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24 CFR § 3500.7—Good Faith Estimates Required By Regulation X (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act-RESPA)

Mar 3, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

For the class action defense attorney who defends against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of Regulation X. Congress gave authority to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate regulations for RESPA, and the regulations are set forth in 24 CFR § 3500.1 et seq. The regulations provide for good faith estimates to be provided to borrowers in § 3500.7, which provides:

§ 3500.7. Good faith estimate

(a) Lender to provide. Except as provided in this paragraph (a) or paragraph (f) of this section, the lender shall provide all applicants for a federally related mortgage loan with a good faith estimate of the amount of or range of charges for the specific settlement services the borrower is likely to incur in connection with the settlement. The lender shall provide the good faith estimate required under this section (a suggested format is set forth in Appendix C of this part) either by delivering the good faith estimate or by placing it in the mail to the loan applicant, not later than three business days after the application is received or prepared.

(1) If the lender denies the application for a federally related mortgage loan before the end of the three-business-day period, the lender need not provide the denied borrower with a good faith estimate.

(2) For “no cost” or “no point” loans, the charges to be shown on the good faith estimate include any payments to be made to affiliated or independent settlement service providers. These payments should be shown as P.O.C. (Paid Outside of Closing) on the Good Faith Estimate and the HUD-1 or HUD-1A.

(3) In the case of dealer loans, the lender is responsible for provision of the good faith estimate, either directly or by the dealer.

(4) If a mortgage broker is the exclusive agent of the lender, either the lender or the mortgage broker shall provide the good faith estimate within three business days after the mortgage broker receives or prepares the application.

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24 CFR § 3500.6—Special Information Booklet At Time Of Loan Application Under Regulation X (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act-RESPA)

Feb 25, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

As a resource for class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of Regulation X. Congress gave authority to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate regulations for RESPA, and the regulations are set forth in 24 CFR § 3500.1 et seq. The regulations provide for the preparation of a special information booklet to be given to borrowers at time of a loan application in § 3500.6, which provides:

§ 3500.6. Special information booklet at time of loan application

(a) Lender to provide special information booklet. Subject to the exceptions set forth in this paragraph, the lender shall provide a copy of the special information booklet to a person from whom the lender receives, or for whom the lender prepares, a written application for a federally related mortgage loan. When two or more persons apply together for a loan, the lender is in compliance if the lender provides a copy of the booklet to one of the persons applying.

(1) The lender shall provide the special information booklet by delivering it or placing it in the mail to the applicant not later than three business days (as that term is defined in § 3500.2) after the application is received or prepared. However, if the lender denies the borrower’s application for credit before the end of the three-business-day period, then the lender need not provide the booklet to the borrower. If a borrower uses a mortgage broker, the mortgage broker shall distribute the special information booklet and the lender need not do so. The intent of this provision is that the applicant receive the special information booklet at the earliest possible date.

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24 CFR § 3500.5—Coverage Of Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Under Regulation X

Feb 24, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

As a resource for class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of Regulation X. Congress gave authority to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate regulations for RESPA, and the regulations are set forth in 24 CFR § 3500.1 et seq. The regulations provide for coverage of RESPA in § 3500.5, which provides:

§ 3500.5. Coverage of RESPA

(a) Applicability. RESPA and this part apply to all federally related mortgage loans, except for the exemptions provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Exemptions. (1) A loan on property of 25 acres or more.

(2) Business purpose loans. An extension of credit primarily for a business, commercial, or agricultural purpose, as defined by Regulation Z, 12 CFR 226.3(a)(1). Persons may rely on Regulation Z in determining whether the exemption applies.

(3) Temporary financing. Temporary financing, such as a construction loan. The exemption for temporary financing does not apply to a loan made to finance construction of 1- to 4-family residential property if the loan is used as, or may be converted to, permanent financing by the same lender or is used to finance transfer of title to the first user. If a lender issues a commitment for permanent financing, with or without conditions, the loan is covered by this part. Any construction loan for new or rehabilitated 1- to 4-family residential property, other than a loan to a bona fide builder (a person who regularly constructs 1- to 4-family residential structures for sale or lease), is subject to this part if its term is for two years or more. A “bridge loan” or “swing loan” in which a lender takes a security interest in otherwise covered 1- to 4-family residential property is not covered by RESPA and this part.

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24 CFR § 3500.4—Reliance Upon Rule, Regulation Or Interpretation By HUD Under Regulation X (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act-RESPA)

Feb 18, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

For class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of Regulation X. Congress gave authority to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate regulations for RESPA, and the regulations are set forth in 24 CFR § 3500.1 et seq. The regulations provide for rules, regulations and interpretations by HUD in § 3500.4, which provides:

§ 3500.4. Reliance upon rule, regulation or interpretation by HUD

(a) Rule, regulation or interpretation.–(1) For purposes of sections 19(a) and (b) of RESPA (12 U.S.C. 2617(a) and (b)) only the following constitute a rule, regulation or interpretation of the Secretary:

(i) All provisions, including appendices, of this part. Any other document referred to in this part is not incorporated in this part unless it is specifically set out in this part;

(ii) Any other document that is published in the FEDERAL REGISTER by the Secretary and states that it is an “interpretation,” “interpretive rule,” “commentary,” or a “statement of policy” for purposes of section 19(a) of RESPA. Such documents will be prepared by HUD staff and counsel. Such documents may be revoked or amended by a subsequent document published in the FEDERAL REGISTER by the Secretary.

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24 CFR § 3500.3—Questions Or Suggestions From Public And Copies Of Public Guidance Documents Under Regulation X (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act-RESPA)

Feb 17, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

As a resource for class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of Regulation X. Congress gave authority to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate regulations for RESPA, and the regulations are set forth in 24 CFR § 3500.1 et seq. The regulations concerning questions or suggestions from public and copies of public guidance documents are set forth in § 3500.

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24 CFR § 3500.2—Definitions Used In The Regulations Promulgated By The Secretary Of The Department Of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) For The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

Feb 11, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

As a resource for class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of Regulation X. Congress gave authority to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate regulations for RESPA, and the regulations are set forth in 24 CFR § 3500.1 et seq. The definitions used in Regulation X are set forth in § 3500.2, which provides:

§ 3500.2. Definitions

(a) Statutory terms. All terms defined in RESPA (12 U.S.C. 2602) are used in accordance with their statutory meaning unless otherwise defined in paragraph (b) of this section or elsewhere in this part.

(b) Other terms. As used in this part:

Application means the submission of a borrower’s financial information in anticipation of a credit decision, whether written or computer-generated, relating to a federally related mortgage loan. If the submission does not state or identify a specific property, the submission is an application for a prequalification and not an application for a federally related mortgage loan under this part. The subsequent addition of an identified property to the submission converts the submission to an application for a federally related mortgage loan.

Business day means a day on which the offices of the business entity are open to the public for carrying on substantially all of the entity’s business functions.

Dealer means, in the case of property improvement loans, a seller, contractor, or supplier of goods or services. In the case of manufactured home loans, “dealer” means one who engages in the business of manufactured home retail sales.

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12 U.S.C. § 2617— Authority Granted To Secretary Of The Department Of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Under The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

Feb 10, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

As a resource for class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of the statute. Congress described the authority granted to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under RESPA in 12 U.S.C. § 2617, which provides:

§ 2617. Authority of Secretary

(a) Issuance of regulations; exemptions

The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations, to make such interpretations, and to grant such reasonable exemptions for classes of transactions, as may be necessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter.

(b) Liability for acts done in good faith in conformity with rule, regulation, or interpretation

No provision of this chapter or the laws of any State imposing any liability shall apply to any act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with any rule, regulation, or interpretation thereof by the Secretary or the Attorney General, notwithstanding that after such act or omission has occurred, such rule, regulation, or interpretation is amended, rescinded, or determined by judicial or other authority to be invalid for any reason.

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12 U.S.C. § 2616—Impact Of The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) On State Laws And Affect Of Inconsistent Federal And State Laws

Feb 4, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

For class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we make the text of RESPA available here. Congress clarified the affect of RESPA on state laws and provided for determining whether state laws were inconsistent with federal laws in 12 U.S.C. § 2616, which provides as follows: § 2616. State laws unaffected; inconsistent Federal and State provisions This chapter does not annul, alter, or affect, or exempt any person subject to the provisions of this chapter from complying with, the laws of any State with respect to settlement practices, except to the extent that those laws are inconsistent with any provision of this chapter, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency.

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12 U.S.C. § 2615—Validity Of Contracts And Liens Under The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

Feb 3, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

As a resource for the class action defense lawyer who defends against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we make the text of the statute available here. Congress clarified that RESPA does not affect the validity or enforceability of contracts for the sale of real property or of federally-related mortgage loans in 12 U.S.C. § 2615, which states: § 2615. Contracts and liens; validity Nothing in this chapter shall affect the validity or enforceability of any sale or contract for the sale of real property or any loan, loan agreement, mortgage, or lien made or arising in connection with a federally related mortgage loan.

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12 U.S.C. § 2614—Jurisdiction Of Courts And Statutes Of Limitation Under The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

Jan 28, 2007 | By: Michael J. Hassen

As a resource for class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of RESPA. Congress provided for the jurisdiction of courts and for statutes of limitation for private rights of action under RESPA in 12 U.S.C. § 2614, which provides: § 2614. Jurisdiction of courts; limitations Any action pursuant to the provisions of section 2605, 2607, or 2608 of this title may be brought in the United States district court or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, for the district in which the property involved is located, or where the violation is alleged to have occurred, within 3 years in the case of a violation of section 2605 of this title and 1 year in the case of a violation of section 2607 or 2608 of this title from the date of the occurrence of the violation, except that actions brought by the Secretary, the Attorney General of any State, or the insurance commissioner of any State may be brought within 3 years from the date of the occurrence of the violation.

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