HUD: Agency Announces Efforts to Reduce Risk from Cash-Out Refinance Lending
FHA and Ginnie Mae seek to preserve homeowner equity and, boost investor confidence The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced joint policy actions designed to reduce risk associated with cash-out refinance lending. The changes preserve homeowners’ ability to convert home equity to cash via a government-sponsored mortgage but also improves the…
FHFA: More Than 4.3 Million Homeowners Helped Since Conservatorships
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its first quarter 2019 Foreclosure Prevention Report,which shows that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) completed 38,968 foreclosure prevention actions in the first quarter of 2019, bringing the total number of foreclosure prevention actions to 4,322,804 since September 2008. The report also shows that 38 percent of loan modifications completed in…
HUD: FHA Proposes New Lender Certification Requirements
Effort designed to improve clarity and certainty of compliance rules, expand financing options for borrowers The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today proposed several revisions to its lender certification requirements with the goal of providing lenders and servicers greater certainty in how to satisfy the agency’s compliance requirements. In providing greater certainty to the process, FHA…
HUD: FHA Offers Incentives for Property Owners Who Invest in Opportunity Zones
Lower costs and dedicated underwriters to stimulate housing investment in distressed neighborhoods The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced a package of incentives to encourage multi-family property owners to invest in thousands of neighborhoods located in Opportunity Zones across the nation. Read today’s Housing Notice. FHA is introducing reduced application fees paid by property owners applying…
HUD: 2018 Year in Review Highlighting Accomplishments Released
Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its 2018 Year in Review outlining the major accomplishments of the agency under Secretary Ben Carson. “Over the past year, the Trump Administration has continued to deliver on its promise to create greater economic opportunity for low-income families and encourage reinvestment in underserved communities,”…
HUD: FHA Calls on Lenders to Assist Federal Workers and Contractors Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today called on all approved mortgagees and lenders to be sensitive to the financial hardships experienced by borrowers as a result of the shutdown, including those borrowers subject to furlough, layoff, or a reduction in income related to the shutdown. Read FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery’s letter to lenders and approved…
HUD: New FHA Loan Limits for 2019 Announced
Loan limits to increase in more than 3,000 counties The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the agency’s new schedule of loan limits for 2019, with most areas in the country to experience an increase in loan limits in the coming year. These loan limits are effective for FHA case numbers assigned on or after…
HUD: FHA 2018 Annual Report to Congress Released
Capital Reserves remain above statutory minimum for fourth straight year The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today released its 2018 Annual Report to Congress on the economic condition of the agency’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMI Fund). FHA reports that at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, the MMI Fund had a total Economic Net…
HUD: FHA Announces Streamlined Claim Payment Requirements in Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program
Action intended to speed reverse mortgage claim payments The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced revised requirements for Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) servicers when they assign FHA-insured reverse mortgages to the agency for claim payment. Effective immediately, FHA-approved HECM servicers can use alternative supporting documentation in lieu of previously required materials that, in many…
HUD: FHA to Require Second Appraisal for Certain Reverse Mortgages
New policy designed to reduce ‘appraisal inflation’ WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced that it will begin requiring lenders originating new Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), commonly referred to as reverse mortgages, to provide a second property appraisal under certain circumstances. FHA is instructing lenders to provide a second independent property appraisal…