Short Refinance: Is the Government’s FHA Short Refi Program for You?

``The FHA short refinance program is really a reduction in principal program. The current first lien holder must be willing to write off at least 10 percent of the unpaid principal balance of the mortgage so that the refinanced FHA insured mortgage has a loan to value ratio of no more than 97.5 percent. In addition, any second lien holders must agree to re-subordinate. The new loan, which includes the first and any second liens, may not have a combined loan to value ratio above 115%.''