The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has launched a proposal to repeal its 2024 Fair Lending, Fair Housing, and Equitable Housing Finance Plans rule, citing redundancy with existing regulations and seeking to ease administrative burdens on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The move marks a significant shift in housing policy less than two years after the rule was finalized.
A new debate is emerging in Washington as lawmakers push back against a controversial move by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte, who has instructed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to explore the use of cryptocurrency in mortgage underwriting. The initiative would permit borrowers to include crypto assets held on U.S.-regulated exchanges in their financial reserves—even without converting them to dollars—raising alarms among Senate Democrats.
Home equity lending is growing rapidly in the U.S. as more homeowners unlock record levels of home value to fund renovations, consolidate debt, or access liquidity without refinancing their first mortgages. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, originations of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and closed-end second mortgages rose by 7.2% in 2024, with outstanding balances climbing by 10.3%.
FHFA has released detailed responses to lender questions concerning its recent directive expanding the use of VantageScore alongside FICO for mortgage underwriting. These clarifications are meant to smooth integration, maintain data consistency, and address concerns about compliance and operational challenges.
June’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report likely closed the door on the possibility of a Federal Reserve rate cut in July, as inflation remains more persistent than many had anticipated. The data suggest that monetary policy will stay tighter for longer, leaving borrowers, homebuyers, and markets adjusting their expectations for relief.
Understanding HUD REO- Part One: Overview of the REO Process. Last week, I presented Part One in a series of articles to help expand your knowledge and understanding of HUD REO (Real Estate Owned) Sales for purposes of FHA lending. This week, in part two of the series, you’ll find further explanation of the appraiser’s responsibilities in regards to the HUD REO appraisal requirements.
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.
FHA recently released Mortgagee Letter 2012-13 which clarifies disaster area inspection requirements for determining whether or not the loan is eligible to close as well as if the loan qualifies for endorsement/insuring. Be sure to read these requirements if you lend in East Coast areas recently affected by Hurricane Sandy.
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.
For the past two weeks, I have offered a series on private mortgage insurance cancellation, have explained the regulations involved and have offered some tips and tools to help consumers understand their rights regarding cancelling private mortgage insurance coverage for conventional loans.
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 was asked recently to speak about private mortgage insurance cancellation so I thought this would be a good topic to cover this week. Below is part one of a three part series on this topic.
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.
You may have noticed in the past several months that the agencies have been updating long-known employment and income documentation requirements. These recent guideline updates and changes are likely in response to a discrimination lawsuit that was waged against Bank of America earlier this year claiming that Bank of America imposed ”unnecessary and burdensome requirements” on borrowers who received income because of a disability.
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.
This is part 3 of a multi-part series that provides helpful questions and answers about FHA appraisals, properties and valuations. I recently ran across this list as I was actually searching for something on a completely different topic. I found these FAQs so helpful and informative I felt the need to pass them on in hopes they will be useful to you as well!
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 recently ran across a list of FHA appraisal and valuation questions and answers from HUD as I was actually searching for something on a completely different topic. I found these FAQs so helpful and informative I feel the need to pass them on in hopes they will be useful to you as well!
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.
This week I asked a few underwriters what their top gripes are lately with the files they receive for underwriting. Based on the underwriter responses, I was able to establish a few items worth mentioning.
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 seems to be confusion out there in regards to a few of the recent changes announced by FHA in Mortgagee Letters 2012-3 and Mortgagee Letter 2012-4. The purpose of this week’s article is to provide you with further clarity on a few of the recent changes here.
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 don’t know about anyone else but I can honestly say this is the absolute busiest and most overwhelmed I’ve personally felt in the near 25 years I’ve been in this crazy business of ours! I’ve never seen so many products changing and being added, so many differences between lender product overlays, so many crackdowns on compliance or so many major regulatory changes as we’ve been experiencing recently.
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.