REFinBlog

Editor: David Reiss
Cornell Law School

April 13, 2017

Fannie + Freddie = Frannie

By David Reiss

The Federal Housing Finance Agency released its 2016 Scorecard Progress Report. It contains some interesting information about the FHFA’s ongoing efforts to reshape Fannie and Freddie notwithstanding the inaction of Congress. These efforts are not broadcast very clearly, but they … Continue reading

April 12, 2017

Skinny Budget Sucker Punch

By David Reiss

The Waco Tribune-Herald quote me in Cutting Habitat Could Hurt Local Economy. It reads, Last summer, through a series of tragic events, one of our longtime church members faced the frightening possibility of homelessness. She had lived with her father for … Continue reading

April 11, 2017

What Is a HUD Foreclosure?

By David Reiss

Realtor.com quoted me in What Is a HUD Foreclosure? A Home That’s Below Market Value. It reads, “Foreclosure” is a scary word with a simple definition: It’s the process of a lender attempting to recoup the balance owed on a loan … Continue reading

March 20, 2017

United States v. CFPB

By David Reiss

The Trump Administration has filed an amicus brief in PHH Corp. v. CFPB. The case is schedule for an en banc hearing in May. The filing is particularly newsworthy because the Trump Administration is siding with PHH, a mortgage lender, … Continue reading

March 17, 2017

Can Downpayment Assistance Work?

By David Reiss

The HUD Inspector General issued a report on FHA-Insured Loan with Borrower-Financed Downpayment Assistance. Downpayment assistance has a long history of failure, a history that has led to big losses for the FHA and foreclosures for borrowers. The IG audited … Continue reading

March 16, 2017

Trump, Homelessness and the General Welfare

By David Reiss

The Hill published my column, Trump’s Budget Proposal Is Bad News for Housing Across the Nation. It opens, The White House unveiled its much anticipated budget proposal today. It shows deep cuts to important agencies, including a more than $6 billion decrease in … Continue reading