Just when I think I've seen it all something else comes along to amaze me. Today's topic: Can a Mortgage Broker give a loan to a Realtor for free or at reduced rates in exchange for the promise of future business? To myself and some other educated members of ActiveRain this is a clear violation of RESPA Section 8 which prohibits anyone from giving or accepting a fee, kickback or any thing of value in exchange for referrals. To others, especially those in the state of Texas, this is just smart business. Well, it may be, but I certainly wouldn't want to chance a $10,000 fine in order to save a 1/2point on my mortgage loan nor would I put this offer out there in writing for the whole world to see.
For those who don't know (which I hope is none of us) RESPA stands for Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and was first passed in 1974. The purpose of the law is to help consumers become better shoppers by requiring certain disclosures and forms and to eliminate kickbacks and referrals among those involved in the real estate transaction. This includes real estate agents, title companies, mortgage brokers, home inspectors and the like.
Here are some FAQ's straight from HUD's website:
Can a lender set up a contest for real estate agents under which the agent who provides the lender with the most business will win a trip to Hawaii?
No. Under RESPA, the trip itself, and even the opportunity to win the trip, would be a thing of value given in exchange for the referral of business.
Can a lender give a borrower an incentive, such as a chance to win a trip or a rebate, for doing business with the lender?
RESPA does not prohibit a lender or other settlement provider from giving the borrower an incentive for doing business with it as long as the incentive is not based on the borrower referring business to the lender.
Can a mortgage banker and a real estate broker advertise their services together, for example, on the same brochure or newspaper advertisement?
Nothing in RESPA prevents joint advertising. However, if one party is paying less than a pro-rata share for the brochure or advertisement, there could be a RESPA violation
Can a lender give a real estate agent note pads with the lender's name on it?
Yes. Such note pads with the lender's name on it would be allowable as normal promotional items. However, if the lender gives the real estate agent note pads with the real estate agent's name on it for the agent to use to market clients for its real estate business, then the note pads could be a thing of value given for referral of loan business, because it defrays a marketing expense that the real estate agent would otherwise incur.
Now, I know some of you astute observers will correctly point out that HUD doesn't say anything about brokering a loan for free or even less than what the average consumer would pay, but I think if something as minor as notepads with the Realtor's name on it are questionable, and just the opportunity to win a trip and not the trip itself is a violation, then why on earth wouldn't the prospect of saving perhaps thousands of dollars in loan fees in exchange for future referrals not be a violation? After all aren't loan fees something of value? Personally, losing a license or being fined is not worth it to me, but I guess some people would do anything to make or save a buck.
I'd wager a free or reduced price home loan that HUD would side that this scenario is indeed a violation. Any takers?
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