In July, FHA proposed a new rule governing the sale of seriously delinquent single-family home loans when they’re no longer insured by the agency.

VA clarified when lenders must provide invoices itemizing fees and charges for borrowers, and updated its state fees and charges deviations list.

The final rule is effective Oct. 16 and is unchanged from a proposal released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in October 2023.

The draft mortgagee letter outlines guidance on a federal flood risk management standard related to minimum property requirements for newly built residential structures in special flood hazard areas.

Congress passes continuing resolution to fund the federal government and the National Flood Insurance Program; Sen. Tim Scott introduces Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act; trade groups ask FHA to extend waiver on policy updates related to in-person meeting requirement with borrowers in default; the Department of Justice has announced a $2.4 million settlement with shuttered FHA HECM lender.

Some industry players fear changes to how buyer agent commissions are paid will lead many Black homebuyers to forego representation.

HUD has a new Homeownership Initiative Grant, which pays participating grantees using a negotiated fixed rate for pre-purchase counseling to households that both go on to achieve homeownership and return for post-purchase counseling.

Housing counselors can play a critical role in addressing racial gaps in homeownership, according to speakers at a HUD conference.

Housing counseling agencies should partner with lenders, nonprofits and government housing agencies to develop fee-for-service models to tap additional funding, according to industry experts.

Foreign demand is an area of focus for Ginnie as the Federal Reserve has scaled back its purchases of agency MBS.