Industry Insights

Stay ahead with industry trends, GSE guideline changes, and practical strategies for navigating today's complex mortgage landscape, including deep dives into unique loan scenarios and timely updates.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

Radian Timely Topics

Keep up to date with videos and job aids on recent GSE guideline changes, updates, and hot topics around the mortgage and real estate industry.

Can MI Offset Homeowners Insurance Increases? (08/2024)

Rising homeowners insurance costs may make mortgages increasingly unaffordable, especially in disaster-prone areas. In this video, we will explore the increases in insurance premiums and how Radian Guaranty's mortgage insurance solutions, particularly CustoMIze SplitEdge®, may help offset these rising expenses and make homeownership more attainable for borrowers.

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GSE Guideline Updates: Rental Income & Self-Employed Borrowers† (01/2024)

More important guideline and requirement updates from the GSEs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In this Timely Topics video we will highlight the recent updates on rental income and self-employed borrowers including changes to documentation requirements, calculations, seasoning and ownership.

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GSE Guideline Updates: Manufactured Homes & Student Loans

The GSEs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, recently announced important changes to their guidelines. This short video aims to help you better understand these changes and their potential impact on upcoming loan reviews. In this Radian Timely Topics video, we will discuss: Fannie Mae's update on their manufactured home guidelines and Freddie Mac's changes to their student loan guidelines.

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How Natural Disasters Impact Mortgages

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods have caused significant damage to homes and communities across the country. These tragedies not only impact the communities we live in but also the mortgage and insurance industries. In response, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs), have established policies and guidelines to help homeowners affected by these disasters.

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Fannie Mae Appraisal Photograph Requirements

Fannie Mae announced important changes to the minimum photograph requirements for full appraisal reports, aimed at ensuring comprehensive and accurate property evaluations.

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Seller Impersonation Fraud

Seller Impersonation fraud is a growing concern in the real estate and mortgage industries, adding to the numerous challenges faced by industry professionals. In this short video, we will review what seller impersonation fraud is, red flags associated with this fraud, and how to help prevent this fraud from occurring.

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What Are Temporary Buydowns & How Can It Help Borrowers?

Interest rates continue to rise to levels we have not seen in years. So how do you assist your next borrower and help them purchase the home of their dreams? The temporary buydown is making a comeback, but do you know how it works?

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Fannie Mae DU Updates on Invisible Credit Options

Fannie Mae has adjusted loan criteria and updated their systems to accommodate more borrowers without credit scores and help simplify the process for lenders. This Timely Topics video will help you better understand those changes and impacts.

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GSE Requirements for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Accessory Dwelling Units or ADU's are becoming more common in mortgage transactions, yet many are unaware of the specific guideline requirements for this type of property. Are you ready for your next loan file featuring an ADU?

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Insights on ARMs

Interest rates are rising! Are you ready to discuss the Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) option with your customers? Now is the time to learn more about the ARM and how it can be beneficial to many. This video will provide the details you need for that next customer conversation.

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Understanding Loan-Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs) & Upcoming GSE Changes

Effective May 1st, the GSEs, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, have announced that there will be changes made to the loan level pricing adjustments, or LLPA, fees. These fees may have a direct impact to both lenders and borrowers. This short video will define the LLPA, discuss the upcoming changes, and review ways for you to support your customers.

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Construction-to-Permanent Loans: What You Need to Know

The real estate and housing markets are experiencing an unprecedented shortage of existing homes. Many motivated buyers are now exploring new construction homes to fulfill their dream of homeownership. Are you ready for the potential surge of Construction-to-Permanent loans as a result? This short video will give you the info you need to know for your next construction loan review.

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Appraisal Gap Options for Buyers and Sellers in a High-Demand Market

High demand and low inventory are driving purchase prices well above the list price. With this demand, buyers are paying more than the home is being appraised for. Are you ready to work with your customers when the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price? Do you and your borrower's know the options to bridge the gap between the purchase price and the appraised value?

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Financing Properties with Solar Panels

Properties with solar panels are becoming increasingly common and can have a big impact on mortgage financing. In this short video, Radian National Training will touch on how these fixtures can impact the mortgage process.

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Exploring Agency Desktop Appraisal Options

Residential appraisals continue to evolve. For years, the mortgage and real estate industries relied solely on the traditional appraisal report. Times and technology have changed, creating a quicker, more cost-effective approach to the residential appraisal. Effective March 2022, the GSEs began to offer the desktop appraisal option on eligible transactions. Are you ready for these reviews?

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Policy Updates and Resources for First-Time Homebuyer Education

The thought of purchasing a home might be daunting for many. For a first-time homebuyer, the process comes with a lot of unknowns. However, there are many resources, including required educational opportunities, available to help a new buyer navigate this process from start to finish. This short video will provide you information on a major policy update from Fannie Mae® as well as access to the tools needed for your borrowers.

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MICROLEARNING SERIES

Unlocking Loan Solutions with Radian

Navigate unique loan scenarios with this flexible microlearning series. Choose your preferred format—video, audio, or job aid—to help understand complex loan topics and GSE guidelines at your own pace. This may help build confidence in handling challenging applications effectively.

Introduction

Welcome to Radian National Training's newest micro-learning series: Unlocking Loan Solutions with Radian. Check out the intro video or listen to the podcast to learn about this exciting new learning series from Radian National Training.

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Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

In this episode, we explore the topic of Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) income and how it may be used towards mortgage qualification. We delve into the definitions, guidelines, and calculation methods used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac† for this increasingly common form of compensation.

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Non-Traditional Credit

In this episode, we delve into the complex and often misunderstood topic of non-traditional credit history in mortgage loan underwriting. Non-traditional credit history refers to alternative forms of credit that can be used when traditional accounts like student loans, mortgages, credit cards, or automobile loans are not present. 

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Foster Care Income

Join us in this episode as we delve into the topic of Foster Care Income. We'll explore how the GSEs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, treat this income type, discuss guidelines around the history of income receipt, and review general documentation requirements. We'll also provide a couple of scenarios to aid your understanding of the use of this income.

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Parsonage Income

In this episode, we explore the concept of parsonage income, also known as a housing allowance, and its impact on a mortgage loan application. This includes where parsonage income comes from, potential benefits of the income, GSE guidance, and scenarios. 

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Non-Occupant Borrower

In this episode, we explore the subject of non-occupant borrowers in mortgage transactions. We'll discuss what GSE guidelines to consider when reviewing a loan with a non-occupant borrower, and how a non-occupant borrower may impact the loan decision.

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Foreign Income

Foreign income, while not commonly seen in mortgage transactions, can cause some confusion and lead to more questions. In this lesson, we will review what foreign income is and how you can prepare yourself for this scenario.

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Trust Income

Did you know there are multiple types of trust income that can be submitted in a mortgage loan transaction? In this lesson, we will review the common types of trust income, how it may be used for qualification, and the documentation you will see.

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Non-US Citizen Borrower

The GSE's have very specific guidelines and language around a potential non-US citizen borrower.  In this lesson, we will review what a non-US citizen borrower is, different types of citizenship and residency, and how the GSE's view these scenarios.  

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Payment Shock

Payment shock can have an impact on a loan review. In this lesson, we will define payment shock, review agency guidelines surrounding this topic, discuss a few scenarios with payment shock, and identify ways for lenders to help mitigate this potential concern.

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Unique Properties

There is no true definition of a unique property, however their presence may cause questions and confusion within a mortgage loan file. In this lesson, we will review what is considered a unique property, examples of these types of homes, how the GSEs view them, and how they may impact a loan submission.

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Business Mileage Deductions

In this Unlocking Loan Solutions with Radian lesson, we will review the always-important Business Mileage Deductions. This lesson breaks down this important topic and explain how it may impact a loan. Watch the video, download the job aid and listen to the podcast.

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Interested Party Contributions (IPC)

In this Unlocking Loan Solutions with Radian lesson, we will dive into the Interested Party Contribution (IPC) and explain how it may impact a loan. Watch the video, download the job aid and listen to the podcast.

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† Determination of eligibility for a particular program or exemption is made by the relevant authority and not by Radian Group Inc. or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates.

‡ CustoMIze SplitEdge® is available to RADAR® Rates customers and may not be available in all jurisdictions or for all transaction types; other exclusions may apply. Contact your Account Manager for more information. 

Radian Group Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates make no express or implied warranty respecting the information presented and assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Redistribution or reproduction of all or part of the contents without Radian’s prior written consent is expressly prohibited.