| |
| |
|
|
Loans Information |
|
How to Spot and Avoid Predatory Lending
Predatory lenders promise loans that are "too good to be true" and pressure borrowers to take them on the spot. Here's a few things you or your family and friends should know about spotting and avoid predatory loans: How to Spot a Predatory Loan *Balloon payments. *High interest rates. *Monthly payments you can't afford. *Penalties for early pay-off of the loan. *Unauthorized refinancing of your loan. Abusive Practices: 7 Signs of Predatory Lending 1. Single Premium Credit Insurance Credit insurance premiums should not be financed into the loan up-front in a lump-sum payment. One type of credit insurance, credit life, is paid by the borrower to repay the lender should the borrower die. The product can be useful when paid for on a monthly basis. When it is paid for up-front, however, it does nothing more than strip equity from homeowners. 2. High Fees The borrower should not be charged fees greater than 3% of the loan amount (4% for FHA or VA loans). Points and fees (as defined by HOEPA) that exceed this amount (not including third party fees like appraisals or attorney fees) take more equity from borrowers than the cost or risk of subprime lending can justify. 3. Prepayment Penalties Subprime loans should not include prepayment penalties, for the following reasons: Prepayment Penalties Haunt Many Refinancers Prepayment penalties trap borrowers in high-rate loans, which too often leads to foreclosure. The subprime sector should provide borrowers a bridge to conventional financing as soon as the borrower is ready to make the transition, though prepayment penalties are designed to prevent this from happening. Prepayment penalties are hidden, deferred fees that strip significant equity from over half of subprime borrowers. Prepayment penalties of 5% are common. For a $150,000 loan, this fee is $7,500, more than the total net wealth built up over a lifetime for the median African American family. Only 2% of borrowers accept prepayment penalties in the competitive conventional market, while, according to Duff and Phelps, 80% in subprime do. 4. Yield-Spread Premiums Brokers originate over half of all mortgage loans, and a relatively small number of brokers are responsible for a large percentage of predatory loans. Lenders should identify -- and avoid -- these brokers and refuse to pay yield-spread premiums -- fees lenders rebate to brokers in exchange for placing a borrower in a higher interest rate than the borrower qualifies for. 5. Steering Lenders should make sure that borrowers get the lowest-cost loan they qualify for. As Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have shown, subprime lenders charge prime borrowers who meet conventional underwriting standards higher rates than necessary. HUD found that steering has a racial impact since borrowers in African-American neighborhoods are five times more likely to get a loan from a subprime lender -- and therefore pay extra -- than borrowers in white neighborhoods. 6. Mandatory Arbitration Increasingly, lenders are placing pre-dispute, mandatory binding arbitration clauses in their loan contracts. These clauses insulate unfair and deceptive practices from effective review and relegate consumers to a forum where they cannot obtain injunctive relief against wrongful practices, proceed on behalf of a class, or obtain punitive damages. Arbitration can also involve costly fees, be required to take place at a distant site, or designate a pro-lender arbitrator. 7. Flipping Flipping of borrowers occurs through repeated fee-loaded refinancings. One of the worst practices is for lenders to refinance subprime loans over and over, taking out home equity wealth in the form of high fees each time, without providing the borrower with a net tangible benefit. How to Avoid a Predatory Loan *Always shop around. *Ask questions. *If you don't understand the loan terms, talk to someone you trust to look at the documents for you. *Don't trust ads promising "No Credit? No Problem!" *Ignore high-pressure sales tactics. *Don't take the first loan you are offered. *Remember that a low monthly payment isn't always a 'deal.' Look at the TOTAL cost of the loan. *Be wary of promises to refinance the loan to a better rate in the future. *Never sign a blank document or anything the lender promised to fill in later. To get help, contact one of these national organizations. National Organizations for Predatory Lending Issues -ACORN (Association of Community Org's for Reform Now) -AARP -Better Business Bureau -Consumer Federation of America -Consumer.gov (US Consumer Gateway) -Consumers Union -Credit Union National Association (CUNA) -Federal Reserve Board Consumer Information -Federal Trade Commision, Consumer Protection -Habitat for Humanity International -National Association of Attorneys General -National Association of Consumer Advocates -National Consumer Law Center -US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) http://www.educationcenter2000.com/national_organizations Mr. Kenneth M. DeLashmutt is a recognized authority on the subject of predatory lending practices and is a Predatory Lending Defense Specialist. He has more than 10 years experience in the area of consumer protection related to predatory mortgage lending practices and debt resolution. Mr. DeLashmutt has provided financial, operations and regulatory consulting services nationwide to financial institutions, and regulatory agencies as well as real-estate and financial services organizations for over ten years. Areas of Expertise include: Banking Operations & Administration; Lending Policies, Custom & Practice; Credit Administration; Bankruptcy and Foreclosures; Trust & Fiduciary Issues / Operations; Insurance Coverage's / Claims Disputes; Insurance Bad Faith; Real Estate Transactions; Consumer Protection Litigation; Foreclosure Defense email: educationcenter2000@cox.net website: http://www.educationcenter2000.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Information About Debt Consolidation Loans with Bad Credit Finding debt consolidation loans with bad credit can be quite a task? after all, a lot of lenders don't want to take a risk on someone who is such an obvious credit risk. Luckily, however, a lot of lenders will take that risk; it's simply a matter of knowing what they're looking for, and how best to approach them for a loan. A $500 Payday Loan Can Help In an Emergency A $500 payday loan can be a real life saver during one of life's financial emergencies. Whether it is a much needed car repair or an unexpected bill, payday loans can provided extra cash while helping you keep a good credit history. A Beginners Look at Secured Homeowner Loans Secured homeowner loans come in a variety of different types and amounts, and are intended for a wide variety of uses.These loans can be used for the same purposes as most personal loans? they can allow you to purchase a new car or other vehicle, pay for education expenses, make improvements or repairs to your home, or even consolidate several debts into a single low monthly payment. A Guide to Bad Credit Finance Options Have you been trying to find out what bad credit finance options were available? Perhaps you're in the market for a new car or truck, but aren't sure if you can find a dealer or lender who'll offer you a bad credit finance?You shouldn't worry too much about bad credit finance options, because there are several financing options available regardless of your credit history? some of them charge higher interest rates or require some additional security, but in the end may be just what you're looking for.Vehicle financingIf you're looking for a bad credit finance for a new or used vehicle, your best option is most likely going to be to visit a finance company as opposed to a traditional bank. First Time Buyer Mortgage -Key to your First Home Living in a rented apartment since long. Ever thought of the disadvantages of staying as a tenant. How to Find Bad Credit Loans UK Bad credit loans UK can sometimes prove quite difficult to find, especially for those individuals who need the loan money quickly so as to cover various expenses or to repay debts.Should you be one of the many individuals who are in the market for quick and low cost bad credit loans UK , you might think that the search for the loan that you want is hopeless. Payday Loans - The Legal Loan Sharking Industry Laws have been created to protect people against "Loan Shark" practices in which short-term loans are given out at excessive interest rates. There is an industry that has come of age the last couple of years that has circumvented these laws. Bad Credit Personal Loan - A Pay Day Loan May Be Your Best Option, No Credit Check If you have bad credit, have an emergency and need some fast cash, an instant pay day loan online could be a quick solution for you. With online pay day loans, the lender does not pull your credit, so it doesn't matter how poor your credit history is. Getting the Best Auto Loan Rates Getting a good auto loan rate is not luck, but rather a skill that you must learn. There are good auto loan rates available if you know the tricks of the trade and how to negotiate to get the best deal for you. Bad Credit Business Loans - to Exchange Bad Credit for Monetary Benefaction You want to raise a business on your own or you want to expand it further. You have a plan and the vigour to make your mark in this field. A College Loan Will Finance Your Education! A college loan has given people all over the United States a chance to further their education, even if they are not making a lot of money. Education loans can be a big help in paying for college. Shopping for a Personal Loan Most Internet users are now extremely comfortable using the Internet to research and buy items that we need, mainly because we know that e-tailers probably have the lowest prices and we can avoid heavy sales pitches and crowded stores.This is most evident in financial services where banks have used the channel effectively although there could be hidden charges and pricing that may make your new bargain personal loan or credit card not quite so much of a bargain. Are Interest Rates Up, Up and Away? Interest rates have been at their lowest levels in over 40 years. U. Instant Car Loan - Get an Approval Online Quick Your car loan is now less than an hour away from approval with an online car loan lender. You can have a check in hand to buy a car the next day once your online application is approved. Loans Guide Many people are confused by the different types of loans available.Here is a helpful summary of the most common loans available today. No Money Down Real Estate - Fund All Your Deals With Private Lending!! If you invest in real estate, you need cash to buy houses. Even if you have a full bank account and great credit, you'll eventually run short on funds - or short on time to obtain a loan - for the next deal. A Look at Getting a Bad Credit Personal Loan Trying to get a bad credit personal loan can be frustrating. It may be that you don't know where to turn to find the loan that you're looking for, or that you don't know the correct procedure for getting a bad credit personal loan. Personal Loan 101- What You Absolutely Need to Know Daughter's marriage or her studies? Son's Ambition? Want a House makeover? Stop worrying about 'money' to fulfill your cherished dreams now? Avail the opportunity of 'Personal Loans'.Personal Loan is perhaps a man's best friend in today's world. All About Secured Loans A secured loan is a loan agreement in which the borrower pledges property as surety for the loan; hence they are also known as homeowner loans. If the borrower continually defaults on loan repayments, the lender may take action to reclaim the debt including selling the property. Second Mortgage Loans A second mortgage is a loan that is secured by the equity in your home. When you obtain a second mortgage loan the lender will place a lien on your house.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
