HARP is an acronym for The Home Affordable Refinance Program.

It was created by the Federal Housing Finance Agency specifically to help homeowners who are current on their mortgage payments, but underwater on their mortgages.

Advantages

  • Underwater properties are eligible
  • No minimum credit score required
  • Closing costs can be bundled into the new loan
  • Ability to lower your monthly payment
  • Interest rate reduction
  • Appraisals generally not required
  • Qualification possible even with reduced income

Disadvantages

  • The loan must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (look-up tools below)
  • The mortgage must have been sold to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae on or before May 31, 2009 (look-up tools below)
  • Your current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio must be greater than 80%
  • You can only use HARP refinancing once

 

Is your mortgage owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac?

Use their online tools to quickly find out, or call them toll-free:

Fannie Mae
Loan Look-up Tool:
Call: 800-7FANNIE (8 am to 8 pm ET)

Freddie Mac
Loan Look-up Tool:
Call: 800-FREDDIE (8 am to 8 pm ET)

Note: Be sure and check your address on both the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac look-up tool. If your address does not appear in the look-up tool of either site, your loan may not be owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Eligibility criteria are for guidance only. Contact your mortgage servicer to see if you are eligible for HARP.

Get Prequalified