Mortgage giants will now accept policies that cover just a portion of roof replacement costs. Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are loosening homeowners insurance requirements in an effort to lower one of the "hidden costs" of homeownership.

President Donald Trump's federal housing finance director, Bill Pulte, quietly granted government-backed lenders the authority to nearly double a $200 billion bond purchase that Trump ordered to try to lower mortgage rates WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's federal housing finance director, Bill Pulte, quietly granted government-backed lenders the authority to nearly double a $200 billion bond purchase that Trump ordered to try to lower mortgage rates, a move that could introduce a new level of risk for the companies.