There are some “big-hitters” in the mortgage, finance, and housing world who will tell you that the Trump Administration’s plan to sell shares in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could drive up the mortgage rates that Americans pay. Shareholders want a return. Others will counter that the time has come to remove them from conservatorship, regardless. It’s time to “pull off the bandage” quickly. Either way, mortgage industry observers are wondering about the fate of Fannie and Freddie in the wake of statements from the President and FHFA Director Pulte about a GSE IPO and combining the two housing finance agencies into one “Great American Mortgage Company.” Mortgage Musings author and attorney Brian Levy weighs in with his unique perspective on this in his latest edition, Corruption and the Great American Mortgage Company. Sign up to receive the Mortgage Musings at www.blevy.substack.com or it can be found on the Chrisman Commentary Thought Leadership page.“ Speaking of the Agencies, if you are looking to obtain a FNMA seller/servicer approval or have an internal title insurer vetting process that requires you to maintain risk information on title insurers, Secure Insight offers risk profiles on national and regional insurers which include independent financial stability ratings. Contact Amanda Padd or visit Secure Insight. And for what should be a fantastic discussion on the future of mortgage workflows and how the industry could consolidate as it moves toward a marketplace (a la car insurance shopping or flight searches), tune into Mortgages With Millennials, today at 10a PT/1p ET, when Robbie sits down with Porchlight’s David Wells and Pylon Lending’s Trent Hedge for a discussion on bringing underwriting to the point of search. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by Arrive Home. Arrive Home helps mortgage lenders connect creditworthy buyers with down payment assistance and affordable homeownership solutions, offering tools that empower lenders and uplift communities. Hear an interview with Arrive Home’s Shawn King on how downpayment assistance is helping millions of Americans build generational wealth.)