What to Include in a Loan Modification Hardship Letter

The loan modification hardship letter is often thought of to be the most difficult part of applying for a loan modification. Not only is there a large amount of pressure on the hardship letter itself, but certain information needs to be included while other information should be avoided.

Because of the need to write the loan modification hardship letter, many homeowners get discouraged. But keep the following points in mind and you'll be writing the perfect letter to send to your lender with ease:

At the start of the letter, be sure to state that you're writing the letter to supplement your application. This can easily be done by using a sentence like "I am writing/sending this letter to support/explain my application for loan/mortgage modification."

The hardship letter needs to include any circumstances leading to your current financial hardship. Some examples of circumstances would be: being laid off or demoted, or loss of a cosigner or spouse. Besides these circumstances, there are several that any lender will accept. Lenders understand that life happens and there are just some situations you cannot get out of easily, if at all.

Explain why your current interest rate is unmanageable for you. This is different from circumstances in that you explain what you've done to try to accommodate the rate, but can't find the means to do so. A rising interest rate on the same budget that you've had for a long time is also means for a loan modification.

Before writing the letter, come up with a budget or plan that you're going to use to handle your expenses. Explain the main points of your budget or plan in your hardship letter. This shows that you are going to try to make changes to keep in your home and on your feet.

Including the interest rate you're looking for in your loan modification hardship letter cannot hurt your chances for approval. And if you're approved, you may even get that rate. Just be sure that it is reasonable and explain why that rate works for you.

Somewhere near the end of the letter be sure to include your intent to stay in your home and work with your lender. They don't want you to go into foreclosure, but they do not want to give assistance to someone who is not going to make an effort either.

These are the main points you should include in your loan modification hardship letter to get the best results. A clear, concise, and professional letter will get you that much closer to a modification.

Emma Lanier, "Home Loan Modifications", Mortgage Lending Modifications

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