FHA won't implement HVCC

A blurb from National Mortgage News:

The Federal Housing Administration has no plans to implement the Home Valuation Code of Conduct, Commissioner David Stevens told a delegation from the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.

I'll see if I can find the whole speech.

FHFA won't drop the new appraisal process without a fight.

The regulator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac came out swinging in defense of HVCC. Maybe since HVCC is designed to protect the lender and the taxpayers are now on the hook for the GSE's the FHFA is thinking that the HVCC is actually a good thing (imagine that!).

This was a three page letter in defense of the HVCC, It looks like the NAR will have a fight on their hands to try and get the HVCC moratorium put in place. The NAR has a lot of politicians in its pocket but the FHFA not backing down is a big roadblock.

Bill to put a 18 month moratorium on HVCC introduced.

Representatives Childers and Miller have introduced H.R. 3044 which imposes an 18-month moratorium on the Home Valuation Code of Conduct.

The NAMB has issued a press release in support, I haven't seen an official NAR press release yet. But here are 2 other steps the NAR is taking to get HVCC set aside (this email is confirmed but this is the only public link I could find to it):

On Monday, June 29th, I will be in New York to meet with the Deputy Attorney General and his staff who worked directly on the Home Valuation Code of Conduct. I plan to share our concerns, as well as your stories, and ask for their assistance in resolving any problems related to the HVCC.

On Tuesday, June 30th, I will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to discuss ways we can work with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and lenders to ensure that appraisals are accurate.

Looks like the earlier rumor was true. This is all from that playbook. This is really about defining what an "accurate appraisal" is, it is different things to different people. And the NAR wants to make sure any appraisal number is as high as possible so that the fewest deals are affected by appraisal issues.

Rumor: NAR starts offensive against HVCC

Below is a rumored email laying out the NAR offensive against the HVCC. I believe they will ultimately be successful getting a moratorium in place and then neuter it to the level of being ineffectual in protecting banks by ensuring appraisers aren't influenced by anyone involved in the transaction. In a world of low down payments, marginal buyers and low interest rates it is now more important than ever to have conservative appraisals. This protection will be eliminated by special interest groups worried about their wallets.

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TO: State Association Executive Officers
State Association Presidents
FROM: NAR Government Affairs
DATE: 19 June 2009
RE: Fly-In Head's Up

Please note this notice is going to all state executive officers and state presidents. We will be sending Fly-In details on Monday June 22, 2009 to the states who have Members of Congress and/or United States Senators on the House Financial Services Committee or Senate Banking Committee. (list of states at end of memo)

There is growing concern in the real estate industry over the implementation of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) and its effect on the use of appraisal management companies (AMCs) by lenders.

NAR is taking the following actions: (Target dates in bold)

1. NAR is scheduling meetings with the Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, Jim Lockhart to raise concerns about implementation of the HVCC and problems with AMCs and ask for an immediate 18 month moratorium. Director Lockhart is the conservator over Fannie and Freddie who entered the consent order with the NY Attorney General. ( June 22, 23, 24, or 25th)

2. Government Affairs will conduct a fly in the week of June 22. Two members from each Association (State AE/State President or FPC as appropriate) to meet with members/staff of the House and Senate Banking/Financial Services Committee. The ask will be to cosponsor the bill (item 3) and to support an 18 month moratorium.

3. Our legislative team will work on getting a bill introduced in Congress asking for a 18 month moratorium. (week of June 22)

4. We will ask the Chair and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Banking [ Reps Frank and Bachus/ Senators Dodd and Shelby] Committees to write Director Lockhart asking him to grant a 18 month moratorium (week of June 22)

5. We will try and get an 18 month moratorium attached to an immediate pending appropriation bill or other similar fast track bill. (June)

6. Staff will talk to the American Bankers Association who heretofore is fine with the AMC system to see if we can negotiate support.(June 19)

NAR will engage a coalition of Appraisal Institute, MBA, Home Builders and other appropriate trade groups.

7. NAR Research is conducting a survey so we have concrete data information to bring to the regulators and the NY Attorney General’s office . The survey will also be run through the State Association. EHS will be released next week and the appraisal issue will be mentioned front and center in NAR's release. Survey release June 22

8. NAR is scheduling a meeting with NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and representatives of NYSAR. (June 29. 30)

9. NAR will conduct a Call For Action if we do not get a moratorium in the next week to 10 days

NAR is aware of multiple petitions calling for an end to the HVCC. NAR is taking a more tempered and thoughtful approach of asking for a moratorium during this trouble housing economy.

States with Members of Congress and/or United States Senators on the House Financial Services Committee or Senate Banking Committee: AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK,OR
PA, RI, SC, SD, TN,TX, UT, VA, WI, WV

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