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Forbearance rate drops below 1%, lowest level since June 2020 The total number of loans in forbearance decreased by 11 basis points to 0.94% in April

Didier Malagies • May 18, 2022


Servicers’ forbearance portfolio volume dropped in April to a level below 1%, with fewer than half a million borrowers remaining with an active plan, according to the monthly Loan Monitoring Survey conducted by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).


That’s good news after the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic hit borrowers hard, making it difficult for Americans to pay their mortgages. In total, the share of loans in forbearance decreased by 11 basis points, to 0.94% in April from 1.05% in March.


The most notable decline was in the portfolio loans and private-label securities (PLS) category, dipping by 29 basis points to 2.15%. Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance decreased 9 bps, at 1.29% of servicers’ portfolio volume. Meanwhile, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans dropped by six basis points to 0.43%. 

At the end of April, 470,000 homeowners were in forbearance plans. 


According to Marina Walsh, vice president of industry analysis at MBA, the pace of monthly forbearance exits in April reached its lowest level since June 2020, when the association first started tracking exits.

“Servicers are expected to continue making small incremental inroads to the remaining loans in forbearance,” Walsh said.



Total forbearance requests were 0.10% of servicing portfolio volume in April, while exits represented 0.21%. The survey also shows 28.9% of total loans were in the initial stage last month and 58.1% were in a forbearance extension. The remaining 13% were re-entries


During the past 22 months, MBA data revealed that 29.3% of exits resulted in a loan deferral or partial claim, while almost 19% of borrowers continued to pay during the forbearance period. However, 17% were borrowers who did not make their monthly payments and did not have a loss mitigation plan.

The survey also shows loans serviced, not delinquent or in foreclosure, were 95.64% in April, up from 95.47% in March, an improvement despite potential headwinds such as high inflation and stock market volatility.



According to Walsh, the improvements are due to the U.S. unemployment rate remaining below 4%, which leaves borrowers in a good position to make their mortgage payments. 



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By Didier Malagies December 20, 2024
Older homeowners have an overwhelming preference to age in place , but these circumstances can also come with unique challenges. Feelings of isolation and loneliness rank highly among these issues, but a recent study suggests that aging in place with a pet can make a big difference. The study, highlighted in Psychology Today , also noted that having pets in later life can come with its own set of unique challenges , according to Ann Toohey, one of the authors of the study who is based at the University of Calgary. The study followed initial interviews conducted in 2015 by examining how owning a pet impacted the lives of older people aging in place in their homes. According to the study, several takeaways emerged, including that the companionship of a pet makes a difference in their owners’ lives. While the companionship provided is understandably different from what is offered by another person, it also came with other potential social benefits for the seniors who owned pets. “As it happened, most of the people in this study were single,” the report in Psychology Today noted. “Having a dog, in particular, was a good way to get to know other people, so pets could also increase the size of participants’ social networks.” Finding pet-friendly housing can be an issue, according to the respondents. While the subjects were committed to keeping their pets, the housing challenges that pets can present made for a unique challenge. “Because people did not want to give up their pets, they sometimes had to accept housing that was less than ideal or even not safe due to other people in the home,” the report explained. Pets can also have other impacts on an older person’s mental well being, the study found, particularly if an older pet owner endured certain health-related challenges. “As people got older, they sometimes had difficult circumstances to deal with, such as serious issues with their own health,” the report said. “Caring for their pet provided meaning through these hard times, and a sense of things continuing to be the same, at least in some regards. In this way, the pet helped them to cope with the challenges.” Toohey added that while the seniors profiled in the study were generally committed to keeping their pets, the potential housing challenges that pet ownership can present for some older people seeking housing need to be addressed. There is a lot of potential for what she calls “companion animal relationships” to promote health in “many ways that are salient to aging.” These include spurring physical activity by walking a pet, companionship and potential involvement in pet-centric social activities with other pet owners. But certain challenges are also a factor, including the cost of pet supplies, a lack of affordable support if a pet owner becomes ill, and the need for veterinary care. There are also housing-related challenges, which could include “the prevalence of no pet rules to size restrictions to extra fees,” she said. In terms of housing policies tied to aging in place, these barriers could have the most impact, according to the report. “Greater availability of seniors’ housing that allows pets would be very beneficial and would make it easier for people to age in place with their pet,” the report said. “This would benefit those who aren’t seniors too, as more pet-friendly housing would help a wide range of people.”  This is on top of other well-documented challenges older people can face when trying to age in place. These include the high cost of long-term care , a need to create more walkable communities and housing supply illus trates that impact prospective homebuyers of all ages.
By Didier Malagies December 17, 2024
Older homeowners have an overwhelming preference to age in place , but these circumstances can also come with unique challenges. Feelings of isolation and loneliness rank highly among these issues, but a recent study suggests that aging in place with a pet can make a big difference. The study, highlighted in Psychology Today , also noted that having pets in later life can come with its own set of unique challenges , according to Ann Toohey, one of the authors of the study who is based at the University of Calgary. The study followed initial interviews conducted in 2015 by examining how owning a pet impacted the lives of older people aging in place in their homes. According to the study, several takeaways emerged, including that the companionship of a pet makes a difference in their owners’ lives. While the companionship provided is understandably different from what is offered by another person, it also came with other potential social benefits for the seniors who owned pets. “As it happened, most of the people in this study were single,” the report in Psychology Today noted. “Having a dog, in particular, was a good way to get to know other people, so pets could also increase the size of participants’ social networks.” Finding pet-friendly housing can be an issue, according to the respondents. While the subjects were committed to keeping their pets, the housing challenges that pets can present made for a unique challenge. “Because people did not want to give up their pets, they sometimes had to accept housing that was less than ideal or even not safe due to other people in the home,” the report explained. Pets can also have other impacts on an older person’s mental well being, the study found, particularly if an older pet owner endured certain health-related challenges. “As people got older, they sometimes had difficult circumstances to deal with, such as serious issues with their own health,” the report said. “Caring for their pet provided meaning through these hard times, and a sense of things continuing to be the same, at least in some regards. In this way, the pet helped them to cope with the challenges.” Toohey added that while the seniors profiled in the study were generally committed to keeping their pets, the potential housing challenges that pet ownership can present for some older people seeking housing need to be addressed. There is a lot of potential for what she calls “companion animal relationships” to promote health in “many ways that are salient to aging.” These include spurring physical activity by walking a pet, companionship and potential involvement in pet-centric social activities with other pet owners. But certain challenges are also a factor, including the cost of pet supplies, a lack of affordable support if a pet owner becomes ill, and the need for veterinary care. There are also housing-related challenges, which could include “the prevalence of no pet rules to size restrictions to extra fees,” she said. In terms of housing policies tied to aging in place, these barriers could have the most impact, according to the report. “Greater availability of seniors’ housing that allows pets would be very beneficial and would make it easier for people to age in place with their pet,” the report said. “This would benefit those who aren’t seniors too, as more pet-friendly housing would help a wide range of people.”  This is on top of other well-documented challenges older people can face when trying to age in place. These include the high cost of long-term care , a need to create more walkable communities and housing supply illus trates that impact prospective homebuyers of all ages.
By Didier Malagies December 16, 2024
A condo questionnaire is a critical document that lenders use during the mortgage approval process for condominium purchases. It provides detailed information about the condo complex's financial health, rules, regulations, and overall condition. Problems with the condo questionnaire can create delays or complications during the closing process. Here are some common issues that might cause problems: 1. Financial Health Concerns High percentage of owner-occupancy: Many lenders require that at least 50% (or more) of the units in the complex be owner-occupied rather than rented. If a condo complex has too many renters, it could impact the lender’s willingness to approve a loan. Reserve fund issues: Lenders typically want to see that the condo association has sufficient funds in its reserve account for future maintenance and emergencies. If the reserve fund is too low or non-existent, it raises concerns about the financial stability of the association, leading to potential loan rejection. Delinquencies in condo fees: A high rate of delinquencies in the condo association fees can signal financial instability, which lenders may view as a risk. This can delay or halt the approval process. 2. Insurance Coverage Problems Lack of adequate insurance: Lenders require that the condo association carries specific types of insurance, including property insurance and liability coverage. If the condo association's insurance policy doesn’t meet the lender's criteria, the loan may be delayed or denied. Insufficient flood insurance: If the condo is in a flood zone, the association is required to have flood insurance. A deficiency in this area can cause significant issues with closing. 3. Pending or Recent Litigation Ongoing lawsuits: If the condo association is involved in a lawsuit (e.g., against contractors, residents, or local authorities), it can be a red flag for lenders. Lawsuits can create financial and legal uncertainty, so lenders may hesitate to approve a loan until the matter is resolved. History of litigation: Even if the condo association is not currently involved in litigation, a history of legal problems could still concern lenders and complicate the approval process. 4. Non-Compliance with Condominium Guidelines Failure to meet FHA/VA guidelines: Some buyers are using FHA or VA loans, which have specific guidelines regarding condo developments. If the condo does not meet these criteria (for example, not having enough unit owners, or a commercial component taking up too much space), it can prevent the buyer from securing the loan. Non-compliant rules or by-laws: If the condo association's rules or by-laws are outdated or do not comply with lender requirements (such as restrictions on renting out units), it can create issues. 5. Discrepancies or Incomplete Information Incomplete or missing information: If the condo questionnaire is not fully completed or there is missing information about the financials or maintenance issues, lenders may hold up the approval process. Incorrect or inconsistent data: Discrepancies between the information provided in the questionnaire and the condo association’s financial statements can raise red flags, requiring additional clarification or investigation. 6. Excessive Commercial Units or Mixed-Use Properties High commercial occupancy: If a condo development has a high percentage of commercial space or mixed-use properties (residential and commercial), lenders might view this as risky. Lenders prefer predominantly residential complexes since they have a lower risk profile. 7. Special Assessments Upcoming or recent special assessments: If the condo association has recently passed a special assessment (a fee charged to condo owners for unexpected repairs or improvements) or plans to do so in the near future, it can lead to concerns about the financial health of the complex and may affect the lender's decision to approve the loan. 8. Age of the Building Older buildings with deferred maintenance: Lenders might be cautious about approving loans for condos in older buildings that have not been well-maintained. They may require detailed maintenance records or a building inspection to ensure that the property is in good condition. Conclusion Issues with the condo questionnaire that could cause problems during closing typically revolve around the financial stability, legal status, and physical condition of the condo association and its property. It's important for both the buyer and the seller to address these issues early in the process by working with the condo association to provide accurate, complete, and compliant documentation to the lender. By messaging ChatGPT, you agree to our Terms and have read our Privacy Policy. Don't share sensitive info. Chats may be reviewed and used to train our models. Learn more tune in and learn at https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
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