Fannie Mae has announced the opening of a new mortgage help center in Atlanta to provide counseling and other services for struggling homeowners in the greater metro area with loans owned by Fannie Mae. The Atlanta Mortgage Help Center is the third facility and fourth announced partnership in a series of planned nationwide mortgage help centers. Fannie Mae is partnering on this initiative with Forest Park-based The D&E Group, A Financial Education and Training Institute Inc., major mortgage servicers, and civic and community leaders from across the region.
At the center, borrowers will meet directly with dedicated on-site English- and Spanish-speaking staff and experienced housing counselors to discuss their mortgage situation. These face-to-face meetings will help borrowers better understand the range of foreclosure prevention options available to them and help them to better manage their relationship with their servicer.
"A common misconception is that foreclosure is the only option, and in reality foreclosure doesn't have to be an option," said Jeff Hayward, Fannie Mae's senior vice president, national servicing organization. "We are opening the Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center in Atlanta to provide distressed homeowners in the area the resources necessary to stay in their homes including free access to high quality counseling and in-person resolution of their particular mortgage circumstances. For those who do not qualify for a modification or other solution, our counselors will work with the servicer and homeowner to arrange a graceful exit from the property, which may include assistance with relocation costs. Homeowners who are struggling to make mortgage payments or who anticipate financial hardship should know that our doors are open for them."
Counselors will provide a full range of services, which include reviewing a borrower's loan, discussing foreclosure alternatives, collecting the required documents for the federal Making Home Affordable Program and providing help to finalize any pending loan workout efforts. Fannie Mae and The D&E Group will provide information and clarify expectations for the foreclosure prevention process. Efforts will be made to counteract local scams and groups that charge fees for modifications and foreclosure prevention services.
"The Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center offers counseling, information and tools necessary to help homeowners avoid foreclosure," said Carrie Harris, president and founder, The D&E Group. "Struggling homeowners should seek counseling through the center or a HUD-approved counseling agency and guard against scams by avoiding any individual or business who promises a modification for a fee."
The center is only for borrowers who have a mortgage held by Fannie Mae. Homeowners can determine if Fannie Mae owns their loan by visiting www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup or by contacting Fannie Mae at (800) 7FANNIE. Homeowners who do not have loans owned by Fannie Mae can contact the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline at (888) 995-HOPE.
The center is available by appointment only and borrowers wishing to schedule a visit should call (866) 442-8573 or e-mail
[email protected].
For more information, visit www.fanniemae.com.
