HAFA Details

HAFA Guidelines from a Real Estate Professionals' perspective. National Association of Realtors (NAR)

HAFA was introduced to simplify and streamline the short sale process. HAFA accomplishes this in the following ways:

Compliments HAMP by providing viable alternatives for borrowers who are HAMP-eligible
Uses standard processes, documents and timeframes
Provides financial incentives to borrowers, servicers and investors
Requires that borrowers be fully released from future liability for the debt
Utilizes borrower financial and hardship information collected in conjunction with HAMP, eliminating the need for additional eligibility analysis
Allows the borrower to receive pre-approved short sale terms prior to the property listing
Prohibits the servicer from requiring, as a condition of approving the short sale, a reduction in the real estate commission agreed upon in the listing agreement

HAFA provides financial incentives as follows:

Homeowners qualify for $3000. (updated March 26, 2010; was previously $1500. in Borrower Relocation Assitance after a short sale or deed-in-lieu has been completed. (May classify as a taxable income in some cases)
Financial incentives for servicers participating in the program include up to $1,500 (updated March 26, 2010; was previously $1,000) servicing bonus upon completion of a short sale or deed-in-lieu

Financial incentives for investors include up to $2,000 (updated March 26, 2010; was previously $1,000) for those who allow a total of up to $6,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders. This reimbursement will be earned on a one-for-three matching basis

Lenders pay all servicing fees — homeowners have no out-of-pocket expenses

Two additional documents provide detailed technical information on data related to HAFA and HAFA reporting procedures for servicers:

HAFA Data Elements (Exhibit D) is a series of tables detailing specific reporting procedure data for servicers. It is available at the end of Supplemental Directive 09-09 Revised. This is a document for servicers
The HAFA Data Dictionary, a spreadsheet in Excel format coordinating with HAFA Data Elements (Exhibit D) that catalogues all of the data elements and associated metadata for the program, including the names, definitions, allowable values, and data types. It also defines the functional areas where the data elements are being used. This is a document for servicers

For more information on servicer reporting procedures and requirements, see "Reporting Requirements" on page 14 in Supplemental Directive 09-09 Revised.

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