LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Federally Declared Disasters - Supplemental Directive (Modifications)

Federally Declared Disasters - Supplemental Directive (Modifications)
On November 16, 2012, we blogged about the Making Home Affordable Program's forbearance program for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Today, Treasury issued Supplemental Directive 12-08, which addresses Federally Declared Disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy, and specifically directs Non-GSEs (servicers) with respect to the following topics:


  • Flexibility with Borrowers in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Designated FDD Areas
  • Forbearance Plans
  • Borrowers in a Home Affordable Modification Program® (HAMP) or the Second Lien Modification ProgramSM (2MP) Trial Period Plan
  • Borrowers in a HAMP or 2MP Permanent Modification
  • Handbook Mapping


To read Supplemental Directive 12-08, click here.
Read more »
By at

Age Discrimination in Housing

Age Discrimination in Housing
At our recent continuing education course, The Fair Housing Act, a student challenged our slideshow, which showed the list of protected classes. Specifically, they adamantly argued for the inclusion of age as a protected class. As explained then and reiterated now, there are multiple fair housing and discrimination laws of which real estate agents must be mindful. The course taught was the federal law, which does not expressly protect age. Nonetheless, New York has a law called the Human Rights Law that makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of age, among many other classes. However, the law does not apply the class of age to those under the age of 18, instead the class of familial status applies in those situations. Additionally, the law doesn't apply to housing restricted to those 55 years of age or older. Moreover, publicly assisted housing for the elderly is also exempted.

The message for real estate agents out there is that they need to consider a multitude of laws from Federal to State to Local (County, City, Town or Village) prior to practicing in a particular area.

Read more »
By at

The FTC is Investigating Deceptive Ads in Real Estate Marketing

Mortgage Industry , Real Estate Commissions
The FTC is Investigating Deceptive Ads in Real Estate Marketing
According to Ad Age, the leading publication in the advertising industry, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) are jointly investigating deceptive ads concerning mortgage modifications, short sales and workouts.

To read the article, click here.

The article expressly states that real estate agents have received warning letters from the FTC. Of specific concern to the FTC & CFPB was the practice of utilizing images of President Barack Obama in ads promoting loan-modification services, which wrongfully communicate to consumers that certain services are affiliated with the government. If you use the President's image on your advertisements, take it down now! 

Real estate agents this is important. When you work in mortgage relief, you must be mindful of the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rules from the FTC, a summary of which can be found by clicking here.  Also, in New York, Distressed Property Consultants must additionally comply with Real Property Law section 265-B, the text of which can be found by clicking here. 

During each of our continuing education courses to real estate agents on foreclosure, whether its Foreclosure and the Economy: the Short Sale Course; or Foreclosure Filibusters we always stress the importance of these laws and regulations. Unfortunately, we always also get responses from agents that we are being ridiculous. This is very serious and far from ridiculous.

Real estate agents should also be mindful that the FTC's watchful eye is not restricted to mortgage modifications. As stated in our course, To be Green or Not to be Green: That is the Question, the Green Guides are available by the FTC and demonstrate the need to be candid and avoid deception in advertising Green Housing & Buildings. To read the Green Guides, click here. 

As Lieb School always states: You are a real estate Professional; knowing these laws makes you a value-add to your clients and customers. Now go study. 
Read more »
By at
Tags: , ,