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Home Value Explorer®

Home Value Explorer® (HVE®) is a Freddie Mac Automated Valuation Model (AVM) tool that generates an estimate of property value in seconds. HVE encompasses several models rolled into a single product, for one low cost. HVE uses Freddie Mac's unique proprietary algorithm that blends model estimates returned by our repeat sales model and hedonic model, which is considered our combining process. HVE provides extensive coverage of all 50 states and more than 3100 counties with its database of approximately 100 million property records. HVE data simplifies the mortgage process by streamlining the collateral valuation cycle.

For more than 20 years, Freddie Mac has effectively employed AVMs internally for its own risk and portfolio management. AVMs have become an integral part of today's mortgage market, and AVM technology has advanced the world of automated valuation services from novelty to necessity.

Today, AVMs are efficient, effective and essential tools in loan manufacturing. AVMs help expedite processes, lower costs and minimize risk. When choosing an AVM, it's important to consider coverage, vendor reputation, current technology, accuracy, and price. Freddie Mac's dedicated team of modeling experts continues to improve and enhance the HVE tool to keep it best of class for both our internal use as well as for our customers' use.

In nationwide tests conducted by large wholesale lenders, HVE consistently performs at the top in the areas of coverage, accuracy, and reliability.

HVE is a tool with many uses:

  • Supports many lending functions such as:
    • Underwriting review for first and second mortgages, and home equity loans/home equity lines of credit
    • Credit risk management
    • Loss mitigation
    • Refinance and modification of mortgages
  • Supports processes related to evaluating insurance needs
  • Supports Quality Control (QC) processes
  • Supports Portfolio Management processes

HVE results are available through:

  • Loan Product Advisor®, Freddie Mac’s automated underwriting system, on the Loan Product Advisor Feedback Certificate.
  • Home Value Suite distributors

Confidence Level and Forecast Standard Deviation

In addition to the estimated value of a property, HVE reports provide a Confidence Level and a Forecast Standard Deviation, which indicate the accuracy of the estimated value.

Recent Neighborhood Sales Defined

HVE reports provide a list of recent neighborhood sales* within a 1-mile radius of a subject property sold within the last year. Up to 10 properties can be listed. However, the Repeat Sales section on an HVE report is not comparable sales data that an appraiser would provide to substantiate their valuation. It is informational only. It is intended to be a list of properties within a specific distance from the subject property (~ 1 mile) and have hedonic information in common with the subject property. Recent sales information is only one variable in the code that generates a valuation.

To sign up for HVE, contact one of our approved distributors for pricing and/or a product demonstration.

* The Recent Neighborhood Sales is informational only and is located on the Repeat Sales section on a HVE report. It is not a comparable sales data as an appraiser would provide to substantiate their valuation. The information is intended to be a list of properties within a specific distance from the subject property (~ 1 mile) and have hedonic information in common with the subject property. The hedonic model information most often matched is the latitude/longitude coordinates and the bedroom/bathroom numbers. Recent sales information is only one variable in the code that generates a valuation.