FDIC – Home Loan Modification Help

November 20, 2008 by Jay Genkins  
Filed under Home Loan Modification

Homeowners are missing their mortgage payments and looking into refinancing if possible or just foreclosing on their home.  But there is another option available and at this point, not many are taking full advantage of it.  This is doing a home loan modification.

Homeowners are slowing realizing that a loan modification can help lower a monthly mortgage to a more affordable payment.  Not all loans can be modified.  Both the lender and the borrower have to agree.  Until last week lenders did have the incentive to do a loan modification.  However, last week the FDIC announced a program that gives lenders the incentive they need to begin evaluating all loans and determining which would be a candidate for a loan modification.

Some homeowners want to use a loan modification as an opportunity to increase their loan amount.  This will not work in a loan modification scenario.  When a loan is processed there is usually an amount that is taxed.  After a loan modification, the interest rate, the monthly principal, and term length can change which then leaves nothing to be taxed.  Conversely, if the loan amount increases, then the government will recognize that there is something to tax.

Another reason why increasing a loan amount through a loan modification will not work is because it may impact a second or third lender.  Many homeowners have a first loan but also a second loan used as a home equity loan.  If the amount of the first loan increases, the risk of the lender of the second loan increases as well.  If the homeowner forecloses the first lender will be paid first, and whatever monies is left over goes to any subsequent lenders.  If the amount of the loan is higher, there may be little to no money left for other lenders.

Overall, a homeowner is better off choosing to do a loan modification in oppose to a refinance of their home loan.  Homeowners are often told that there will be no closing costs in doing a refinance of their loan, so think this is a better, cheaper option than doing a loan modification.  “No closing costs” can simply means that the lender is going through a different route to make their money i.e. a higher rate, higher loan amount, prepayment penalty or all three.

A homeowner has every right to deal directly with the lender for a loan modification.  However, a homeowner is much more likely to see better results after consulting with an attorney. San Diego Law Firm Kerry Steigerwalt’s Pacific Law Center will be helping with home loan modifications in San Diego, CA


Lean Cuisine Chicken Recall – Nestle Recall

November 18, 2008 by Jay Genkins  
Filed under Defective Products

Thousands of Lean Cuisine Chicken Meals have been recalled by Nestle. The world’s biggest food company, has announced a recall of about 880 thousand pounds of Lean Cuisine Chicken Meals that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

Nestle received one report of injury and identified the objects as small pieces of hard plastic, the USDA said in a statement today.


What is Psoriasis

November 5, 2008 by Jay Genkins  
Filed under Legal Resources, Terms

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic disease, for which a number of effective therapeutic options are available, including four other approved biologic agents, ultraviolent light therapy, and the drugs cyclosporine, acitretin, and methotrexate.

Generally, treatment for psoriasis patients involves a rotation of therapies.

More information about Psoriasis


What is PML

November 5, 2008 by Jay Genkins  
Filed under Terms

What is PML?

PML (Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. PML usually occurs in people whose immune systems have been severely weakened. It leads to an irreversible decline in neurologic function and death.

Symptoms may include unusual weakness, loss of coordination, changes in vision, difficulty speaking and personality changes. There is no known effective prevention or treatment.

More information about PML


What is Raptiva

November 5, 2008 by Jay Genkins  
Filed under Terms

What is Raptiva?
Raptiva is an immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressants decrease the actions of the body’s immune system.

Raptiva is used in the treatment of psoriasis.

Raptiva is a once-weekly injection approved for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic (whole body) therapy or phototherapy. The drug works by suppressing T-cells (blood cells that help fight infection) in the immune system.

These cells, when activated, migrate to the skin and cause inflammation which results in the red, inflamed and scaly patches of skin, which is associated with psoriasis. By suppressing T-cells, Raptiva decreases the function of the immune system which increases a patient’s susceptibility to infections.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued Raptiva Side Effects Warning a public health advisory concerning three confirmed, and one possible report of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare brain infection, in patients using the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab).

More Information about Raptiva