Freddie Eyes Servicers vs. Foreclosures

Freddie Mac announced Tuesday that it will begin using third-party servicers that specialize in servicing Alt-A and other types of higher-risk mortgages to advise homeowners in its latest effort to keep at-risk borrowers in their homes.

The move came after Freddie and Fannie Mae last week extended their freeze on evictions through the end of February to give loan servicers more time to help borrowers avoid foreclosure.

The latest program is to give a portfolio of higher-risk mortgages that are at least 60 days delinquent to a specialty servicer to seek ways to avoid foreclosures.It targets about 5,000 reduced-documentation loans in California, Nevada, and other high-delinquency states. Freddie, which said Alt-A loans account for half of its seriously delinquent mortgages, will review the pilot program's results in June before deciding whether to expand it to other areas.

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