The U.S. Senate approved a bill on Friday, 14th December 2007, in order to make it easier for thousands of homeowners with inflated interest rates to refinance into federally insured loans and help them save their home from foreclosure.
About 2 – 2.5 million adjustable rate mortgages are scheduled for a reset in the coming year and many borrowers might even lose their homes due to the high interest rates. The Senate’s proposed plan will be a blessing for these “distressed homeowners”.
Under this Senate bill, the down payment required for FHA loans will be lowered down to 1.5% from the current 3%. It will also raise the maximum mortgage amount that FHA can insure in high housing cost areas like California from the current $ 362,790 to $ 417,000.
The economic fallout as a result of increasing foreclosures has been a concern for most of the political leaders and the Senate vote supporting this bill was a reflection of this concern. In spite of several oppositions, the bill was approved with an ultimate aim to improve the present economic scenario. This is truly one of the best Christmas gifts for all the homeowners.