Little Rock

  Real Estate Lawyers.
HOME ABOUT US FAQ'S RESOURCES CONTACT US FREE CASE REVIEW
May 14, 2012
Real-Estate
             
 
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:
 
Zip Code:   
 

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.

 

Contact our Little Rock Real Estate Lawyer Now!

 
Did You Know?    
 
 
A Rehabilitation mortgage is a mortgage that covers the costs of repairing or improving
Rehabilitation mortgage is a mortgage that covers the costs of rehabilitating (repairing or Improving) a property; some rehabilitation mortgages - like the FHA's 203(k) - allow a borrower to roll the costs of rehabilitation and home purchase into one mortgage loan.

 


  Newsroom  
 


News about real estate cases in Little Rock and nationwide:

No Speculative Bubble In Housing Prices,
No Speculative Bubble In Housing Prices, CU-Boulder Business Professor Says

While rising interest rates and increased inve...

Read more >


Houston Housing Sales Heat Up With Pre-Summer Temperatures
March Brings in Record-Breaking Home Sales and Out-Performs the U.S. 

HOUSTON — (April 25, 2006) — March home sales in the great...

Read more >


April Survey Of Real Estate Trends Finds Continued Gains In Real Estate Markets
"Our surveys have shown steady improvement in real estate markets since early last year," FDIC Chairman Ricki Helfer said. "We are pleased to repor...
Read more >


More Real Estate News >

 
 

Real Estate Terms

 


Today's Terms

Homeowner's insurance

Definition:
An insurance policy that .combines protection against damage to a dwelling and Is contents with protection against claims of negligence or inappropriate action that result in someone's injury or property damage.

Judgment

Definition:
A legal decision; when requiring debt repayment, a judgment may include a property lien that secures the creditor's claim by providing a collateral source.

Delinquency

Definition:
Failure of a borrower to make timely mortgage payments under a loan agreement.

More Real Estate Terms >

 

Real Estate Resources

 


Search Real Estate resources in our resource center:

More Resources >

 

Real Estate Hot Topics

 
Topics Related to Real Estate Law:

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Construction
  • Condemnation
  • Landlord / Tenant
  • Mortgage Matters

More Real Estate Topics >

Little Rock Real Estate Attorney

 
If you live in the following cities and need an real estate attorney you should contact our Real Estate Attorney as soon as possible:

  • Batesville
  • Benton
  • Bentonville
  • Blytheville
  • Cabot
  • Camden
  • Conway
  • El Dorado
  • Fayetteville
  • Forrest City
  • Fort Smith
  • Harrison
  • Hot Springs National P
  • Jacksonville
  • Jonesboro
  • Little Rock
  • Magnolia
  • Mountain Home
  • North Little Rock
  • Paragould
  • Pine Bluff
  • Rogers
  • Searcy
  • Sherwood
  • Springdale
  • Texarkana
  • Van Buren
  • West Memphis
  • White Hall
 


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 Little Rock 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


This site is part of the LawFirms.com Network
©2012 ExpertHub, wholly owned subsidiary of MoxyMedia, Inc.