Momentum is building in Washington to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two mortgage giants that support the bulk of America’s housing finance system. For a select group of hedge funds that scooped up their shares years ago, the political shift could deliver staggering returns. But housing advocates warn the move may come at the expense of affordability and long-term market stability.
Senate Republicans have introduced legislation that would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) primary funding source, a move that could significantly reshape the agency’s future. The proposal seeks to end the CFPB’s access to funding from the Federal Reserve’s operating budget—cutting it from 12% to zero—and instead subject the bureau to the traditional congressional appropriations process.
Mortgage credit availability surged in May, reaching its highest level since August 2022. The uptick signals that lenders are increasingly willing to loosen underwriting standards, providing borrowers with greater access to financing options during the spring homebuying season.
A growing number of economists are predicting a slight decrease in U.S. home prices by the end of 2025, signaling a shift from earlier expectations of continued appreciation. This revised outlook reflects cooling demand driven by high mortgage rates, rising inventory, and widespread affordability concerns.
In today’s housing market, a widening gap is emerging between what sellers hope to get and what buyers are actually willing to pay. After years of surging home prices, many homeowners are still pricing their properties at or near peak levels, clinging to values established during the pandemic boom. Buyers, however, are entering the market with a different mindset—one shaped by rising mortgage rates, economic uncertainty, and tighter budgets.
What impact will President Donald Trump have on mortgage processors and underwriters over the next four years or more? The answers may be as unpredictable as his campaign and as surprising as his victory on Election Day...
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® 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 NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
In December 2014, Fannie Mae issued a selling guide update regarding the required methods for analyzing self-employed borrowers whose income is reported on Schedule K-1 for S-corporations or Partnerships. In August 2015, Fannie Mae issued a selling guide update that delayed the implementation of these new rules until February 2016. On June 28, 2016 Fannie Mae issued another update which clarified some of the policies outlined in the original selling guide update from 2014. As a result, it is now mandatory that all lenders begin to analyze self-employed income utilizing these new rules.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® 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 NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
As mentioned briefly within prior articles, Fannie Mae has been implementing various components of the Loan Quality Initiative since April. One of the most recently implemented components added a requirement for interested parties to be run against HUD’s Limited Denial of Participation (LDP) and Excluded Parties Listing Service (EPLS) list.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® 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 NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
If you want to get credit policy people like me all fired up, here’s the topic to drop in passing. Fannie Mae’s Loan Quality Initiative has gotten so much press and has stirred up so much controversy it’s ridiculous.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® 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 NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Stacey Sprain
As an FHA originator, processor or underwriter, it’s likely that in the ongoing foreclosure market you’ll run across a HUD REO loan at some point. The purpose of this multi-part article is to provide you with some useful information to help in your endeavors.