FHFA: RFI Issued on Short-Term Rental Units in Condominium, Cooperative, and Planned Unit Development Projects
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today issued a Request for Input (RFI) on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) eligibility requirements for mortgages in condominium (condo), cooperative (co-op), and planned unit development (PUD) projects where a large portion of units are offered for short-term rental (30 days or less) or are used primarily…
CFPB: Reports Issued Detailing Mortgage Borrowers Continuing COVID-19 Challenges
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released two reports today showing that more work needs to be done to help mortgage borrowers coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. The first report documents that Black and Hispanic mortgage borrowers are much more likely to be delinquent or in a forbearance program than white borrowers….
FHFA: Final Rule Published on Enterprise Resolution Plans
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today published a final rule that requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) to develop credible resolution plans, also known as “living wills.” These resolution plans would facilitate a rapid and orderly resolution of the Enterprises should FHFA be appointed their receiver per the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of…
FHFA: New Refinance Option Announced for Low-Income Families with Enterprise-Backed Mortgages
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will implement a new refinance option for low-income borrowers with Enterprise-backed single-family mortgages. Eligible borrowers will benefit from a reduced interest rate and lower monthly payment. FHFA estimates that borrowers who take advantage of the new refinance option could save…
CFPB: Mandatory Compliance Date for General Qualified Mortgage Final Rule Delayed
Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) formally delayed the mandatory compliance date of the General Qualified Mortgage (QM) final rule from July 1, 2021 to October 1, 2022. The CFPB is taking this action to help ensure access to responsible, affordable mortgage credit, and preserve flexibility for consumers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and…
FHFA: Extension of COVID-19 Related Loan Flexibilities Announced
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will extend some temporary loan origination flexibilities until May 31, 2021. All temporary flexibilities were originally set to expire on April 30, 2021. Alternative appraisals on purchase and rate-term refinance loans are among the flexibilities that will now be…
HUD: Federal Housing Administration Standard Single Family Servicing Policies Revised
Updates to Single Family Handbook policies strengthen loss mitigation approaches for struggling borrowers while streamlining key requirements for servicers The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the publication of its update to the Servicing and Loss Mitigation section of the FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1. This update streamlines many standard operational requirements for mortgage servicers, including revising…
ABA: Report Shows Consumer Delinquencies Rose in Fourth Quarter of 2020
After two consecutive quarters of declines, consumer credit delinquencies rose in the fourth quarter of 2020 as the toll of the pandemic-induced recession weighed on the economy, according to results from the American Bankers Association’s Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin. Overall, delinquencies rose in each of the 11 loan categories tracked by ABA. The composite ratio,…
CFPB: Mortgage Servicing Changes Proposed to Prevent Wave of COVID-19 Foreclosures
Millions of homeowners expected to exit forbearance in the coming months The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today proposed a set of rule changes intended to help prevent avoidable foreclosures as the emergency federal foreclosure protections expire. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, millions of families nationwide have suffered the loss of…
CFPB: New Compliance Bulletin Warns Mortgage Servicers: Unprepared is Unacceptable
Servicers Should Gear Up for Expected Surge in Homeowners Needing Assistance The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today warned mortgage servicers to take all necessary steps now to prevent a wave of avoidable foreclosures this fall. Millions of homeowners currently in forbearance will need help from their servicers when the pandemic-related federal emergency mortgage protections…