HAFA Matrix
PennyMac Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) Matrix
All servicers that have signed agreements with the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to participate in the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) must consider eligible borrowers who do not qualify for HAMP for other foreclosure prevention options including Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) which includes short sale and deed-in-lieu. Each servicer, however, has some discretion in determining additional eligibility criteria and certain program rules.
To assist borrowers and their representatives in understanding any unique components of a servicer’s HAFA Policy, Treasury has developed a HAFA Matrix. The summary information in this matrix is prepared solely by PennyMac and does not represent any determination by the Treasury as to the servicer's compliance with the Treasury's policies and guidance for HAFA. Treasury does not endorse any language or policy described in this matrix.
Any questions regarding the information contained in this matrix should be directed solely to PennyMac.
Eligibility Requirements
- The servicer of the loan participates in HAMP and HAFA.
- The mortgage was originated before January 1, 2009 and is not made to or owned by a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entities.
- Borrower must have submitted a request on or before December 1, 2016 and have an executed sales contract on or before December 31, 2016.
- The transaction closing date under HAFA must be on or before December 1, 2017.
- The loan is a first-lien mortgage.
- The loan is in default or default is imminent (imminent default is evaluated by PennyMac’s proprietary model).
- The property is 1-4 units, cooperative, condominium, or manufactured home including the land.
- Property is not condemned or in uninhabitable condition.
- Borrower must have a documented financial hardship.
- Borrowers who are in bankruptcy are eligible with bankruptcy-court approval.
- Borrower must deliver clear and marketable title (PennyMac may work with the borrower to clear subordinate liens).
- Borrower has not been convicted within the last 10 years of felony larceny, theft, fraud or forgery, money laundering or tax evasion, in connection with a mortgage or real estate transaction.
- Loans with mortgage insurance require approval from the insurer.
- Some loans may require investor approval.
- The current Unpaid Principal Balance (UPB) of the mortgage loan, not including arrearages, is not greater than:
- 1 unit: $729,750
- 2 units: $934,200
- 3 units: $1,129,250
- 4 units: $1,403,400
Documentation Requirements
Documentation Required from the Borrower Upon Confirmation of Eligibility includes:
Signed Short Sale Agreement (SSA)
- Hardship Affidavit or Request for Modification and Affidavit (RMA) and Dodd-Frank Certification
An Existing Offer Submitted Using an Alternative Request for Approval of Short Sale (Alternative RASS)
This is the same documentation as the Short Sale Agreement (SSA) plus:
- Accepted purchase contract
- Other documents as requested by PennyMac
Valuations
Establishing Property Value
Depending upon state requirements, PennyMac will order one interior broker price opinion (BPO) and an appraisal desk review for the reconciled property value. Additional valuations may be required in certain circumstances.
Disputed Valuations
A dispute with the valuation of the property will be escalated to a member of management within PennyMac’s Property Resolution department. PennyMac will review any information submitted by the borrower and/or their authorized 3rd party representative(s) and PennyMac’s response will be communicated to the borrower and/or their authorized 3rd party representative(s) within 30 days.
Information to be provided to PennyMac may include:
- BPO
- Appraisal
- CMA (Comparative Market Analysis)
Borrowers and/or their authorized 3rd party representative(s) may contact their assigned Loan Resolution Specialist by phone or e-mail. They may also call (866) 573-9564 or e-mail to discuss an adjustment to PennyMac’s valuation.
PennyMac will not reimburse any party for the cost of any appraisals, BPO’s, or other valuation products provided to PennyMac.
Price Reduction Review During Marketing Period
The Loan Resolution Specialist will work with the borrower and/or their authorized third party representatives(s) to assess the list price during the marketing period. If there is no purchase offer at the listing price after 60 days, borrower should consider deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.
Payments During Marketing Period
Not required. However, missed payments will be reported to the major credit reporting agencies as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. To learn more about credit scores, please visit the Federal Trade Commission.
Relocation Incentive
A borrower, tenant or other non-borrower occupant who occupies the property as a principal residence and is required to vacate as a condition of the HAFA short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL) may be eligible to receive relocation assistance of $10,000 at closing. To establish eligibility, PennyMac must receive satisfactory evidence of occupancy, an executed Dodd-Frank Certification(s) and, if applicable, a Non-Owner Occupant Certification.
In the case of a rental property occupied by a tenant or other non-borrower occupant, the HAFA relocation assistance will be paid to the tenant or other non-borrower occupant (assuming the conditions of such payment are satisfied) and may not be reduced to pay any costs and expenses of the tenant or other non-borrower occupant; no portion of the $10,000 may be retained by a borrower.
Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure Policy
Deed-In-Lieu (DIL) is another option to avoid foreclosure if the customer cannot afford the mortgage payments. With a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the customer voluntarily transfers ownership of the house and all property secured by the loan to the lender to satisfy the total amount due on the mortgage. A DIL must be approved by the owner of the loan as well as any other lien holders, such as a home equity loan or home equity line of credit lender.
DIL may be considered in cases where the property does not generate an acceptable short sale.
Foreclosure
PennyMac will make every attempt to review the borrower for some form of a modification or foreclosure alternative such as short sale or deed in lieu before a foreclosure is initiated. If, however, the customer is in foreclosure, during the HAFA process, PennyMac will not complete a foreclosure sale:
- While determining the borrower’s eligibility and qualification for HAFA
- Until 5 days after PennyMac sends the borrower notification that they are not eligible or their eligibility has expired
- While the terms of a pre-approved HAFA short sale are effective, or
- Pending transfer of ownership for a PennyMac-approved sales contract
Average Timelines
Contact Information
General HAFA questions before short-sale request
Call Customer Service: (866) 545-9070
Upon receiving your package, customer will be assigned a single point of contact. That individual will assist the customer throughout the Short Sale process. The single point of contact will be responsible for valuation appeals, transaction status, and escalation of complaints and concerns.
Point of Contact Information
Call: Toll Free (877) 554-0376M – F: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pacific
Sa: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pacific
Website: PennyMacUSA.com
Email:
Fax: Toll Free (866) 577-7205
Escalation Contact
Customer Escalation Specialist
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC
Call: Toll Free (866) 545-9070
Email:
Payments
PennyMac Loan Services, LLCP.O. Box 30597
Los Angeles, CA 90030-0597
Correspondence
PennyMac Loan ServicesP.O. Box 514387
Los Angeles, CA 90051
Notices of error or information requests must be mailed to this address.