Mortgage rates moved sharply higher after geopolitical tensions intensified following military strikes involving Iran, reversing the modest decline borrowers had seen only days earlier. The sudden change illustrates how quickly global events can ripple through financial markets and ultimately influence borrowing costs for American homebuyers.
Fannie Mae is enhancing the transparency of its mortgage-backed securities by expanding the scope and accessibility of loan-level disclosure data, a move aimed at improving investor insight and strengthening confidence in agency MBS markets. The update reflects ongoing efforts to modernize capital markets reporting standards and respond to investor demand for more granular performance information.
A senior Federal Reserve official has indicated that the central bank may consider adjustments to certain mortgage lending rules, adding a new layer to the ongoing conversation about regulatory reform and credit access. The remarks suggest that policymakers are evaluating whether existing standards remain appropriately calibrated in today’s housing and economic environment.
Refinance activity gained momentum in the fourth quarter, overtaking purchase loans as the dominant share of mortgage originations in a notable shift from earlier in the year. The change reflects evolving borrower behavior as interest rates eased modestly and homeowners seized opportunities to adjust their loan terms after an extended period of purchase-driven volume.
When the Federal Reserve announces a decision on interest rates, the immediate headlines often focus on markets and policymakers, but the real impact reaches far deeper into everyday financial life. From savings accounts and credit cards to mortgages and investment portfolios, changes — or even pauses — in Fed policy shape how money moves through the economy and how consumers experience borrowing and saving.
Section 103 of the recently signed Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155), is less than 650 words. At most, the provision will only impact about 15 percent of all mortgage originations. Section 103 hasn’t received the amount of praise and criticism as other parts of the law. Yet it’s been held up by several detractors as just one example of how the law may hurt homebuyers and potentially cause a repeat of the housing collapse that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis.
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.
The U.S. House decided to compromise on its plan to reform the Dodd-Frank Act, voting last week to approve the Senate’s less controversial version. President Trump subsequently signed S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, into law.
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.
The ongoing debate about the use of alternative valuation products (AVPs) gathered steam last week with a report that Fannie Mae will be testing hybrid appraisals. The report, which Fannie Mae officials have not commented on, claimed the GSE will be asking appraisers during this pilot to use a combination of local market data and a home inspection report to determine a property’s value during mortgage underwriting and processing.
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.
Opinions vary as to whether Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should require specific credit scoring models on mortgage applications or whether lenders should have more freedom on which scoring models they want to use.
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.
Mortgage processors and underwriters, as well as the rest of the mortgage lending industry, seem to be caught in a Catch-22 regarding how easy or difficult it is to get a home loan.
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.
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) has been a success for both homeowners and for Freddie Mac, according to a recent report by Moody’s Investors Service.
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.
Efforts to reform the Dodd-Frank Act took a major step forward last week, as the Senate passed S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act.
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How quickly will mortgage rates increase?How high will they go? What impact will increasing rates have on mortgage underwriters and processors? These are some of the questions Freddie Mac attempted to answer in its latest Insight report.
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.
Housing is a critical staple of the economy. Home values, home sales and home construction are strong indicators of economic growth or stagnation. Home ownership often represents stability, community, and household wealth. For decades, tax laws and economic policies have been designed and enacted to encourage home ownership and maintain a strong housing market, especially when other areas of the economy are on the decline.
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.
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae intend to increase loan purchases from rural areas over the next three years as a key part of their Duty to Serve plans.
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.