(a) On purchasing a mortgage loan or interest in a mortgage loan from a mortgage lender, the department shall pay a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal balance, except that a discount from the principal balance or the payment of a premium may be used to produce a fair rate of return consistent with the obligations of the department and the purposes of this chapter.
(b) In addition to payment of the outstanding principal balance, the department shall pay the accrued interest due to the date on which the mortgage loan is delivered against payment.