The Fed should change its ways to help reduce interest rates on mortgages, according to industry trade groups.

Industry trade groups have sent letters to the Federal Reserve chair, asking for an end to its quantitative tightening and rate hikes in an effort to reduce mortgage rates and stimulate home sales.

Extending rep-and-warrant relief to loans that successfully exit COVID-19 forbearance could further reduce the already small volume of buyback requests.

Small to mid-sized nonbanks accounted for 24.7% of GSE business in the third quarter, up from a 23.1% share in the second quarter.

FHFA will direct the enterprises to treat loans with COVID-19 forbearance like those impacted by a natural disaster. Fannie and Freddie will also do a better job explaining buyback requirements.

Declining volumes at large sellers in the third quarter shifted market share to small shops. United Wholesale Mortgage remained the top GSE loan seller during the quarter. (Includes two data charts.)

Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have eased the rules that limit the use of rental income to qualify for a mortgage.

Market dynamics tied to the pandemic cut nonperforming loan sales at the GSEs by more than 66%. Fannie Mae accounted for almost all of the sales.

Fannie’s decision to lower the downpayment requirement for loans on two- to four-unit multifamily properties should boost investment in this key source of affordable housing.

A new Fannie loan product offers lower pricing and more flexibility to conventional multifamily borrowers who voluntarily set aside units as workforce housing.