This announcement is to inform you of the current commitment authorities available for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) loans.

 USDA Mortgage Refinance Funds:

We expect to run out of refinance commitment authority no later than Monday, August 20, 2012.  When USDA Mortgage refinance commitment authority is exhausted, refinance loan requests for which a conditional commitment (Form RD 1980-18) has not been issued will be returned to the lender and require underwriting under the fiscal year 2013 fee structure.  The FY 2013 fee structure will require a one-time upfront guarantee fee of 2 percent and an annual fee of 0.40 percent.  At this time, the Agency will not issue conditional commitments “subject to” receipt of FY 2013 funding or commitment authority.

Lenders are urged to be cognizant of the differing backlogs and processing time frames from state to state.  If it is determined unrealistic that the State will be able to review the USDA loan guarantee application and issue a conditional commitment before September 30, 2012, lenders are urged to underwrite the USDA Mortgage application at the FY 2013 fee structure.  The FY 2013 guarantee fee structure will require purchase and refinance loans to carry a one-time upfront guarantee fee of 2 percent and an annual fee of 0.40 percent.

In addition, if the state where the property is located is experiencing longer processing time frames, lenders should advise the applicant accordingly when discussing interest rate locks and potential loan closing dates.