[quote=Krista]Mind you, this is not an exhaustive list:

1. Borrower was laid off, and forced to take a job earning less.
2. Death or illness of principal borrower.
3. Death or illness of family member.
4. Hardship is temporary in nature, and borrowers have long history of performance and the willingness and desire to make lender whole.
5. Borrower forced to take early retirement.
6. Borrower hit by a drunk driver.
7. The property has been damaged by fire or other natural disaster and/or has defects that the buyer was not aware that have to be resolved.
[/quote]

I used to work for the servicing division at Countrywide Home Loans, and they were always willing to work with a borrower to get through temporary hardships, but 1 and 5 are not reasons for help.