1.9.21
The Wall Street Journal reports that getting a mortgage on some properties may be more difficult due to tightening restrictions on the kinds of mortgages Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchase and guarantee. The restrictions apply to condominium units which can be rented out, or which are in buildings that also have hotel units (i.e. “Condotels”), as such properties are outside of kind primary residences that the GSEs’ charter intended for them to finance. Bankers and lenders say the policies may decrease liquidity of such units, and homeowners associations in such developments complain that the process by which property eligibility standards are created and enforced lacks transparency. In a statement, a Fannie Mae spokesperson said: “Fannie Mae’s charter is for residential lending. We provided clarity to lenders regarding what are acceptable residential condominium projects and what meets Fannie Mae residential lending standards and practices.”