Freddie Mac guideline changes: every announcement, summarized with effective dates

Applies to: Freddie Mac-serviced Mortgages for daily investor reporting and default legal firm screening, condo projects with more than 25% commercial space for flood insurance; relief applies to EDR code 35 reporting and Transfers of Ownership submissions.

What to review: Start with the default legal firm screening, which now covers the firm and any entity working for it and applies right away, and the condo master flood requirement for buildings with more than 25% commercial space, which starts December 6, 2026; then plan for the previously announced daily loan-level reporting that begins February 1, 2027, and note that servicers no longer have to report EDR code 35 from November 16, 2026, no longer have to send settlement statements through PDFC for Transfers of Ownership (they still keep them in the Mortgage file), and should pick up the Texas 50(a)(6) process, CHOICEReno eXPress name and FreddieHome license updates. AWACS interpretation

Applies to: Applies to Freddie Mac Seller/Servicers, both non-depository and depository institutions, at the institution level rather than to individual loans.

What to review: This reminder lists no changes, so compliance can confirm the institution still meets the requirements it restates: for non-depository Seller/Servicers, the Tangible Net Worth, Liquidity and other Section 2101.2 requirements at all times; for depository Seller/Servicers, the Section 2101.2(b) Tangible Net Worth requirement at all times plus their regulators' capital and liquidity rules. AWACS interpretation

Applies to: Freddie Mac Sellers approved for the temporary policy exception that submit UAD 2.6 appraisal reports to UCDP during the exception period.

What to review: Nothing in this bulletin is mandatory, so start by deciding whether your organization needs more time to implement UAD 3.6 and wants to ask Freddie Mac for the optional temporary exception, which would let an approved Seller keep submitting new UAD 2.6 appraisal reports to UCDP through May 19, 2027 and UAD 2.6 resubmissions through June 27, 2027, with reduced functionality and loss of appraised value rep and warranty relief later in that period. AWACS interpretation

Applies to: Mortgages sold to Freddie Mac with Settlement Dates on or after October 1, 2026, including those with VantageScore 4.0 or Classic FICO Indicator Scores.

What to review: First review how Mortgages with Settlement Dates on or after October 1, 2026 are allocated to Loan Selling Advisor contracts (contract acceptance date on or after October 1, 2026) so the updated Credit Fees apply regardless of Credit Score model, then note that VantageScore 4.0 Credit Fee grids no longer apply to negotiated provisions in Purchase Documents. AWACS interpretation

Applies to: Home Possible Mortgages that are purchase transactions to very low-income, first-time homebuyer Borrowers, with Settlement Dates from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, that seek the $2,500 VLIP credit.

What to review: No change is mandatory. Start by reviewing whether you may use the extended $2,500 Home Possible VLIP credit on purchase Mortgages with Settlement Dates from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, and check the eligibility, underwriting and ULDD delivery requirements the bulletin states for it. AWACS interpretation

Applies to: Freddie Mac Sellers and Servicers; Guide chapters were reformatted with no change in requirements.

What to review: No change is mandatory, so first look at which refactored Guide chapters and updated cross-references affect your work, and note that the record states no requirements changed. AWACS interpretation

Applies to: Freddie Mac servicers; the refactoring changes Guide organization and cross-references, not requirements.

Applies to: Freddie Mac servicers; Guide chapters were refactored with no change in requirements.

What to review: Servicers may look at the refactored servicing chapters and the updated cross-references to see how the new layout maps to their existing procedures, keeping in mind that the bulletin says no requirements changed. AWACS interpretation