New RESPA Reglatory Changes go into effect January 1, 2010!

Happy New Year Peachtree City!  As we welcomed in the official beginning of the new millennium and a new decade the government also introduced some sweeping new regulatory reform changes that will pose a significant impact on the mortgage industry and everyone in the real estate profession. 

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)went into effect on January 1st.  I would be remiss if I did not also state that HUD will overseeing enforcement of these new rules and is stated to say that they will “exercise restraint in enforcement” giving lenders an opportunity to make a good faith effort to comply with the new regulations.

FHA to Provide Additional Mortgage Assistance to Struggling Homeowners

The President has signed into law legislation that will allow HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to continue providing targeted mortgage assistance to homeowners. The Hope for Homeowners program will continue FHA’s existing and successful efforts to provide aid to struggling families trapped in mortgages they currently cannot afford. Under the program, certain borrowers facing difficulty with their mortgage will be eligible to refinance into FHA-insured mortgages they can afford. The program will be implemented on October 1, 2008.

Homeowners May Already Be Eligible For Assistance

New Life for Down Payment Assistance?

Chairman Frank and HUD Secretary Preston Negotiate DPA Agreement

Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank, has discussed publicly the fact that he has negotiated an agreement with HUD Secretary Steve Preston that will provide for the continuation of privately funded downpayment assistance.

The agreement allows HUD to impose risk-based pricing on downpayment assistance transactions which provides Secretary Preston the fiscal protection he seeks for the FHA insurance fund.