Recent Developments from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Understanding New Rules on Real Estate Commissions: What First-Time Homebuyers Need to Know

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, there’s some good news you should know about. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two big organizations that help make home buying easier, have clarified some rules about how real estate commissions get paid.

What’s New with Real Estate Commissions?

The Recent Announcements

Recently, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said that when a home is sold, the seller can continue to pay the buyer’s agent without affecting the loan terms. This is not a new rule but a clarification, ensuring everyone understands the existing policy. This helps keep the buying process fair and clear for everyone involved.

Why This Matters

These clarifications came about after some lawsuits were settled. The lawsuits were about making sure that the way agents are paid is fair and open. Keeping the usual way of doing things means no sudden extra costs for buyers or sellers.

How Does This Affect You as a Buyer?

Costs You Don’t Have to Worry About

As a first-time homebuyer, you might be concerned on how your realtor is going to be paid. 

Normally, the seller handles this, and the new clarifications confirm this can continue. This means you can use more of your savings on your down payment or furniture for your new home instead of agent fees. Additionally, if the seller is going to contribute toward seller concessions, the realtor commission will be counted as separate from these concessions in the transaction.

What Industry Experts Are Saying

Groups that look out for homebuyers and sellers, like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), think these changes are good. They believe it helps keep the housing market stable and fair, making it easier for everyone to buy or sell homes without hidden fees or surprises.

What to Watch For Next

Organizations like the MBA are working to make sure future changes continue to benefit buyers like you. They talk to big agencies to explain what buyers and sellers need, making sure new rules support everyone fairly.

As you get ready to buy your first home, keep an eye on more updates from these organizations. Knowing about changes in real estate rules can help you make better decisions and might even save you money.

TL;DR Overview

The recent updates by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are good news for first-time homebuyers. They help make sure that the process of buying your first home is as clear and affordable as possible.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to talk to a real estate professional. They can explain how these changes might specifically affect your home buying journey.

If you’re planning to buy your first home soon, take a moment to talk to a real estate expert about how this could benefit you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or share your thoughts with us—we’re here to help you understand everything about buying your first home!

Here are Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s direct announcements.