A proposal from the Urban Institute calls for a revamp of the refi process to make it more equitable for lower-income borrowers and borrowers of color.
The guidelines lay out the process lenders must develop for borrowers to request an appraisal reassessment when they believe a valuation was inaccurate or biased.
Even though the mortgage market continued to struggle, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac generated healthy profits in the first quarter of 2023 thanks to their business models.
The current loss-mitigation waterfall has dramatically reduced foreclosure liquidations, suggesting lenders could make more loans to riskier borrowers without increasing expected losses.
Critics argue the new second mortgage program is another attempt by Freddie Mac to expand its footprint. But GSE insiders say it’s already allowed under its charter.
The Mortgage Bankers Association and the Community Home Lenders of America are on opposite sides of the debate about allowing the GSEs to waive the requirement for lender’s title insurance.