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.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) expects to transition to new crediting reporting requirements and new credit score models in the fourth quarter of 2025. “Following extensive stakeholder engagement and input, FHFA is aligning the implementation date of the bi-merge credit reporting requirement with the transition from the Classic FICO credit score model,” the agency said in a statement.
Hello – I hope everyone had a very nice holiday and let us all look forward to the New Year with a positive attitude that it will be a GOOD YEAR!!!! Let’s all Toast to 2009! Before, we can look forward to the New Year; I think we need to look back one more time – then LET IT GO.
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 initially titled this article, “HUD Sues Lenders over Omission of Manufactured Housing Engineering Certificates,” but I decided that it might be a little over the top. But, the facts are this. A letter issued by the HUD Inspector General (MEMORANDUM NO: 2007-KC-0801) dated September 2007 recommended just that.
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.
Hello Everybody – Another week in the mortgage industry is here and I am sure everyone uses the acronym FHA quite a few times a week. However, do we really know anything about FHA, when they were created, why they were created and what they really do? Who is FHA?
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.
Everyone is getting back to their normal routine – it is important that we work together this year to help homeowners save their home, if possible. Fannie Mae has announced a program, which I feel is exciting and hopefully will help borrowers save their home.
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.
There is confusion over just who can certify that a manufactured home foundation is permanent per HUD requirements. The simple answer is this. Only a professional engineer or registered architect can certify permanent foundations on existing manufactured homes whether under the September 1996 Permanent Foundation Guide for Manufactured Homes or the newer HUD Model Installation Rules.
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.
Hello Everybody – Hope you are keeping busy. With interest rates up and down, depending on the day and hour of the week – refinances have been fluctuating as often. However, there seems to be a trend that home sales are on the rise and many lenders are keeping busy.
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.
Hello Everyone - Are you currently processing loans for a small broker, processing loans on a contract basis, or perhaps working for a direct lender - Do you feel you are always one step behind the latest FHA Updates? While you believe you are processing your loans correctly – only after submission to underwriting you learn that FHA has changed the guidelines and you were not aware.
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.
Hello Everybody – I feel the housing market is finally going to take a turn for the better. Although I have no crystal ball – I feel the questions, I have been fielding and the number of underwriting and processing jobs posted on CareerBuilder has soared.
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.
Hello everybody – hope you are keeping busy. I see business definitely picking up and some processors and underwriters are getting swamped with new job offers. Recently I have received several e-mails from the readers of NAMP Blogs about how to get into underwriting.
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.
Hello – There may be a glimmer of light for loan processors and underwriters as FHA rates and conventional rates, as well, continue to drop. The spark of increased could be FHA Streamline Refinances – which is what we will write about today.
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.