Origination

Manufactured Housing is Big in Japan—Can Their Cool, Hip Take Work in the U.S.?

Manufactured houses, also referred to as “prefab,” “modular” or “factory-built,” are a popular choice in Japan – thanks to their attractive design, advanced technology and trendy branding. This article looks at how some U.S. manufactured housing companies are evolving and improving manufactured home features in hopes of making this housing option all-the-rage in the States too. Read More.

Partner Insights from Freddie Mac Single Family
H2-Whoa: How to Find and Fix the Biggest Wastes of Water in Your Home with Green Mortgages

Homeowners rely on water for everything from drinking to cleaning to landscape irrigation. This article provides tips on how to decrease water usage, save money and preserve this vital resource by making changes to appliances, plumbing fixtures, hot water heaters and more – and how lenders can offer mortgage options that help finance these efficiency updates. Learn More.

Partner Insights from Freddie Mac Single Family
Many Black and Hispanic Homeowners Don’t Refinance. Here’s Why.

There are some significant benefits associated with refinancing, yet a disproportionate number of Black and Hispanic Americans don’t pursue the option. Discover what industry stakeholders can do to help broaden the funnel of homeowners looking to refinance, thereby increasing homeowner equity for minorities. Read More.

Partner Insights from Freddie Mac Single Family
How Vacant and Distressed Homes Can Help Meet the Demand For Entry-Level Housing

The shortage of new construction homes coupled with high demand for existing supply has driven up the prices of affordable properties, making homeownership difficult for borrowers below the Area Median Income (AMI). This article explores how getting vacant and distressed properties back on the market can help address this challenge. Learn More.

Partner Insights from Freddie Mac Single Family
Collaboration on Shared Equity Programs in Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Omaha Can Create Lasting Opportunity

Nearly four million affordable housing units are needed to close the housing gap. Such a number begs the question: How can housing professionals collaborate across the ecosystem to help establish solid, sustainable pathways to affordable homeownership? This article looks at leveraging shared equity programs to address the housing gap. Read More.

Partner Insights from Freddie Mac Single Family
ADUs Offer Promise as a Viable Affordable Housing Supply Solution

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be one answer to affordability and housing supply challenges. Known colloquially as “granny flats,” “in-law apartments,” “carriage houses,” and “secondary suites,” an ADU is a smaller, independent residential structure on the same lot as a single-family home. Discover the benefits that ADUs are poised to provide to homeowners, renters and communities. Read More.

Partner Insights from Freddie Mac Single Family
Rentals

SPAC deal tests investors’ zeal for single-family rentals

A property management and acquisition platform for single-family landlords is going public through a blank-check merger in a bet that investor appetite for rental houses will outlast waning enthusiasm for real estate technology stocks.

May 17
Farm and rural mortgages

USDA pilot puts servicers in charge of partial claims

The agency now sees applications for mortgage-recovery advances approaching 3,000 per month.

By Spencer Lee
Technology Reporter

May 16
Regulation and compliance

California lawmakers ask FDIC to cut off high-cost consumer lenders

A 2019 state law limits annual interest rates on many loans to 36%, but some high-cost lenders have found a way to continue operating in California by partnering with banks. Now Democratic legislators want the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to take action.

By Polo Rocha
Staff Writer

May 16
Loan Think Accelerating rate increases could lead to ATR/QM issues for lenders

A shrinking appetite for high interest rate loans and a diminished ability to offer discount rates are aligning with more stringent requirements for lenders to get ATR/QM points and fees calculations correct, write leaders from Lenderworks.

May 16

Alexandra Dackin Temple

Lenderworks