Special Topics

In our Special Topics series, we look closely at data collected through our National Housing Survey^®, Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey^®, and customized research to explore specific trends, challenges, and opportunities facing consumers and mortgage lenders in today's housing market.

Lenders Report on Remote Work Productivity and Post-pandemic Workplace Plans
April 20, 2021​
While a majority of lenders reported that working remotely improved productivity and lowered operating costs, post-pandemic, most lenders indicated a preference to employ a hybrid model utilizing a mix of remote and in-office workforces.
Read More

Consumers Continue to See Housing as a Safe, High-Potential Investment
April 2, 2021​
Americans appear to have an ingrained belief that housing investments are almost as safe as a money market or savings account, but also that they have the growth potential of a stock investment.
Read More

Servicers report biggest challenges implementing COVID-19 assistance programs
January 12, 2021​
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted many industries, leaving many households with reduced income or unemployment. In response to this unprecedented challenge, mortgage lenders and servicers adapted rapidly to implement nationwide forbearance programs mandated under the CARES Act. We surveyed over 100 mortgage executives, via the Fannie Mae Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey®, to better understand the biggest challenges servicers faced in offering assistance to impacted homeowners via forbearance programs and in communicating post-forbearance repayment plan options.
Read More

The COVID-19 Impact Continues: Where Consumers Feel the Effects Most
December 18, 2020​
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a particularly severe impact on renters, minorities, and lower-income households, according to the third quarter National Housing Survey^®, as the overall results indicate broad financial and employment repercussions due to the virus. Additionally, survey questions regarding changes in childcare and working from home reveal a considerable impact on many households across the entire survey population.
Read More

Lenders Expect Stable Levels of Condo Lending and Identify Opportunities for Industry Improvement
October 20, 2020​
In early August, Fannie Mae surveyed over 200 senior mortgage executives, via the Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey®, to better understand lender perspectives on market trends and to identify opportunities to streamline or enhance policy and process requirements in order to more effectively and efficiently manage condo project risks.
Read More

COVID-19: The Need for Consumer Outreach and Home Purchase/Financing Digitization​
August 12, 2020​
The upheaval to daily life resulting from COVID-19 has been felt by virtually everyone in our society. Many have experienced financial distress and the upending of their education, career, retirement, or other life plans. Through our National Housing Survey®, we sought to identify and track shifts in consumers' short-, medium-, and long-term financial and housing needs and actions in the wake of the pandemic's onset.
Read More