Freddie Mac took a giant step toward transparency last week when it announced sweeping changes to its condominium and housing cooperative financing system. The government-sponsored enterprise that underwrites mortgages is introducing a tool that indicates whether a community is “certified” for financing or “not eligible”—and providing guidance that explains why a community may not be eligible.
In July, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac released updates to project eligibility standards for condominiums and housing cooperatives. It is critically important for condominium and housing cooperative projects to have access to loans that will meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac qualifications. CAI continues to provide specific feedback regarding the requirements.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are compiling troubling blacklists that prohibit mortgage financing for entire condominium or housing cooperative buildings. As the blacklists grow, community managers and board members have no knowledge their buildings are on them. When people are unable to buy and sell units in these buildings, property values may be affected.
