Mortgage giants offering very low income homebuyers a spring break
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are offering a $2,500 credit this spring that borrowers can put toward their down payment, closing costs, escrow or mortgage insurance premiums
by Matt Carter Feb 7
David Stevens, influential leader in mortgage finance, dies at 66
The former FHA commissioner also held executive positions at World Savings Bank, Freddie Mac, and The Long and Foster Companies before leading the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Jan 17
Fannie and Freddie 2024 loan limits upped to $766,550 in most areas
Surge in Q3 home prices pushes mortgage giants' conforming loan limits in high-cost housing markets to $1,149,825 for single-unit properties, and up to $2,211,600 for 4-unit properties
by Matt Carter Nov 28
VantageScore: New scoring model could qualify 4.9M extra borrowers
Company puts heat on regulators to stick to 2025 timetable for requiring lenders working with Fannie and Freddie to use VantageScore 4.0; delays would impact 'creditworthy people of color'
by Matt Carter Oct 30
FHA will consider rent from ADUs when qualifying borrowers
HUD says policy change is intended to help more first-time homebuyers, seniors, and inter-generational families tap the wealth building potential of homeownership
by Matt Carter Oct 19
TransUnion knocks plan to let lenders use 2 credit reports
The plan to move to a bi-merge process allowing lenders to use 2, instead of 3, credit reports was announced last October by FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's federal regulator
by Matt Carter Oct 16
More lenders raise their conforming loan limit to $750K
Following Rocket's lead, UWM and Guaranteed Rate say they'll price mortgages of up to $750K as if they're eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in anticipation of 2024 increases
by Matt Carter Oct 11
Soaring rates baffle economists, frustrate housing leaders
Economists are scratching their heads, and housing industry leaders are venting their frustrations as mortgage rates continue a relentless climb to new heights not seen in more than 2 decades
by Matt Carter Oct 4
Rocket Mortgage now pricing loans of up to $750,000 as conforming
The move could help qualifying borrowers avoid taking out a jumbo mortgage at a higher rate as Rocket gets a jump on an expected increase in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's 2024 loan limits
by Matt Carter Oct 2
Fannie, Freddie may get green light to buy more shared equity loans
Between 2018 and 2020, Fannie and Freddie purchased close to 600 shared equity loans, before realizing that current regulations might prohibit them from doing so
by Matt Carter Sep 27
Investors who fund most home loans get new climate risk tool
ICE teams up with DeltaTerra Capital to translate physical climate risk estimates into financial risk assessments factoring in default risk, asset price depreciation and insurance costs
by Matt Carter Sep 19
Insurers 'dodged a bullet' as Hurricane Idalia slams rural areas
Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac outline relief for victims, including forbearance allowing loan servicers to suspend collection of mortgage payments for up to 12 months
by Matt Carter Sep 1
Zillow is the latest lender to offer a 1% down purchase mortgage
UWM and Rocket Mortgage are also leveraging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs tailored to borrowers earning less than 80% of the area median income
by Matt Carter Aug 25
Real estate heroes come to rescue after suffering losses in Maui fires
Fires that roared through western Maui last week have destroyed thousands of homes and killed scores of people. The real estate community is trying to help pick up the pieces
by Jim Dalrymple II Aug 15
Mortgage assistance for Hawaii fire victims includes forbearance help
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration outlined relief for homeowners as FEMA and the state of Hawaii rushed to provide emergency housing for displaced residents
by Matt Carter Aug 15