Last week, Bank of America announced that they were reducing the amount owed for 200,000 underwater homeowners. This is huge for the homeowners, because it means a chance to eliminate the underwater portion of their mortgages. The anticipated average reduction is $100,000.
Homeowners are eligible for the reduction if they were at least 60 days delinquent on their mortgages serviced by BOA, as of January 31, 2012. This $1 billion deal is part of a recently announced government foreclosure settlement with top service providers. This move will reduce the overall amount BOA owes in penalties from its $3.25 billion foreclosure settlement.
This arrangement will only apply to loans owned by BOA or private investors, but not ones owned or backed by the GSEs, FHA or Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs.
