FHFA to make desktop appraisals permanent

FHFA Acting Director Sandra Thompson also announced expansions to the eligibility requirements for refinance programs geared toward low-income borrowers

Desktop appraisals, a temporary flexibility implemented in March 2020 to keep the mortgage industry afloat amid lockdowns and social distancing, will become permanent, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said today.

Sandra Thompson, acting director of the FHFA, said both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will allow appraisals to be conducted remotely, using public records such as listings and tax appraisals, for purchase loans starting in early 2022.

The crowd erupted into applause on the appraisal news, which Thompson announced at the Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Convention and Expo in San Diego. It’s the trade association’s first large-scale in-person event since its 2019 convention, with some 3,500 in attendance.

Thompson said that “frictions in the appraisal process” can slow down the mortgage process, a problem she said is particularly acute in rural communities. Appraisers often spend much of their day driving from property to property, Thompson said.

Allowing desktop appraisals was one of a number of short-term appraisal flexibilities the agency announced in March 2020. Those flexibilities expired earlier this year. But the regulator was apparently moved by feedback it received after its December 2020 request for information on appraisal processes.

How do remote valuation solutions benefit appraisers?

To keep up with the high demand amid the ongoing pandemic, appraisers need a remote solution that keeps them in full control.

Presented by: Incenter

“This can help each appraiser complete more loans in a day, and it can also help rural communities more readily obtain a necessary appraisal when the borrower is purchasing a property,” said Thompson. “This certainty should allow lenders, borrowers, and appraisers alike to take advantage of the efficiency gains that desktop appraisals can provide.”

Thompson also announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would expand the eligibility requirements for refinance programs geared toward low-income borrowers.

For RefiNow and RefiPossible, the new income threshold will be raised from 80% of area median income to 100% of AMI. The GSEs will also remove the 10-year seasoning cap from the original program.

The changes are geared toward making the programs easier for lenders to offer, by increasing the overall eligible population and addressing “operational frictions” for lenders. Take up among lenders has been slow, Thompson said.

Despite a historic refi boom, Thompson said, the share of refinance loans made to borrowers below 100% of area median income has dropped.

The Urban Institute and others have documented tightening of credit for low-income borrowers during the refi boom. In April, after a year of refinances that mostly benefited wealthier borrowers, the FHFA announced a new refinance option for low-income borrowers.

“These borrowers risk being left on the sidelines during a generational opportunity to lock in more sustainable monthly payments,” Thompson said. “And these are often the very people who could most benefit from adding breathing room to their budget.”

Thompson said that not everyone is in a place to qualify for a refinance.

“But that alone doesn’t explain the gaps we are seeing in refinances to creditworthy Enterprise borrowers,” said Thompson. “And we know from experience with HARP and with programs for lower income and minority borrowers that those with smaller balances tend to get left behind when it comes to refinancing opportunities.”

Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Apply for a Loan

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

See All Google Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast!

< Older Post Newer Post >

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

Habitat for Humanity sees success with aging in place program

By Didier Malagies • January 22, 2025

A dedicated aging in place (AIP) program offered by the Oswego County Habitat for Humanity (OCHFH) in New York says it is seeing success by incorporating family, community and local resources to ensure older homeowners can remain where they prefer. “It’s been projected that, over the next 20 years, households led by individuals in their 80s will become the fastest growing age group , which provides stability within their communities,” said Samuel Raponi, OCHFH executive director. Through the organization’s AIP program, Habitat collaborates with families, local organizations and other community members in an effort to provide homes that prioritize living for older adults, he said. “This ultimately enhances their quality of life. We employ two different assessments in each case to ensure that the homeowners’ needs are clearly understood,” he added. An initial assessment of the client’s living situation aims to assess each person’s daily living activities, which are scrutinized by a “health or human services professional,” the organization said. This includes how they manage regular tasks like cleaning, shopping, paying bills or interacting with their community. A second evaluation specifically assesses home repair needs, and how to make a dwelling more livable for the needs of an older person. “These assessments enable OCHFH to provide modifications to their homes tailored to each homeowner’s specific lifestyle,” Raponi added. “Among the kinds of modifications we make are installing lever door handles, ramps, railings, grab bars, walk-in showers with a low threshold, and raised toilets to make homes more accessible for older adults.” Other resources, including Meals on Wheels , may be seen as necessary to deploy depending on a person’s circumstances, and all combine into a living situation that is aimed at being more generally beneficial for someone seeking to age in their own home. AIP is actively seeking more collaborative partners in the health care sector, owing to unique challenges visited upon older people who may not be able to adequately address their health needs. “Low-income older adults face a higher risk of chronic diseases and disabilities due to limited access to primary care and a greater likelihood of living in substandard, deteriorating housing,” Raponi added. A recent study from Carewell suggested that many older adults see aging in place as a financial necessity considering the costs of other kinds of living arrangements older people may choose. Nearly half of respondents (47%) characterized aging in place as both a preference and a financial necessity in tandem.

Is it time to prequalify for a mortgage now

By Didier Malagies • January 20, 2025

1. Assess Your Financial Health Credit Score: Check your credit score (usually 620 or higher is required, though higher scores get better rates). Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Calculate your monthly debt payments compared to your gross monthly income (lenders typically prefer a DTI below 43%). Savings: Ensure you have enough for a down payment (typically 3-20%) and closing costs. 2. Gather Financial Information Lenders will need the following: Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s/1099s). List of assets (savings, investments, retirement accounts). Details of current debts (credit card balances, student loans, etc.). 3. Choose a Lender Research different lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Compare prequalification options (many allow online applications). 4. Complete the Prequalification Process Fill out the lender’s prequalification form (online, over the phone, or in person). Provide basic details about your income, debts, and assets. 5. Review Prequalification Results The lender will give you an estimate of the loan amount and potential interest rate. Remember, prequalification is not a guarantee of approval and doesn’t involve a hard credit inquiry. 6. Follow Up with Preapproval If you’re serious about buying, consider getting preapproved, which involves a more in-depth review and is stronger than prequalification. Tips: Use online calculators to estimate affordability before reaching out to lenders. Avoid large purchases or opening new lines of credit during the prequalification and preapproval process. Would you like details on specific lenders or tools to compare mortgage options? tune in and learn at https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329

USA Today: If Social Security falters, reverse mortgages could be worth a look

By Didier Malagies • January 13, 2025

Many retirees have said they rely largely — and sometimes entirely — on Social Security benefits as their primary income stream in retirement . But in instances where these payments may not be enough to make ends meet, other options should be considered — and in the right situation, a reverse mortgage could be one such option. That’s according to a column published this week by USA Today , which assessed reverse mortgages in tandem with options such as personal savings, a part-time job and other benefits programs. “A reverse mortgage is a possibility for seniors with substantial equity in their homes,” the column stated. “It essentially enables you to borrow against your equity, and you aren’t required to make any payments while you’re still alive as long as you live in the house.” The column is likely referencing the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage ( HECM ) program insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Loan proceeds are dependent on the amount of equity in the home and current interest rates, the column noted, and there are multiple disbursement options available, the column noted. The minimum age requirement of 62, a core tenet of the HECM program, was also mentioned. “There are closing costs and other fees, and you’ll still be responsible for maintaining the property and paying the property taxes and homeowners insurance,” the column noted. It characterized the loan as a “solid option” for those who have few other assets beyond their homes, adding that “it might not be the right move if you intend to pass the property on to your heirs someday. After you pass away or move out of the home, you or your estate will have to repay the loan. This will reduce how much your heirs receive.” Recent survey data from Clever Real Estate highlighted some realities of relying on Social Security benefits in retirement. Roughly one in five respondents in the 1,000-person survey said they rely exclusively on Social Security benefits as their sole income stream in retirement, with nearly 30% saying they believed they would be able to rely on them. Last year, data from Nationwide suggested that an increasing number of older investors believe that retiring at the age of 65 is no longer a realistic option . This is largely tied to higher levels of stress they’re feeling about the economy and the cost of living.