Tag Archives: Fannie Mae

When it comes to creating sustainable homeownership, some economists are saying the FHA is celebrating results it hasn't actually achieved. In a new study, New York University economics professor Andrew Caplin and his co-authors investigate mortgage risk assessment and the FHA's actual progress toward creating sustainable homeownership. Caplin and his co-authors conclude that the FHA measuring the wrong data and using flawed results to estimate mortgage risk--specifically, the risk related to internally refinanced loans.

Government agencies have restructured for better risk protection and to position themselves to climb out of the mortgage and housing crisis of 2006-2009.

In its October Economic Outlook report, Fannie Mae's Economic & Strategic Research Group pointed to financial and policy issues in the U.S. and abroad as looming challenges that could restrain meaningful economic growth in 2012. While the outlook on the economy was uncertain, the assessment for the housing market was more stable. Chief economist Doug Duncan said various indicators show "continued momentum toward a sustainable, long-term recovery," particularly the upward trend in home prices.

Following FHFA's report on HARP refinances in August, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods anticipate an increase in non-HARP refinance activity.

According to the FHFA, the government's Home Affordable Refinance Program is on target to reach a million borrowers this year.

The GSEs have increased their presence in the multifamily loan sector over the past several years, relying on these loans to meet affordable housing goals, according to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GOA). From 1994 through 2011, both GSEs generally increased the amount of multifamily loans they held. Fannie Mae generally held a lower percentage of multifamily loans than Freddie Mac. However, the trend changes slightly around 2008.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency released a revised GSE Strategic Plan for the years 2013-2017 Tuesday.

Consumer optimism about the housing market and homeownership improved substantially in September, Fannie Mae reported. According to the GSE's September 2012 National Housing Survey, upward trends in home prices and downward trends in mortgage rates throughout the summer reinforced positive attitudes about where the market is headed. Confidence about the economy also grew in September, marking a turnaround from a year of pessimism. Regarding the overall economy, 41 percent of consumers believe the country is on the right track.

Wall Street took notice as the Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) Working Group fired its first shot against a major financial institution.

According to Fannie Mae's monthly summary, its book of business grew at a compound annualized rate of 1.9 percent in August, bringing its year-to-date growth to 0.4 percent.