The forensic mortgage audit is quite useful for people who are heading towards foreclosures on their house. The bursting of the mortgage market bubble in 2008 followed years of growing use of sub-prime mortgages. In 1977, the Community Reinvestment Act was approved by Congress, ensuring that banks cannot deny mortgages based on the risk of the recipient. Most of the time, these folks were from poor families with low credit scores, both of which make them at high risk of defaulting on their mortgages.
Aggravating the situation, banking institutions and home lenders started to offer so-called teaser rates targeted at borrowers classified as higher risks. This would be an ARM, or adjustable rate mortgage. ARMS are regularly reviewed to determine whether or not to increase the rates of mortgage payments. Many mortgage companies offer “teaser” rates which are lower than the current rates on the market to suck borrowers in. Once the initial interest rates end, the terms will have to be rewritten to show the current rates. With higher rates comes a higher mortgage payment. The increase of rates after the introductory rates have expired is one reason there are more foreclosures.
Borrowers who genuinely try to pay their mortgage were in a bind. Borrowers seeking relief can benefit from a forensic mortgage audit that may find errors in the mortgage agreement that can delay or even stop foreclosure. Lenders who have been audited and found guilty of predatory lending practices may be held liable, which can result in reduced amounts owed and reduced monthly payments for borrowers.