Proposed New Bill If Passed Will Slash Fha Mortgage Insurance For First-time Homebuyers

Proposed New Bill If Passed Will Slash Fha Mortgage Insurance For First-time Homebuyers

August 26, 2020

Borrowers who undergo counseling can get a discount on their upfront mortgage insurance.

This past Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that slashes the cost of upfront mortgage insurance for first-time homebuyers using mortgages backed by the FHA, the Federal Housing Administration.

The Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2019, or H.R. 2162, stipulates that first-time homebuyers who complete a housing counseling program to learn about sustaining homeownership can get a 25-basis-point discount (0.25%) on their upfront mortgage insurance for an FHA loan.

The MBA Speaks Up

“MBA has long advocated for increased access to housing counseling as a means to provide a more positive experience for first-time homebuyers unfamiliar with the homeownership process, as well as for other underserved communities,” the Mortgage Bankers Association said in a statement.

However, the MBA also gave warnings. They warned that adjustments to insurance premiums should be made carefully at HUD’s discretion so as to not negatively impact the FHA’s insurance fund.

“While MBA conceptually supports the goals of this bill, including improving financial literacy and making homeownership more attainable, MBA also recommends that any legislative change to FHA’s premium structure maintain HUD’s discretion to set insurance premiums that are consistent with actuarial evidence accepted by HUD,” it stated.

Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-OH, who presented the bill alongside Rep. Steve Stivers, R-OH, said enhanced financial literacy has proven to be effective.

“Whether you are managing your credit, creating a budget, saving for retirement, or purchasing a home, understanding the basic principles of planning, saving, and investing for the future is vitally important,” Beatty said. “Studies show that pre-purchase housing counseling equips first-time homebuyers with the much-needed financial skills and tools to make informed financial decisions that ultimately benefit not only their families, but also the surrounding neighborhood and our entire economy.”

What’s the next step for the bill? Well, now it will move on to the Senate for a vote. Then, if all goes well, it will find its way to the President’s desk. “I urge the Senate to support this common-sense bill that incentivizes first-time homebuyers to take greater control of their financial futures and provides greater opportunity for more Americans to realize the dream of homeownership in a financially responsible way,” Beatty continued.

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