Jennifer Thayer Group launches condo lending education series

Jennifer Thayer Group is rolling out short videos in September to help Tampa Bay condo buyers, sellers and associations understand new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lending requirements that took effect for many loan applications on Aug. 3. The guidance could affect how quickly condo deals move and how thoroughly buildings must be reviewed before financing is approved.

Why it matters: - New lending rules can change how fast a condominium sale closes and which buildings qualify for financing. - Buyers, sellers and associations in Tampa Bay may now need more building-level documents before a deal moves forward. - Well-prepared associations may have an easier time keeping their units accessible to a broader pool of buyers.

What happened: - Jennifer Thayer Group is launching a short educational video series on new condominium lending requirements. - The series is aimed at Tampa Bay buyers, sellers, owners and condominium associations. - The first video is scheduled to launch in September on the Jennifer Thayer Group YouTube channel. - Two additional videos will follow. - Companion materials are available on the Jennifer Thayer Group website.

The details: - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced the changes on March 18, 2026, through Fannie Mae Lender Letter LL-2026-03 and a corresponding Freddie Mac bulletin. - For loan applications dated on or after Aug. 3, condominium projects with more than 10 units generally move to Full Project Review unless they qualify for a waiver. - Limited and Streamlined review pathways were retired for many condominium loans. - Lenders may review an association’s financials, reserves, insurance, litigation, deferred maintenance, structural documentation and overall condition. - The review can include the annual budget, reserve funding, delinquency rates, master insurance coverage, pending litigation, deferred maintenance, structural reports and special assessments. - A second phase of changes is expected in January 2027. - That next phase is expected to bring higher reserve-funding expectations for many conventional loans and greater reliance on the highest recommended funding level in a reserve study. - Reserve studies older than three years may also become a problem during lender review. - Florida condominium associations, including those in Pinellas County, have already been dealing with milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies. - Many associations have also been building reserves, updating insurance and documenting building conditions.

Between the lines: - The new federal lending requirements overlap with Florida’s recent push for stronger building safety and financial transparency. - In practice, the rules reward associations that already keep detailed records and plan ahead for repairs and reserves. - Jennifer Thayer Group is positioning condo due diligence as a long-standing part of its sales process, not a reaction to the new rules. - Jennifer Thayer said the team has been collecting reserve studies and financial statements and asking about assessments and litigation for years. - Thayer said the requirements are new, but the homework is not. - The company’s message suggests buyers and sellers may need to treat association health as a core part of the deal, not a side issue for the lender.

What's next: - The first video will cover what a Full Project Review is, who provides the documentation and why approvals are taking longer. - A second video will explain what sellers should assemble before listing a condominium. - A third video will outline what buyers should expect lenders to request and when to ask about a building’s eligibility. - Jennifer Thayer Group plans to use the series and companion materials to answer condo lending questions before they affect transactions.

The bottom line: - Condo financing is becoming more document-heavy and association-focused. - Tampa Bay buyers and sellers who prepare early may face fewer surprises at the loan stage.