Forged deeds, driver’s licenses, titles, etc., continue to grow as real estate-theft scams, in part because the tactic often works and, when it does, nets a criminal hundreds or thousands of dollars in fake real estate sales. They even have a name now: Title Pirates.
It isn’t always a simple answer. A contract may offer advice, but buyers can sue for “specific performance.” And it’s not just the house – agents representing the buyer and/or seller may also deserve compensation.
A proposed rule would allow fair-housing testers to have prior convictions – a way to determine if a landlord illegally turns away renters based on criminal history.
A jury found NAR and others liable in a compensation lawsuit, but the association will immediately appeal and the case probably won’t conclude for several years.
The scams begin with a hunt through public records for vacant land, an absentee owner and no mortgage. Look for red flags, like a refusal to talk in person.
It’s okay to include a floor plan in a listing, ruled a federal judge. He said it's “fair use” and doesn’t infringe on architectural-design copyright laws.
On Oct. 24 at 1 p.m., FREC will focus on foreign buyer “Affidavits of Buyers of Property” and broker-held escrow deposits. The public is invited, virtually or in-person.
Do buyers have a right to know that a listing comes with a ghost? In Fla., probably not – but states’ laws vary on what ghost-adverse buyers deserve to know.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, HUD will take a closer look at housing issues, part of a larger federal effort to enhance educational and economic opportunities.
At the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) convention this week, MBA honored Fifth Third Bank, U.S. Bank Home Mortgage and Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group.
