The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has rescinded more than a dozen sub-regulatory mortgage policies in an aggressive effort to streamline operations, cut costs, and reduce regulatory burdens on lenders and borrowers. The move is part of a broader strategy aimed at making FHA-backed loans more accessible and affordable.
Across the United States, homes are taking noticeably longer to sell, signaling a shift in the housing market that is affecting the behavior of buyers, sellers, and agents alike. The typical time on market has climbed to about 60 days, up significantly from roughly 38 days this time last year.
In a striking and unconventional move, former President Donald Trump has intensified his public campaign for lower interest rates by delivering a handwritten note directly to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The note, written in bold Sharpie on oversized paper, marks a rare personal appeal and escalates a long-running feud over monetary policy.
U.S. home price growth is expected to moderate over the next two years, according to a new expert panel survey conducted by Fannie Mae and Pulsenomics. Economists forecast average annual increases of 2.9% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2026—marking a downward revision from earlier expectations of 3.4% and 3.3%, respectively.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its June policy meeting, maintaining the benchmark rate within the 4.25% to 4.50% range. While the move has been anticipated by markets, its implications for consumers, investors, and policymakers remain significant.
Freddie Mac announced several recent updates to its Selling/Servicing Guide, including the option of using desktop appraisals for mortgages that meet certain requirements. The change to the desktop appraisal option is “based on the success of the temporary COVID-19 appraisal flexibilities and a market appetite for appraisal options that do not require physical inspections,” Freddie wrote in its latest bulletin.
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.
Fannie Mae economists expect a “new normal” for the housing market in 2022 as the unprecedented market disturbances and policy responses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic subside. In its January 2022 commentary, Fannie’s Economic and Strategic Research Group said that economic growth will return to more modest levels consistent with the long-run trend, while home sales and house price growth will slow to a more sustainable pace.
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.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has informed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that their Duty to Serve plans are insufficient and will need to be revised. The agency said that neither enterprise’s plans, which were published in May, meet the standard for any of the three underserved markets targeted by the Duty to Serve Program.
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.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is expanding eligibility for its refinance programs and incorporating desktop appraisals into the GSE Selling Guides. The agency made the announcement last week, promoting the measures as a way to advance two of its goals under the Biden administration: making housing more affordable and home ownership more sustainable.
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.
Fannie Mae will soon allow borrowers to fulfill their homeownership education requirements through third-party providers, independent of lenders. Fannie announced the change in its latest Selling Guide update. Other changes include the removal of constant maturity treasury indexed-ARMs and the replacement of references to the Software Subscription Agreement Master Terms and Conditions with a new Consolidated Technology Licensing Guide.
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.
A group of U.S. Senate Democrats has introduced legislation to create a special 20-year mortgage for certain first-time buyers. The Low-Income First Time Homebuyers (LIFT) Act would establish a program through Ginnie Mae, in which the U.S. Treasury would subsidize the interest rate and origination fees on a 20-year mortgage.
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 what is potentially good news for mortgage processors and underwriters, home buyers and sellers, and mortgage lenders, are expressing slightly higher optimism about the near term. According to the latest Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index released last week, there is a greater share of consumers who believe it’s a good time to buy a 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.
President Joe Biden made it clear before winning last year’s election that his main housing goal was making it easier for lower income people to qualify for mortgage loans. In The Biden Plan for Investing in Our Communities Through Housing that was posted online during the campaign, Biden pledged to allocate $640 billion over 10 years “so every American has access to housing that is affordable, stable, safe and healthy, accessible, energy efficient and resilient, and located near good schools and with a reasonable commute to their jobs.”
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.
Fannie Mae will launch a feature next month that will incorporate rent payments into the credit evaluation process. Beginning September 18, 2021, Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter (DU) will enable single-family lenders – with permission from mortgage applicants – to automatically identify recurring rent payments in the applicant’s bank statement data to deliver a more inclusive credit assessment.
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A growing percentage of mortgage borrowers are applying through brokers instead of traditional banks and credit unions, according to lending data made available last week. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently published updated loan-level data for public use collected through the National Survey of Mortgage Originations (NSMO).
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.