Obama to announce expansion of mortgage modification program

With signs of vigor returning to the real estate market, it’s easy to miss the other reality: Many people got stuck with terrible mortgages during the boom years and the Obama administration says they still need help.

The President is set to announce an expansion of his Home Affordable Modification Program — or HAMP — today. It allows people who are falling behind on their house payments to get new terms. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner once referred to the program as a way to “foam the runway” as the real estate market tries to come to a safe landing.

Len Blum, a managing partner at Westwood Capital, joins Marketplace Morning Report host David Brancaccio to discuss.