Lenders are in a bind. With foreclosures increasing every day, their REO departments are overloaded. Foreclosure is expensive and banks are in no mood to be property owners. So, why not just try to work thing out with the distressed borrower? That seems to be the line of thinking as major lenders have announced that they will put foreclosures on hold for 30 days. During this time they will work with the borrower to figure a workable solution for both parties. This applies to all kinds of borrowers, not just subprime. From MSNBC:
These lenders say they will contact homeowners who are 90 or more days overdue on their monthly mortgage payments. They will be given the opportunity to put the foreclosure process on pause for 30 days while the lenders try to work out a way to make the mortgage more affordable to the homeowner.
To clarify, this appears to be a voluntary program and is not a “law”. Which means a lender has the last word and is not under any obligation to award the 30 day freeze. If you think you qualify contact your lender directly.