HARP Eligibility Guidelines

The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), launched jointly by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the US Treasury Department set certain new eligibility guidelines for Virginia, Maryland and DC homeowners who had bought houses on loans and were subsequently unable to be eligible for refinancing because of downward spiraling home values. This was a major hindrance in refinancing their present mortgages with lower interest rates and/or having a more valuable mortgaged product.

With changes announced in HARP eligibility guidelines (now called HARP 2.0), more and more home owners will now be eligible for HARP.

The elimination of the 125% loan-to-value for fixed rate Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae mortgages and the exclusion of appraisals for new properties where there is already a reliable Automated Valuation Model or AVM are two such major changes that will make more people eligible.

Risk-based fees that discouraged borrowers from taking short-term mortgages have been eliminated and this will help those with loans valued at more than the value of their house.

This will reduce not only interest rates but also lower monthly installment payments, creating equity faster.

The goal of the newly modified HARP 2.0 Program is to help stabilize the real estate market and encourage more people to buy homes on loans.

HARP Eligibility/Non-Eligibility Basic Guidelines

1. Your loan must be backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae

2. Freddie or Fannie should have bought your mortgage prior to June 1st, 2009.

3. Borrowers must be current on their mortgage for the last six months, and have no more than one late payment over the past year.

4. The mortgage must not have already been refinanced through HARP in the past, unless it happens to be a Fannie Mae loan that underwent a HARP refinance between March and May 2009.

5. Must Not be a USDA, FHA or Jumbo Mortgage

6. If the Virginia, Maryland and DC homeowner refinances into a fixed-rate mortgage, no Loan-To-Value (LTV) limit applies. However, if the new loan is an adjustable-rate mortgage, the borrower’s LTV cannot exceed 105%.

*Eligibility criteria are for guidance only. It is recommended that you click the link below and fill out our Quick Eligibility Form so we can confirm if you are eligible for the HARP Program:

If you believe your loan type or situation is a special case, please give us a call at 703-378-4540 to discuss your options.

Determine If Your Loan Is Backed By Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac

Unfortunately, Virginia, Maryland and DC homeowners rarely know who "owns" their mortgage loan. Normally, homeowners receive their monthly statements, and make their monthly payments, to their mortgage servicer. This is usually not the company that provided the funds originally to make the loan.

You can check "lookup" forms on the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac web sites. However, keep in mind that these web forms are not always accurate as the address would have to be exactly the same as was recorded with Fannie or Freddie.

Click Here To Check Fannie Mae | Click Here To Check Freddie Mac

Or, you can have us check for you:

Click Here To Have Us Check Your HARP Eligibility & To Request a FREE, No-Obligation HARP Rate Quote

Your Next Step

Apply For The HARP Program – Making Home Affordable Refinance

Getting approved for a HARP 2.0 refinance involves the following steps:

Step 1: Find out if your mortgage is owned by Fannie or Freddie & Eligible For The HARP Program

Step 2: Print the HARP 2.0 Checklist

Step 3: Submit your HARP Online Application

Step 4: Meet with Patrick Shelton to go over the final numbers, closing date, etc.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call my office at 703-378-4540 or email me at pshelton@premierlendingusa.com . I am here for you!


Photo of Patrick Shelton

Patrick Shelton

HARP Program Specialist

Email: pshelton@premierlendingusa.com

Phone: 703-378-4540


Contact Patrick Shelton, your Virginia, Maryland and DC HARP Refinancing Specialist, to setup a free consultation to determine if you are eligible for the HARP program. I will be honored to work with you!


Premier Lending Group, LLC
Patrick Shelton
7798 Virginia Oaks Dr 
Gainesville, Virginia 20155
Phone: 703-378-4540



All information contained herein is for informational purposes only and, while every effort has been made to insure accuracy, no guarantee is expressed or implied. Any programs shown do not demonstrate all options or pricing structures. Rates, terms, programs, and underwriting policies are subject to change without notice. This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend. By refinancing your loan, your total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan. All loans are subject to underwriting approval. Some products may not be available in all states and restrictions apply. Equal Housing Lender. Trade/service marks are the property of Premier Lending Group. All rights reserved.

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have adopted changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and you may be eligible to take advantage of these changes. If your mortgage is owned or guaranteed by either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, you may be eligible to refinance your mortgage under the enhanced and expanded provisions of HARP.
You can determine whether your mortgage is owned by either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae by checking the following websites: 
http://www.freddiemac.com/mymortgage or http://www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup

To verify licensing please visit: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Notice: This is a privately owned and maintained 
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