Freddie Mac Blog

JUN 13, 2019

What's the Magic Number? Breaking Down Down Payments

Homeownership

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a 20% downpayment to buy a home.

JUN 11, 2019

Agents Make Home Possible

Homeownership

Your real estate agent is responsible for finding the right home for you - at the right price

MAR 15, 2019

Pinch Me! How it Pays to be Green

Notable

Did you know that going green can save you money?

JUN 14, 2018

An Employment Leg Up with NextJob Partnership

Notable

A new Freddie Mac partnership with NextJob will provide job search assistance to current and aspiring homeowners living in designated underserved markets.

Credit Risk Transfer: Trillion Milestone

JUN 13, 2018

Credit Risk Transfer: $1 Trillion Milestone

Notable

Credit risk transfer is changing the way the U.S. residential housing market is funded – and we're leading the way.

APR 13, 2018

But Wait, There's More

Homeownership

In addition to principal and interest, your monthly mortgage payment may also include an escrow payment and private mortgage insurance payment. So, what are these extra payments?

MAR 20, 2018

Will Millennials Move Out?

Research and Analysis

What happens the newly crowned largest generation decides to start buying homes...and what happens if they don't?

MAR 19, 2018

How Will Rising Rates Affect Your Bottom Line

Homeownership

With the heightened talk about rising interest rates, many prospective homebuyers are understandably concerned about whether now is the right time to purchase a home.

MAR 1, 2018

When Mortgage Rates Weren't Groovy

Research and Analysis

The most dramatic increase in mortgage rates came during the late 1970s. What would happen if rates rise like that again?

FEB 12, 2018

Who Do I Call If Disaster Forbearance Is Ending?

Homeownership

Were your monthly mortgage payments suspended temporarily because you were affected by a recent natural disaster? Wondering what happens when this "forbearance period" ends?

FEB 1, 2018

How Much Will You Bring to the Closing Table?

Homeownership

Before you get the keys to the home that you're buying, you'll go through the closing process, which includes paying certain fees. How much money are we talking about?

JAN 25, 2018

One Easy System for Improving Your Credit? Yes!

Homeownership

Looking for an easy, convenient way to better manage your finances, improve your credit, save money, and work toward buying a home? Check out this new Freddie Mac program.

JAN 17, 2018

Use Your Assets

Homeownership

Did you know you can use your financial assets to qualify for a conforming, conventional mortgage?

NOV 14, 2017

Could a Manufactured Home Be Right for You?

Homeownership

Manufactured homes have improved a lot over time, and are an important source of housing across the country. In Kentucky, a new program can help get you ready to buy one.

OCT 18, 2017

Can You Skip the Property Appraisal?

Homeownership

You might be able to skip the traditional property appraisal. Talk to your loan officer to see if you qualify.

OCT 3, 2017

Millennials Buy Homes for Their Best Friends

Homeownership

One–third of Millennials had their best friends at heart — dogs, that is — when deciding to buy their first homes, according to a recent survey.

AUG 22, 2017

Buying a Home is Still Affordable. Or is it?

Homeownership

Is buying a home affordable today? The answer is yes and no. It depends on a variety of factors, including where you live.

AUG 17, 2017

The Facts (and Myths) on Home Inspections

Homeownership

Because home inspections are such an important part of your homebuying journey, it's important to separate the facts from the myths.

AUG 8, 2017

An MVP Team Can Help You Score That Home

Homeownership

For something as important as buying a home, you need the right team of housing professionals working with you.

JUL 28, 2017

Making (Manufactured) Home Sweeter

Homeownership

Manufactured homes are an affordable option for many people, especially in rural areas. Our support for manufactured housing communities helps keep them that way.

JUL 19, 2017

Welcome to Your New Luxury (Manufactured) Home

Homeownership

For high–end finishes at bargain prices, check out today's crop of new manufactured homes.

JUL 12, 2017

Could You Chart a Similar Path to Buying a Home?

Homeownership

Meet Layanna, a single mom. Through her commitment and the support of her real estate agent, loan officer, and community, she's a brand–new homeowner.

JUN 20, 2017

The Math Behind Putting Less Than 20% Down

Homeownership

Did you know that you could buy a home with a down payment of less than 20%? Lots of people do. Want to join them? Find out how all of the numbers add up.

JUN 14, 2017

How New Homeowners Can Keep Lawns and Wallets Green

Homeownership

Smart landscaping and lawn care are essential to protecting the value of the most expensive thing you are ever likely to buy: your home.

JUN 7, 2017

Meet the Team: Real Estate Agent

Homeownership

You're going to be spending a lot of time with your agent so it's important to find someone who gets you.

APR 11, 2017

Get the Real Scoop on Down Payments

Homeownership

Believe that you need to make a down payment of at least 20% to buy a home? You have lots of company. Putting down that much money upfront certainly has benefits, but it's not required.

MAR 31, 2017

Diversity at Work: When Collaboration Fuels Success

Notable

Freddie Mac's Loan Advisor Suite benefits from different perspectives.

MAR 24, 2017

Why the 30-year Fixed Rate Wins "Most Popular"

Homeownership

Of all of the mortgage products out there, the 30–year, fixed–rate mortgage reigns as the most popular. Find out why it's been the favorite for years.

MAR 9, 2017

Who Do I Call...For Mortgage Help After a HAMP Interest-rate Reset?

Homeownership

Have you fallen behind on your monthly mortgage payments since the interest rate reset on your HAMP–modified loan and wondered if there's a way to help you get back on track?

FEB 28, 2017

The Importance of Affordable Housing and Homeownership

Homeownership

In commemoration of Black History Month, Freddie Mac held a panel discussion on the company's commitment to affordable housing, particularly in the African American community.

FEB 9, 2017

Who Do I Call...If I Need Mortgage Help While I'm Unemployed?

Homeownership

Are you struggling financially because you lost your job and want to know whether there's a way to reduce the strain of trying to make your monthly mortgage payments until you find a new job?

FEB 1, 2017

Who Do I Call...If I Need to Move for a Military or Other Job Relocation?

Homeownership

Do you need to relocate within a tight timeframe because of a permanent change of military station or other job transfer and want to explore options for selling your home quickly?

JAN 31, 2017

The Cost of Moving In

Homeownership

Whether you're moving across town or across the country, you'll need to budget for the cost of transporting yourself and everything you own to a new home.

JAN 25, 2017

Who Do I Call...For Mortgage Help During Financial Hardship?

Homeownership

If a major event in your personal life has dealt a long–term blow to your finances, are you wondering whether you might have your monthly mortgage payment lowered to fit your reduced income?

JAN 19, 2017

3 Benefits of Credit Risk Transfer

Notable

Credit risk transfer is changing the way the U.S. residential housing market is funded. Learn about its 3 main benefits.

JAN 19, 2017

Improve Your Homebuying Odds: Get Pre-Approved

Homeownership

Anyone looking to buy — especially in a competitive market — should ask a reputable lender to pre–approve them for a mortgage.

JAN 17, 2017

This Tool Makes It Easier to Manage Your Money

Homeownership

If your resolution is to get into a new home this year, it's important to understand how to manage your money. In fact, this knowledge is valuable in any case.

DEC 20, 2016

Who Do I Call...About a Letter I Received from Freddie Mac?

Homeownership

Did you receive a letter from Freddie Mac with the subject, "Borrower Notification: Freddie Mac Has Purchased Your Loan" but don't know what it means or what to do about it?

NOV 30, 2016

Borrowing Power to Increase Nationwide in 2017

Homeownership

New rules mean you may be able to borrow more next year.

NOV 16, 2016

Considering A Manufactured Home?

Homeownership

Forget what you think you know about manufactured homes. With prices averaging 1,300, they might just be the affordable housing option you're looking for.

OCT 28, 2016

What Do Homebuying and High School Have in Common?

Homeownership

Counselors who can help you succeed. A high–school guidance counselor might have advised you on what you needed to do to graduate and the path you might take toward your future. A housing counselor can advise you on how to become and stay a homeowner.

OCT 20, 2016

A Down Payment of Less than 20% Is OK. Really.

Homeownership

Did you know that the average down payment among first–time homebuyers is 6% and it's 13–14% for repeat buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors^®? It's possible to put down even less.

OCT 18, 2016

Baby Boomer Myths: Up-Close and Personal with Sean Becketti, Chief Economist

Research and Analysis

Baby Boomers comprise one-quarter of the population but own two-thirds of the housing wealth. Their decisions will reshape our housing market in the coming years. Freddie Mac's chief economist uses our latest survey results to bust some myths about 55+ homeowners and renters.

AUG 24, 2016

Sales on Track Despite Limited Housing Stock & Rising House Prices

Research and Analysis

How are home sales looking now that we're more than half way through 2016?

AUG 1, 2016

Chris Boyle Wins HousingWire "Women of Influence" Kudos

Notable

Congratulations to Chris Boyle, Freddie Mac Single-Family SVP of Sales & Relationship Management, for being recognized among the housing industry's top "Women of Influence" by HousingWire.

JUN 22, 2016

Many Returns of the Day, USDA!

Notable

Congratulations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development on its Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program's 25th anniversary! Freddie Mac looks forward to working together even more closely over the next 25.

JUN 20, 2016

50 Billion And Going Strong

Notable

We're celebrating an important corporate milestone — the transfer of a significant amount of mortgage credit risk on 50 billion in unpaid principal balance of single-family and multifamily loans.

JUN 16, 2016

HARP: Two Ways to Save

Homeownership

HARP, a federal program launched to help homeowners who owe more on their home than it's worth, helps borrowers save in two ways: through lower rates and lower terms. Find out if you're eligible for HARP and act fast as the program ends soon!

JUN 8, 2016

Beware of Phishers Trying to Hook Your Closing Costs

Homeownership

Homebuying season can be open season for scams. Don't get caught.

JUN 2, 2016

Calculating Ways Homeowners Can Save Money

Homeownership

During the homebuying process, you're probably focused on all of the related costs. Why not think a bit about how you might save money once you're a homeowner? Freddie Mac's calculators and worksheets can help.

JUN 1, 2016

Chris Boyle Wins HousingWire "Women of Influence" Kudos

Notable

Congratulations to Chris Boyle, Freddie Mac Single-Family SVP of Sales & Relationship Management, for being recognized among the housing industry's top "Women of Influence" by HousingWire.

MAY 20, 2016

Freddie Mac Earns Three Mortgage-Backed Securities Awards

Notable

For the second consecutive year Freddie Mac's Structured Agency Credit Risk (STACR®) debt notes have been named RMBS Deal of the Year by Global Capital, a leading financial news and data service covering the capital markets. Freddie Mac also earned top honors for Best Overall Securitization Issuer and Best RMBS Issuer.

MAY 19, 2016

Down Payments: There's Help for That

Homeownership

"If only I could afford the down payment, I could buy that home." You might be able to do both. An acceptable down payment might be smaller than you think (hint: less than 20%). On top of that, you might be eligible for down payment assistance.

MAY 17, 2016

Dear Seller, Pick Me

Homeownership

Congratulations, you've found the home of your dreams! Before you submit an offer, you may want to include one thing to set you apart from the competition — a letter to the seller.

MAY 9, 2016

Take the Anxiety Out of Your First Home Offer

Homeownership

Here's how to put together an opening bid on a house without making yourself a nervous wreck.

APR 28, 2016

Who Let the Bugs In?

Homeownership

Spring has sprung and so have the bugs and rodents seeking to invade homes. Whether you are looking at homes to purchase or are a homeowner, there's no time like the present to inspect a home's exterior, especially after the long winter season, which can make it more inviting to house-hunting pests.