Yet another month.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Thursday that it is extending the loan origination flexibilities currently offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac designed to help borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency.
Originally put in place at the height of the pandemic, FHFA has repeatedly extended the flexibility offered by Freddie and Fannie. They include:
- Alternative appraisals on purchase and rate term refinance loans;
- Alternative methods for verifying employment before loan closing;
- Expanding the use of power of attorney and remote online notarizations to assist with loan closings; and
- Authority to purchase mortgages in forbearance.