HARP 2.0
Home Affordable Refinance Program - 2012
Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)
O n O c t o b e r 2 4 , 2 0 11 , t h e F e d e r a l
H o u s i n g F i n a n c e A g e n c y ( F H FA ) , w i t h F a n n i e M a e a n d F r e d d i e M a c , a n n o u n c e d
a s e r i e s o f c h a n g e s t o t h e H A R P p r o g r a m i n a n e f f o r t t o a t t r a c t m o r e e l i g i b l e b o r r o w e r s w h o c a n b e n e f i t f r o m
r e f i n a n c i n g t h e i r h o m e m o r t g a g e .
What changes did the FHFA make to HARP?
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E l i m i n a t i o n o f c e r t a i n r i s k - b a s e d f e e s f o r b o r r o w e r s w h o r e f i n a n c e i n t o s h o r t e r - t e r m m o r t g a g e s
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R e m o v i n g t h e c u r r e n t 1 2 5 LT V c e i l i n g f o r f i x e d - r a t e m o r t g a g e s
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Wa i v i n g c e r t a i n r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s a n d w a r r a n t i e s
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E l i m i n a t i n g t h e n e e d f o r a n e w p r o p e r t y a p p r a i s a l w h e r e t h e r e i s a r e l i a b l e AV M
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E x t e n d i n g t h e e n d d a t e f o r H A R P u n t i l 1 2 / 3 1 / 1 3 f o r
l o a n s o r i g i n a l l y s o l d o n o r b e f o r e 5 / 3 1 / 0 9
Home Affordable Refinance Program
(HARP) *
Freddie Mac
Relief Refinance Mortgage – Same
Servicer
Relief Refinance Mortgage - Open
Access
Fannie Mae
Refi Plus (manual underwriting)
DU Refi Plus
GSE Programs Supporting HARP
*Further program details can be found in Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide Announcement SEL-2011012 or Freddie Mac’s Bulletin 2011-22, both dated November 15, 2011. In addition both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer program comparisons and FAQs in the resource section of their websites.
HARP 2.0 - GSE Guideline Highlights
Payment History* 0 x 30 within past six months and no more than 1x30 in the most recent months 7-12.
LTV
No maximum LTV for fully amortizing fixed rate mortgages with terms up to 30 years. A max LTV of 105% applies on terms greater than 30 up to 40 years and for eligible ARM products. (DU/LP effective date March 2012)
Debt-to-Income*
No max DTI when the P & I payment on the new loan increases by 20% or less. A max DTI of 45% applies when new P & I payment increases by more than 20%.
FICO*
No minimum FICO score except in the case of the new P & I payment increasing by more than 20%, at which time a minimum FICO score of 620 is required.
Benefit to Borrower
The transaction must present a benefit to the borrower.
Occupancy A change in occupancy is eligible.
Expiration Date Note date of new mortgage must be on or before December 31, 2013.
* Guideline specific to manual underwrite - Fannie Mae Refi Plus and Freddie Mac Relief Refinance
Radian’s HARP Eligible Modification Program
• One program for both same and new servicer (prior programs retired)
• All qualifying loans will be treated as modifications - this includes both Same and New Servicer
• Removal of the LTV ceiling limits Radian from issuing a new certificate
• Radian will no longer require submission of a HARP
loan application package for underwriting review
Radian’s HARP Eligible Modification Program
Significant Policy Changes
Removing the current loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling for fixed-rate mortgages with terms of 30 years or less
Waiving certain lender representations and warranties for the refinanced loans
Reducing the need for a new property appraisal
Extending the deadline to December 31, 2013
Program Eligibility
Current Loan
1. Loan is currently insured by Radian.
• DU Findings / LP Feedback evidencing HARP eligibility will include MI insurer name, certificate # and coverage %
2. The loan being refinanced is a first lien conventional mortgage currently owned or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
3. The existing loan has a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac settlement date on or before May 31, 2009.
4. The loan is performing as defined by Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.
5. The lender submitting the modification request must also be the insured party on the new loan or their authorized servicer.
6. The insured lender/servicer is an active Master Policy holder.
Underwriting Eligibility
Radian Eligibility* GSE Eligibility
The new HARP loan must be underwritten, approved and closed in compliance with all respective Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac HARP underwriting guidelines and program
requirements. Radian’s extension of current coverage to the new HARP loan relies strictly on the insured lender/
servicer’s compliance certification.
* A Delegated Underwriting Authority Endorsement is not required in order for the lender to certify HARP compliance for certificate modification purposes.
Please see Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac websites for complete underwriting guideline and program requirement details.
HARP loan packages will no longer be accepted for
underwriting or compliance review.
Modified Certificate - Specifics
Coverage Percentage
The percentage of coverage in force at the time of the original certification remains in place at the time of modification.Pricing
Mortgage insurance premiums are based on the rate factor effective at the time of the original certificate. This rate factor will be applied to the new loan amount which could account for a change in the MI premium payment.
Products
Radian will allow a current LPMI certificate to convert to BPMI upon completion of the new HARP transaction. BPMI may convert to LPMI. This does not apply to loans included in a pool.
Payment Frequency / Renewal Option
The payment frequency (i.e., monthly, annual, single) and renewal type (i.e., constant, declining) remains the same as in effect at the time of the original certificate.