Rent Is Due, What To Do

Rent is due today for millions of people affected by the coronavirus pandemic who unexpectedly find themselves out of both work and money after being laid off in March. Just weeks ago food and shelter may have not have been what most people woke up worrying about. Today is different and tomorrow is uncertain, which is certainly an understatement of our new reality.

Governments can’t make rent not due. However, to alleviate the stress of possible eviction during this unique time in our history a majority of states have forbidden evictions for 30 to 90 days if rent is not paid. See a list of states with new eviction rules on USA Today. Other states may join as well in the days to come. Rules are different state by state.

The federal government has also included restrictions on evictions in recent legislation for properties financed with federally funded mortgages. So even if there is no new state legislation where you live,  you still may be covered by the federal law. (For homeowners worried about foreclosure, see our articles here and here and contact your lender directly.)

Landlords are under tremendous pressure too from all of this; and we suggest everyone stay in touch with landlords and let them know where you stand on rent and see if something can be worked out. To get back on their feet somewhat, those unemployed should start seeing weekly supplemental income of $600 on top of ordinary unemployment insurance payments. Most should also be getting $1200 or more in stimulus checks in the weeks to come.

 

April 1st, 2020|Financial Planning, News & Commentary, The Economy, Your Money|
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Bank of America Offering Payment & Fee Assistance

Bank of America is offering payment and fee assistance to its customers on a case-by-case basis. Consumer and small business customers can request payment deferrals on lending products like: small business loans, credit cards, auto loans, home equity loans and mortgage loans. With proper deferrals customers will have no negative effects on credit reports. Requests can also be made to waive or refund certain fees. The bank is also pausing asset repossessions, evictions, and foreclosures for now.

For more information and instructions on how to start the process. See https://about.bankofamerica.com/promo/assistance/latest-updates-from-bank-of-america-coronavirus

Bank of America Announces Additional Support for Consumer and Small Business Clients Experiencing Hardship From the Impact of the Coronavirus

Thursday, March 19, 2020 5:18 pm EDT

Bank of America today announced additional support for its 66 million Consumer and Small Business clients in response to the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus. The company is offering assistance to clients through its Client Assistance Program and continuing to provide access to the important financial services on which these clients rely.

“Our clients rely on us every day and for every aspect of their financial lives,” said Dean Athanasia, president of Consumer and Small Business at Bank of America. “We’re going to continue to provide convenient access to the important services they count on, and the additional assistance and support they need during this difficult period. Our priorities are taking care of our team and each other, and continuing to fulfill our fundamental role serving our clients.”

Working on a case-by-case basis, as we’ve done in many other situations including the government shutdown and natural disasters, Bank of America’s additional assistance for clients impacted by the coronavirus includes:

Consumer and Small Business deposit accounts: clients can request refunds including overdraft fees, non-sufficient funds […]

March 23rd, 2020|Banking, Credit Reports, Financial Planning, Loans, News & Commentary, The Economy, Your Money|
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Tax Day Extended to July 15, 2020

Today, the Treasury Secretary announced individual taxpayers and businesses will get an additional 3 months to file and pay federal income taxes for 2019. Seems fairly simple and straightforward. We await the implementation details from the IRS and tax preparation companies. But the result is tax day for this year will be July 15, 2020.

States that have previously announced tax filing relief for taxpayers affected by the coronavirus pandemic for varied lengths of time will all likely conform with the new federal tax day. For instance California extended all tax filings to July 15, 2020, after previously announcing a 60 day extension.

These federal and state policies will immediately keep cash in the private economy for a longer period of time before being paid to the government. This will allow money to stay in the economy, which are the stated goals of the recent efforts by the White House to lessen the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the United States economy.

 

March 20th, 2020|Financial Planning, News & Commentary, The Economy, Your Money|
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Fannie Mae Announces Payment Relief for Mortgage Borrowers

This week Fannie Mae announced details of their plan to help borrowers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Their plan can help borrowers unable to make mortgage payments and can reduce or suspend mortgage payments and eliminate late fees up to 12 months. They are also able to suspend reporting to credit bureaus about past due payments.

Additionally, they will be suspending evictions and foreclosures for 60 days.

They can also provide broader financial planning help with a needs assessment and personalized recovery plan. Homeowners can reach out to Fannie Mae directly by calling 1-800-2FANNIE (1-800-232-6643). For more information, please visit www.knowyouroptions.com/covid19assistance.

 

Fannie Mae Assistance Options for Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19

March 18, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) wants to help ensure families are given options in these uncertain times in the case of job loss, a reduction in work hours, illness, or other issues. We want to remind those impacted by COVID-19 of available mortgage assistance and relief options. Under Fannie Mae’s guidelines for single-family mortgages:

Homeowners who are adversely impacted by this national emergency may request mortgage assistance by contacting their mortgage servicer
Foreclosure sales and evictions of borrowers are suspended for 60 days
Homeowners impacted by this national emergency are eligible for a forbearance plan to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months
Credit bureau reporting of past due payments of borrowers in a forbearance plan as a result of hardships attributable to this national emergency is suspended
Homeowners in a forbearance plan will not incur late fees
After forbearance, a servicer must work with the borrower on a permanent plan to help maintain or reduce monthly payment amounts as necessary, including a loan modification
Fannie Mae also offers help navigating the broader financial effects of this national […]

March 20th, 2020|Banking, Financial Planning, Loans, Mortgage Rates, News & Commentary, The Economy, Your Money|
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Freddie Mac Announces Enhanced Relief for Mortgage Borrowers

This week Freddie Mac announced an expansion of its forbearance program to help borrowers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Their plan can help borrowers unable to make mortgage payments and can provide payment relief up to 12 months. They are also able to suspend reporting to credit bureaus about past due payments.

Additionally, they will be suspending evictions and foreclosures until mid-May or possibly longer depending up how things develop.

To contact Freddie Mac about your mortgage contact them here: https://myhome.freddiemac.com/mortgage-help/contact.html

 

Freddie Mac Announces Enhanced Relief for Borrowers Impacted by COVID-19

Company suspends single family foreclosure sales and evictions; confirms and expands forbearance and modification programs

MCLEAN, Va., March 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today announced it is taking numerous actions to protect those affected, either directly or indirectly, by the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19. Specifically, for its Single-Family business, the company announced a nationwide suspension of all foreclosure sales and evictions of borrowers living in homes owned by the company. It also announced a variety of additional mortgage relief options, including an expansion of its forbearance program, to incorporate additional impacted borrowers. The company also has reminded Servicers of its existing suite of mortgage relief options to assist borrowers, while also making additional disaster related loan modifications available.

These measures are effective immediately and apply to borrowers who are unable to make their mortgage payments due to a decline in income resulting from the impact of COVID-19, regardless of whether they have contracted the virus.

Forbearance plans provide borrowers with payment relief for up to 12-months and suspend borrower late charges and penalties. It also suspends reporting to credit bureaus of past due payments of borrowers who are in a forbearance plan as a […]

March 20th, 2020|Banking, Financial Planning, Loans, Mortgage Rates, News & Commentary, The Economy, Your Money|
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