Selecting an attorney for legal cases is a very important decision. Please enter your information below to receive a Free Consultation from an attorney in your area:
Real
Estate News
HUD Settles Case Against Atlanta-Based Lender And Broker Accused Of Phony Hiring Of Real Estate Agents
Sham "employees" did little or no work for referral fees
WASHINGTON - The Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a settlement agreement with Atlanta-based lender, Znet Financial, involving alleged violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). In addition, real estate broker ReMax of Atlanta, certain of their officers and affiliated companies, and 14 ReMax real estate agents agreed to the settlement after HUD determined all violated the anti-kickback and unearned fee provisions of RESPA.
RESPA prohibits kickbacks for the referral of real estate settlement business as well as the giving and receiving of a portion of real estate settlement charges for which no services are performed. A HUD investigation found Znet paid ReMax of Atlanta real estate agents as "employees" even though the agents performed little or no work for the lender.
"RESPA is very clear that creating the illusion of employment to mask otherwise illegal referral fees is not permitted," said John C. Weicher, HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing - Federal Housing Commissioner. "Real estate agents, brokers and lenders should know that they will be held accountable for kickbacks and unearned fees."
HUD's investigation found that Znet represented the ReMax of Atlanta agents as "employees," paying them $400 for each consumer referred to Znet. The real estate agents are actually "sham employees" after investigators found the agents performed little or no origination work other than filling out loan application forms.
Under the terms of the settlement, the companies, their officers and the real estate agents agreed to stop this bogus employee compensation program. Further, the ReMax agents will refund $400 to each consumer referred to Znet for a total of $9,200. In addition, Znet will make a settlement payment to the U.S. Treasury of $15,000.
Stopping foreclosure with a special forbearance can be done
Your lender may be able to arrange a repayment plan based on your financial situation and may even provide for a temporary reduction or suspension of your payments. You may qualify for this if you have recently experienced a reduction in income or an increase in living expenses.
Newsroom
News about real estate cases in Texas and nationwide:
Definition:
Power of Government to restrict/control a property owner's right to create entrances and exits on a public road. After a roadway is designed, built, and in use, there will be instances in which someone will request permission to create a driveway or entrance onto the roadway.
Assumable mortgage
Definition:
A mortgage that can be transferred from a seller to a buyer; once the loan is assumed by the buyer the seller is no longer responsible for repaying it; there may be a fee and/or a credit package involved in the transfer of an assumable mortgage.
PMI
Definition:
Private Mortgage Insurance; privately-owned companies that offer standard and special affordable mortgage insurance programs for qualified borrowers with down payments of less than 20% of a purchase price.
If you live in the following cities and need an real estate attorney you should contact
our Real Estate Attorney as soon as possible:
Alvin
Amarillo
Arlington
Austin
Baytown
Brownsville
Burleson
Carrollton
College Station
Cypress
Dallas
Del Rio
Desoto
Eagle Pass
Edinburg
El Paso
Flower Mound
Fort Worth
Friendswood
Garland
Grand Prairie
Grapevine
Harlingen
Houston
Irving
Katy
Laredo
League City
Lewisville
Mcallen
Mesquite
Mission
New Braunfels
North Richland Hills
Palestine
Pasadena
Pharr
Plano
Richardson
Richmond
Round Rock
San Antonio
San Benito
San Marcos
Seguin
Spring
Sugar Land
Victoria
Weslaco
Legal Disclaimers All attorney listings are a paid attorney advertisement, and do not in any way constitute a referral or endorsement by an approved or authorized lawyer referral service. The information provided on Texas Real Estate Lawyers.com is not intended to be real estate advice, but merely conveys
general information related to real estate issues commonly encountered.
Local Professional? Generate new business today
Call 866-227-9356 or contact a sales rep
Did You Know?