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Wondering if I can still qualify for a HARP refi these days

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Posts: 11
(@ray_meow)
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Good points overall, but just a heads-up—pretty sure the original HARP program ended a while back. There are similar options now, though, like Fannie Mae's High LTV refinance. Definitely worth double-checking what's currently available before diving in too deep.

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dev619
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(@dev619)
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Yeah, that's spot-on about HARP ending a while back. I remember looking into it myself a couple years ago and realizing I'd missed the boat by a good margin. But honestly, it's not the end of the world—there are still some solid alternatives out there.

Fannie Mae's High LTV refinance is definitely one to check out, especially if you're underwater or close to it. A friend of mine went through that program last year and said it was pretty straightforward. He managed to lower his monthly payments quite a bit, even though his home's value hadn't fully bounced back yet. So, it's worth exploring if you're in a similar situation.

Also, don't overlook FHA streamline refinancing if your current loan is FHA-backed. I did one of those myself a few years ago, and it was surprisingly painless—minimal paperwork, no appraisal needed, and it shaved off a decent chunk from my monthly payment. The only catch is you have to already have an FHA loan, but if you do, it's a no-brainer.

One thing I'd caution though: always double-check the fine print on these programs. They can change eligibility criteria or interest rates pretty frequently, and sometimes lenders tack on fees that aren't immediately obvious. I learned that the hard way when refinancing my first home—ended up paying more in closing costs than I'd anticipated because I didn't read carefully enough.

Bottom line, refinancing can be a great move if you're careful and do your homework. Just make sure you're clear on what you're getting into before signing anything...

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guitarist92
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(@guitarist92)
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Yeah, totally agree about FHA streamline being a solid option—used it myself a while back and it was pretty hassle-free. Another one worth mentioning is Freddie Mac's Enhanced Relief Refinance. It's similar to Fannie Mae's High LTV program but sometimes has slightly different eligibility criteria or rates. Definitely worth comparing the two side-by-side to see which fits your situation better. Just make sure you shop around a bit... lenders can vary quite a lot in terms of fees and closing costs.

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(@elizabeth_mitchell1353)
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HARP actually wrapped up a while ago, didn't it? Pretty sure Freddie Mac's Enhanced Relief and Fannie Mae's High LTV programs replaced it. But you're right about comparing lenders—had a buddy who rushed into refinancing with the first one he found, ended up paying way more in closing costs than he needed to. Definitely pays to slow down and poke around a bit... sometimes you stumble onto a better deal without even expecting it.

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bearrodriguez478
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(@bearrodriguez478)
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"Pretty sure Freddie Mac's Enhanced Relief and Fannie Mae's High LTV programs replaced it."

You're right about HARP being phased out, but honestly, I'm not convinced the newer programs are always a better deal. I've seen cases where borrowers didn't quite fit neatly into Freddie or Fannie's boxes and ended up with fewer options. Before jumping into these replacements, I'd suggest first checking your current equity position, credit score, and loan type—sometimes a traditional refi can still beat these specialized programs, especially if your home's value has improved lately.

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