Industry Reacts: Is Trump's Suspension of FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium Cut Good or Bad? #homeownership #realestate

Source:  HousingWire

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's decision to suspend the reduction of Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance premiums didn't come as a shocker.

FHA mortgage insurance premiums have been under heightened scrutiny ever since the FHA's flagship fund, the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, reached its Congressionally mandated threshold of 2 percent ahead of schedule in November 2015.

The cut will have an impact on future borrowers, said National Association of Realtors President William Brown.

"According to our estimates, roughly 750,000 to 850,000 homebuyers will face higher costs and 30,000 to 40,000 new homebuyers will left on the sidelines in 2017 without the cut, "  Brown said.  "We're disappointed in the decision but will continue making the case to reinstate the cut in the months ahead."

"We hope HUD and the Trump administration will make it a priority to quickly review the reduction in the FHA mortgage insurance premium," said CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTOR (C.A.R.) President Geoff McIntosh.  "Homebuyers in California, who would have saved an average of $860 a year, will be negatively impacted more than any other state by the decision to not reduce the FHA premium."

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