B5-4.1-02, Texas Section 50(a)(6) Loan Eligibility (12/16/2020)

Lenders should be aware that Fannie Mae’s classification of loan transactions as “cash-out refinance” or “limited cash-out refinance” may differ from the way loans are classified under Texas law.

Lenders should not rely on Fannie Mae’s categorization of refinance loans for purposes of determining whether compliance with the provisions of Texas Constitution Section 50(a)(6) is required. Rather, such lenders should consult with their counsel to determine the applicability of Texas Constitution Section 50(a)(6) to a particular loan transaction.

Texas law determines whether or not a loan is a Texas Section 50(a)(6) loan, and Fannie Mae’s policy determines whether the loan must be delivered as a cash-out refinance transaction or as a limited cash-out refinance transaction.

The lender is responsible for determining:

• the applicability of Texas Constitution Section 50(a)(6) regardless of Fannie Mae’s definitions of cash-out and limited cash-out refinance transactions; and

• if the loan should be delivered to Fannie Mae as a cash-out refinance or a limited cash-out refinance transaction, including the applicable special feature codes and payment of all applicable LLPAs.

All loans that constitute Texas Section 50(a)(6) loans under Texas law must comply with these provisions, regardless of whether the loan is classified as a “cash-out refinance” or “limited cash-out refinance” in the Selling Guide. See B5-4.1-03, Texas Section 50(a)(6) Loan Underwriting, Collateral, and Closing ConsiderationsB5-4.1-03, Texas Section 50(a)(6) Loan Underwriting, Collateral, and Closing Considerations

For any refinance of a Texas Section 50(a)(6) loan that results in a loan originated in accordance with and secured by a lien permitted by Article XVI, Section 50(a)(4) of the Texas Constitution, an affidavit referenced in Section 50(f-1) Article XVI of the Texas Constitution must be prepared and recorded in connection with each such transaction.

Texas Section 50(a)(6) loans must be fully amortizing loans with payments due on a monthly basis. The following are eligible as Texas Section 50(a)(6) loans:

• first lien mortgages only;

• fixed-rate loans; and

• five-, seven-, and ten-year ARM plans (4927, 4928, and 4929 Texas 50(a)(6), respectively).

Note: These ARM plans should be structured in the same way that they are for other loans, except that the loan may not be assumable at any time over its full term. Only the ARM plans listed above are eligible, due to the MBS disclosure impact resulting from the non-assumable nature of these ARMs.

The following are not eligible as Texas Section 50(a)(6) loans:

• loans that are not in first-lien position,

• ARM plans not listed above, and

• loans with temporary interest rate buydowns.

A Texas Section 50(a)(6) loan must be secured by a single-unit principal residence constituting the borrower’s homestead under Texas law. Loans secured by two- to four-unit properties, investment properties, or second homes are not eligible. The security property may be

• a detached dwelling,

• an attached dwelling,

• a unit in a PUD project,

• a unit in a condo project, or

• a manufactured home. (A manufactured home is eligible only if it is classified as real property under Texas law, and satisfies all special Fannie Mae eligibility criteria for manufactured homes.)

The borrower’s homestead property may not exceed the applicable acreage limit as determined by Texas law when the Texas Section 50(a)(6) loan is originated.

A borrower that owns adjacent land must submit appropriate evidence, such as a survey, that the mortgaged homestead property is a separate parcel that does not exceed the permissible acreage.

Note: An inter vivos revocable trust that meets Fannie Mae's borrower eligibility criteria (as described in B2-2-05, Inter Vivos Revocable TrustsB2-2-05, Inter Vivos Revocable Trusts), may be a borrower under a Texas Section 50(a)(6) loan, provided that the trust meets the requirements for a "qualifying trust" under Texas law for purposes of owning residential property that qualifies for the homestead exemption.