Fannie Mae is re-evaluating a Selling Guide update related to property insurance that is scheduled to take effect June 1. In February, Fannie announced a clarification to its Selling Guide related to monitoring and verifying property insurance coverage. Fannie said these were long-standing policies “intended to ensure the borrower has sufficient property insurance coverage in the event of a loss.”
Those looking for an indication when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may exit conservatorship did not receive one during recent Congressional testimony from the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Under the Donald Trump administration, the end of conservatorship was a matter of when, not if. That has changed somewhat during the Joe Biden administration.
Potential homebuyers are finding various ways of dealing with the new reality of higher mortgage rates that are closer to historic norms. During the recent pandemic, mortgage rates sank below 3 percent. In January 2021, the average 30-year rate hit an all-time low of 2.65, according to Freddie Mac. By October 2023, however, that rate was nearly at 8 percent.
Anybody who has bought a home, has tried to buy a home, or is involved in selling or financing real estate knows housing affordability has been an issue for some time. Last week, real estate brokerage Redfin released data showing the extent of how challenging it is for some consumers to buy a home.
As the first quarter of 2024 draws to a close, the latest news shows an industry in consolidation that may have expanded opportunities to finance this year while still dealing with the rising costs of homeownership. A recent report from Fitch Ratings shows that the largest U.S. non-bank mortgage lenders are gaining market share. This is largely due to consolidation and the exit of smaller lenders.
Hello to all! My name is Jane Harford. I am a new blogger for NAMP. My 30 years in the mortgage business have provided much experience - great and awful. As we know, the business cycles in this business are feast or famine. Business is either very good or very bad.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Today’s blog post will deal with more details on the new GFE and the issues that are being raised. Due to the numerous laws and system changes the lenders, brokers and correspondents have to complete to remain in compliance with the new RESPA laws.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
In today’s blog we will see, how the changes to the RESPA laws have affected the GFE and the HUD1, we will quickly review the changes that have taken place so far and how these changes have affected the work flow, fees that can be charged and the timeframes required to maintain compliance.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Did you hear about the settlement of a lawsuit that Lifelock was involved in? FTC was involved due to “overstated claims of how they would avoid ID fraud” for their customers. Here is a link to the story of the lawsuit being settled and what Lifelock has agreed to for the next 20 years that will result in a better, fairer and more accurate reflection of what Lifelock’s program actually does.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
In today’s blog on fraud in the mortgage industry, we will start to address areas in which there are possible red flags. Each of these items on its own may not indicate that there is fraud involved in a file, but when 2, 3 or more items are found in a file, the likelihood of a fraudulent file is greater.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
We are now into the third week of reviewing fraud schemes and mortgage loan fraud. Today we will briefly cover the ways that income/assets can be reviewed for potential fraud schemes.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
In our 4th week of reviewing current trends in loan fraud, we will review the basic purposes of fraud schemes and general types of fraud. We will also appraisal basics that may be changed to reflect greater value or better comparables used to push property values higher than they really are.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
I wanted to share a story that actually happened to me recently at a new job, I recently started. I am working for a large mortgage lender that is considered to be a solid company. They have been in business for a long time, have a conservative philosophy in their mortgage underwriting guidelines and have a successful mortgage origination business that does business nationwide.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
In our fifth and final chapter of how to wage and win a war on mortgage fraud, we will cover the review of a sales contract, what to look for and how to recognize any issues that may take place on the HUD1, closing papers and other documents. Reviewing these forms prior to closing and funding a loan will ensure a smooth and legally conducted closing transaction.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Now, the days are longer, spring is in the air and home sales are increasing due to lower interest rates, better housing prices and the fact that the homebuyer credit is going away at the end of this month, it is time to take a quick review at FHA’s well and septic guidelines, including Waivers on properties that do not meet the regulations.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Bonnie Wildt
I have said it before and I will say it again and that is, do not believe everything you hear or read for that matter. In this particular instance I am referring to AUS Findings. I have had countless conversations with processors and loan officer who want to know why I am asking for documentation that the AUS findings have clearly stated wasn’t needed or worse, they can’t believe I am turning a loan down that has an Approve/Eligible. So here it is again and pay particular attention to the details because just because you have an Approve/Eligible or Accept doesn’t necessarily mean you have a done deal.