Christmas Comes Early For Some FHA Borrowers

The Federal Housing Administration repealed the second appraisal requirement for loans exceeding $417,000 in declining markets, and for cash-out refinances. The two appraisal mandate initially went into effect on April 1, 2008 and was strongly opposed by the National Association of Realtors.

The second appraisal requirement will remain when a property is re-sold between 91 and 180 days following acquisition by the seller if the resale price is 100% higher (or more) than the price paid by the seller when the property was acquired.

“We haven’t noticed any benefit and it really slowed down the process,” FHA Commissioner David Stevens told Mortgage Wire at the (NAR) convention in San Diego

I can’t recall the last time I saw an FHA borrower come close to the $417,000 limit, but it’s probably more common in New York, California, Florida, etc. Even though it took 1.5 years, it’s good to see that HUD realizes the second appraisal requirement didn’t help the process.