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6 | M R EP O RT MTECH Fannie Mae Launches Online Tool for Homebuyers A FREE ONLINE EDUCATION COURSE IS NOW BEING OFFERED TO ASPIRING BUYERS, EMPOWERING THEM TO BECOME CONFIDENT, SUCCESSFUL HOMEOWNERS. P reparing consumers for all stages of the mortgage and buying process, Fannie Mae has announced the launch of HomeView, the company's new online homeownership education course. Available free of cost, and accessible online anytime on any device at FannieMae.com/education, HomeView provides compre- hensive, easy-to-understand content and resources designed to ensure aspiring homebuyers are well equipped to become more informed and successful homeowners. Misinformation or lack of understanding in the homebuying process about qualification require- ments can discourage potential homebuyers from taking their first steps toward purchasing a home. According to Fannie Mae research, most consumers do not know the minimum credit score, down payment, and debt-to-income ratio needed to qualify for a mortgage. Fewer than one in four Americans are aware that low-down-payment options are available. HomeView meets consumer needs by giving lenders and prospective homebuyers a free and easy way to benefit from critical homeownership education. By ex- panding access to reliable housing and financial knowledge, Fannie Mae provides a clearer path to homeownership for more qualified homebuyers, including low- and moderate-income and minority borrowers, helping to advance housing equity and address the homeownership gap among these communities. "Fannie Mae is committed to creating equitable and sustainable homeownership opportunities for more people. With HomeView, we are providing aspiring homeown- ers with free tools and information that will demystify the homebuy- ing process and put sustainable homeownership within reach," said PJ McCarthy, VP of Affordable Lending and Housing Equity at Tech Tools Easing the Mortgage Process The following tech firms are leading the charge in the development and rollout of digital offerings to the mortgage space. Fannie Mae. "Broadening access to quality, trustworthy homeowner- ship education is a proven first step to empowering homebuyers to become successful homeown- ers. HomeView puts people on the path to buying a home while preparing them for long-term suc- cess." The course includes seven inter- active learning modules that guide the user through the steps of buy- ing and owning a home: Knowing When You're Ready; Saving for Homeownership; Understanding the Mortgage Loan Process; Shopping for a Home with a Real Estate Agent; Making an Offer on a Home; Getting Ready to Close on Your Loan; and Welcome to Homeownership. Users who complete the course and achieve a score of 80% or high- er receive a certificate of comple- tion to share with their lender to meet the education requirement for most mortgage products, including low-down-payment loans. "For many homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, the mortgage and home purchase lifecycle can be intimidating and overwhelming. Having a reliable, single source of information in common, everyday language can make the difference for aspiring homeowners, no matter where they are on their housing journey. That is why we are so proud to launch HomeView," McCarthy said. HomeView also provides access to tools and resources, including checklists and calculators, and a link to find HUD-approved local housing counselors for consumers who would like additional support throughout the process of buying and owning a home. loanDepot Wholesale Upgrades Its mello Broker Portal NEW ENHANCEMENTS SEEK TO STREAMLINE THE CLOSING PROCESS FOR BROKERS AND SETTLEMENT AGENTS. A fter recently launching "Closing Connection" in its mello Broker Portal,