The Trump administration’s revived plan to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is stoking fresh debate in Washington and on Wall Street, with experts warning that such a move could push mortgage rates higher and pose new challenges for homebuyers across the country. At the heart of the discussion lies a pivotal question: Can the U.S. housing market handle a shift away from government-backed mortgage guarantees?
The U.S. homebuilding sector found a modest silver lining in former President Donald Trump’s latest wave of tariff announcements. While much of the construction industry braces for higher costs, one crucial material—Canadian lumber—was notably spared from additional duties. That exemption, however, isn’t enough to ease broader concerns across the housing market, where rising costs and slowing demand are already testing builders' limits.
The U.S. homebuilding sector is feeling the heat as fresh tariff threats from former President Donald Trump’s policy platform stir up anxiety over rising construction costs, casting a shadow over what was shaping up to be a fragile housing market recovery. Shares of major homebuilders—like D.R. Horton, Lennar, PulteGroup, Toll Brothers, KB Home, Taylor Morrison, and Meritage Homes—have slid noticeably in recent days as investors weigh the potential financial fallout from escalating trade measures.
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has rescinded a number of appraisal policies instituted during the Biden Administration. In a Mortgagee Letter released last week, FHA rescinded three previous Mortgagee Letters released during the previous administration, effectively restoring the policies in place prior to these three letters.
Mortgage professionals can now access FICO’s Score Mortgage Simulator on the Xactus360 Verification Platform, the companies announced earlier this month. FICO announced the tool in October. It’s designed to simulate potential impacts to a consumer’s FICO score with hypothetical changes in credit report data. Examples include a potential borrower reducing their credit card balance or getting rid of a collection account.
On March 9, 2016 the final rule published in the Federal Register in February is now in effect. We have been working under the interim final rule since December 1, 2014. There are a few new items in the handbook along with the restructuring of the handbook similar to FHA’s 4000.1 where all information is gathered in one single source and divided in sections for Manual Underwriting and GUS Accept. Chapters 5-16 were updated with new guidance and/or clarifications to old guidance. I am not going to go over all of the changes but I will talk about some of the more pertinent changes and clarifications that were done.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
USDA introduced several changes on December 1, 2014. These were the interim rules that became effective with the introduction of the new guaranteed loan program regulations 7 CFR Part 3555. Since then, USDA has finalized these rules. Those final changes became effective March 9, 2016.The first highly anticipated change is that discount points may now be financed for all applicants.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Recently Fannie Mae has issued communication regarding some upcoming changes with Desktop Underwriter (DU), the Single Family Selling Guide, and Collateral Underwriter (CU).
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Periodically forms utilized by lenders are revised or added for everyday use by mortgage lenders. On March 16, 2016, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s FHA and the United States Veterans Administration (VA) have revised a joint form. The FHA form number is HUD – 92900 – A and the VA uses form number 26 – 1802 – A. All FHA and VA lenders must begin using the revised form beginning August 1, 2016.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The busy season in the mortgage industry is fast approaching! Soon, the weather will break and homebuyers will come out of hibernation to begin searching for their next home. As a result, this is a good time to think about some best practices for maximizing productivity and efficiency. Time management is one of the most critical of these practices.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
All mortgage loan programs except for Streamline Refinance Programs require the borrower’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax forms that were filed for at least the last or the last two years. If a borrower was self – employed we not only need the borrower’s personal tax returns we also need the most recent two years of business returns.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Most underwriters and processors have the basics of calculating income down to a science. The hourly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and annual calculations are second nature to those of us who calculate income every day. As a result, many processors and underwriters will manually execute their calculations on an underwriting or processing worksheet. Many underwriters will also type their calculation on their underwriting transmittal. However, there are some drawbacks to manual calculations that an income calculation worksheet can overcome.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The Single Family Handbook 4000.1 changed the name of the Streamline 203(k) program to the “limited program. Properties being reviewed for the 203(k) program that have commercial influences as contained in a Mixed-Use property, One unit must be owner occupied primary unit and the non residential portion of the property cannot exceed 49% of the square footage. The health and safety of the residential units and residents must be of primary concern. If there is a question of the health and safety contact HUD as you would be surprised of the properties HUD has rejected for health and safety concerns.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Borrowers have all kinds of income. Most have traditional income with a periodic pay stub and a W – 2 a long with a IRS form 1040 in order to determine the income and to verify the income. The self – employed borrowers have the appropriate tax documents to determine and verify their income.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Fannie Mae has announced the launch of their Home Ready Program which is the replacement product of the Community Home Buyer Program.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Bonnie Wildt
I have said it before and I will say it again and that is, do not believe everything you hear or read for that matter. In this particular instance I am referring to AUS Findings. I have had countless conversations with processors and loan officer who want to know why I am asking for documentation that the AUS findings have clearly stated wasn’t needed or worse, they can’t believe I am turning a loan down that has an Approve/Eligible. So here it is again and pay particular attention to the details because just because you have an Approve/Eligible or Accept doesn’t necessarily mean you have a done deal.