What is the term for when a lender delays foreclosure action to allow a borrower to address overdue payments?

The correct term for when a lender delays foreclosure action to allow a borrower to address overdue payments is forbearance. Forbearance is a formal agreement between the lender and the borrower in which the lender temporarily suspends or reduces mortgage payments for a specified period. This option is often utilized to help borrowers who are experiencing temporary financial difficulties, giving them a chance to catch up on overdue payments without the immediate threat of foreclosure.

In contrast, foreclosure refers to the legal process that a lender initiates to take possession of a property due to a borrower's failure to pay mortgage payments. Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored enterprise that deals with mortgage financing and is not directly related to the process of delaying foreclosure actions. Funding typically refers to the provision of financial resources for loans or investment and doesn’t specifically relate to the loan modification or foreclosure process. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why forbearance is the only appropriate term in this scenario.