HUD FHA Handbook - Now What
Mortgage Compliance

Observe, Analyze and Report – Then What?

On HUD’s latest conference call (see NOTE below), it was stated that the primary role of an FHA Roster appraiser is to “Observe, Analyze and Report” what he/she encounters during their on-site visit to a property. There were a number of specific examples cited in which the HUD staff presenter indicated that the appraiser has effectively completed their assignment when…

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Baby Steps
Mortgage Compliance

FHA’s “eFindings Letters” – Baby Step in the Right Direction

In a recent Blog Post, I discussed HUD/FHA’s plans to begin issuing eFindings Letters on April 27, 2015 in lieu of hard copy letters sent via the US Postal Service on all Post-Endorsement Technical Review cases rated “Unacceptable”. In this regard, HUD Headquarters staff conducted a Webinar on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 to discuss this new process as well as…

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HUD FHA Guidelines
Mortgage Compliance

New FHA Appraisal Requirements? Or Not!

On April 16, 2015, HUD/FHA Headquarters staff conducted an industry conference call to discuss the recently published new Section of the draft “Origination Through Post-Closing/Endorsement” Handbook (4000.1) dealing with Appraiser and Property Requirements. This Handbook will ultimately serve as a single reference point for FHA underwriting and appraisal policies & procedures and is targeted to be effective for all transactions…

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Better Way To Communicate
Mortgage Industry Trends

A Better Way to Communicate

FHA Will Soon Be Sending Out “eFindings Letters” HUD/FHA processes Post-Endorsement Technical Reviews (PETRs) on a certain percentage of loans that they insure. In this regard, whenever serious underwriting and/or appraisal deficiencies are observed and a case is rated “Unacceptable,” a Findings (or Deficiency) Letter is generated outlining the defects and requesting that the lender respond to each of the…

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It is now Mandated
Mortgage Compliance

HUD/FHA QC Changes-Are You Prepared?

The policy & procedural changes being implemented by HUD/FHA are scheduled to be effective as of June 15, 2015 – which is now only 2 months from now. The good news – upon implementation of the new HUD Handbook in June 2015, the requirement for mortgagees to conduct annual on-site reviews of their Branch Offices (including nontraditional Branch and direct…

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HUD/FHA Conference Call
Mortgage Compliance

Sometimes an Increase in Fees is a Good Thing!

Shortly after the latest HUD/FHA industry conference call* on April 9th, problems surfaced when the Presenters opened up to questions from participants.  Several active 203(k) Consultants voiced their concerns over the “Consultant Fee Schedule” that is published (refer to page #410-411) in the draft Handbook. This Fee schedule is identical to the one published in Mortgagee Letter 95-40.  In other…

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