WASHINGTON – October 21, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Steve Brown:
“NAR applauds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for finalizing the Qualified Residential Mortgage rule today, which includes a broad definition of QRM and aligns with the Qualified Mortgage standard implemented earlier this year.
“Realtors® are confident that the new QRM rule will encourage sound and financially prudent mortgage financing by lenders while also ensuring responsible homebuyers have access to safe and affordable credit. The synchronization with the QM rule will provide lenders with much needed clarity and consistency as they apply the new standards to loan applications while also providing a framework to bring more competition to the secondary mortgage market.
“The new QRM rule is a healthy step towards a more robust securities market that will reduce the government’s footprint and creates more opportunities for private capital to participate.
“Importantly, the final rule relies on sound and responsible underwriting rather than on an onerous downpayment requirement to qualify as a QRM loan. NAR strongly opposed earlier versions of the rule that included 20 and 30 percent downpayment requirements, which would have denied millions of Americans access to the lowest cost and safest mortgages.
To mobilize against the proposed QRM rules that would have excluded credit-worthy Americans from the housing market, NAR forged the broad-based Coalition for Sensible Housing Policy, a partnership of approximately 50 consumer organizations, civil rights groups, lenders and real estate professionals united in their opposition to high downpayment requirements.
“The QRM rule is a win-win for consumers, Realtors® and the housing finance industry. NAR thanks U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Mary Landrieu, D-La., for their work to craft an effective QRM rule that supports middle-class families and the housing recovery. We look forward to working with regulators and industry stakeholders on the implementation of the new risk-retention standards.”
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Media Contact: Jenny Werwa / 202-383-1193
