Corker Applauds FHFA Decision Not to Encourage Underwater Borrowers to Default on Home Mortgages

WASHINGTON, DC – August 1, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, made the following statement today in response to a decision by Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Ed DeMarco who rejected a proposal by the Obama administration to use taxpayer dollars to reduce principal on mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in which borrowers owe more than their homes are worth. FHFA’s analysis found such a policy would encourage underwater borrowers, most of whom are current, to stop making payments so they can benefit from a taxpayer-funded principal reduction. This outcome would put taxpayers at risk and would not reduce the chances of foreclosure for these borrowers