[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 7 (Thursday, January 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2280-2281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00357]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5410-N-03]


Federal Housing Administration (FHA) First Look Sales Method 
Under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP): Increased Discount 
on Sales Price for Certain Properties and Clarification of Effective 
Dates

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing 
Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On July 15, 2010, HUD published a Federal Register notice 
establishing the process by which eligible purchasers under the 
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) are provided a preference to 
acquire real-estate owned (REO) properties of FHA under the temporary 
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) First Look Sales Method. Under the 
First Look Sales Method, eligible NSP purchasers have the opportunity 
to purchase REO properties at a discount of 10 percent below their 
appraised value, less the cost of any applicable listing and sales 
commission. This notice announces an increase in the discount to 15 
percent for properties that do not meet the applicable minimum property 
standards to be eligible for FHA mortgage insurance. Additionally, HUD 
has taken the opportunity afforded by this notice to clarify that the 
First Look Sales Method will be in effect until the conclusion of the 
NSP.

DATES: The FHA First Look Sales Method shall be in effect until the 
conclusion of the NSP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivery Himes, Director, Office of 
Single Family Asset Management, Office of Housing, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 9172, 
Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-708-1672 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may 
access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information 
Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On July 15, 2010, at 75 FR 41225, HUD published a Federal Register 
notice establishing the process by which certain governmental entities, 
nonprofit organizations, and subrecipients participating in the NSP 
(eligible NSP purchasers) are provided a preference to acquire REO 
properties under the temporary FHA First Look Sales Method. This 
temporary REO sales method furthers the goals of both NSP, to aid in 
the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes, and of HUD's REO 
sales program, to expand homeownership opportunities and strengthen 
communities. Through the FHA First Look Sales Method, HUD provides 
eligible NSP purchasers with a preference (a ``first look'') to acquire 
FHA REO properties that are available for purchase within NSP areas. 
Eligible NSP purchasers may acquire such REO properties with the 
assistance of NSP funds for any eligible uses under the NSP, including 
rental or homeownership. Interested persons should refer to the July 
15, 2010, notice for additional details regarding the FHA First Look 
Sales Method.

II. This Notice--Increased Discount on Sales Price for Certain REO 
Properties Purchased Under the FHA First Look Sales Method

    REO properties purchased through the FHA First Look Sales Method 
are sold at a discount of 10 percent below the appraised value, less 
any applicable costs, including commissions. The minimum discounted 
purchase price of a property is one percent off of the appraised 
property value; in no case may the discounted purchase price exceed 99 
percent of the appraised property value. (See, Section II.F. of the 
July 15, 2010, notice, at 75 FR 41227). The ten percent discount has 
proved insufficient for REO properties that do not meet the minimum 
property standards to be eligible for FHA mortgage insurance because 
the property is in need of extensive repairs.\1\ The necessary 
rehabilitation or flood insurance expenses, coupled with the lack of 
FHA financing, have the potential to make the costs of acquiring these 
properties prohibitive to otherwise eligible home purchasers. This lack 
of affordability impedes the goal of the FHA First Look Sales Method to 
aid in the revitalization of communities through expanded 
homeownership. To address this concern, HUD announces an increase in 
the discount to 15 percent for properties that do not meet the 
applicable FHA minimum property standards. As is currently true, the 15 
percent discount shall be subject to any applicable costs, including 
commissions, but in no case will the total discounted amount be less 
than one percent off of the appraised property value. The discount for 
REO properties eligible for FHA mortgage insurance remains at 10 
percent of the appraised value of the home.
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    \1\ The FHA minimum property standards for existing dwellings 
are found in HUD Handbook 4905.1 REV 1, available at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh/4905.1.
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    In addition to the increase in the sales price discount, this 
notice clarifies that the First Look Sales Method will be in effect 
until the conclusion of the NSP. HUD's July 15, 2010, notice announced 
that the First Look Sales Method would be in effect until May 31, 2013. 
This date was based on the expected conclusion of the NSP, and was not 
intended to provide for conclusion of the First Look Sales Method prior 
to the close of the NSP.

III. Findings and Certifications

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements for the FHA First Look 
Sales Method have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) 
and assigned OMB Control Number 2502-0589. In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the 
collection displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

Environmental Impact

    A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the 
environment for the FHA First Look Sales Method was made at the time of 
the July 15, 2010, Federal Register notice in accordance with HUD 
regulations at 24 CFR part 50, which implement section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The 
FONSI is available for public inspection between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
weekdays in the Regulation Division, Office of General Counsel, 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW., 
Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Due to security measures at the 
HUD Headquarters building, and advance appointment to review the FONSI 
must be scheduled by calling the Regulations

[[Page 2281]]

Division at 202-708-3055 (this is not a toll-free number).

    Dated: January 4, 2013.
Carol J. Galante,
Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2013-00357 Filed 1-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P