HARP Costs
What costs can I expect with the HARP 2.0 Program?
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Can I get cash back on a HARP 2.0 Refinance?
Fannie Mae policy does not allow borrowers to receive cash back through HARP. However, to simplify calculations when generating the new loan, any amount less than $250 at closing can be returned to the borrower. Any amount higher than this threshold must be applied to payment on the new loan in order to reduce the principal balance. The limit on this payment should be either $2,000 or 2% of the principal balance, whichever is lower. A higher amount would signify a cash-back refinance and thus would not be eligible for HARP.
Why are LLPAs required?
Although Fannie Mae already owns the risk on the existing loan, the new loan will bring with it additional costs, including the mandated holding of capital against the loan based on current risk. LLPAs, therefore, are necessary to cover these requirements.
What LLPAs apply?
Effective January 2012, Fannie Mae will be reducing the amount of loan-level price adjustments (LLPAs) applicable to HARP mortgages. Delivery fees will be eliminated for HARP mortgages whose amortization period is 20 years or less, and for those longer than 20 years, the adverse market delivery charge (AMDC) will be lowered to 0.75%. Also, refinances with higher LTVs will now be allowed. Standard risk-based LLPAs do not apply to Refi Plus loans.
For more information on these changes, refer to Fannie Mae's updated Refi Plus Pricing Matrix.
How does Fannie Mae Refi Plus Pricing vary for HARP?
HARP loans being refinanced under Refi Plus now have their own Pricing Matrix that has been developed by Fannie Mae. The Pricing Matrix came about due to increased flexibilities in MI coverage, and greater LTV and CLTV ratios in addition to other qualifying criteria. Fannie Mae's updated Refi Plus Pricing Matrix at eFannieMae.com.
Does AMDC apply to refinances?
The Adverse Market Delivery Charge (AMDC) only applies to non-HARP loans under Refi Plus (manual or DU) and to those HARP loans lasting longer than 20 years. The standard AMDC is 0.25%.
Can my Mortgage Insurance company charge me a fee?
MI companies may charge modification fees for the transfer of MI certificates, and these fees can be rolled into the new loan's unpaid balance. Fannie Mae requests that such costs should be reasonable and that the new loan will continue to meet all guidelines issued by Fannie Mae and the MI company.
If I pay some fees out of pocket can I get reimbursed for them?
Yes, as long as the lender documents that you have paid the fees from your own pocket, the refund on those fees can be rolled into the loan amount and will not count toward the cash back limit.
Comments (19)
Kathy
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I am doing a harp refi and I see they have a transfer fee of 1000.00 tagged on. Is this a junk fee? I have never heard of it.
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CJ Pinto
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Is it required by HARP to pay my Homeowners insurance through the escrow account? If so what if it is a condo and the bulk of the insurance is paid through by the association?
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Angela Leonard
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Is it true that there is a “loan origination fee” of 1.250% being assessed to all HARP 2.0 refi’s that are backed by Freddie?
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sam
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Per Freddie Mac Website
“What fees can I expect to be charged under HARP?
HARP is like any other mortgage where you may be required to pay certain costs for the application, processing, appraisal, title search and other necessary items to complete your refinance.”
It says nothing of a mandatory fee to be imposed by a lender
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Anita Leao
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Citibank is trying to make money off people who need the HARP program. I paid over $700 in fees to get the process started and get my interest rate down. Since my appraisal came in so low they added on .5 point to the cost of this loan. It was going to add $9,000 on top of how much I already owe on the loan! Big scam, how can they make money off us right now, they’re supposed to be helping us! I didn’t go through with his but still need a lower interest rate.
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annette
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sounds familiar. citibank did the same thing to me.
Appraisal not high enough so the raised the rate twice gave me “the run around” by asking for more documentation (more than I ever had to supply when getting the original or when I refied over 15 years ago) I paid for the appraisal and a tilte search and they still wanted me to refi at 5.625 percent … I still don;t have a new loan and am looking for a lower rate. I know people who have 3.25 percent – 4.25 that’s what I’m looking for.
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Jayne Harmon
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What kind of fees can a bank charge you to refinance your load through HARP 2, and what is reasonable? Wells Fargo holds my loan, and they say that I qualify w/o any out-of-pocket money. Is this true? What should I expect for closing costs? My loan is at 6.25 right now. The loan officer says he can get it down 2 points. Is this the very best he can do. I have excellent credit and have never missed a payment or been late on a payment for 15 years. I want a 30-year refinance and lower payments. My payment now is $738.00/mo w/o escrow
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Vladimir
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Jayne,
I have similar loan background as your’s and I was approached by Wells Fargo as well. I am about to go with the programm but wanted to hear about your experience if you do not mind. Are you happy you did it or you wish you did not do it. Please let me know.
Regards,
Vladimir
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Mindy
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Although there are costs associated with a new mortgage each bank determines their own fees. I do HARP, Va and FHA streamlines, very reasonable fees. Contact me and I can give you a quote.
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C
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Do you have to go through the original lender to get approval under HARP? How can I get a better interest rate than Chase bank is offering of 5.625% with an APR 5.95%? Chase charges a $395 application fee. The closing costs are added to the loan amount but I was told there may be additional out of pocket cost associated with the loan. Is this information correct?
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Rose
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Really, so you do the mods or just the refi for ??? If I ahove a Bof A mtg, an i want it modified, then I have to go to Bank of America
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JOE
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I’m looking to do a HARP.
Can you help?
Joe
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Mack W Gossage
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I need to do Harp and I need help or advise.Can you help me?
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Frank
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Beware of those banking people. I have a Chase loan and I received a letter for refinance at a lower rate. Well, everything seems nice, I would save about $300 a month in payment but I was looking a little deeper into this. I asked a lot of questions and the loan office said there is only about $ 900 out of pocket. Well that seemed ok as well. I rechecked some of my figures and something still did not make sense. I discovered that they will add about $7,000 to the loan amount. I am not doing this re-financing, this is not a good deal at all, you will have less equity then when you started this process. BEWARE, this is a big scam.
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Yuri
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Chase bank did same to me, they want to add $6000 to the loan, HARP it is look like scam to me…
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sharon stratman
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I was trying to find out tonite does the harp loan ever let you borrow enough to get a new energy eff, furnace and hot water heater put in on the loan?It seems like it met,but I can’t find anything on it. If your home needs this to operate correctly and efficiently,saving money on energy biils. Thanks ahead of time.I’m sure you’ll know.
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kerry
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Why would you want to put the expense of an HVAC unit on your mortgage? Most dealers are offering zero percent financing on high eff units for as long as 60 months. To finance it with interest is ridiculous.
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Jaylyn
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Great isinght! That’s the answer we’ve been looking for.
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Joyce Lester
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Can Chase bank charge me application fee, tax service, processing fees etc? And if so, how do I know they are reasonable?
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