March 3, 2026
Mr. Barrett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
To strengthen and standardize first look
protections for covered properties to ensure first-time homebuyers have priority access to foreclosed homes, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the First Look for First-time Homebuyers Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. First look protections for first-time homebuyers
(a) In general
(1) 15-day first look period
Except as provided in paragraph (2), each covered entity shall ensure, when selling an covered property, that the covered property is only available for purchase by first-time homebuyers during the 15-day period beginning on the date that the covered property is listed for sale.
(2) Extension of period
A covered entity may extend the period described in paragraph (1) if such extension would increase the chance of a first-time homebuyer purchasing a covered property.
(b) Pricing of covered properties
(1) In general
During the 15-day period beginning on the date that the covered property is listed for sale during which an covered property is only available for purchase by first-time homebuyers the covered property shall be offered by the covered entity at a price that is the fair market value of the property as determined by an independent third-party appraisal or broker price opinion not more than 60 days before the date on which the property was listed for sale.
(2) Exception
If the covered entity selling the covered property determines that the fair market value of the property can not be determined by an independent third-party appraisal or broker price opinion not more than 60 days before the date on which the property was listed for sale the covered entity may offer the covered property at a price based on a standardized valuation model used by the covered entity if the covered entity publically discloses the methodology used by such standardized valuation model.
(c) Listing on public website
During the 15-day period beginning on the date that the covered property is listed for sale during which an covered property is only available for purchase by first-time homebuyers the covered property shall be listed on a publically accessible website by the covered entity in a manner that identifies the covered property as only available for purchase by first-time homebuyers and indicates how many days remain in the 15-day period during which the covered property is only available for purchase by first-time homebuyers.
(d) Prohibition on bundling
A covered entity may not bundle covered properties during the 15-day period beginning on the date that the covered property is listed for sale by the eligible entity.
(e) Report to congress
Not later than 6 months after the date described in subsection (h), and every 6 months thereafter, each covered entity shall submit to the Congress a report that describes—
(1)
the number of offers made by first-time homebuyers for covered properties during the 15-day window;
(2)
the number of covered properties sold to first-time home buyers during the 15-day window;
(3)
the pricing methodology used; and
(4)
the ratio of the sale price to the fair market value as determined by an independent third party appraisal, broker price opinion, or standardized valuation model.
(f) Annual report
(1) In general
The Inspectors General of each covered entity shall, each year, review all sales of covered properties by the covered entity in the prior year and determine whether any provisions of this section were violated during such sale.
(2) Report
The Inspectors General of each covered entity shall submit a report to the Congress each year that includes the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1).
(3) Public publication
The Inspectors General of each covered entity shall publish the report submitted under paragraph (2) on a publically accessible website of the covered entity.
(g) Rulemaking
Each covered entity shall, not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, issue such rules as are necessary to carry out this section and such rules shall include a process to verify the eligibility of first-time homebuyers.
(h) Effective date
This section shall take effect 30 days after the date of the final rulemaking described in subsection (g).
(i) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Covered property
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term covered property means any single-family residential property made up of 1 to 4 units that is owned or foreclosed upon by a covered entity.
(B) Good Neighbor Next Door Program
For the purposes of this Act, a covered property shall not include any property under the program known as the Good Neighbor Next Door Program
.
(2) Covered entity
The term covered entity
means—
(A)
the Federal Housing Administration;
(B)
the Federal Housing Finance Agency;
(C)
the Federal National Mortgage Association;
(D)
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; and
(E)
the Department of Agriculture.
(3) First-time homebuyer
The term first-time homebuyer
means any individual if such individual, or such individual’s spouse, has not had a present ownership interest in a principal residence at any time prior to the date of sale to which this Act applies.