The year 2008 was a year that America learnt something. It learnt that being a world economic super power does not exempt it from grave financial crisis. Obama loan modification is a voluntary program run by banks which could help home owners struggling with mortgage payments avoids foreclosures. However, the application process is a little complex with strict eligibility conditions. But one can avail professional help through various online organizations while applying to get the best chance of approval.

It learnt that what they thought as the most evolved and matured financial system was also one of the most flawed one. It learnt that even after more than 75 years, conditions of The Great Depression can revisit our economies. It learnt that the giant US corporations which were considered invincible could be brought to their knees. Unfortunately, all these were learnt at the cost of financial well being of millions of hard working Americans.

When Obama administration took over it took certain steps to stop this mayhem in the real estate industry. It launched the Obama home modification loan program, which was aimed at helping hundreds of thousands of struggling home owners save their homes.

Almost all industries were affected by the financial crisis triggered by the fall of the world’s largest investment bank, The Lehman Brothers. Hundreds of thousands of employees working for big corporations in the United States lost their jobs. Financial difficulties caused small businesses to shut down causing yet more employees to lose their jobs.

Hence, it was not surprising the millions of Americans which included hundreds of thousands of home owners found themselves in debt traps with many struggling to pay their mortgages. And soon people started filing for bankruptcies and property foreclosures. Thousands of individuals and their families became homeless. Even people who were otherwise not affected by loss of income suffered too. As more and more properties started getting foreclosed the real estate prices of the entire neighborhoods started dropping rapidly. And people soon found that their property valuations had completely eroded.

Along with federal mortgage loan modification program started by FHA, Obama loan modification plan helped the homeowners by reducing interest rates and increasing the term of payment, thereby reducing their monthly mortgage payments to affordable levels. However, there are certain pre conditions for Obama loan modification eligibility.

Following are the eligibility criteria:

• The individual should be currently living in the property for which the loan modification is being sought.

• The loan amount owed by the individual for single unit home should not be more than $729,750. The amount is more for 2- 4 unit dwellings.

• The loan should have been taken before 1st January 2009.

• There should be some documented proof of sudden financial difficulties (eg. Loss of job, medical exigencies etc.).

• You should be able to able to make the adjusted mortgage payments once the plan has been approved.

• Your current monthly housing payments including your mortgage, insurance and housing society expenses should be more than 31% of your gross income.

Author's Bio: 

Sally Mansell provides information related to Obama loan modification program.