Your first hardship letter may be the most difficult document you will have to write. When facing foreclosure, sometimes you have no choice but to ask for help. This can be stressful and even humiliating. However, rest assured that your situation is far from unique. Homeowners across the country face the same difficult decision. Time to bite the bullet and start writing.

As leniency applications continue to flood lenders’ offices, you need to make sure your letter is read. This does not mean that you will receive what you are requesting. Financial institutions cannot say yes to everyone. Your hardship must be significant for your mortgage company to make an exception for you. However, if you don’t know how to write your hardship letter, it may simply be rejected because the lender doesn’t understand your situation.

How to prevent your hardship letter from being rejected

First, you need to make sure your mortgage company can link you to your specific loan in their system. Otherwise, they won’t be able to help you no matter how serious your financial problems are. Here is the crucial information that should appear at the top of your letter:

*Name

* Address

*Telephone#

* Loan ID #

Please indicate below what you are requesting (home loan modification) and why you need it. Detail what difficulties you are experiencing that have led you to ask for help. Respectfully request a face-to-face meeting to speak with a lender about your current situation. Remember to sign your letter.

If you are unsure of your ability to write letters, ask an attorney who has experience in home mortgage negotiations for help. This will ensure that your letter contains all the required information and is properly worded. Since your letter is a legal document that will be used to help determine if you should be exempt from foreclosure, you may be more comfortable with this option.

Sending a well-written hardship letter is essential!

Your mortgage is a legally binding contract that can be easily changed. Calling or emailing your lender for help is not enough. A formal letter requesting a review of your loan carries much more weight. It shows that you are serious and willing to put your appeal in writing to start the home loan modification process.

The way your letter is worded is also very important. You are not asking for a free brochure. Instead, you are seeking to renegotiate the terms of your loan agreement due to serious financial difficulties. This type of request should be written in a professional manner using proper grammar. You must accurately describe exactly why you are currently unable to meet your mortgage obligation. Don’t make your letter long or fill it with emotional appeals. Instead, just stick to the basic facts. This will make it less confusing to read (and easier to write).

What qualifies as a hardship?

Not all difficult life circumstances will be considered hardships in the eyes of the mortgage holder. If he has the money to pay his mortgage but just wants to spend it on something else, this doesn’t qualify. Here are a number of reasons that can be considered legitimate:

* Job loss, salary reduction or job relocation

* Serious illness, disability, or significant medical expense

* Divorce or death of a spouse

* Increase in property taxes

*Military service

* Incarceration

There are also other circumstances, such as a business failure, that may qualify for special consideration. You must present your case clearly based on your specific situation. This is another good reason to consult with an attorney before writing your hardship letter.