The government guarantor is trying to get more sophisticated in the way it evaluates issuers, and that’s a good thing, according to former Ginnie Mae President Ted Tozer.

Builder sentiment has declined for eight consecutive months, and it’s all related to housing affordability, said Robert Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders.

Members of the housing finance industry welcomed signs of continued discussion with Ginnie Mae and the Federal Housing Finance Agency as they prepare for the agencies’ aligned capital requirements.

Last month new home sales fell to their lowest level since January 2016. Trouble ahead, perhaps?

The new standards are a result of a collaboration between Ginnie and the Federal Housing Finance Agency to align rules for their counterparties. Most of the new standards take effect Sept. 30, 2023.

The share of Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance remained flat at 1.26% in July compared to the previous month.

Housing-related funding was largely absent from the Inflation Reduction Act that President Biden signed into law this week.

The federal entities appear to have accommodated many of the concerns of small and mid-sized seller/servicers, reducing some requirements and eliminating others.

The Senate last week approved $70 billion in budgetary resources for the Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of its fiscal 2023 appropriations package.

RHS proposes rule for use of automated underwriting and closing systems; Ginnie revises capital requirements for certain entities; VA clarifies new procedures for alternative valuation; USDA announces toll-free lender line; VA report on home loan program; FHA working to promote energy-saving products in home rehabilitations.