Special funding was provided by the federal government to states hit hard by the economic downturn to help financially stressed homeowners. Wells Fargo works with the 19 states that participate in the Hardest Hit Funds program.
Call us at 1-800-678-7986 or contact us through our secure website for a confidential review of your options. But don’t wait – the sooner you reach out to us, the more options you may have. A Wells Fargo home preservation specialist will be your dedicated representative throughout the process.
Already Working With Us?
If you’ve already started the process and contacted us for help, check the status of your request or learn more about next steps.
You’re not alone. Here’s how we’ll work with you and your payment challenges.
Am I in default if I miss a payment?
It’s important for you to pay your mortgage as agreed. If you’re having difficulty, please contact us right away and understand the steps in the default process:
- First month of missed payment: Your loan is overdue. You’ll need to make your payment and pay a late fee charge.
- Second month of missed payment: Your loan is in risk of default. Late charges and penalties will continue to accrue.
- Third month of missed payment: Your loan is in default. Late charges and penalties will continue to accrue.
Please understand that foreclosure follows its own path and timeline, distinct from the mortgage assistance process. The foreclosure process can begin and continue even while you’re actively working with us to find options that may help you avoid a foreclosure sale. Until another option is accepted by you and us and is in place, the foreclosure process will continue.
Should I stop making payments to get help?
No — don’t stop making payments. The fewer payments you miss, the more options you may have. As soon as you think you may have a problem making payments — even if you think it’s temporary — please:
- Call us at 1-800-678-7986.
- Contact us through our secure website.
How can I work with you?
After you have started the loan modification process, online is usually the fastest way to work with us. Check with your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist to confirm that your loan qualifies. If it does:
- Go to our homeowner assistance website.
- Select “Get Started.”
- Sign on with the last four digits of your Social Security number, your loan number, and the Zip code of the property.
- Submit your documents in .jpg, .gif, .tiff, or .pdf formats.
Using our online tool provides:
- Faster receipt of documents by your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist.
- Faster feedback that your documents were accepted.
- Access to the status of your loan modification, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your completed documents also can:
- Be brought to any Wells Fargo store.
- Mailed or faxed according to the instructions in the packet you receive.
No matter which option you choose:
- Include your loan number and name on each document.
- Remember to send all documents together at the same time.
Will you help me with the paperwork I’ll need to fill out?
Yes — your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist will give you all the paperwork you need and will answer any questions you have. While completed documents can be brought to any Wells Fargo store for submission, there are no home preservation specialists in the stores to answer questions.
How long will the process take?
It depends on the approach, but generally takes between 30 days and 120 days. The “Understand the Process” section on this site has more specifics about each option.
Can I get help from other agencies or groups?
Yes — visit the U.S. Housing and Urban Development website for the name of a counselor in your area who provides their services at no charge.
Don’t wait. A conversation with your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist — your dedicated point of contact throughout the process — will help you understand if you qualify for one of these approaches.
| Forbearance
View details |
Repayment
View details |
Loan modification
View details |
Short sale
View details |
Deed in lieu
View details |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allows you to keep your home |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
||
| Helps you leave your home without foreclosure |
Yes
|
Yes
|
|||
| Changes your loan terms |
Yes
|
||||
| Provides assistance for temporary hardships |
Yes
|
Yes
|
|||
| May provide cash moving incentive |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Tip
Are you still current on your mortgage payments? Consider refinancing your mortgage if you want to lower your payments or switch to a fixed-rate loan.
Special programs may be available through your state
Step 1: Contact us
Call 1-800-678-7986 or submit an online application to start working with a Wells Fargo home preservation specialist, who will be your single dedicated point of contact throughout the process and will:
- Speak to you about your situation, explain possible options to stay in your home, or discuss how you can leave your home and avoid foreclosure.
- Send you the forms to complete your request, and explain how to fill them out and return them.
- Let you know what other documents we need.
- Review what you submit.
If you’ve already started the loan modification process, you may be able to submit materials online. Questions? Your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist can help.
Step 2: Gather and review your documents
You should get started right away on the package your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist sends to you — we can’t begin processing your request until we have all the required documentation, signed by you and your co-signer. And, keep an eye on deadlines — missing them can result in delays, resubmitting documents or even foreclosure.
Step 3: Submit your information
Before sending in your documents, please remember to:
- Complete all spaces. Write “n/a” if something doesn’t apply to you.
- Write your loan number on every page. If pages separate, this helps organize them.
- Return every page we send to you. Don’t leave out anything, even blank forms.
- Check signatures. Make sure each borrower has signed and dated all forms where indicated.
- Keep your original documents. We only need copies.
- Submit everything at once. Sending documents individually can slow down the process.
Step 4: Discuss next steps with your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist
We’ll review your request as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 30 days to process your application. If you have questions or want updates during the review period, check your status online or call your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist.
As soon as the review is done, your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist will let you know your options.
Working with Wells Fargo
When can I speak with a Wells Fargo home preservation specialist?
Home preservation specialists generally are available Monday – Friday, 6 am – 10 pm, and Saturday, 8 am – 2 pm Central Time. However, hours may differ for some locations.
What documents will I need to fill out?
Your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist will send you copies of the specific forms that you need to complete. Here’s a checklist of the types of documents that may be requested.
Are sample documents available?
- Information about your property, your hardship, your income and finances.
- A request for verification of income reported to the IRS for one to two years prior to the request.
- If you’re self-employed, financial statements that verify your income. You may need to provide current financial statements for your businesses, including:
- Tax returns.
- Evidence of existence of the business, such as a copy of a recent business license.
- Year-to-date profit and loss (P&L) statement.
- Balance sheet.
How soon do I need to return the forms sent to me?
All forms and requested documents should be returned as soon as possible, paying close attention to the time frames indicated by your Wells Fargo home preservation specialist. If they’re late, you may not qualify for the program you’re applying to, you may need to resubmit paperwork, or foreclosure proceedings may result.
Will the monthly payment that I’m offered with a trial loan modification become my permanent payment?
If you qualify for a loan modification, you will be offered a trial payment plan. If you’re able to successfully complete the trial plan, we’ll permanently modify your mortgage and let you know you know what the new monthly payment will be.
Other Options
Will my credit rating be affected if I miss a payment or two?
Your credit rating may be affected by missing a mortgage payment. Missing two or more payments will seriously affect your credit and may limit your options for future credit.
Can I stop the foreclosure process by exploring other options with you?
Although we want to help you prevent foreclosure, it’s important to understand that foreclosure follows its own path and timeline, distinct from the mortgage assistance process. This means the foreclosure process can begin and continue even while you’re actively working with us to find options that may help you avoid a foreclosure sale. Until another option is accepted by you and us and is in place, the foreclosure process will continue.
Are there any special programs available that I can look into?
- Active-duty servicemembers and their families who are facing payment challenges may qualify for special military benefits. To learn more about these programs, check your eligibility, or request mortgage assistance as an active duty servicemember, contact us right away at: 1-866-936-7272, Monday – Friday: 6 am – 10 pm, Saturday: 8 am – 2 pm Central Time.
- Hardest Hit Funds offer special mortgage assistance programs for homeowners living in states that were most affected by the financial crisis and recession.
- If you haven’t missed any payments and think you’d be better off with a new loan, consider a refinance. With the federal government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program, you may be able to refinance even if you owe much more than your home is worth.
If I work with a third-party counselor, can I authorize him or her to speak for me?
You can provide written authorization that an outside counselor can work with you and submit documents to us on your behalf. The counselor cannot sign documents for you or make payments — those remain your responsibility.
To find a counselor, visit the U.S. Housing and Urban Development website. All counselors provide their services at no charge.
How can I try to protect myself from fraud?
Unfortunately, financial fraud is a continually expanding problem, and scammers and con artists are very good at appearing legitimate. Some may even claim to be representatives of Wells Fargo. To avoid becoming a victim, watch out for these red flags:
- Don’t pay a fee to complete a loan modification or other loss mitigation approach. Wells Fargo, its agents and certified third parties never charge a fee for these services.
- Don’t listen to anyone who tells you to stop making payments. Until your loan has been modified or another option reached, you should make payments.
- Don’t sign over the deed to your home to anyone.
- Don’t believe TV, radio, television or Internet ads or telephone solicitations promising you quick and easy answers to home mortgage payment challenges.
- Be wary of anyone who tells you to send them payments with a promise that they’ll become an intermediary for you and your lender.
- Don‘t provide personal information — including loan, credit card, bank account or Social Security numbers — unless you’re absolutely certain the person making the request is from Wells Fargo or is the person you designated on the Third Party Authorization form.
More information about fraud prevention is available at www.hud.gov/preventloanscams.
Where else can I get information?
- Fannie Mae has created KnowYourOptions.com to help homeowners stay informed and take action to avoid foreclosure.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has many resources for homeowners who need help avoiding foreclosure.
- The Making Home Affordable program for both first and second liens may give you additional payment assistance options.
If you need help in determining if government options or other programs might be right for you, call us at 1-877-628-9584 for more information.
Help for military personnel
Active-duty servicemembers and their families facing payment challenges may qualify for special military benefits.
Our commitment to homeownership
Learn how Wells Fargo is supporting sustainable homeownership.
