Single Family Loan-Level Dataset

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

January 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Loan Population..................................................................................................................................2

Terms of Use .......................................................................................................................................2

Interpreting the Data...........................................................................................................................3

Termination Events.............................................................................................................................3

Defects.................................................................................................................................................4

Modifications.......................................................................................................................................5

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ..................................................................................................5

Credit Score.........................................................................................................................................6

Other Data Elements...........................................................................................................................6

Actual Loss..........................................................................................................................................8

Relief Refinance Loans ....................................................................................................................10

Additional Questions........................................................................................................................11
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Loan Population

1. What loans are included in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset (the “Dataset”)?

All mortgages purchased or guaranteed by Freddie Mac with origination dates between January 1, 1999 and the 

Origination Cutoff Date (see Release Notes for details) are included. Please refer to the Single Family Loan-Level 

Dataset General User Guide for a detailed description of the files.

2. What if I don’t have the capability or need to analyze all loans included in the full Dataset?

A simple random sample of the Dataset is available, containing 50,000 loans selected from each full vintage year and 

a proportionate number of loans from each partial vintage year. The sample dataset is available for download on the 

Annual download page and contains one origination data file and one monthly performance data file for each vintage 

year. Each file contains the same data fields as found in the full Dataset files (Refer to the Data Dictionary section of 

the General User Guide for more information on data fields and their definitions). 

3. How were loans selected for inclusion in the sample dataset?

The purpose of the sample dataset is to provide a more manageable set of loans that are representative of the 

Standard Dataset. The sample files are created by selecting a simple random sample from the Standard Dataset. This 

means that each loan in the Standard Dataset had an equal probability of being selected. A simple random sample is 

meant to be an unbiased representation of the larger population. Sampling is not available for the Non-Standard 

Dataset.

4. What kind of data is being provided in the Dataset?

Origination: Origination characteristics of all loans are provided in the origination files

Performance: Monthly loan-level credit performance through the Performance Cutoff Date up to property disposition is 

reported for all loans included in the performance files. 

Loss information is populated after a 90-day lag based on the Zero Balance Date. Credit performance and actual loss 

data for loans in the pipeline for property disposition or after the Performance Cutoff Date (see Release Notes for 

details) is not included. For loans that are originated within the Origination Cutoff Date but are funded by Freddie Mac 

after the Funding Cutoff Date, data will not be available until future releases when those loans are within the cutoffs.

5. How often will the Non-Standard Dataset be updated?

The Non-Standard dataset was first released in April 2021 and was updated in subsequent releases until Jan 2022 

(release 30). The release 30 version is still available for download, but we do not have plans to update it in the future.

6. Is the Loan Sequence number retained for loans common to the previous release and this update?

Yes, for all loans common to both releases, the Loan Sequence Number is retained. An exception is the release 

scheduled in April 2021, when the Loan Sequence Number format was adjusted. With each subsequent release of the 

Standard and Non-Standard datasets, the loan sequence number will remain consistent unless otherwise noted by 

Freddie Mac.

Terms of Use

7. How is this data to be used?

Freddie Mac is making its Single Family credit performance data available at the direction of its regulator, the Federal 

Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The availability of this data will help investors build more accurate credit 

performance models in support of ongoing risk sharing initiatives highlighted by our regulator, the Federal Housing 

Finance Agency in the 2023 conservatorship scorecard. 
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8. May we repackage or resell the data to our customers or clients?

As noted in the Terms of Use, users of the Dataset agree not to repackage, modify, distribute, or resell the data in any 

format without first entering into a licensing and distribution agreement with Freddie Mac. You may contact Freddie 

Mac via email (SF_Loan_Level_Data_Inquiry@freddiemac.com) and your request will be directed to the appropriate 

person(s) within Freddie Mac.

9. May we use the Dataset for academic or research purposes?

As noted in the Terms of Use, you may use the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset for academic or research purposes, 

and make your academic or research results and any related Derived Products available to the public, provided that 

any such distribution is solely for noncommercial purposes and further provided that the same does not include and 

cannot be used to derive or recreate any part of the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset or to identify any specific 

individual as prohibited in the Terms of Use.

Interpreting the Data

10. Why do data anomalies occur in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset?

Monthly performance and actual loss data in the Dataset combines data elements from multiple reporting cycles and 

Freddie Mac systems into a single loan record. As such, perceived data anomalies may be a result of timing 

mismatches between default reporting cycles and investor reporting cycles. Other reasons why the data may be 

imperfect include but are not limited to the following: 

• Seller/Servicer reporting errors: Freddie Mac relies on Seller/Servicer-reported data

• Data quality controls and systems have evolved and improved over time

• Administrative errors

• Loan delivery requirements (e.g. Form 11/13) have been updated to allow more granular reporting over time

In all cases, the best information available at the time the Dataset is generated, subject to operational constraints, is 

used.

11. Where can I find more information about reporting cycles at Freddie Mac?

For more information on investor reporting cycles, refer to the Investor Reporting Guide, located on our web site here. 

We also have some examples available in the “Interpreting the Data” section of the User Guide.

12. What is the difference between Current Actual UPB and Interest Bearing UPB?

The Current Actual UPB value is the total remaining outstanding balance on the loan, while the Interest Bearing UPB 

is the amount of that balance on which the monthly interest payment is based. 

For most loans these values are the same, but may differ for loans that have had Payment Deferrals and/or loan 

modifications. For loans with a deferred principal amount, the Current Actual UPB is the sum of the Interest Bearing 

UPB and the Current Deferred UPB for a loan.

Termination Events

13. What is considered a Termination Event in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset? 

Loans may become inactive in the Dataset for a variety of reasons, including voluntary payoffs or credit events, known 

as “Termination Events”. Loans that become inactive in the Dataset due to a Termination Event will not be updated 

for activity in subsequent periods, with the exception of trailing expenses and/or recoveries that will be updated in the 

final monthly performance record with subsequent refreshes. One additional exception are loans that were determined 

to have a defect after a termination event. These loans will have the date of the defect populated in the Defect 

Settlement Date field. 
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The reason for loan inactivity will be indicated by the value in the Zero Balance Code field, which is set during the 

Monthly Reporting Period corresponding to the Zero Balance Effective Date.

Reason for Loan Termination Zero Balance Code

Prepaid or Matured (Voluntary Payoff) 01

Third Party Sale 02

Short Sale or Charge Off 03

Defect prior to Other Termination Event 96

REO Disposition 09

Whole Loan sale 15

Reperforming Loan Securitization 16

14. Can a loan have more than one Zero Balance Code?

No. A loan can only have one Zero Balance Code in the Dataset. The Zero Balance Code will indicate the reason for 

the termination event that occurred first. 

15. Are “approved” but not yet “closed” deeds-in-lieu or short sales included in the Single Family Loan-Level 

Dataset?

No. Only “closed” workouts with legally effective date prior to the Performance Cutoff Date, as indicated by the Zero 

Balance Effective Date, are reported in the Dataset. Similar to the above, “closed” indicates that the deed-in-lieu or 

short sale data has been processed and archived in Freddie Mac’s internal system, and there could be some delay 

between the legal effective date and the “closed” date.

Defects

16. How are defects defined in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset? 

The Single Family Loan-Level Dataset identifies those loans that have defects in the monthly performance data files. 

The date of the defect will be populated regardless of whether the defect occurred before or after a termination event, 

as long as it occurred before the Performance Cutoff Date. Defects include loans where Freddie Mac was 

compensated for losses incurred, or “made whole”, as well as loans where a “repurchase equivalent”, such as 

recourse or indemnification, was negotiated with a seller. 

17. How do I distinguish defects that occur prior to a Termination Event from defects that occur subsequent to a 

Termination Event? 

For loans that were determined to have a defect prior to other Termination Events, the latest monthly performance 

record for a given loan will include the following information:

1. Zero Balance Code = 96

2. Zero Balance Effective Date = Month and year during which the defect occurred

3. Defect Settlement Date = Month and year during which the defect occurred

For loans that were determined to have a defect after a Termination Event, but prior to The Performance Cutoff Date, 

the latest monthly performance record for a given loan will include the following information:

1. Zero Balance Code = Code for termination event applicable to loan

2. Zero Balance Effective Date = Month and year during which the termination event occurred
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3. Defect Settlement Date = Month and year during which the defect occurred

18. How are proceeds that were received as part of bulk or lump-sum settlement agreements treated in the 

dataset?

Any proceeds under bulk or lump-sum settlement agreements are not disclosed at the loan level. This is primarily 

because such an allocation would involve significant judgment, as the scope of the settlements is far broader than just 

verified underwriting defects on loans contained in the historical dataset. That is, the settlements may also cover (1) 

loans outside of the historical dataset population and (2) loans that are not verified defects but instead represent 

potential defects.

19. Are loans that are current as of the Performance Cutoff Date but subsequently are determined to have a 

defect shown as defects in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset?

No. Defect activity is subject to the Performance Cutoff Date. The defect date will be populated in a subsequent 

release when it is within the Performance Cutoff.

Modifications

20. Can a loan be modified more than one time?

Yes. Due to the various programs for loan modification available to borrowers (e.g., Standard, Home Affordable 

Modification Program or “HAMP”, etc.), a loan could be modified multiple times throughout its lifetime. Each instance 

of modification will be reported in the Dataset, provided that the loan had not previously experienced a Termination 

Event and the modification closed prior to The Performance Cutoff Date.

21. What fields are updated when a loan is modified?

The origination data file will not reflect the modified loan terms of a given modified loan. In the monthly performance 

data file, all or a subset of the following fields may be updated in the monthly reporting period during which the 

modification became legally effective:

1. Current Actual UPB

2. Current Loan Delinquency Status

3. Remaining Months to Legal Maturity

4. Current Interest Rate

5. Current Deferred UPB

The Modification Flag will be set to “Y” in the period during which the modification is legally effective. For loans which 

have been modified more than once (see previous FAQ), the Modification Flag will be set to “Y” for each instance of 

modification.

22. Is the Modification Flag set to “Y” for "approved" but not yet "closed" modifications?

No. Only “closed” modifications with legally effective date prior to The Performance Cutoff Date are reported as 

modified in the Dataset. “Closed” indicates that the modification data has been processed and archived in Freddie 

Mac’s internal system, and there could be some delay between the legal effective date and the “closed” date.

23. Is the program under which a loan was modified (Standard, HAMP, etc.) disclosed in the Dataset? Were 

specific modification programs included or excluded from the Dataset?

There is no identifier of the type of mortgage modification program associated with a given modified loan in the 

Dataset, and no specific modification programs were included or excluded from the Dataset.

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

24. Why is the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) not reported for some loans?
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A blank field indicates that the area in which the mortgaged property is located is neither an MSA nor a Metropolitan 

Division, or it is unknown. 

25. Why is the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) value in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset different from 

what was originally disclosed for the same loan?

MSA values from the 2010 census (for Mar 2013 and May 2013 releases) and 2013 census (for Aug 2013 and Dec 

2013 releases) were applied to all loans in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset. Therefore, the MSA may be 

different from what was originally disclosed for the same loan.

26. Will MSA or Metropolitan Division be updated to reflect changes over time?

No. Changes and/or updates to MSA or Metropolitan Division will not be reflected in the Single Family Loan-Level 

Dataset.

Credit Score

27. Why is the Credit Score not reported for some loans?

If the Credit Score is less than 301 or greater than 850, the score will be disclosed as “Not Available”, which will be 

indicated by ‘9999’. 

28. Why does Freddie Mac have multiple scores available to populate Credit Score?

Although Freddie Mac discloses only one Credit Score for each loan in the Dataset, multiple credit scores are 

collected for every loan during delivery and settlement-related activities.

Other Data Elements

29. Why is Original Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) not reported for some loans?

The DTI reported in Single Family Loan-Level Dataset is subject to the widely varying standards that originators use 

to calculate and / or report Borrowers’ income and liabilities. The DTI will be disclosed with ’999’ when it is greater 

than 65% or when it is “Not Available”. Values from 0% up to 65% are indicated with the actual value. Relief 

Refinance loans will be disclosed as ’999’. 

30. Why is Original Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV) not reported for some loans?

For non-Relief Refinance loans originated on or prior to Q1 2018, if the Original LTV ratio is less than 6% or greater 

than 105% then the ratio will be disclosed as “Not Available”, which will be indicated by ’999’ in the loan record. For 

loans originated in Q2 2018 and later or for Relief Refinance loans, Original LTV ratios less than 1% or greater than 

998% will be disclosed as ‘999’ (‘null’).

31. Why is Mortgage Insurance Percentage (MI %) not reported for some loans?

If the MI% reported by the Seller is less than 1% or greater than 55%, the MI % will be disclosed as “Not Available”, 

which will be indicated by ’999’ in the loan record. For loans that have zero MI, it will be disclosed as three zeros.

32. Why is Original Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio (CLTV) not reported for some loans?

For non-Relief Refinance loans originated on or prior to Q1 2018, if the Original Combined LTV ratio is less than 6% 

or greater than 200% then the ratio will be disclosed as “Not Available”, which will be indicated by ’999’ in the loan 

record. For loans originated in Q2 2018 and later or for Relief Refinance loans, Original Combined LTV ratios less 

than 1% or greater than 998% will be disclosed as ‘999’ (‘null’).

33. Why is the Origination Channel for some loans not specified?

The Channel field will be set to the data value of “T” (i.e., Third Party Originator Not Specified) for all loans which do 

not specify whether they are Broker (“B”), Correspondent (“C”), or Retail (“R”). Note that prior to 2008, Freddie Mac 

did not collect granular information on the types of origination channels. In 2008, Freddie Mac began collecting the 
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granular information necessary to disclose whether a Broker or Correspondent was involved in the origination of each 

loan. 

34. Please explain why I cannot find the Loan Sequence Number assigned to a given loan in the Single Family 

Loan-Level Dataset in existing Freddie Mac Participation Certificates (PC) disclosure?

The Loan Sequence Number is a unique identifier assigned to a given loan in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset, 

and will not match the Loan Sequence Number assigned to the same loan issued in existing Freddie Mac participation 

certificates (PCs). 

35. What does “Other” mean in the Seller Name or Servicer Name field?

Sellers or Servicers whose total origination UPB represents less than 1% of loans originated and delivered to Freddie 

Mac in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset in a given origination quarter will be disclosed as "Other sellers” or 

“Other servicers.” 

36. How is Loan Age derived in the Dataset?

The Loan Age is derived in the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset by finding the difference between the Monthly 

Reporting Period and the First Payment Date in months, and then by adding one more month. This approach ensures 

the Loan Age calculation commences with the first full month after the note origination month. When a loan is 

modified, the loan age is reset to use the modification first payment date from the period of the modification and 

forward.

37. Why is the Original Loan Term not equal to the sum of the Loan Age and the Remaining Months to Legal 

Maturity for some loans?

For modified loans, the Modification First Payment Date is used instead of the Loan First Payment Date, and the PostModification Maturity Date is used instead of the Loan Maturity Date. These two fields should sum to the Modification 

Term.

38. Why is the First Payment Date for a certain loan more than a month after the origination month?

The Dataset includes certain types of mortgages, such as construction-to-perm loans (also known as “converted 

mortgages”) and seller-owned modified mortgages, which are reported to Freddie Mac with the original note date of 

the mortgage and the converted or modified First Payment Date. Errors in the Seller/Servicer reported data are also 

possible.

39. Why is the First-Time Homebuyer Flag not reported for certain loans?

First-Time Homebuyer is blank for certain loans because the status does not apply to Investment Properties, Second 

Homes, and Refinance transactions. These transactions are not eligible to be considered first-time homebuyer loans 

according to Freddie Mac’s Seller/Servicer Guide. For purchase, owner-occupied mortgages that do not qualify for 

First-Time Homebuyer status, the flag will be set to “N.”

40. For which performance cycles are Estimated LTV values reported?

Estimated LTV values are reported beginning with the April 2017 performance cycle and for all subsequent 

performance cycles.

41. Why are some Estimated LTV values not reported after the April 2017 performance cycle?

Freddie Mac’s valuation model requires information which may not be available for all properties. When the 

necessary information is not available then Freddie Mac’s valuation model will not be able to report an estimated 

value for the property.

42. Why is are the Disaster Area Indicator & Borrower Assistance Code not populated prior to the January 2014 

performance cycle?

January 2014 is the cycle in which CRT offerings began disclosing this data, the data is populated for all performance 

cycles in which it is available for CRT offerings.
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43. Are loans originated under Freddie Mac’s affordable programs in the datasets?

Freddie Mac has various solutions to promote affordable and sustainable lending. Typically, loans that are 

underwritten through our Home Possible program are eligible for CRT transactions. These loans, if they are originated 

in March 2015 or later, are included in the Standard Dataset provided they are not sent to the Non-Standard Dataset 

for another reason. Any Home Possible loan originated in February 2015 or prior, and all other affordable programs 

are included in the Non-Standard Dataset.

44. Why did Deferred Payment plan field change from being a modification to a non-modification?

Payment Deferral was not a standard loss mitigation strategy until the formal announcement in the March 2020 

Servicing bulletin. Payment Deferral does follow a similar processing methodology as modifications. Prior to the 

September release, both the Modification Flag and Payment Deferral Plan showed flag “Y” whenever a loan has been 

granted a Payment Deferral Plan. However, after the formal introduction and evaluation of Payment Deferral 

(including COVID-19 Payment Deferral in May 2020), we wanted to make a clear distinction between modification and 

Payment Deferral Plan. Going forward, if a loan has been granted Payment Deferral with no other modification, then 

only the Payment Deferral Plan will show the flag of “Y.” 

 

45. Can both Modifications and Payment Deferrals result in Modification Cost?

A change in interest rate and/or having a non-interesting bearing balance can result in interest short fall based on our 

calculation. Currently, the Single Family Loan Level Dataset calculates Modification Cost for both Modifications and 

Payment Deferrals.

Actual Loss

46. What is loan-level Actual Loss? Is the Actual Loss amount the full and final loss that Freddie Mac 

experiences on a loan?

Loan-level Actual Loss is the amount of loss that Freddie Mac bears when a mortgage defaults and that Freddie Mac 

will potentially pass on to investors of any future actual loss credit risk transfer transactions. 

The Actual Loss data components disclosed in this dataset will not add up to the full and final loss that Freddie Mac 

experiences on a loan, but does include all the major components that may be passed along to a credit risk transfer 

investor. Loss amounts attributable to general and administrative expenses, master servicing costs, counterparty risk 

and underwriting defects are not included in the Actual Loss data components disclosed in this dataset.

47. Why is Freddie Mac disclosing Actual Loss data components at a loan level?

Freddie Mac is disclosing Actual Loss data components at a loan level at this time to facilitate actual loss based credit 

risk transfer transactions and to increase transparency. The actual loss data enables potential credit investors to get 

familiar with Freddie Mac’s actual loss performance.

48. What is Freddie Mac’s high-level methodology for disclosing Actual Loss data?

Freddie Mac will only disclose cash-based loss components and recoveries for Real Estate Owned (REO) Sales, 

Short Sales (SS), Third Party Sales (TPS), Charge-Off and Note Sales. For modified loans, losses will be disclosed 

only in the Modification Cost and Current Month Modification Cost fields. Any counterparty risk that Freddie Mac 

bears will not be disclosed. Actual recoveries will be disclosed, but when there is no recovery (e.g. due to 

cancellation or counterparty failure), the applicable loss amount or the reason for no recovery will not be available.

49. Are these Actual Loss amounts different than GAAP Loss amounts?

GAAP loss is accrual based and includes estimates for payables and cash receivables whereas Actual Loss is cash 

based and includes only cash received or cash paid. GAAP losses also include loss components such as: bulk level 

settlements, master servicing cost, G&A expenses, and covering for defunct counterparties. Additionally, Freddie Mac 

reports GAAP losses at an aggregate level (not loan-level) as part of its financial reports.

50. How can I use these Actual Loss data components to derive actual loss on a specific loan?
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Starting July 2016 data refresh, actual loss amount is being disclosed at a loan level, which provides an actual loss 

view for an investor. However, the calculation for deriving actual losses on a specific loan will be based on the specific 

credit risk offering. For example: Whole Loan Securities treat forborne UPB as a component of loss, whereas STACR 

does not. In general actual loss for a specific loan could be calculated by adding Unpaid Principal Balance, Lost 

Interest and Expense then deducting Net Sale Proceeds, MI Recoveries and Non MI Recoveries.

51. How will Actual Loss data components be disclosed for properties that were disposed shortly prior to the 

performance cut-off date?

To allow for sufficient time for Loss Components (expenses and proceeds) to be recorded, Freddie Mac implemented 

a 90-day lag based on the Zero Balance Date. Dispositions in the last quarter of the cut-off date will show a zero 

balance code only. Loss components will be populated in subsequent refreshes after the initial 90 day lag.

52. Can I continue to use this dataset for STACR Fixed Severity (i.e. for loan-level performance up until D180)?

Yes, a Current Loan Delinquency Status of 6 would indicate the loan to be between D180 and D210 and can be used 

to flag loans and respective credit events pre D180; thereby establishing a logical performance cutoff prior to or at 

D180.

53. What causes some loans to stay severely delinquent?

In order to resolve a serious delinquency, Freddie Mac and its agents diligently work through and comply with laws 

and regulations at all levels of jurisdictions of the state where the property is located. In some cases including, but not 

limited to, state/court imposed mediation, contested foreclosure, jurisdictional legal processes time frame, regulatory 

mandated processes, and maintaining full compliance, properties may experience extended delinquency.

54. How are the Net Sale Proceeds being derived? 

Net Sale Proceeds are being derived by subtracting customary selling expenses from the gross sale proceeds. Selling 

Expense types are real estate brokerage commissions, settlement fees, real estate taxes, liens, title fees, government 

recording and transfer charges, Pest/termite inspection, etc. Please refer to Guide HUD-1 that outlines the selling 

expenses deducted from the Gross Sales proceeds. BPO fees and legal/repair/maintenance are Servicer 

reimbursable expenses separate from Selling Expenses (Form 105). 

55. Why do some default loans show missing net sale proceeds?

In December 2015 data refresh, Freddie Mac introduced a 90 day lag for recent liquidations. That means for loans 

liquidated during the last 3 months before performance cutoff date, components of loss including net sale proceeds, 

expenses, Non-MI recoveries and MI recoveries will be set to missing.

However, sometimes FA loans can take longer than 90 days to go through reconciliation process internally, which 

causes a delay in processing net sale proceeds. For these loans net sale proceeds will be missing. For the purpose 

of calculation of loss severity, we recommend removing loans with missing net sale proceeds from the population.

56. Why do I sometimes observe small difference between calculated actual loss and disclosed actual loss?

When a data user calculates actual loss using the components disclosed, and the methodology outlined in user guide, 

the resulting actual loss amount could be different from the disclosed actual loss field due to the following reasons:

a) For loans with underwriting defects (defect settlement date field is populated) the disclosed actual loss amount is 

set to zero, whereas calculated actual loss amount can result in a residual loss. However, STACR investors are not 

exposed to that loss. 

b) For loans with missing Net Sale Proceeds and expense data, the disclosed actual loss is set to zero (We 

recommend excluding these loans for analytical purposes) 

c) Rounding of Expenses, Net Sale Proceeds, M Recoveries and Non-MI Recoveries values
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d) Current loans or delinquent loans where a portion of principal is paid down before liquidation, and the last known 

non-zero current balance does not reflect the principal paydown.

57. How far back are the expense subcategories disclosed?

Expenses have been further categorized into Legal Costs, Maintenance and Preservation Costs, Taxes and 

Insurance, and Miscellaneous Expenses. 

58. Why do I observe a change in expenses & Non-MI recoveries as compared to prior releases for older 

dispositions?

In order to provide more expense detail and/to better align with STACR disclosures, we have reclassified certain items 

between income and expense, e.g., some proceeds that previously were classified as Non-MI recoveries are now 

included in expenses, and vice versa. While these reclassifications affect total expenses and total Non-MI recoveries, 

there is zero net effect on total loss.

59. Under what scenarios, when Zero Balance Code is 02, 03, 09, or 15, are the reported Net Sale Proceeds and 

expenses 0? 

For Dispositions not within the 90 day lag (as listed in FAQ 46), a zero or missing Net Sale Proceeds may be 

explained by Charged off loans (i.e., Zero Balance Code type of Short Sale/Charge Off = 03), or REO dispositions 

(i.e., Zero Balance Code =09) in which proceeds from the counterparties (Seller/Servicers) come through Non-MI 

Recoveries. 

60. Can delinquent or seriously delinquent loans be a voluntary full payoff? 

Yes, it is possible for a delinquent loan to become a voluntary full payoff. Throughout the default life cycle the 

homeowner has the ability to pay off the loan until the commencement of the foreclosure action takes place, unless 

there is a redemption right within the jurisdiction that allows the homeowner to redeem the property for a specified 

amount of time after the sale has transpired.

Relief Refinance Loans

61. When did HARP program begin, and what are the eligibility requirements?

HARP is a federally mandated program for greater than 80% LTV. This program was rolled into the Relief Refinance 

offering which began in 2009. For more information on HARP program, refer to documentation under this link.

62. On the Relief Refinance offering website, there are 2 programs, Same Servicer and Open Access. Are loans 

refinanced under both programs included in the Single Family Loan Level Dataset?

Yes, as long as the original loan was part of either the Standard or the Non-Standard Single Family Loan Level 

Dataset.

63. How do users link Relief Refinance loans to Pre-Relief Refinance loans in the loan level dataset?

Relief Refinance loans can be linked to Pre-Relief Refinance loans using the Pre-Relief Refinance Loan Sequence 

Number field. For more details, please refer to the User Guide.
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64. How is the population of HARP loans defined in the dataset?

The HARP population is those loans which were originated through the Relief Refinance program between 2009 and 

2018, with an Original LTV above 80% at the time the Relief Refinance loan was originated.

65. Are HARP underwriting/servicing defects identified differently?

No, underwriting/servicing defects for HARP loans are not identified differently.

66. Can a HARP loan be subsequently modified?

Yes, a HARP loan can be subsequently modified.

67. Why was DTI set to Unknown for Relief Refinance loans?

Relief Refinance is a streamlined refinance program, where the requirement on borrower Income verification is 

different than our standard underwriting. To be conservative, Freddie Mac masks DTI for Relief Refinance loans by 

setting it to Unknown.

68. The Relief Refinance data has been disclosed in past releases, but I do not see it for Release 26. Is it still 

disclosed?

Beginning with Release 26, Relief Refinance loan data has been incorporated into the appropriate origination & 

performance quarterly dataset files. As the Relief Refinance loans are no longer in a separate disclosure file, the 

Relief Refinance Indicator field has been added to the origination dataset. In this field, Relief Refinance loans will be 

indicated with a Y value and Non-Relief Refinance loans will be indicated with a blank.

69. How are ARM loans that went through a relief refinance program disclosed in the dataset?

Most of the ARM loans that go through the Relief Refinance program, are converted to Fixed-Rate Mortgages. In such 

cases where the Relief Refinance loan remains an ARM loan, these loans can be found in the Non-Standard dataset.

Additional Questions

70. How often will Freddie Mac update the Dataset going forward?

Freddie Mac plans to issue quarterly updates to the Standard Dataset and will notify users prior to the availability of 

such information. FHFA no longer mandates us to update the Non-Standard Dataset annually. This schedule may be 

subject to change based on FHFA guidance.

71. Will the data be updated for data corrections or changes over time?

The Single Family Loan-Level Dataset is a “living dataset”, and, as such, changes to data previously released are 

possible. Please note that any such changes to a given loan will not represent “newer” or “updated” information (as in 

the case of Credit Score, for example).

72. Will the data be available for bulk download via a File Transfer Protocol or “FTP” site?

Currently, Freddie Mac has no plans to make the data available for bulk download. 

73. What if I have additional questions?
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For additional information, please visit our Web site at https://www.freddiemac.com/research/datasets/sf-loanleveldataset

• For support with technical issues related to downloading the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset files, please 

send an email to embs_support@bkfs.com

• For support with data questions related to the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset, please send an email to 

SF_Loan_Level_Data_Inquiry@freddiemac.com

74. What has changed with this update?

Please see Release Notes document.

This document will be updated as the Single Family Loan-Level Dataset is modified and released.