However, average fourth - quarter U.S. home prices appreciated only 0.83 percent from the third quarter, the smallest quarter - to - quarter increase since the second quarter of 1998, according to the U.S. regulatory agency that oversees the financial soundness of mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. (realtormag.realtor.org)
The federal agency overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the taxpayer - owned mortgage finance giants, failed to refer to criminal investigators and other authorities almost 100 complaints about possible foreclosure abuse and mortgage fraud at the companies over a recent two - year period, according to a report issued late Tuesday by the inspector general of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. (nytimes.com)
That's leading mortgage financing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to test programs aimed at making homeownership more affordable. (realtormag.realtor.org)