Tag Archives: HARP

Rock-bottom interest rates and less-than-encouraging economic data have kept mortgage-backed securities (MBS) investors worried about what the government could do next to prop up the ailing housing market, with the latest concern stemming from a recent announcement by Freddie Mac, according to Barclays Capital. The GSE has issued a new servicing guide detailing an ""easy refinance"" option with loan-to-value ratios up to 95 percent and $2,000 cash back to the borrower. Barclays says the program ""is everything but new.""

Rumors of a new government-led mortgage refinancing program have begun to surface. DS News has received word from sources inside the administration and from high-ranking executives at some of the largest banks, confirming that the White House is indeed considering a refi push that would allow homeowners to lower their monthly mortgage obligations by locking in today's rock-bottom interest rates. Some industry insiders are viewing the move as a concession by the federal government that its existing housing programs aren't doing enough.