The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a joint statement Wednesday addressing an “incorrect” policy regarding Freddie Mac’s ability to purchase mortgages secured by a property owned by an individual and rented to a group home for persons with disabilities. “The clarifications follow a HUD investigation of a mortgage lender who had refused to lend to a homeowner that was renting their property to a company that was operating a group home,” the joint statement reads. “The lender’s refusal was based on the incorrect belief that Freddie Mac would not agree to buy the mortgage. After HUD reported this misunderstanding to Freddie Mac and FHFA, Freddie Mac worked with both…
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, September 22. The House passed a bill to keep the government open and prevent a debt default, but Senate Republicans will likely block it. The Taliban asked to participate in the U.N. General Assembly this week to gain international representation. The DOJ and six states are challenging American Airline’s partnership with JetBlue, alleging it violates anti-trust laws. And in mortgage and housing news… Mortgage Loan Apps Up: Mortgage loan application volume rose 4.9% last week, the MBA weekly survey found. Anthony Casa Abuse: The case of Anthony Casa, the AIME Chair who threatened and sexually harassed a competitor’s wife last year, perfectly demonstrates the difficulty of holding individuals accountable, Christine Lenzo writes. August Housing Starts: …
Good Morning! Today is Monday, September 19. France recalled its ambassadors from Britain and the U.S. in protest of their secret negotiations with Australia. Natural gas prices are surging, prompting fears about winter shortages. The Biden administration began deporting thousands of Haitians awaiting immigration processing in Texas. And in mortgage and housing news… Will Fed Meeting Affect Interest Rates?: The FOMC is meeting September 21 and 22 to discuss next steps on monetary policy. It probably won’t affect interest rates. Home Sales Down: RE/MAX’s August Annual Housing Report suggests that while the market may still be hot, the busiest months of 2021 may be behind us. Consumer Sentiment Up: Consumer sentiment steadied in September after plunging to its lowest level…
Good Morning! Today is Friday, September 17. Elizabeth Warren sent letters to 12 regional Fed presidents asking them to ban ownership of individual stocks among top officials at their banks. The World Bank canceled their “Doing Business” report after an investigation found that management tried to alter data. The Justice Department is fighting against a settlement that would prevent citizens from suing the Sackler family. And in mortgage and housing news… No Bias in Mortgage Biz?: Researchers from the American Enterprise Institute Housing Institute claim studies alleging racial bias in mortgage ignore outcomes that undermine their arguments. Rent Growth Tops Home Prices: Rent growth overtook home price growth in August, a Realtor.com report found. Sales Down In August: Redfin reported…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, September 16. The FDA found that an additional shot of Pfizer boosts immune response, but the typical two-shot regimen is still effective. The U.S., Britain, and Australia are teaming up to launch nuclear-powered submarines to patrol the South China Sea. Olympic gymnasts abused by Larry Nasser blamed the F.BI., USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee for not responding to accusations in 2015. And in mortgage and housing news… Interest Rates Flat Again: Freddie Mac’s PMMS showed interest rates barely moved for another week, with 30-year fixed-rates averaging 2.86%. “Middlemen”: Mat Ishbia says UWM’s in-house appraisal program will speed things up by removing AMCs, which needlessly hinder closing times. Non-banks Non-primes Down: Fitch…
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) showed rates stayed basically flat for yet another week, with 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 2.86%. It was 2.87% this week a year ago. Last week it inched up 0.1% to 2.88%. This week it dropped 0.2%. Overall, it’s been months since it moved significantly. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped to 2.12%, down from 2.19% last week. Fifteen-year rates averaged 2.35% a year earlier. Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 2.51%, increasing from last week’s 2.42%. Last year it was 2.96%. “It’s Groundhog Day for mortgage rates, as they have remained virtually flat for over two months. The holding pattern in rates reflects the markets’ view that the prospects for the economy…
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, September 15. Californians voted not to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. Senate Democrats proposed a compromise voting rights bill that includes voter ID requirements. Facebook documents reportedly show Instagram is harmful to teenage girls. North Korea violated U.N. resolutions by testing two ballistic missiles. And in mortgage and housing news… Purchase Applications Up: MBA’s weekly survey showed mortgage applications bouncing back from last week’s low, driven by purchase applications. Debt Burdens: More than half of non-homeowners say their student debt delayed them from buying a home, a NAR poll found. PSPA Provisions Suspended: FHFA and the Department of the Treasury suspended certain provisions from the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements, FHFA announced in a press release. Delinquencies…
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury have suspended proposed rule changes for Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs), FHFA announced in a press release. The goal of these changes, put in place at the end of the Trump administration, was to limit Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae’s ability to back certain types of mortgages, including on second homes, multifamily homes and homes bought with higher risk loans. “This suspension will provide FHFA time to review the extent to which these requirements are redundant or inconsistent with existing FHFA standards, policies, and directives that mandate sustainable lending standards,” Acting Director Sandra L. Thompson said. FHFA will consult with Treasury on the scope of the review…
Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, September 14. Californians vote on whether to recall Governor Gavin Newsom today. Chevron pledged to spend $10 billion in its new low-carbon unit, focusing on biofuels and hydrogen production. A Wall Street Journal investigation found that Facebook exempts high-profile users from its content rules. And in mortgage and housing news… Good News For Struggling Borrowers: The total number of loans in forbearance took a nosedive this week, with numbers down in every category. Cash-Outs Soar: Black Knight’s latest Originations Market Monitor report showed cash-out refinancing rose 41% in the last three months, while overall rate locks for mortgage originations increased in August. MHCs: Freddie Mac rolled out new tenant protections for manufactured home owners who rent the land they live on. Breathing Room: Ginnie Mae is…
As part of its efforts to protect affordable housing, Freddie Mac announced new tenant protections for Manufactured Housing Communities (MHC). The protections include renewable lease terms, written notice of rent increases, grace periods for late rental payments, and rights governing the sale of manufactured homes at MHCs. They are intended to protect people who own manufactured homes but pay rent on the property beneath them. “Manufactured housing communities often represent the most affordable multifamily housing option available in many areas, particularly rural areas,” said Debby Jenkins, executive vice president of Freddie Mac Multifamily. “We have been ramping up our tenant protections offering since 2018, and today we’re making these protections a requirement for all future transactions.” Restrictive zoning ordinances and…
