Realtors(R) Against Full Privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

To insure that there is sufficient capital to support mortgage lending to qualified borrowers, the National Association of Realtors(R) has adopted principles that recommend continued government involvement in the secondary mortgage market.

'As the leading advocate for housing issues, NAR developed these principles for consideration by the 111th Congress and the new presidential administration in light of disruptions in the credit markets and the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,' said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. 'NAR believes that the federal government must continue to play a role in the mortgage markets to insure the continued flow of capital.'

NAR's Presidential Advisory Group on Government Sponsored Enterprises developed the new principles to encourage a strong, robust financing environment for homeownership. The principles call on the government to ensure an active secondary mortgage market; support affordable mortgage rates for qualified borrowers; establish reasonable affordable housing goals; require that institutions pass on the advantages of lower borrowing costs by making lower rates on mortgages available for qualified borrowers; require sound underwriting standards, and transparency and soundness with respect to disclosure and structuring of mortgage related securities; and establish rigorous oversight.

'Safe and affordable mortgages must be available throughout the nation,' said McMillan. 'This requires that the higher loan limits passed in the economic stimulus bill earlier this year be made permanent. The federal government must also insure that there is sufficient capital to support mortgage lending in all types of markets.'

'Realtors(R) look forward to working with the new Congress and administration to help stabilize the housing industry and the U.S. economy, and to make sure we stem the rise of foreclosures and keep more families in their homes,' said McMillan.

The National Association of Realtors(R), 'The Voice for Real Estate,' is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted on the Web site's 'News media' section in the NAR Media Center.

REALTOR(R) is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R) and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS(R). All REALTORS(R) are members of NAR.

Source: National Association of Realtors

CONTACT: Mary Trupo of National Association of Realtors,
+1-202-383-1007, mtrupo@realtors.org

Web Site: http://www.realtor.org/