In a testimony today before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, National Association of Realtors’ Public Policy Chair Vincent Malta argued that the national GSE conforming loan limit should be permanently raised to 625,500 or higher. Malta also suggested raising the limits an additional increase of 125% of the local median home-sales price in high-cost areas. “Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provide liquidly and stability in the mortgage market and are vital to the housing sector,” he said. Malta urged that such a move would increase home sales by nearly 350,000, lower inventories and increase home prices by 2% to 3%. It would also result in as many as 210,000 fewer foreclosures, and more than 500,000 borrowers would be able to refinance into lower interest rate loans, he said.
More From Asset Securitization Report
Pennymac, UWM, loanDepot lag in RMBS issuance as Rocket grabs share
Agency activity dropped off by 4% in September while non-qualified mortgage issuance was down 18% in the third quarter versus the prior period, BTIG said.
Rocket starts higher conforming limit marketing push
Rocket jumps first to raise 2027 conforming loan limits to $845,000, with Rate and CrossCountry matching; UWM's move still pending marking an early signal of IMB competitive positioning.
Wall Street risk complex defies rate threat after jobs data
Credit premiums remain subdued and downside protection across risky assets is still relatively cheap. Even the strain in market plumbing has been concentrated.
How banks are navigating the AI data center backlash
JPMorganChase, Goldman Sachs, Citi, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo and Bank of America are among the biggest backers of data centers. Community opposition isn't slowing them down, but it's making them rethink their approach to managing risks.
Record home equity masks troubling rise in underwater loans
The new record arrives after five months of annual home-price growth, which surged to its highest in more than a year, according to ICE Mortgage Technology.