{"id":4120,"date":"2026-10-26T09:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T13:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vmalending.net\/?p=4120"},"modified":"2026-10-24T00:57:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T04:57:58","slug":"president-donald-j-trump-signs-executive-order-to-cut-mortgage-costs-and-expand-affordable-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vmalending.net\/?p=4120","title":{"rendered":"President Donald J. Trump Signs Executive Order to Cut Mortgage Costs and Expand Affordable Housing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What potential mortgage insurance relief, refinancing savings, and new housing initiatives could mean for you<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By VMA Lending | Updated October 23, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Donald J. Trump signed a new executive order on October 22, 2026, aimed at making homeownership more affordable. According to the White House announcement<\/a>, the initiative targets mortgage insurance costs, refinancing expenses, manufactured housing innovation, and interest rates on certain government home loans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For homebuyers and homeowners, these developments raise a practical question: Could there be a way to lower the cost of buying or financing your home?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At VMA Lending, we can help you evaluate that question through your loan type, monthly budget, available equity, and financing goals. The new measures depend on agency implementation and program eligibility, so the starting point is understanding both the announcement and the options available for your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easier mortgage insurance cancellation for qualifying borrowers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The executive order<\/a> directs the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), subject to required determinations, to establish a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pilot using current property values to identify borrowers eligible for proactive mortgage insurance cancellation. It covers only mortgages made after the pilot starts<\/strong>; equity, payment history, and other requirements still apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private mortgage insurance, or PMI<\/a>, commonly applies to conventional mortgages with down payments below 20%. It protects the lender against borrower default and is often paid through a monthly premium. Removing an eligible monthly premium can therefore reduce the amount a homeowner pays each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For illustration, eliminating a $150 monthly PMI charge<\/strong> would reduce that expense by $1,800 over 12 months<\/strong>. This is a simple example, not an estimate of savings promised by the new program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Existing homeowners can review their options now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under existing PMI cancellation rules<\/a> for many eligible conventional mortgages, borrowers can request cancellation when their principal balance reaches 80% of the home\u2019s original value. Automatic termination generally occurs when the balance is scheduled to reach 78%, provided payments are current. Written requests, payment history, property value, and other conditions can affect eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current-value cancellation may also be available under investor guidelines. A September 2026 Fannie Mae update<\/a> already permits servicers to contact borrowers who may qualify based on current property value. Ask your mortgage servicer which rules apply and what documentation is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FHA mortgage insurance premiums follow separate rules.<\/strong> The order does not automatically eliminate FHA premiums. HUD\u2019s FHA guidance<\/a> explains that premium duration depends on the loan\u2019s original characteristics and FHA case date. If you have an FHA mortgage, compare the cost of keeping your current loan with any available refinance options before deciding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more background, explore VMA Lending\u2019s articles Standard Mortgage Myth: You Don\u2019t Need 20%<\/a> and How Much Down Payment Do I Need for My First Home?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential savings on refinancing and title costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The order directs FHFA, subject to required determinations, to expand title acceptance nationwide through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for eligible refinances. Approved title assessments could replace lender\u2019s title insurance. FHFA must consider certain appraisal and documentation waivers and fee reductions; resulting program savings must reach borrowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fannie Mae already lists a limited Title Acceptance pilot<\/a> for selected refinances with low title risk. Ask whether your transaction qualifies for an available program and how any savings appear in your loan costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lender\u2019s title insurance<\/a> is different from monthly PMI. It concerns title-related risks to the lender\u2019s interest in the property. For a refinance decision, look at the full transaction: interest rate, points, lender credits, closing costs, mortgage insurance, and repayment term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use VMA Lending\u2019s Refinance Calculator<\/a> to explore a potential new loan, and our Closing Cost Estimator<\/a> to help organize the expenses you should review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a hypothetical refinance costing $3,600<\/strong> that reduces monthly costs by $150<\/strong> would have a simple cash-flow break-even point of 24 months<\/strong>. That calculation is only a starting point: financing the fees or extending the repayment term can change the overall cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends comparing Loan Estimates<\/a> to evaluate specific offers. VMA Lending\u2019s refinancing overview<\/a> can also help you consider the goals you want a new mortgage to accomplish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding affordable housing through manufacturing innovation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A new federal task force must recommend reforms within 180 days to support manufactured and other factory-built housing, reduce duplicate approvals, and encourage production while maintaining safety and consumer protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its task force announcement<\/a>, HUD describes efforts to modernize standards and speed certifications and approvals while preserving housing quality. The intended benefit is a more efficient path for bringing additional housing options to market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When comparing a factory-built home with other properties, ask for a complete budget covering the home, land or lot arrangement, site preparation, installation, utilities, insurance, and financing. That comparison will help you assess whether a particular option fits your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ideas to discuss with your loan professional, read When Buying a Home Feels Out of Reach: Smart Alternatives for Today\u2019s Buyer<\/a>. If you are exploring new construction more broadly, learn about VMA Lending\u2019s one-time-close construction financing<\/a> and ask which property types qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower rates on certain USDA and VA direct loans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The order also directs the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to reduce rates on single-family loans they make directly, within legal and funding limits. This does not mandate reductions on all lender-originated VA or USDA loans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of direct programs include USDA\u2019s Section 502 Direct Loan Program<\/a>, which serves eligible low- and very-low-income applicants in rural areas, and the VA Native American Direct Loan program<\/a>, which serves eligible veterans who are Native American or married to a Native American, for qualifying homes on federal trust land. Each program has its own qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a government-backed mortgage, identify the exact program before assuming a rate change applies. Your loan professional or the administering agency can help clarify the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use VMA Lending\u2019s calculators to evaluate your next move<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you are buying your first home, reviewing mortgage insurance, or considering a refinance, start with a clear picture of your budget. VMA Lending\u2019s mortgage calculator collection<\/a> can help you explore several questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n