Correspondent ALERT – Expanded FEMA Disaster Declaration for Texas

FEMA has expanded an existing disaster declaration for Texas as a result of Hurricane Beryl, the additional counties affected by the update are highlighted in the table. Effective immediately, Arc Home will purchase loans in the counties impacted by this declaration, provided the subject property inspection meets the requirements detailed below.

 

Impacted Counties

 

Texas

Austin

Bowie

Brazoria

Chambers

Fort Bend

Galveston

Harris

Jackson

Jasper

Jefferson

Liberty

Matagorda

Montgomery

Nacogdoches

Orange

Polk

San Jacinto

Shelby

Trinity

Walker

Waller

Wharton

 

 

 

Inspection Requirements Table

 

Refer to the following table, which outlines the inspection requirements by program and loan closing status.

 

Loan Program

Loan Status

Inspection Requirements

·  Fannie Mae

·  Freddie Mac

·  VA

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

·  Follow standard inspection requirements noted below, OR

·  Provide a Lender’s Certification dated on or after July 10, 2024 in lieu of a property inspection – must be completed on letterhead, verify the property was not impacted by the disaster event, and include photographs taken by the Lender

Not Signed/Closed

·  Delay closing and require inspection; follow standard inspection requirements noted below

·  Access Non-QM

·  Edge Non-QM

·  Elite QM

·  Foreign National DSCR

·  Conventional Investment Property

·  FNMA/FHLMC Second Home & Investment

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

·  Fund loan, delay delivery and require inspection; follow standard inspection requirements noted below

Not Signed/Closed

·  Delay closing and require inspection; follow standard inspection requirements noted below

FHA Purchase, Rate/Term, Simple Refinance, Cash-Out Refinance

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

·  Satisfactory FHA inspection required prior to purchase by Arc Home; follow standard inspection requirements noted below

Not Signed/Closed

·  Delay closing and require inspection; follow standard inspection requirements noted below

FHA Streamline Refinance

Signed/Closed/Not Funded

·  Follow standard inspection requirements noted below, OR

·  Provide a Lender’s Certification dated on or after July 10, 2024 in lieu of a property inspection – must be completed on letterhead, verify the property was not impacted by the disaster event, and include photographs taken by the Lender

Not Signed/Closed

·  Delay closing and require inspection; follow standard inspection requirements noted below

 

 

Inspection Requirements (Standard)

For all transactions in any of the affected counties, property inspections must satisfy the following criteria, as applicable per loan type.

                                                                                                 

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA Streamline, VA, Conventional Investment Property, FNMA/FHLMC Second Home & Investment Property, Access Non-QM, Edge Non-QM, Foreign National DSCR, and Elite QM

·         If an appraisal has been completed prior to July 10, 2024, an exterior reinspection is required for ALL Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA Purchase, VA Cash-Out Refinance, Conventional Investment Property, FNMA/FHLMC Second Home & Investment Property, Access Non-QM, Edge Non-QM, Foreign National DSCR, and Elite QM loans. For any Conventional loan with a Property Inspection Waiver, an inspection dated on or after July 10, 2024 is required. An inspection dated on or after July 10, 2024 is also required for ALL FHA Streamline Refinance transactions and VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRLs).

·         The reinspection must be dated on or after July 10, 2024 and performed by an appraiser, include exterior photographs of the subject, and verify that the property was not impacted by the disaster event. Note: If the exterior inspection indicates the property sustained any damage, an additional interior inspection of the property must be completed by the appraiser.

 

FHA Purchase, Rate/Term Refinance, Simple Refinance, and Cash-Out Refinance

·         A reinspection of the subject property is required for any transaction with an appraisal dated prior to July 10, 2024. The inspection report must be dated on or after July 10, 2024 and meet all FHA disaster inspection requirements. If the initial appraisal effective date is on or after July 10, 2024, an additional inspection report is not necessary.