Rejections have become a way of life in the Loan Mod Application process. Lenders, simply overwhelmed with the demand, can’t (or won’t) deliver reasonable levels of performance. That is, in spite of almost two years of efforts and 18 months of Making Homes Affordable “encouragement” the banks still produce very few successful modifications…even to very well qualified applicants…without first putting them through rejection, at least once.

But, I have come to think that rejection is a very good sign! A review of my files over the past 6 months shows that not one single modification was granted without a prior rejection. That’s right, every one of the modifications I have completed for clients in 2010 has been rejected before being accepted. Even the ones that began with the encouraging Trial Modification resulted in a rejection of the Permanent Mod before final acceptance. Some of the modifications I have successfully managed were rejected as many as three times before we achieved the modification. Whew!

It’s hard enough to meet the challenging application procedures and follow-up effectively to keep your application on-track. To have to also escalate your rejections to supervisors, managers, Directors , Vice Presidents and CEOs and to contact your local congressperson, the regulatory agencies, the trade associations and even the press in order to get it done? This is tough stuff!

But, that’s the deal so dealing with rejections is now part and parcel of the loan modification process.

There really is no end to the number of reasons for rejection: Your lender does not participate in mod programs, Your app failed the NPV calculation, You make too much money, You make too little money, Your home is too valuable, Your 4506-T has expired, Your Ratios are not right, You failed to provide updated documents, We needed a letter from your renter saying that he pays rent (not just a copy of several of his checks along with a valid/current/signed lease), Your hardship does not qualify and etc. These are bad, but the worst one of all is when the agent can’t explain why you were rejected and claims that they do not have to provide a reason.

All of the reasons above can be valid. Sometimes they are. But, all too often, they are simply erroneous, and are the result of the lender having mismanaged the file or simply untrue statements that slow or end the application process if the borrower does not object.

So, when you get rejected, press on. At least you’re not being ignored! Immediately demand (nicely!) an explanation of exactly why you were rejected. Go through several agents and escalate to a supervisor if you must to get the answer. Then, deal with it. Supply the missing document or sign the updated form or correct the data entry error on your income (No, it’s not $85,000 per month. It’s $850!) or do whatever it takes to get them back on track. You can request reconsideration when you submit the information or correction to the agent.

If you have submitted a good and accurate application upfront, you will eventually be accepted and get the relief that the programs were intended to provide.

Take heart. What is worse than rejection is the months of total disregard and that most of us get in the loan modification process. It’s not likely to change anytime soon. Modifications will continue to be a great way to throttle the foreclosure rate and they are a great way for homeowners to get some relief. It’s just taking a little more perseverance and nerve than it should!