Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are giving approved sellers additional time to complete their transition to the Uniform Appraisal Dataset 3.6 and redesigned appraisal reports, announcing a temporary policy exception for companies that cannot meet the approaching November 2, 2026 mandate. The November implementation date itself has not changed. Lenders that are prepared for UAD 3.6 are expected to move forward as planned.
The U.S. single-family rental market regained some momentum during the summer, but the latest data shows that higher-priced homes are driving much of the improvement while rent growth at the more affordable end of the market remains subdued.
The cost of protecting a home is becoming an increasingly significant part of America's housing affordability problem, with homeowners insurance rates climbing sharply across the country. Once viewed primarily as a challenge in hurricane-prone Florida or wildfire-exposed California, rising premiums are now affecting homeowners throughout the Midwest, Mountain West, and other parts of the nation.
The U.S. housing market experienced another setback in July as sales of newly built single-family homes fell sharply, highlighting the continued impact of elevated mortgage rates and affordability pressures on prospective buyers. Despite builders offering incentives and home prices moving lower, many consumers remain reluctant or unable to purchase as borrowing costs continue to strain household budgets.
The U.S. housing market lost additional momentum in July as rising mortgage rates and stubbornly high home prices discouraged prospective buyers from moving forward with purchases. Existing-home sales declined for the second consecutive month, reinforcing concerns that affordability continues to prevent a stronger housing recovery even as demand remains present in many parts of the country.
Recent increases in mortgage-backed securities purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are renewing debate over the future of housing finance reform, highlighting the ongoing tension between short-term market support and long-term structural change. While the renewed buying activity has helped stabilize mortgage markets, it also underscores how central the government-sponsored enterprises remain to the system — a reality that continues to complicate reform efforts.
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 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has updated its procedures for handling consumer complaints related to credit report disputes, marking a significant change in how complaints are routed, reviewed, and addressed across the credit reporting system. The revisions are intended to improve transparency, accountability, and responsiveness when consumers challenge inaccuracies on their credit reports, an issue that continues to affect access to credit, housing, and financial stability.
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 Reserve is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its upcoming policy meeting, as central bank officials assess recent progress on inflation while remaining cautious about easing policy too quickly. With borrowing costs already at restrictive levels and economic signals sending mixed messages, policymakers appear inclined to maintain their wait-and-see approach rather than commit to immediate rate cuts.
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.
Signs of stress in the non-qualified mortgage sector continued to surface toward the end of 2025, as an increase in loan impairments that emerged in November persisted into December. While overall non-QM performance remains far from crisis levels, industry analysts say the trend reflects a market that is adjusting to prolonged higher interest rates, tighter liquidity, and borrower payment sensitivity rather than one experiencing sudden deterioration.
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.
As 2026 gets underway, the U.S. housing market is showing early signs of renewed momentum after several years of disruption marked by elevated interest rates, affordability strain, and constrained inventory. While the market has not returned to the rapid pace seen earlier in the decade, economists and industry professionals say the opening months of the year suggest a gradual shift toward greater stability and modest growth.
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.
U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed his economic advisers and political representatives to prepare for a sweeping plan to purchase as much as $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities in 2026, signaling a renewed willingness to use federal market intervention to support the U.S. housing sector. The directive, confirmed by people familiar with the matter, represents one of the most aggressive housing finance proposals floated in recent years and underscores the growing political focus on affordability and mortgage rate pressures.
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 proposed increase to mortgage fees tied to the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program has been temporarily put on hold after industry groups raised concerns about its potential impact on veteran borrowers. Lawmakers on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee delayed a planned markup of legislation that would have raised VA loan fees, signaling a willingness to reassess the proposal amid warnings that higher costs could undermine affordability for those the program is designed to serve.
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.
Mortgage industry advocates are renewing calls for the Federal Housing Administration to eliminate its long-standing requirement that many borrowers pay mortgage insurance premiums for the life of their loan, arguing that the policy has become an unnecessary barrier to sustainable homeownership. The National Association of Mortgage Brokers has formally urged FHA officials to revisit the rule, contending that lifetime mortgage insurance premiums increase costs for borrowers long after the original risk has diminished.
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 idea of introducing 50-year mortgages as a potential tool to address housing affordability has hit a pause, as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development signals that more research is needed before pursuing such a significant change to federal housing policy. HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge recently indicated that while extended-term mortgages have been discussed as a way to lower monthly payments, the agency is not prepared to move forward without a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for borrowers and the housing market.
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.
As the Federal Reserve signals that interest rate cuts are likely ahead, many prospective homebuyers are wondering what those changes could mean for mortgage rates and housing affordability in 2026. After years of elevated borrowing costs that reshaped the housing market, economists and housing experts say rate cuts may offer some relief — but not the dramatic reset many buyers are hoping for.
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.