source:
  type: guide
  id: fhlmc-4201.15
  authority: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide Section 4201.15 — Escrow
    accounts
  description: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide Section 4201.15 — Escrow
    accounts.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: fhlmc-4201.15-full
  canonical_id: fhlmc-4201.15-full
  section: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide Section 4201.15 — Escrow
    accounts
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - fhlmc
  - freddie-guide
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide Section 4201.15 — Escrow
      accounts
    source_class: fhlmc-guide
    source_url: https://guide.freddiemac.com/ci-guide
    snapshot_id: 5869ee9e606cd4ae
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T00:27:40Z'
    content_hash: sha256:9a1b23e5024bb369e7a59d36b3702383c11ace68b5d209fdef791bc8f955c637
    paragraph_quote: '4201.15: Escrow accounts (04/02/25) This section contains requirements
      related to: ■ Escrow accounts ■ Seller policy for not requiring Escrow accounts
      ■ Best practices (a) Escrow accounts Freddie Mac does not require Escrow accounts
      except with respect to the collection of Borrower-paid mortgage insurance paid
      monthly as described in Section 4701.2 and when required by applicable law.
      (b) Seller policy for not requiring Escrow accounts Sellers that sell Mortgages
      without Escrow accounts must establish and maintain a written policy for determining
      when Escrow accounts are not required. Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer
      Guide Chapter 4201 As of 03/04/26 Page 4201-15 The Seller’s determination that
      Escrow accounts are not required for a Mortgage must be based on the evaluation
      of the Borrower’s ability to make all payments for the expenses to be paid under
      the Mortgage as they become due. These expenses include: ■ Property hazard insurance
      premiums ■ Real estate taxes ■ Ground rents and other charges that are or may
      become First Liens on the Mortgaged Premises ■ Special assessments Sellers may
      not waive the requirement for Escrow accounts with respect to collection of
      Borrower-paid mortgage insurance and when Escrows are required by law. (c) Best
      practices Although not required, Freddie Mac encourages Sellers to require Escrows
      for the following Mortgages: ■ Mortgages to Borrowers that are First-Time Homebuyers
      ■ Home Possible® Mortgages ■ HomeOne® Mortgages ■ Mortgages secured by 2- to
      4-unit properties ■ Mortgages secured by Manufactured Homes ■ Second home Mortgages
      ■ Investment Property Mortgage ■ Mortgages where the Borrower has less than
      six months of reserves ■ Refinance Mortgages where taxes were past due on the
      Mortgage being refinanced Freddie Mac Single Family Seller/Servicer Guide Chapter
      4202 As of 02/04/26 Page 4202-1 Chapter 4202: Responsible Lending'
  judgment: false
