Fannie, Freddie regulator wants to help more low-income homebuyers

The Federal Housing Finance Agency wants at least 35 percent of the purchase mortgages backed by Fannie and Freddie to be taken out by low- and very low-income borrowers, up from 30 percent today. Continue reading

Take your pick: Encompass handles both old and new qualified mortgage rules

Fannie and Freddie will use new price-based qualified mortgage rule for loans with settlement dates after Aug. 31. Continue reading

Healthy jobs report drives up mortgage rates for first time in weeks

During the pandemic, the Federal Reserve has been keeping a lid on interest rates by increasing its holdings of long-term Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) by $120 billion a month. Before announcing a timetable for tapering those purchases… Continue reading

New Fannie Mae rule may help renters qualify for a mortgage

Would-be homebuyers with thin credit files will have a better chance of getting approved for a mortgage if they’ve been paying their rent consistently, thanks to changes to Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system taking effect next month. Continue reading

August opens with lower mortgage rates as Treasury yields dip

Interest rates on 30-year mortgages fell further as bond markets reacted to the delta variant’s potential impact on the global economy. Continue reading

Strong Fannie, Freddie results set the stage for debate over their future

Both companies benefited from rising home prices, and a resurgence in refinancings prompted by falling mortgage rates, which have come down from 2021 peaks seen in March. Continue reading

End of forbearance programs could strain loan servicers

Forbearance programs that allowed homeowners with government-backed mortgages to put their monthly payments on hold during the pandemic will come to an abrupt end in the months ahead, straining the capacity of loan servicers tasked with helping borrowe… Continue reading

Near historic lows, mortgage rates see little movement in late July

Mortgage rates held steady near month’s end, with interest rates on 15-year fixed rate loans remaining at all-time lows, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly lender survey. Continue reading

New restrictions on Fannie, Freddie refis blamed for tighter mortgage credit

Mortgage lenders tightened underwriting standards in June, undoing much of the easing seen over the last six months as initial fears about the long-term impacts of the pandemic began to wane. Continue reading