http://loanmodificationfoundation.com/2009/01/differences-between-refinancing-and-loan-modification/in the "article" it says "Homeowners don’t have to pay the closing costs upfront because they just add them to the loan amount but [u] and it increases the overall interest you pay to the bank over time."

Paint after major repairs/modifications are done, not before, and those shiny new appliances can wait until almost last so they don't get damaged in the chaos.

My brother lives in arizona, He is recently divorced and having a tough time making payments on the house they bought together, BofA and the government modification folks say they cant do anything until she signs a quit claim deed which she does not want to do. i believe she is concerned about future financial responsibility for the house she doesnt live in anymore even though az is a non recourse state.my questions are:Is there anything he can do besides foreclosure?

Seti,You have a good plan that you are looking at however, there are a few changes/modifications you need to look at.

Additionally, foreclosure levels were affected by our directive to servicers to delay foreclosure sales until the loan servicer verifies that the borrower is ineligible for a HAMP modification and that all other home retention and foreclosure prevention alternatives have been exhausted.

After code modifications approached $90 k additional without architectural costs.

Do the people working at the Recorder's Office know you as a shister by all the quick claim deeds you file as deeds-in-lieu, or are you filing more loan modifications and renewals?

I do these transaction also, but before i do, i make the seller very aware of ALL of their options, (Foreclosure, Shortsale, BK, Modification, (some of these are not options, i know) hopefully you get the picture.

Be aware that 50% of modifications re-default.

I strictly forbid them from any self-repairs or permanent modifications to the property too in my lease.