The Basics: Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs)

On September 7, 2008, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the government sponsored enterprises, or GSEs) into conservatorship. FHFA explained it took this action “to help restore confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, enhance their capacity to fulfill their [housing] mission, and mitigate the systemic risk that has contributed directly to the instability in the current market.” Now under debate is the future structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

View NAR 2009 GSE Reform Recommendations> (PDF: 540K)

Latest News

House Committee Votes to Extend Loan Limits (July 23)
NAR's Input on Reforming the Housing Finance System (July 21)
NAR Posts Information on FICO, FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac Credit Policies (July 19)
Fannie Mae Relaxes REO Listing Limit (July 9) (PDF: 55K)
FHFA Directs GSEs to Take Actions Regarding PACE Program Energy Retrofit Loans (July 6)

Conforming Loan Limits

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was signed into law on February 17, 2009, increased the maximum conforming loan limit for mortgages originated in 2009. The increase affects 250 counties across the United States. 

On October 29, 2009, House and Senate passed legislation to extend the current loan limits through December 31, 2010.
Read more>
Detailed information about local area loan limits>

Making Home Affordable Program

On February 18, 2009, President Obama announced his Making Home Affordable Program, designed to help up to 7-9 million families avoid foreclosure by restructuring or refinancing their mortgages.

For more detailed information, visit www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/.

Fannie Mae E-News for Real Estate Professionals

Fannie Mae has set up an electronic newsletter targeted to real estate professionals.
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