Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac spent 2026 quietly rewriting the rules that decide whether anyone can get a loan to buy a condo in your community, and one more change hits in January 2027. In this episode, attorney Michael Kushner, California’s most experienced homeowner-side HOA attorney, breaks down what already changed, what’s coming, and why your HOA’s finances now decide whether you can sell your unit or refinance it.
If you own a California condo, the financial health of your HOA is more relevant than ever to your bank account.
What You’ll Learn in today’s Episode:
✅ The financing shortcut that vanished on August 3, 2026, and why it could affect your ability to sell.
✅ Why the reserve minimum jumping from 10% to 15% on January 4, 2027 can push your monthly dues up.
✅ How some HOAs will wrongly call this an “emergency” under Civil Code § 5610(c) to skip your vote.
✅ The exact questions to ask your HOA board before you buy or sell a condo in California.
Whether you’re selling soon or just want to protect what your unit is worth, this episode shows you where you stand and what steps you can take with your HOA.
Helpful Links:
“New Fannie Mae Condo Loan Rules: Can My California HOA Make My Unit Unsellable?”
https://mbkchapman.com/new-fannie-mae-condo-loan-rules-california-hoa-fact-sheet/
“Why Can’t Anyone Get a Loan to Buy in My California HOA?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_-m8pfmdIw
Freddie Mac March 18, 2026 Selling and Servicing Updates Bulletin (2026-C)
https://guide.freddiemac.com/app/guide/bulletin/2026-C
Fannie Mae Lender Letter (LL-2026-03)
https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/44986/display
“Can My California HOA Charge a Special Assessment for Rising Insurance Costs?”
https://mbkchapman.com/california-hoa-special-assessment-insurance-fact-sheet/
🎧 📞 If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe to HOA HELL. Listen on YouTube at @hoahellpodcastofficial or wherever you get your podcasts. To schedule a consultation, visit https://mbkchapman.com/ and mention the HOA HELL discount.
DISCLAIMER:
This content constitutes attorney advertising. The content of this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by listening to this podcast, submitting a question, or receiving a response. Always consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific legal situation. MBK Chapman and Michael Kushner disclaim any liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this podcast. This communication does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
ABOUT:
Michael Kushner created and taught the systems now used by the biggest law firms in the state focused on HOA litigation. Managing partner of MBK Chapman, and author of the best-selling book, HOA HELL, Kushner teaches homeowners how to fight their bad HOAs and win.
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🔥 HOA Hell
Attorney Michael Kushner, California’s #1 homeowner-side HOA lawyer, shares real legal tools to help homeowners fight back and win against Bad HOAs.
👉 Got an HOA nightmare? Submit your question at [email protected]. Or learn more about your rights as a homeowner by visiting: https://www.mbkchapman.com/fact-sheets.
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