Impact of the Shutdown on the Mortgage Industry

As the government shutdown is nearing its end and its employees have a chance to get their jobs back, many are wondering about the effects that the shutdown has had on the mortgage industry. Beyond those who were furloughed being unable to make money, many others were unable to purchase homes or get a mortgage due to the IRS being unable to process the 4506-T form. Additionally, USDA loans were on pause during the shutdown as well. “Outside of the obvious process impacts of submissions, approvals and income there are immediate and lingering tangential impacts to housing and housing finance markets. With over a decade of shenanigans by members of Congress who are not doing their jobs, the consumer and investor uncertainty continues to restrain any meaningful recovery,” said Mark Dangelo, president,...

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Freddie Mac on the Government Shutdown

Freddie Mac is allowing borrowers who are not being paid as a result of the government shutdown to still have their mortgages delivered to Freddie Mac as long as they meet all the usual requirements and the borrower is expected to return to work after the shutdown ends. "We're issuing this guidance to help ensure the continued smooth operation of the mortgage market during the temporary shutdown of the federal government. Today's bulletin is intended to give lenders the certainty to continue approving and delivering new mortgages that meet Freddie Mac guidelines to eligible borrowers, such as federal employees and contractors," said Dave Lowman, executive vice president, Single-Family Business at Freddie Mac. "During the temporary shutdown. We are also reminding servicers of our forbearance...

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President of MBA Calls for End of Shutdown

The president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), David H. Stevens, has recently issued a statement regarding the government shutdown and the affect it is having on the housing market. "The federal government shutdown will have a growing impact on the housing market the longer it continues. If this shutdown is temporary, the ones affected most will be out of work federal employees," he says. "However, the longer it goes, the greater impact it will have on borrowers, the housing market and the national economy." He continues, "lenders processing loans that need tax transcripts, social security number verification, or FHA home loans face longer delays and reduced functionality from HUD, IRS, and the Social Security Administration. Different loan programs have different requirements,...

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What The Shutdown Means For The Housing Market

Since Tuesday morning, many government services were shut down or cut back. Congress is battling back and forth trying to resolve their issues. This is the first government shutdown in 17 years. "Essential employees" are still allowed to work but as many as 800,000 "non-essentials" are not allowed in government buildings and they don't know when they'll be paid again. As you may know, the central issue being debated is Obamacare.  According to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), "The House has voted to keep the government open, but we also want basic fairness for all Americans under Obamacare." While 800,000+ employees are on the sidelines, the members of Congress are still working and because of the 27th Amendment, all 533 of them are still being paid. President Barack Obama has said...

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