Freddie Mac Announces Guide Bulletin 2017-23 Concerning Debt Payment-to-Income Calculations and Appraisals

Lending Freddie Mac Appraisal Student Lending

On October 18, Freddie Mac announced the issuance of Guide Bulletin 2017-23 (Bulletin), which changes selling requirements related to, among other things, student loan monthly debt payment-to-income (DTI) ratio calculations and appraisals. Specifically, for student loans in repayment, sellers must use the greater of the following in calculating DTI ratios, as listed on a borrower’s credit report: (i) the monthly payment amount, or (ii) 0.5 percent of the original loan balance or outstanding balance (one percent for loans in deferment or forbearance). The revisions also remove the requirement that a seller must “obtain documentation if a monthly payment amount is not reported on the credit report.” Further, the Bulletin stipulates certain DTI ratio exclusions, which include specific contingent liabilities.

Revisions to appraisal requirements include: (i) no longer requiring a “new appraisal when the settlement date is more than 120 days after the note date,” and (ii) accepting appraisal updates “performed by an unlicensed or trainee (or similar classification) appraiser if a supervisory appraiser signs the appraisal update.” While the revisions are applicable for mortgages with settlement dates on or after January 18, 2018, Freddie Mac also permits immediate implementation.