FTC: Rental info providers may be subject to FCRA 
Published: April 8, 2013
Tags: credit reporting agencies, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Federal Trade Commission, landlord, real estate, tenant
WASHINGTON – Data brokers who provide online information to landlords about tenants’ rental histories may be subject to the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Federal Trade Commission has warned.
In letters issued to the operators of six websites, FTC officials warned that distributing information about
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Iowa attorneys suspended for house flipping scheme
Published: March 7, 2013
Tags: attorney discipline, client communication, conflict of interest, ethics, foreclosure, real estate, Rules of Professional Conduct
The Iowa Supreme Court has suspended two attorneys who failed to fully disclose that they were behind the purchase of a home their client had foreclosed upon and put up for auction.
Lawyer loses license over real estate practices
By:
Peter Vieth
Published: February 11, 2013
Tags: attorney discipline, legal malpractice, real estate, trust accounts
A Richmond, Va. lawyer who had a high-volume real estate practice has surrendered his law license after the state bar found long-time lapses in bookkeeping and registration as a settlement agent.
Benchmarks: Buyer stuck with ‘murder home’
By:
Pat Murphy
Published: December 31, 2012
Tags: fraud, misrepresentation, property disclosure, real estate, real property
In a reversal of course, a Pennsylvania court ruled last week that home sellers had no duty to disclose that their property was the scene of a grisly murder/suicide.
Condo purchase contract can’t be revoked
Published: December 27, 2012
Tags: contracts, Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, real estate
The buyers of a luxury condominium unit in New York City could not revoke their purchase agreement on the ground that their developer failed to comply with the disclosure requirements of federal law, the 2nd Circuit has ruled in reversing judgment.
New Year brings more uncertainty over estate tax
Published: December 18, 2012
Tags: estate planning, estate tax, real estate, taxation
WASHINGTON – As the budgetary wrangling between the White House and Congress continues, the only thing that is clear is that an agreement on long-term estate tax reform is unlikely. That means federal estate tax rate hikes and the loss of certain planning tools are looming for January.
Real estate is riskiest practice area, ABA survey finds
Published: September 14, 2012
Tags: ABA, American Bar Association, ethics, legal malpractice, legal malpractice insurance, Legal Malpractice Monitor, professional liability, real estate
Legal malpractice insurers for the first time are reporting a higher percentage of claims involving real estate than any other practice area, according to a new survey from the American Bar Association.
RESPA claims required showing of fee split
Published: May 24, 2012
Tags: consumer protection, real estate, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, RESPA, Supreme Court
Home borrowers suing Quicken Loans for violating the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act were required to show that the lender split an allegedly unearned fee with another party, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a unanimous decision.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Published: May 24, 2012
Tags: consumer protection, real estate, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, RESPA
Home borrowers suing Quicken Loans for violating the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act were required to show that the lender split an allegedly unearned fee with another party.
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Justices to decide whether RESPA requires fee split
Published: October 11, 2011
Tags: consumer protection, real estate, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, RESPA
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether §8(b) of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act prohibits a real estate settlement services provider from charging an unearned fee only if the fee is divided between two or more parties.
