Here we go again! Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have now officially approved 3% down payment mortgages.
According to Brena Swanson at Housing Wire, [11]
“The new lending guidelines released today by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will enable creditworthy borrowers who can afford a mortgage, but lack the resources to pay a substantial down payment plus closing costs, to get a mortgage with 3% down. These underwriting guidelines provide a responsible approach to improving access to credit while ensuring safe and sound lending practices,” FHFA Director Mel Watt said.
“To mitigate risk, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will use their automated underwriting systems, which include compensating factors to evaluate a borrower’s creditworthiness. In addition, the new offerings will also include homeownership counseling, which improves borrower performance. FHFA will monitor the ongoing performance of these loans,” Watt continued.
What are these compensating factors? Lower down payment mortgages required higher credit scores among other things. Also, the 3% down loans are intended only to first-time buyers, buyers who haven’t owned a home for at least a few years and those with lower incomes. Many of the loans will also require borrowers to undergo home-buyer counseling before making a purchase.
But will this work? Not unless the labor market increases substantially.
[12]
House price growth is slowing, but is still over 2x wage growth.
[13]
Let’s hope low downpayment loans perform better than the last time!!!!!
