreclosure.

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NCLC's Housing Collection

New CFPB Rule Protects Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

This article explains in detail important CFPB amendments to RESPA Reg. X taking effect August 31 affecting mortgage servicer early intervention and loss mitigation requirements. The rule provides new rights to homeowners exiting mortgage loan forbearances or experiencing a COVID-related payment hardships—rights applicable not just to federally insured mortgages, but to almost every home mortgage in America.

Homeowner Tactics to Overcome Problems with Tangled Titles

A new NCLC Digital Library article sets out practical solutions to problems arising from a homeowner's death in dealing with mortgages, foreclosures, reverse mortgages, property taxes and tax sales, utilities, and relief after natural disasters. The advice focuses where a home’s title is tangled—the home is stuck in probate or families living in a home for generations have never properly transferred the home’s title.

LIBOR’s Death Will Soon Impact $1.4 Trillion in Consumer Contracts

The most widely used index for adjustable-rate consumer contracts, the LIBOR, will soon cease to exist. This article explains new legal requirements that will apply when creditors are forced to change the index and margin on $1.4 trillion of adjustable-rate consumer contracts—millions of home mortgages, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), credit cards, and private student loans.

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U.S. Supreme Court building

Consumer Litigation Guide to Supreme Court Rejection of Chevron

Two just-decided Supreme Court rulings facilitate industry challenges to federal agency rules. This article examines the implications of these decisions for consumer attorneys bringing federal rule-based claims where defendants now argue the rule is invalid or inapplicable. The article recommends eight steps to respond to these Supreme Court decisions to preserve the consumer’s claims.