D1-4.1-03, Allowable Exceptions Due to State Law Restrictions (“Window-Period” Mortgage Loans) (11/08/2017)

The Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982, which authorized enforcement of due-on-sale (or due-on-transfer) provisions, exempted certain mortgage loans that were already subject to state law restrictions on due-on-sale (or due-on-transfer) enforcement. Mortgage loans originated or assumed between the time the state enacted its restrictions and the date the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act went into effect are “window-period” mortgage loans. A list of the states having window-period mortgage loans, the term of the exemption, and Fannie Mae’s specific enforcement policy related to a fixed-rate first lien mortgage loan or a second lien mortgage loan secured by a property located in one of these states are shown below:

• Michigan: Mortgage loan may be assumed at a blended rate, in accordance with state law. Window period runs from January 5, 1977, to October 15, 1982. Restrictions are in effect for the full term of the mortgage loan.

• New Mexico: Mortgage loan may be assumed with a 2% increase in the existing interest rate, subject to any maximum limitation specified in the state law. Window period runs from March 15, 1979, to October 15, 1982. Restrictions are in effect for the full term of the mortgage loan.

• Utah: Mortgage loan may be assumed with a 1% increase in the existing interest rate and an additional 1% increase five years later. Window period runs from May 12, 1981 to October 15, 1982. Restrictions are in effect for the full term of the mortgage loan.

The servicer must verify whether a mortgage loan is a “window-period” mortgage loan. If the mortgage loan is a “window-period” mortgage loan, the servicer is authorized to approve a transfer of ownership as long as the criteria listed in the following table are satisfied.

Note: If the mortgage insurer denies the transfer or imposes conditions for approval, the servicer must inform the parties involved in the transaction of the mortgage insurer’s decision as its reason for not approving the request or the imposition of conditions for approval.

When the state law allows an increase in the mortgage loan interest rate, the servicer should determine the new rate for a whole mortgage loan or a participation pool mortgage loan by adding the allowable increase to the existing mortgage loan interest rate, unless the state law requires a different method. That new interest rate for the mortgage loan should be used to evaluate the purchaser’s financial ability. The servicer must not change the interest rate if the mortgage loan is in an MBS pool, even though the state law would permit an increase.

If the transfer of ownership is not approved or the required eligibility criteria are not satisfied and the transfer of ownership occurs, the servicer must take all steps necessary to enforce the due-on-sale (or due-on-transfer) provision. If the funds required to satisfy the mortgage loan debt are not received after the mortgage loan is accelerated, the servicer must initiate foreclosure proceedings.

The servicer must follow the procedures in Completing a Transfer of Ownership in F-1-17, Processing a Transfer of OwnershipF-1-17, Processing a Transfer of Ownership for detailed requirements related to executing an assumption (or assumption and release) agreement.

The servicer must notify the applicable property insurance companies, tax authorities, and any other interested parties. If the purchaser did not provide a new property insurance policy, the servicer must obtain an endorsement to the existing property insurance policy.