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Loan Modification Consumer Alert for Realtors as well

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Action Investments and Hawaii Pacific Realty BRE Lic# 01481898

I heard today at my local Housing Committee Board meeting that many realtors are claiming to be Loan Modification specialists.  Just thought I would share some things I have learned recently on the issue.

1.  Only licensed real estate brokers who have had their advanced fee agreement approved by the CA Dept of Real Estate may charge an advanced fee.

2.  Without an approved advanced fee agreement, brokers can only accept payment for services after the modification has been complete.

3.  Brokers can assist in loan modifications only if there has not been a notice of default filed.

Please see the Consumer Alert Below from the DRE.

Consumer Alert - Advance Fees and Loan Modification Services

If you are behind in your mortgage payments, you may be contacted by individuals or companies that will offer to help you work out a loan modification with your lender or provide other services to you in order to help you prevent a foreclosure on your home.

You must be very careful if you are asked to pay for any of these services in advance, whether in cash, check or by charging your credit card. First, California Civil Code Section 2945, which regulates "foreclosure consultants", forbids anyone who falls under the definition of a "foreclosure consultant", as well as a real estate licensee, from collecting any advance fees for these types of services if a Notice of Default has been recorded against your property. If your lender has recorded a notice of default, do not pay an advance fee to a real estate licensee, or to any person or entity. California licensed lawyers when rendering services in the course of their legal practice(s) are exempt from this prohibition. There are non-profit agencies that can assist you without charging you a fee and real estate licensees who can represent you for a fee to be paid after they have completed their work. For information on non-profit housing counseling services, use the following links:

If a Notice of Default has not been recorded against your property, it may be permissible for a real estate broker to assist you in working out a loan modification or otherwise negotiate a possible resolution to your problem with your lender or loan servicer and ask you for payment in advance for their services. However, the broker must have you sign an agreement that tells you what services will be performed, when they will be performed and how much you must pay. The broker cannot have you sign an agreement until it has been submitted to the Department of Real Estate for review and the broker has received permission to use it and collect the advance fee.

The following individual and corporate real estate brokers have submitted advance fee agreements for loan modification and/or similar services to the Department of Real Estate for review, and have received "no objection" letters regarding their use. You can obtain information on brokers and their locations by clicking on the "License Number" on the listing below or call (916) 227-0770.

The Department of Real Estate does not approve, endorse, recommend or make any representations about any of the agreements or their terms, or any aspect of a licensee's business activities. Consumers wishing to contract with a real estate broker for loan modification or any other similar or related services should carefully review the agreement(s) and consider obtaining independent advice before signing an agreement(s) or advancing any fees. Consumers should also consider comparing the services and fees offered by other licensed brokers on the list.

Note: Licensed real estate brokers who provide loan modification or similar services without collecting fees in advance are not required to receive the Department of Real Estate's permission as long as their services are fully completed before you pay them.

The list is updated on a periodic basis and may not include those which have recently completed the review process.

Posted by

Jason Hector, Real Estate Broker, CA Dept of Real Estate Lic. #01481898
(818) 357-9658 Cell
(866) 791-3290 Fax
jhector@socal.rr.com
www.jasonhector.com
Broker--Action Investments
11630 Seminole Circle
Northridge, CA 91326
(800)-626-6469 Phone
(866)-791-3290 Fax

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