Freddie Mac to Buyers: You Better Shop Around! – NMP Skip to main content

Freddie Mac to Buyers: You Better Shop Around!

Apr 17, 2018
Ginnie Mae has announced that it had approved the inclusion of a servicing advance financing facility under its Acknowledgment Agreement program

Freddie Mac has a word of financial advice for potential homeowners: Don’t settle for one home loan quote.
 
In the latest edition of Freddie Mac Insight, the government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) insisted that 80 percent of borrowers who go that proverbial extra mile for an additional rate quote while shopping for a mortgage will save between $966 and $2,086 over the life of their home loan. Furthermore, Freddie Mac claimed the average expected savings rises to $2,914 if the borrower picks up five rate quotes, adding that 80 percent of borrowers who rack up five quotes will save between $2,089 and $3,904 on their home loan.
 
“By shopping more than one mortgage lender, consumers are more likely to get a better interest rate and save money in both the short and long term,” said Len Kiefer, Freddie Mac’s deputy chief economist. “With lower monthly payments and lower fixed fees, the loan will be more affordable and thus safer, and consumers may have hundreds or thousands of dollars more in their pockets. Not a bad return for a few phone calls or clicks.”
 
And it seems that more people will be in the market for a home loan this year. Separately, Fannie Mae reported that its Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) ticked upwards by 2.5 points in March to 88.3. The net share of respondents to Fannie Mae’s survey said now is a good time to buy a home was up by 10 percentage points from February while the net share who said home prices will go up in the next 12 months decreased three percentage points in March. The net share of respondents who believed mortgage rates will go down over the next 12 months increased 5 percentage points.

 
About the author
Published
Apr 17, 2018
CHLA: More Freddie Mac MBS Buying Could Narrow Mortgage Spreads

Trade group estimates greater Freddie participation could compress spreads another 10 to 12 basis points as Fannie has taken the lead in GSE mortgage-bond buying

Sep 23, 2026
Early Loan-Limit Race Splits Into Three Tiers

Lenders are now offering $845,000, $847,440, or $850,000 before FHFA sets the official 2027 limits

Sep 23, 2026
Better, Garg Clash Over Claimed 46% Shareholder Support

Better disputes its former CEO’s preliminary consent count as the two sides trade accusations and an Oct. 2 target date approaches

Sep 23, 2026
Fannie Changes How Rent From A Former Home Counts

Fannie now prohibits leases for departing residences and permits market-analysis tools instead of Form 1007, creating a key documentation difference from Freddie Mac

MPF Expands Eligibility For Manufactured And Renovation Loans

The Mortgage Partnership Finance Program has expanded MPF Traditional eligibility for affordable loans, manufactured homes, renovations, and lender-funded assistance

Sep 22, 2026