InfoBytes Blog
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Announce Short Sale Agreements with Mortgage Insurers; Freddie Mac Announces Other Servicing Updates
On October 31, Fannie Mae announced that it reached agreements with nine major mortgage insurance companies that will allow servicers to complete short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure without first obtaining approval from the mortgage insurer. The new standard delegation agreement executed with each of the mortgage insurers replaces various individual delegation agreements and is intended to create a more consistent and efficient process for borrowers and servicers.
On the same day, Freddie Mac issued Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide Bulletin 2012-23, which also announced new delegation agreements with its mortgage insurers that will streamline short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. Freddie Mac revised other requirements for servicers’ loss mitigation activities and updated its mortgage insurance claim documentation policy to require delivery of documentation no later than sixty days following the foreclosure sale, short sale, or acceptance of deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. The Bulletin also (i) requires approval by Freddie Mac of foreclosures in certain circumstances, (ii) revises imminent default documentation requirements, (iii) authorizes use of ACH for expense reimbursements and incentive payments, (iv) clarifies the policy for reimbursement of interest, and (v) updates charge-off recommendation requirements.