Homeownership

FHFA: Public Input Requested on Duty to Serve Program

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is requesting public input on chattel loan pilot initiatives for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and the proposed Evaluation Guidance under the final rule on Duty to Serve Underserved Markets. FHFA issued a final rule on Dec. 13, 2016 to implement the Duty to…

HUD: $10 Million in “Sweat Equity” Grants Announced

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro today awarded $10 million in “sweat equity” grants to four non-profit self-help housing organizations through HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP).  This funding will create at least 539 affordable homes and significantly lower their purchase price for low-income buyers, who will contribute…

CFPB: Buy a Home? The First Step is to Check your Credit

Buying a home is exciting. It’s also one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Choosing a mortgage to pay for your new home is just as important as choosing the right home. You have the right to control the process. Check out our other blogs on homebuying topics, and join the conversation on Facebook…

HUD: American Housing Survey Results for 25 Metro Areas Released

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau released the results of the 2015 American Housing Survey focusing on 25 metropolitan areas across the country. The data released today includes detailed information on everything from monthly housing costs, hunger, and neighborhood characteristics including crime and the…

FDIC: Resources Unveiled to Help Community Banks Learn More about Affordable Housing Programs

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on Thursday published a guide and launched an online resource center to help community bankers learn more about single-family housing products offered by federal agencies and government-sponsored enterprises. The Affordable Mortgage Lending Guide, Part I: Federal Agencies and Government Sponsored Enterprises describes federal programs for single-family housing lending that support…

OCC: Newsletter Focuses on Housing Financing in Indian Country

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today published the latest edition of its Community Development Investments newsletter entitled “Housing Financing in Indian Country: Spotlight on HUD’s Title VI Program.” This issue describes the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Title VI loan guarantee program, and presents examples of how banks have…

CFPB: Tools and Resources for Money Decisions

We understand that during your life you might face complex and important decisions about your money and finances, like how to choose and use a credit card or how to determine if you can qualify for a mortgage. An important part of our mission is to empower you to take control of your financial life…

ABA: First-Time Homebuyers – 6 Tips to Save for the House of Your Dreams

WASHINGTON — According to a 2015 BMO Harris report, 52 percent of Americans plan to buy a home in the next five years. Saving for a down payment, typically between 5 to 20 percent of the home’s value, is one of the biggest challenges for those aspiring homebuyers. In recognition of American Housing Month, the…

ABA: 7 Tips to Help Seniors Live At Home Longer

The ABA Foundation celebrates American Housing Month with practical advice for ‘aging in place’ WASHINGTON — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 80 percent of individuals age 65 or older own their home. A Georgetown University survey found that a vast majority of these older Americans wish to remain in their homes as they…