Mortgage

HUD: FHA Launches Technology Module for Single Family Appraisals

New electronic appraisal delivery technology uses cloud-based platform for forward mortgage appraisal submissions  The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the upcoming release of its FHA Catalyst: Electronic Appraisal Delivery module on the FHA Catalyst platform. FHA Catalyst: Electronic Appraisal Delivery will allow lenders to electronically submit, track, and manage single family property appraisals. “Transforming FHA technology is the…

CFPB: New Category of Qualified Mortgages Proposed to Encourage Innovation and Access to Affrodable Mortgage Credit

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued today a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to create a new category of seasoned qualified mortgages (Seasoned QMs) in order to encourage innovation and help ensure access to responsible, affordable in the mortgage credit market. To be considered a Seasoned QM under the proposal, loans would have to…

FHFA: Multifamily Property Owners in Forebearance Now Required to Inform Tenants of Eviction Suspension and Protections

To increase awareness of available tenant protections, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that multifamily property owners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) who enter into a new or modified forbearance agreement must inform tenants in writing about tenant protections during the multifamily property owner’s forbearance and repayment…

FHFA: Temporary Policy Allowing Purchase of Qualified Loans in Forbearance Extended

August 31, 2020 is new expiration date To support homeowners and mortgage lenders, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) approved an extension of the temporary policy that allows for the purchase of certain single-family mortgages in forbearance that meet specific eligibility criteria set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). The policy is extended…

HUD: Dana Wade Confirmed as New FHA Commissioner

Wade’s housing expertise includes her previous role as Acting Federal Housing Commissioner and Assistant Secretary for Housing  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson today applauded the confirmation of Dana Wade to serve as the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Commissioner. FHA currently insures more than 8 million single family mortgages, almost 12,000…

FHFA: House Price Index Down 0.3 in May; Up 4.9 Percent from Last Year

U.S. house prices fell in May, down 0.3 percent from the previous month, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI).  House prices rose 4.9 percent from May 2019 to May 2020. The previously reported 0.2 percentincrease for April 2020 was revised downward to 0.1 percent. For the nine census divisions, seasonally adjusted monthly house…

FHFA: 2021 Housing Goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Proposed

Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) proposed its 2021 housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). Due to the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 national pandemic, FHFA is proposing benchmarks for calendar year 2021 only, and those levels will remain the same as they were for 2018-2020. Once finalized, the…

OCC: Proposed True Lender Rule Issued

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today proposed a rule that would determine when a national bank or federal savings association (bank) makes a loan and is the “true lender” in the context of a partnership between a bank and a third party. Banks’ lending relationships with third parties can facilitate access…

HUD: FHA Proposes Streamlined Single Family Servicing Policies

Proposed overhaul focuses on expediting homeowner assistance and achieving operational efficiencies that reduce the cost of servicing The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today published proposed revisions to its Single Family servicing policies that are designed to remove unnecessary barriers for homeowners seeking mortgage payment relief, achieve operational consistency with industry standard best practices, and reduce…

FHFA: COVID-Related Loan Processing Flexibilities Extended Through August

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will extend several loan origination flexibilities until August 31, 2020 to ensure continued support for borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency. The flexibilities were set to expire on July 31, 2020. Extended flexibilities include: Alternative appraisals on purchase and…