What Is The Secondary Mortgage Market And How Does It Work?

The secondary mortgage market is an expansive real estate arena in which financial institutions and investors buy and sell mortgages. Although the average mortgage holder won’t realize what’s happening beneath the surface, their mortgage will likely end up on the secondary mortgage market at some point.

Here’s what you need to know about the secondary mortgage market.

Within the secondary mortgage market, lenders and investors buy and sell mortgages and the servicing rights that go along with them. The goal of the secondary mortgage market is to provide a reliable source of money that alleviates some of the risks associated with owning a mortgage.

When mortgages are sold within the secondary mortgage market, many are packaged into mortgage-backed securities (MBS). MBS are then sold to investors, including insurance companies and hedge funds.

All in all, the secondary mortgage market creates a type of liquid investment that aids in making loans available to the borrower. With that, the secondary mortgage market is critical to creating regular access to borrowing power.

As a consumer, you’re likely already familiar with the primary mortgage market, where borrowers can secure a mortgage loan from a lender.

For example, if you are shopping for a home and choose to close on a home with the help of Rocket Mortgage^®, then you would be a participant in the primary mortgage market.

The secondary mortgage market comes into play after the borrower has closed on their mortgage. At that point, the lender may choose to sell the mortgage or the associated servicing right in the secondary mortgage market.

Within the secondary mortgage market, there are several major players. Here’s what you need to know.

Mortgage Originators

The mortgage originators create the home loans. Without the mortgage originators, the secondary mortgage market could not exist.

Once the loans are originated, the mortgage originators can choose to sell it or the servicing rights in the secondary market.

Government Sponsored-Enterprises (GSE)

Government-sponsored enterprises (also called GSEs) are not mortgage originators because they don't lend money directly to the public. However, GSEs do guarantee third-party loans and purchase loans within the secondary market.

The purpose of GSEs buying mortgage loans in the secondary marketplace is to ensure liquidity for mortgage originators. This liquidity allows for lenders to continue providing borrowers with access to the loans they are seeking.

Once the GSEs buy the mortgages, they can group the collection of mortgages into securities and sell them to investors. Two major names in this space are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Sometimes mortgages are purchased directly by the government itself. This is the case with FHA and VA loans.

Investors

Investors in the secondary mortgage market are seeking to buy mortgage-backed securities. Many investors are interested in this opportunity based on the security of the loan attached to a worthwhile interest rate.

Homeowners

As a homeowner, you may not think that the secondary mortgage market will impact you too much. And in general, you are correct. But without homeowners, the secondary mortgage market could not exist.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how the secondary mortgage market works and how lenders, home buyers and investors are connected.

Step 1: Home Buyer Obtains A Mortgage From A Lender

The first step of the process is when a home buyer obtains a mortgage from a lender. In this mortgage origination phase, you’ll have to meet specific requirements to close on the loan.

Step 2: Lender Sells The Loan On The Secondary Mortgage Market

After the mortgage has been originated, the lender can choose to hold the loan on their books or sell it on the secondary mortgage market. Many institutions do not want to risk an economic crisis or lose money; therefore, many will sell the loan to the secondary market to repay the money they took out.

Step 3: Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) Or Government Agencies Buy Multiple Loans

GSEs will buy multiple loans from many lenders. These loans may accumulate interest. At this point, GSEs will package up mortgages with similar borrower criteria into mortgage-backed securities.

The same process takes place with loans backed by the government, but those loans are packaged through the government agency Ginnie Mae.

Step 4: Investors Buy Mortgage-Backed Securities

GSEs will sell the MBS to multiple investors through shares. In many cases, investors are interested in buying these offerings for the promise of a return over time.

Let’s start with the pros of participating in real estate transactions within the secondary mortgage market.

Pros

Let’s start with the pros of the secondary mortgage market.

• Low cost: The secondary mortgage market can lead to lower costs for borrowers.
• Money movement: More liquidity opens up funds for borrowers across the country.
• Longer terms: The secondary mortgage market makes 15-year and 30-year loan terms more feasible.
• Refinancing a home: In most cases, a borrower can pay off their loan or refinance without a penalty.

Cons

Of course, there are also some cons to consider.

• May not qualify with Low credit score: Borrowers with low credit scores may not be able to obtain a loan based on the requirements set by the secondary mortgage market.
• Can be a risk: Investors must be careful when investing in mortgage-backed securities.
• Foreclosure risks: If borrowers are unable to pay, it can lead to foreclosures on houses and a domino effect on the economy.

The secondary mortgage market plays a critical role in keeping the economy moving. Without it, many would-be home buyers would not be able to obtain a loan from a lender based on a lack of available funds. This could lead lending to grind to a halt, with devastating consequences.

If you are interested in learning more about the investors behind your mortgage, then take a minute to read how mortgage investors can affect your loan.

If you feel confident in the process and are ready to get started, you can apply online or give us a call at (833) 326-6018.