Have You Been Burned by a Bad Appraisal from HVCC? Take Action Today!

NAMB, the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, has a call to action that many people beyond the lending industry may feel strongly about: HVCC.  The Home Value Code of Conduct is a controversial act that was created to not allow mortgage originators to be involved with the selection of an appraiser.  Overall, the results have been a mess.  Instead of punishing the few, the masses are taking the hit with many appraisals being done by those who will take the lowest bid and/or who are not familiar with the neighborhood where the appraisal is being done…while the Appraisal Management Companies, the channel where many appraisals are ordered, are taking about half of the appraiser's fee for placing the order–guess what?  Most of the AMC's are owned by banks and title companies.  AMCs are unregulated!  HVCC is wrong and bad for consumers.

I have no issues with an appraisal that comes in lower than expected as long as it was done properly.

What can you do about HVCC?

Members of Congress are back in session and they need to hear from you–their constituents.  HR 3044 is a bill that would put an 18 month moratorium on HVCC (the Home Valuation Code of Conduct).  Please contact your Congressman today and ask them to co-sponsor HR 3044.  I just sent an email to Congressman Jim McDermott…it took me less than 5 minutes.

And please be sure to sign this petition.

Feel free to share this post with your friends, family and co-workers…especially if they have been impacted by HVCC.

Review of HUD’s New Good Faith Estimate: Part 1

UPDATE August 31HUD just issued their 2nd revision to the RESPA FAQs…let's hope the third time is a charm. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm going to be doing a series to review the Good Faith Estimate that will be mandetory on new residential transactions effective January 1, 2010.

The top of the new form is not earth-shattering.  It includes contact information for the mortgage originator and the borrowers' name, property address and the date the GFE was prepared.  An improvement would be to have the estimate also include the actual time it was prepared as well since we are averaging 3-4 new rate sheets per day.

HUD created this new GFE so that consumers could shop by rate and fees, ignoring the qualifications of the mortgage originator.  On the top of the form, they encourage you get three quotes.

GFEshopping

We'll delve deeper into the "shopping cart" in a future post.  Can you imagine if HUD also encouraged borrowers to compare the expertise and track-record of the mortgage originator?

The section "Important dates" is on the top half of the new Good Faith Estimate.

GFEImportantDates

Item 1 is suppose to let consumers know how long their rate quote on said estimate is good for.   There is no way to guarantee how long a rate is good with a quote unless the borrower is locking at that instant–infact, rate changes can and do happen while you're trying to lock in a rate.   Mortgage originators do not have crystal balls to know when or if the next rate change is coming. 

Item 2 is suppose to give the consumer a date for how long the closing costs are good for.  Again, this is assuming the mortgage originator has some magically control over third party services, such as the appraisal, title and escrow.  We have no way of knowing for certain if rate increases or reductions are planned by the various companies that are involved with putting together a real estate transaction.  The estimate can only be reflective of what fees are at the moment in time that GFE is prepared. 

Item 3 is just intended to disclose the lock period.  The most common lock periods are 30, 45 and 60 days.  Without a closing date on a purchase, you do not know the lock period.   Some borrowers may decide to float (not lock) and home buyers without a signed around contract do not know what the agreed to closing date is.

Item 4 provides the consumer with a drop dead lock date.  I don't have an issue with this.  Consumers should know how long they can float should they decide to gamble the markets with mortgage rate.

Per HUD's New RESPA Rule FAQs, which they've all revised just 7 days after it was first issued, Good Faith Estimates expire after 10 business days:

If a borrower does not express an intent to continue with an application within ten business days after the GFE is provided (or such longer time period specified by the loan originator), the loan originator is no longer bound by the GFE.

I'm assuming this does not apply towards interest rates where the rates may be the same or we could have experienced 30 rate sheets within the said 10 business days.  I'm also concerned about this language as the loan originator cannot guarantee that certain loan programs and underwriting guidelines will be available within any time period.   Unless the borrowers information (credit, income, assets) and the mortgage world has not budged in ten days, I'm not seeing how a mortgage originator can be bound to the GFE.

I do stand by my good faith estimates, however until an application is made, all supporting information is provided and the rate is locked, there cannot be any guarantee.  There are too many moving parts and uncertainty.   Mortgage originators will need to state clearly to the consumer the rate is based on x, y and z and as long as all of these hold true, your estimate is "binding" for 10 business days assuming the rates are the same at that moment, underwriting guidelines have not changed and the program is still available (as I'm writing this post, I'm receiving notice from one of the lenders I work with that they are no longer offering the 40 year amortized mortgage).  Do you see an issue here?

Watch for my next post in this series where we continue reviewing the first page of HUD's new Good Faith Estimate.

Not so much Good in the new Good Faith Estimate

Effective January 1, 2010, HUD is requiring mortgage originators use a new Good Faith Estimate which was designed to reduce the confusion for consumers and HUD claims that the "new Good Faith Estimate will help borrowers save nearly $700".

The new GFE is drastically different than the current form and in my opinion, it's not all for the better.   To begin with, the new form is three pages long instead of the current single page form…this seems to be the wrong direction for reducing paperwork for American borrowers. 

The intent of the new form is to "help consumers shop for the lowest cost mortgage and avoid costly and potentially harmful loan offers".   If you are a long time reader of The Mortgage Porter, you know that I strongly feel that you should select the person who is going to help you with your mortgage, possibly the largest debt in your lifetime that is attached to your most valuable asset, by rate and cost could be one of the most expensive mistakes you ever make.   Other factors are overlooked when you're chasing the bottom dollar or a rate that you're not in position to lock when rates are changing 3-4 times per day on average in this turbulent market. 

What's more important than rate and fees?  How about making sure you're working with an experienced and qualified mortgage originator who can navigate your transaction to closing for starters.  It is more important than ever to select a mortgage originator who stays current on underwriting guidelines and who will roll up her sleeves to work for you.  If you're working with an originator who cares about her clients returning to her, has referral business (does not have to rely on cold marketing or junk mail to find clients) and who is ethical; then a fair competitve rate and fees will follow.  

Don't get me wrong, you should compare…but compare more than rates and fees.  Not shopping the mortgage originators qualifications and focusing only on the dollar may wind up producing a "potentially harmful loan offer" that is not suited for your financial scenario. 

I will be reviewing the new Good Faith Estimate in a series of posts here at The Mortgage Porter.   Stay tuned.

Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act: New Waiting Periods on Mortgage Transactions

I'm taking a break this week from blogging and work.  I'll be back to the mortgage grindstone on Monday, August 24, 2009 like a bright and shiny new penny.   While I'm taking some time off, I thought I'd repost some of my articles.   You can read this original post at Rain City Guide.

In an early post, Ardell wrote about the significance of a buyer being able to close quickly…new regulations may put a damper on that.   With mortgage applications taken after July 30, 2009, waiting periods will go into effect with regards to when and how disclosure forms are provided to the consumer.   The Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA), which modifies the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), was originally going to become effective on October 1, 2009, however the effective date was moved up two months which may catch some real estate professionals by surprise.

Here are some of the details:

Good Faith Estimate and Truth in Lending Disclosures….required waiting periods.

Under MDIA, early disclosures are required for "any extension of credit secured by the dwelling of the consumer."    Three business days from application, the consumer must receive an initial Good Faith Estimate and Truth in Lending (unless the borrower is denied at application).   

The earliest a transaction can possibly close is seven days after the initial disclosures have been issued by the lender (delivered in person, mailed, emailed, etc.).    This is assuming no re-disclosure is required.

Re-disclosure (waiting periods after the early disclosure and corrected disclosures) of the GFE/TIL are triggered if the fees and charges are more than 10%; if the APR is more than 0.125% or a change in loan terms.   Three business days must pass in the event of re-disclosure.   Re-disclosing is nothing new, it typically happened at closing–this will no longer be acceptable.    Mortgage originators "should compare the APR at consummation with the APR in the most recently provided corrected disclosures (not the first set of disclosures provided) to determine whether the creditor must provide another set of corrected disclosures".   Double check those APRs prior to doc!

From MortgageDaily.com:

"The Commentary added by the MDIA Rule expressly provides that both the seven-business-day and three-business-day waiting periods must expire for consummation to occur.  The seven-business-day waiting  period begins when the early disclosures are delivered to the consumer or placed in the mail, and not when the consumer receives the disclosures.  The three-business-day waiting periods begin when the consumer actually receives or is deemed to receive the corrected disclosures.  If corrected disclosures are mailed, the consumer is deemed to receive the disclosures three business days after mailing.  If a creditor delivers corrected disclosures via email or by a courier other than the postal service, the creditor may rely on either proof of actual receipt or the mailing rule for purposes of determining when the three-business-day waiting period begins to run."

Consumers have the right to waive or shorten the MDIA if "a consumer determines that an extension of credit is needed to meet a bona fide perosnal financial emergency".  

No monies may be collected from the borrower with exception to a "bona fide and reasonable" credit report fee until they receive the initial disclosures.   This may cause a delay of when an appraisal is ordered.  Most lenders require an upfront deposit to cover the cost of the appraisal.    The collection of fees rule may also cause potential issues if a borrower is doing a certain type of lock (some with float down or extended lock periods require an upfront deposit).   NOTE:  HVCC requires the borrower receive a copy of the appraisal at least three days prior to closing.

Tim Kane can attest that there is nothing worse than a borrower learning at signing their final loan papers that the fees are significantly higher than what was originally disclosed.  I'd like to think that all mortgage originators redisclosed WHEN modifications to the transaction/fees take place…obviously, this has not been the case.  

DFI covers MDIA here

Re-disclosures could become a "holy hand grenade" to quick closings.

Recording fees increasing Monday, July 27

Effective today, recording fees are going up statewide due an increase with the homeless housing fee from $10 per recorded document to $30 per HB 2331.

Recording your Deed of Trust or Deed in the State of Washington now cost $20 more each.

Hat tip to The Talon Group.

Got Stimulus?

Earlier this week, President Obama signed H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to the tune of $787,000,000,000. This is roughly the same as giving every American man, woman and child $2,500.  President Obama announced that we can see how the funds are being spent by visiting www.recovery.gov.

Here are a few items designed to help the housing markets:

Loan Limits to be Reversed 2008.  At the end of 2008, the conforming jumbo limits were replaced with conforming high balance.  In the Seattle area, this meant that the fine line between a jumbo and conforming mortgage went from $567,500 to $506,000 for a single family dwelling.  Watch for Fannie, Freddie and FHA to implement the higher loan limits soon through December 31, 2009.

2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers. A tax credit up to $8000 is available to first time home buyers (someone who has not owned a home in the past 36 months) who close on a home between January 1, 2009 – November 30, 2009.  Unlike the 2008 plan, this tax credit does not have to be paid back.

NOTE:  If you are a qualified first time home buyer who bought a home from April 9, 2008 – December 31, 2008; you're still under the original plan with the $7,500 credit which requires you to pay it back (interest free loan).  

More to follow….much more.

Are You a Mortgage Originator in Washington State?

I'm wondering if you have successfully registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System?  Please comment below and let me know.

I registered at 9:00 pm on October 1, 2008 and DFI is telling me that they're classifying my registration effective October 2, 2008 (one day past the deadline)…I don't recall seeing any information about effective hours for registration–just the date.

I'm betting that we have many local LO's who have not yet taken the steps necessary to originate mortgages in Washington State in 2009–just over a month away.

HoldingbreathThe NMLS site is…well I can't think of any pleasant ways to describe it–it seems very unorganized and unclear.  Plus the buttons/links are not easy to find.  My advice to you is to not delay any further.  If you think you've registered, you may want to visit the site to verify and to be sure that you have "renewed"  your license for 2009.  I know some are hoping that there will be an extension granted for loan originators…but I certainly wouldn't hold my breath.

Good luck!  I'd love to hear from you via commenting below.

Check out my related post at Rain City Guide where I interview Jillayne Schlicke about The SAFE Act.

How Did Our State House Members Vote on the $700B?

This from the Seattle PI:

Yes: Jim McDermott. Norm Dicks. Adam Smith. Rick Larsen. Brian Baird (All Democrats).

No: Dave Reichert. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Doc Hastings (All Republicans). Jay Inslee (Democrat).

Elections are just weeks away.  NBC is reporting that House members in close races tended to vote no on this bailout.   For the record, here are the results from the 2006 elections:

District 1: Jay Inslee elected with 67.8% of the vote

District 2:  Rick Larsen ~ 64.16%

District 3: Brian Baird ~ 63.15%

District 4: Doc Hastings ~ 59.88%

District 5: Cathy McMorris Rodgers ~ 56.11%

District 6:  Norm Dicks ~ 70.6%

District 7: Jim McDermott ~ 79.16%

District 8: Dave Reichert ~ 51.46%

District 9: Adam Smith ~ 65.72%

House members who voted no to the bailout were elected by an average percentage of 58.81% (take out Inslee and the average drops to a narrow 55.8%).

Washington State House members supporting this bailout were elected by an average 68.5% by their constituents.

By the way, you have just a couple days left to become a registered voter, if you are not all ready, for the upcoming election.