There's lots of news coming out of Fannie and Freddie, with their plan for mortgage reductions, analyzing the impact of that plan, and Freddie closing in on a new CEO, and more in today's industry news round-up!
LPS Reports January Home Prices Down 0.9 Percent l DSNews.com
Home prices for January 2012 dropped 0.9 percent, an even greater increase from the 0.4 percent drop in December 2011, according to Lender Processing Services' Home Price Index (HPI). For January, home prices averaged at $195,000, dropping from Decemberâs average of $196,000.
Fannie and Freddie Overseer Hints at Plan for Mortgage Reductions l The New York Times - Business
Edward DeMarco, the regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, said it might make sense for the mortgage finance companies to write down mortgage loan principal.
Analysis: Write-Downs Would Benefit Fannie, Freddie l Wall Street Journal - Real Estate
Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could save $1.7 billion by accepting Treasury Department payments to forgive debt for troubled homeowners.
Freddie Homes In on CEO l Wall Street Journal - Real Estate
The former CEO of E*Trade has emerged as the front-runner for the top job at Freddie Mac, according to people familiar with the matter.
FHA Delaying Disputed Debt Rule Until July l DSNews.com
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) rule preventing potential borrowers with outstanding collections debt of $1,000 or more from getting an FHA-insured loan is on hold until July. The rule - which FHA says is intended to lower defaults but many in the industry warn would prevent even more consumers from taking out a loan - took effect April 1
The $25 Billion Man Lays Out a Path Forward l American Banker - Mortgages
Joseph Smith, who is responsible for monitoring compliance with the $25 billion multi-state mortgage settlement, talks to American Banker about how he plans to do the job.
Mortgage servicers targeted by new rules l CNN Money - Real Estate
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will announce Tuesday that it's considering new rules aimed at mortgage servicers to help protect consumers against "costly surprises."