Follow Us: Google+
 
Bankrate.com

HARP 2011
refinance
A guide to HARP refis

HouseThe Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, is designed to help homeowners who are current on their house payments and who want to save money by refinancing at lower mortgage interest rates. Normally, refinancing is a straightforward task. But not when the loan is underwater -- that is, when the home's value has fallen below the mortgage balance. That's where HARP comes in.

HARP allows homeowners to refinance their mortgages even when they're underwater. That's the intention, but the reality has been different. HARP is not mandatory, and borrowers often struggle to refinance their underwater loans. Sometimes they succeed, and sometimes they don't.

When HARP was introduced in early 2009, the Obama administration estimated that millions of homeowners would take advantage of it. The numbers have been lower than that. Recently, HARP's expiration date was extended until the end of 2013.

In this series of articles, Bankrate.com explains who is eligible for HARP refinances, what obstacles borrowers can expect to encounter and how to overcome those barriers.

 

Videos

 

advertisement

Show Bankrate's community sharing policy
            Connect with us
Compare Mortgage Rates
Zip code:
Product:



advertisement
Most Read
  1. Beach towns with bargain homes
  2. 6 tips for successful yard sale
  3. Nick Nolte's house for sale
  4. 5 costliest tickets for car insurance
  5. 7 sedans for the young at heart
  6. 5 car models that lose value
  7. Ali Landry's house for sale
  8. Headlight requirements by state
  9. 9 gas-only, fuel-efficient cars
  10. 8 eerie ghost towns
Mortgage Overnight Averages
Product Rate +/- Last week
30 yr fixed mtg
3.77% 3.60%
15 yr fixed mtg
2.88% 2.74%
5/1 ARM
2.66% 2.54%
30 yr fixed mtg refi
3.76% 3.58%
View rates in your area:
Another indicator of an improving housing market: Realtor income is up.
advertisement
Partner Center
advertisement

Advertising Disclosure: Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Bankrate may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.