Texas Mortgage & Real Estate Thoughts

Extension of the Texas Home Affordable Refinance Program HARP

Back on March 11, 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced two exciting changes to the Texas Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). This program is for Texas borrowers who have demonstrated an acceptable payment history on their Texas mortgage, but due to a decline in Texas home prices or where mortgage insurance is not available, have been unable to refinance to obtain a lower payment or move to a more stable Texas mortgage product. Here is a quick re-cap of the changes:

The program has been extended by one year. Texas lenders can continue to originate HARP loans provided the note date is on or before June 30, 2012.

The program has been expanded, and more Texas loans will now qualify for the program. Previously to be eligible for a HARP loan, the existing Texas loan had to be purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac prior to March 1, 2009. This date range has now been expanded to include Texas loans purchased by the agencies prior to June 1, 2009.

This means that people who may not have been able to take advantage of a HARP Texas refinance in the past may now be able to do so.