The Obama administration has answered the question “What should the government’s role be in mortgage lending?” with a questionnaire. Buried in the seven questions is this bland-sounding query: What is the role of the existing government-sponsored enterprises? Which is another way of asking: Should we try to bring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back from the dead? Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner had promised the end of Fannie and Freddie’s privileged status as shareholder-owned companies with the implied support of the US Treasury. But this question leaves the door open to government-sponsored enterprises. One columnist’s advice? Slam it shut now.
Diana Golobay was a reporter with HousingWire through mid-2010, providing wide-ranging coverage of the U.S. financial crisis. She has since moved onto other roles as a writer and editor.see full bio
Most Popular Articles
Latest Articles
Test
The story for the housing market over the past three years has been, “Home sales are down, home prices are up.” Because inventory was so restricted after the pandemic, prices pushed higher even as demand weakened. That story may finally be inverting as unsold inventory of homes is now great enough that home prices are […]
-
Freddie Mac’s Donna Spencer on their Servicing Excellence initiative
-
Lower mortgage rates attracting more homebuyers
-
Rocket Pro TPO raises conforming loan limit to $802,650 ahead of FHFA’s decision
-
Show up, don’t show off: Laura O’Connor is redefining success in real estate
-
Between the lines: Understanding the nuances of the NAR settlement
Diana Golobay was a reporter with HousingWire through mid-2010, providing wide-ranging coverage of the U.S. financial crisis. She has since moved onto other roles as a writer and editor.see full bio