Fannie/Freddie Friday Links

Freddie Mac: 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 37-year low (MarketWatch.com, 12/18)
"The average rate fell to 5.19% with an average .7 point for the week ending Dec. 18, down from 5.475% last week and 6.124% a year ago."

"... lowest since the survey began in April 1971."

Fast Track Workouts for Delinquent Borrowers with Freddie Mac-Owned Mortgages Underway (MarketWatch.com 12/18)

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac foreclosures slow-regulator (Reuters.com 12/16)
"Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the largest providers of funding for U.S. home mortgages, slowed the pace of foreclosure starts on delinquent loans for the second straight quarter, their regulator said on Tuesday."
"...but loans reinstated by the former's HomeSaver Advance loan program to borrowers jumped to 27,277 last quarter from 16,658 in the second quarter, the FHFA said."

Loan terms can now be modified before you're late (Chicago Tribune 12/19)
"Starting immediately, Fannie Mae—the mortgage giant with an estimated 18 million home loans in its portfolio or in mortgage bond pools it guarantees—will allow borrowers who face imminent financial difficulties to request "early workout" loan alterations, even if they've never been late."

Homeowners Are Rushing To Refinance As Rates Fall (CNBC, 12/18)
I concur.