FHFA
Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates
Washington, DC - September 27, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) contracts, was 3.56 percent based on loans closed in August. There was a decrease of 0.10 percent from the previous month. In March of 2012, FHFA began calculating interest rates using un-weighted survey data.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Help More Than 2.4 Million with Foreclosure Prevention Actions;
Washington, DC - September 26, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed more than 129,000 foreclosure prevention actions in the second quarter of 2012, bringing the total foreclosure prevention actions to 2.4 million since the start of conservatorship in 2008 with 1.2 million of those actions being permanent loan modifications. These actions, which have helped more than 2 million borrowers stay in their homes, are detailed in the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s second quarter 2012 Foreclosure Prevention Report, also known as the Federal Property Manager’s Report.
FHFA Announces Increase in Guarantee Fees
Washington, DC - August 31, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that it has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to raise guarantee fees (g-fees) on singlefamily mortgages by an average of 10 basis points. The changes to g-fee pricing represent a step toward encouraging greater participation in the mortgage market by private firms, a goal set forth in FHFA’s Strategic Plan for Enterprise Conservatorships.
FHFA Announces New Standard Short Sale Guidelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;
Washington, DC - August 28, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are issuing new, clear guidelines to their mortgage servicers that will align and consolidate existing short sales programs into one standard short sale program.
Agencies Issue Proposed Rule on Appraisals for Higher-Risk Mortgages
WASHINGTON, DC - August 15, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Six federal financial regulatory agencies today issued a proposed rule to establish new appraisal requirements for “higher-risk mortgage loans.” The proposed rule would implement amendments to the Truth in Lending Act enacted by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, mortgage loans are higher-risk if they are secured by a consumer’s home and have interest rates above a certain threshold
FHFA Sends Notice to Federal Register on Use of Eminent Domain to Restructure Performing...
Washington, DC - August 8, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has sent to the Federal Register a Notice indicating its concern with the proposed use of eminent domain to restructure performing home loans and inviting public input.
HARP Refinances Continue Surge in First Half of 2012
Washington, D.C. - August 7, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its June Refinance Report, which shows that one of every three refinances through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were made through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), the highest number since the inception of the program in April 2009. The continued increase in HARP volume is attributed to record-low mortgage rates and program enhancements announced last fall including removal of the loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling for borrowers who refinance into fixedrate loans and the elimination or lowering of fees for certain borrowers
Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates
Washington, DC - July 26, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) contracts, was 3.67 percent based on loans closed in June. Beginning in March, FHFA is calculating interest rates using unweighted survey data. There was a decrease of 0.11 percent from the previous month. The complete contract rate series can be found at http://www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=251.
FHFA Announces Next Steps in REO Pilot Program
Washington, DC - July 3, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that the winning bidders in a real estate owned (REO) pilot initiative have been chosen and transactions are expected to close early in the third quarter. Market response has been robust with strong qualified bidder interest
Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates
Washington, DC - June 26, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) contracts, was 3.78 percent based on loans closed in May. Beginning in March, FHFA is calculating interest rates using unweighted survey data.
FederalHousing Finance Agency Establishes Additional Anti-Fraud Measure for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Federal...
Washington,DC - June 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced an initiative to complement current fraud reporting by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. FHFA is taking this additional step to ensure the regulated entities are not exposed to unnecessary risk from doing business with individuals or businesses with a demonstrated history of fraudulent conduct.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Help More Than 2.3 Million with Foreclosure Prevention Actions;
Washington, DC - June 15, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have completed more than 2.3 million foreclosure prevention actions since the start of conservatorship in 2008, including 1.1 million permanent loan modifications. These actions, designed to help borrowers stay in their homes, are detailed in the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s first quarter 2012 Foreclosure Prevention Report, also known as the Federal Property Manager’s Report
FHFA’s Report to Congress Details Annual Examinations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Federal...
Washington, D.C. - June 13, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its fourth annual Report to Congress, detailing the agency’s examinations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks), and the FHLBanks’ joint Office of Finance.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates
Washington, DC - May 29, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 3.93 percent based on loans closed in April. Beginning in March, FHFA is calculating interest rates using un-weighted survey data. There was an increase of 0.03 percent from the previous month.
FHFA Announces Senior Appointment in Office of Congressional Affairs and Communications
Washington, DC - April 26, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Edward J. DeMarco today announced the appointment of Denise Dunckel as Senior Associate Director for the Office of Congressional Affairs and Communications where she will manage all internal and external communications for FHFA.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates
Washington, DC - April 26, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 3.90 percent based on loans closed in March. Beginning in March, FHFA is calculating interest rates using un-weighted survey data.
FHFA Terminates Cease and Desist Order on Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Washington, DC - April 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has terminated all remaining provisions of the consent cease and desist order applicable to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank). The order was terminated because of improvements in the FHLBank’s financial condition and capital position, resolution of risk management concerns, and consideration of specific commitments and assurances made b
Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates
Washington, DC - March 27, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.08 percent based on loans closed in February. Beginning this month, FHFA is calculating interest rates using un-weighted survey data. For January, a comparable rate based on unweighted data would have been 4.18 percent.
FHFA House Price Index Unchanged in January
Washington, DC - March 22, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. house prices were unchanged on a seasonally adjusted basis from December to January, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s monthly House Price Index. The previously reported 0.7 percent increase in December was revised downward to reflect a 0.1 percent increase. For the 12 months ending in January, U.S. prices fell 0.8 ercent. The U.S. index is 19.2 percent below its April 2007 peak and roughly the same as the February 2004 index level
FHFA Publishes Final Rule on Private Transfer Fees
Washington, DC - March 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has sent a final rule to the Federal Register on private transfer fees. The final rule limits Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks from dealing in mortgages on properties encumbered by certain types of private transfer fee covenants and in certain related securities. Transfer fees are contractual arrangements where an owner pays a fixed amount or a percentage of the sales price at the time of transferring the property.
