What the Government ShutDown May Mean for Some Clients Right Now

Capitol Building

With Congress failing to pass funding legislation by September 30, the federal government shut down on October 1. 

Will most home sales and closings continue?
Yes. Most transactions will still move forward. However, REALTORS® should prepare clients for potential slowdowns in loan processing, appraisals, and flood insurance.

Do all federal government housing-related programs stop during a shutdown?
No. While many departments face reduced staffing in a limited capacity with “essential” services, the most critical housing and mortgage programs retain their core functions. However, delays are common in programs that require staff involvement.

What happens to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single-family loans?
Most FHA single-family home loans will continue to move forward without interruption. New FHA single-family loans can still be endorsed during a shutdown.

What about FHA condominium projects and other approvals?
Some FHA programs — such as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and Title I loans — are paused. Activities requiring U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staff discretion, like manual underwriting for new condominium project approvals, are likely delayed until the government
reopens. C.A.R. members should consider checking HUD’s list of already-approved condominium
projects.

How are conforming mortgages from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs) impacted?
The GSEs generally retain their core functions during a shutdown. However, some services that depend on other federal agencies may be affected. For example, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax transcripts may be unavailable, requiring lenders to obtain transcripts and close later.

Can active-duty service members and Veterans still apply for VA home loans?
Yes. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan guarantees remain available, and lenders can continue processing applications. However, reduced staffing during a shutdown may cause delays in appraisals, certificates of eligibility, and underwriting support. 

Can my client still apply for flood insurance?
Applications for new or renewed federal flood insurance policies cannot be issued by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) during the shutdown. Existing NFIP policies remain valid until they expire, and claims will continue to be paid while funds last. Policies may also be transferred from seller to buyer during a transaction. If your clients are seeking an immediate flood insurance policy, private insurance remains an option that is unaffected by the shutdown. 

 Courtesy of California Association of REALTORS.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

What the Government Shutdown Might Mean for Real Estate in Southern California

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As of last weekend, HUD (U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) reversed its original position about loans and stated that applications for all government-backed mortgages will continue to be processed during a government shutdown, which for many California buyers means FHA loans.

But, though the loan may be processed, getting the FHA loan funded (meaning you're up to the last few days of your escrow period and ready to close) is another story.  To close an FHA loan, an IRS tax transcript (the 4506-T Form which is filed with the IRS to get your income tax information) and the Social Security Administration's verification for that buyer are needed.  The IRS is currently closed and Social Security is closed to new business.  The two closures will not affect anyone who received these items prior to the shutdown date, but to open a new loan and get it funded and closed will probably not happen during the shutdown. (NOTE: A particular FHA lender source may be willing to not require the 4506-T form itself, and be willing to close a loan without it, but not common.)  And, FHA may not have the ability to continue any loans beyond another two months in the future if the shutdown continues.  But we're not there yet.

But with FHA currently providing the majority (approximately 80%) of California buyers with their home purchase loans, there will be probably an impact to at least some parts of the California and Long Beach area real estate market, and certainly to many prospective California buyers.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans will not be affected because they are funded by fees from lenders, not by government appropriations.  Freddie Mac stated it will not require the 4506-T Form to be processed by the IRS, but that the information be provided as part of the loan.

VA loans are supposed to continue at this point, but there could be some delays with those loans.

While "economists" believe that there will be minimal impact overall, this shutdown could go on into the upcoming debt ceiling issue, and as certain legislators continue to balk, so probably the rate of home purchases.  "Research firm Capital Economics predicted that the effect of a shutdown would be minimal provided that it doesn’t presage a fight over the upcoming debt ceiling increase."  See more at DSNews .