Help may be on the horizon

After Tuesday's State of the Union speech by President Obama, National Association of Realtors President Moe Veissi provided some commentary:

"The National Association of Realtors commends President Obama for his remarks in support of homeowners and the struggling housing market during tonight's State of the Union address. As leading advocates for homeownership, Realtors know that restoring the health of the housing market is the only way to achieve a broader economic recovery.

"Realtors stand ready to help Congress and the administration implement Obama's proposal to significantly reduce monthly mortgage payments by streamlining the refinancing process.

But beyond that, we must make housing a national public policy priority. Realtors believe that more must be done to stem the rising inventory of foreclosed homes and address the lack of available and affordable mortgage financing, which is inhibiting a meaningful housing market recovery.

"Our families, communities, the housing market and economy all suffer when people lose their home to foreclosure. Realtors are calling upon the Obama administration, Congress and lenders to help keep more people in their homes by taking more aggressive steps to modify loans and help homeowners significantly reduce their monthly mortgage payments.

"Realtors also urge the government and lenders to streamline the often time-consuming and inefficient short sales process and to quickly approve reasonable offers when a family is absolutely unable keep their home. Keeping people in their homes and reducing foreclosures will help minimize the negative impact of distressed properties on home values and neighborhoods.

"Expanding financing opportunities could also help reduce excess inventories of distressed properties. Increased fees and higher down payments are making it harder for many creditworthy homebuyers and investors to obtain financing, thwarting the sale of distressed properties and prolonging the impact those homes have on local markets."

"While we are beginning to see early signs of stabilization in the housing market, NAR calls on Congress and the Obama administration to come together and make housing a priority issue. In this vein, we urge the White House to host a national housing summit to encourage a broad discussion among stakeholders to help formulate and advance policies that move the country toward a real housing and economic recovery."

Signs of stabilization were re-inforced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) who determined that homes are now more affordable than at any time since 1971. Although it is true that prices and interest rates are significantly lower than during the runup in the heart of the last decade, many are finding it difficult to meet stricter lending requirements. Veissi's offer of the NAR's assistance should include an examination of lender's practices in addressing refinancing those mortgages written at much higher rates than today's.

Many homeowners whose loans were not sold to Fannie or Freddie, both Government Sponsored Enterprises, still find it difficult, if not impossible to re-finance their homes that may have declined in value. Even though many have demostrated reliability by making regular payments at a higher rate of interest, there is an argument that relief, in the form of lower interest and a lower monthly payment, would free up some capital to stimulate the economy, albeit at the cost of narrower profits on those loans.

Even those with Freddie and Fannie loans are facing challenges with refinancing. To date, only 910,000 homeowners have received permanent loan modification through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). This number is significantly lower than the administration's stated goal of five million. Recently, perhaps because we are nearing an election, more applicants for assistance under this program are receiving help with 83 percent of qualified applicants receiving some form of modification since June. The average wait for approval is about three and a half months for those who qualify.

For those who do not qualify for HAMP, there may still be help, or HOPE as it is called. This program is offered by The Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a group of nonprofits that works with challenged homeowners to negotiate with their lienholder, provide budget counseling and guidance for sustainable homeownership - for free. If you need help you can reach them by calling (888) 995-HOPE.

If you do not own a home and would like to, according to HUD there's not been a better time since 1971. Even though lending requirements are stringent, people are qualifying every day.

Whether you are about to buy a home or just trying to stay in one, Realtors are there to help.

Trust an expert... call a Realtor. Call your Realtor or visit www.cdarealtors.com to search properties on the Multiple Listing Service or to find a Realtor member who will represent your best interests.

Kim Cooper is a real estate broker and the spokesman for the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors. Kim and the association invite your feedback and input for this column. You may contact them by writing to the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors, 409 W. Neider, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 or by calling (208) 667-0664.