Comments on: Borrower Beware: Real Estate Brokers Paying FHA Counselors for Leads http://www.fhaloanpros.com/2009/02/borrower-beware-real-estate-brokers-paying-fha-counselors-for-leads/ The Unofficial Guide to FHA Loans & Mortgages Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:29:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: s2kreno http://www.fhaloanpros.com/2009/02/borrower-beware-real-estate-brokers-paying-fha-counselors-for-leads/#comment-43365 s2kreno Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:43:09 +0000 http://www.fhaloanpros.com/?p=920#comment-43365 Well, it's similar to the situation debtors face when they attend "non-profit" consumer credit counseling services. Many of those services are, um, "sponsored" by credit card companies. And the clients aren't told. Think there's an agenda there? Well, it’s similar to the situation debtors face when they attend “non-profit” consumer credit counseling services. Many of those services are, um, “sponsored” by credit card companies. And the clients aren’t told. Think there’s an agenda there?

]]> By: Kevin Sandridge http://www.fhaloanpros.com/2009/02/borrower-beware-real-estate-brokers-paying-fha-counselors-for-leads/#comment-43344 Kevin Sandridge Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:46:11 +0000 http://www.fhaloanpros.com/?p=920#comment-43344 Wow - I am continuously amazed at number of folks out there who willingly put their livelihoods at risk for a quick buck. Some mortgage brokers here in Florida used to always charge application fees. Sometimes they'd return them, other times not. I just shook my head and wondered why they wanted to deal with the hassle... not to mention the risk involved in doing so. Wow - I am continuously amazed at number of folks out there who willingly put their livelihoods at risk for a quick buck.

Some mortgage brokers here in Florida used to always charge application fees. Sometimes they’d return them, other times not. I just shook my head and wondered why they wanted to deal with the hassle… not to mention the risk involved in doing so.

]]> By: Orlando http://www.fhaloanpros.com/2009/02/borrower-beware-real-estate-brokers-paying-fha-counselors-for-leads/#comment-43107 Orlando Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:13:42 +0000 http://www.fhaloanpros.com/?p=920#comment-43107 Is there a way out of this mess. Let the finger pointing begin. All the Rep. are say :look at the Dems. they are screwing up!" But 8 years of asleep at the wheel can not be fixed overnight. Is there a way out of this mess. Let the finger pointing begin. All the Rep. are say :look at the Dems. they are screwing up!” But 8 years of asleep at the wheel can not be fixed overnight.

]]> By: Frank Kautz http://www.fhaloanpros.com/2009/02/borrower-beware-real-estate-brokers-paying-fha-counselors-for-leads/#comment-42671 Frank Kautz Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:26:42 +0000 http://www.fhaloanpros.com/?p=920#comment-42671 Actually, yes I can think of one situation where a counselor received money from a lender and there is no appearance of conflict. That situation is a first time home buyer class setting (as long as the lender is not paying for the class and everyone in it). If the lender is paying for someone to sit in a class and the counseling agency is not changing its class to suit the lender, I do not see a problem. However, if the counseling agency were to change its class to either make the lender look good or to suggest that the type of loan the lender offers is good when it is not, then I would see a major problem. Generally, it is just better not to take money from anyone but the client, and even then it is better to get a grant and not take any money from the client either. Keep the classes and counseling free. Good column! Frank J. Kautz, II Staff Attorney Community Service Network, Inc. 52 Broadway Stoneham, MA 02180 (781) 438-1977 (781) 438-6037 fax FrankKautz@csninc.org Actually, yes I can think of one situation where a counselor received money from a lender and there is no appearance of conflict. That situation is a first time home buyer class setting (as long as the lender is not paying for the class and everyone in it). If the lender is paying for someone to sit in a class and the counseling agency is not changing its class to suit the lender, I do not see a problem. However, if the counseling agency were to change its class to either make the lender look good or to suggest that the type of loan the lender offers is good when it is not, then I would see a major problem.

Generally, it is just better not to take money from anyone but the client, and even then it is better to get a grant and not take any money from the client either. Keep the classes and counseling free.

Good column!

Frank J. Kautz, II
Staff Attorney

Community Service Network, Inc.
52 Broadway
Stoneham, MA 02180
(781) 438-1977
(781) 438-6037 fax
FrankKautz@csninc.org

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