Dramatic increase in prime-loan foreclosures

Dramatic increase in prime-loan foreclosures
Workouts not keeping pace
By Inman News, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

Inman News

Foreclosure starts and foreclosure sales of homes purchased with prime loans increased dramatically from January to February, and the percentage of homes completing the foreclosure process approached highs not seen since last summer.

The latest report from mortgage servicers participating in the lending industry's HOPE NOW alliance shows that despite continued strides in helping subprime borrowers avoid foreclosure, foreclosures and foreclosure sales among prime borrowers continue to climb.

HOPE NOW put the number of foreclosure starts on prime loans during February at 157,000, a 25 percent increase from the month before. Foreclosure starts on subprime loans fell by 5 percent, to 86,000.

The record 243,000 foreclosure starts recorded in February represented a 12 percent increase from the month before and a 36 percent increase from a year ago.

While payment shock for subprime borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans was once viewed as a primary driver of delinquencies and foreclosures, delinquency rates on prime fixed-rate and subprime fixed-rate loans continue to climb, thanks to job losses and pay cuts, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported this month (see story).

HOPE NOW loan servicers reported making more than twice as many loan modifications for subprime borrowers in February (91,333) than they did for prime borrowers (42,503). More prime borrowers got repayment plans -- 64,605 were negotiated last month, compared with 46,033 for subprime borrowers.

Not all homes that enter the foreclosure process end up being sold by lenders -- some borrowers are able to refinance their loans, or negotiate short sales or loan workouts with lenders.

The HOPE NOW alliance said it helped 244,000 borrowers avoid foreclosure in February by instituting workouts including loan modifications and repayment plans. ...CONTINUED

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