Category Archives: Consumer Rights
How to Know if You’re a Victim of Housing Discrimination
Housing discrimination practices can often be hard to spot. Sometimes even when you know you’re experiencing discrimination, it may be difficult to pin-point the specific discriminatory actions you are facing, but there are certain red flags to be aware of. Identifying – and fighting back against – housing discrimination is essential to protecting… Read More »
What is Housing Discrimination?
Housing discrimination is an illegal practice that applies to nearly all housing situations, including private housing, public housing, and housing that receives federal funding. These housing rights are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act, which was passed by President Lyndon Johnson as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. … Read More »
Should I Do a Mortgage Forbearance?
We’ve heard a lot about mortgage forbearance this past year during the coronavirus pandemic, but many people may not fully understand what mortgage forbearance is and how it can be used by homeowners who are struggling financially. Before deciding if forbearance is right for you, it’s important to fully understand your options and obligations… Read More »
When There is a Business Dispute About Money
No one ever wants to get tied up in a lawsuit, but it can happen more quickly than you think, especially when it comes to business matters about money. Whether you are a business or property owner, you have a lot of responsibilities to manage as well as stakeholders to consider. Those who have… Read More »
What To Do if a Business is Unethical
Even as young kids, we all know the importance of playing fair. It is an expected part of schoolyard play, and those who cheat or don’t abide by the rules are vehemently called out on their behavior by other kids in the game. Unfortunately, fraud, deception, and other forms of unfair play are still… Read More »
New Decision Strengthens Bank Requirements to Show Notice Letters Were Mailed
In a recent decision, a Florida appellate court emphasized how important it is for banks to mail out notices of intent to accelerate or foreclosure on a mortgage loan. The case reinforces existing law, but in a time where courts seem to be doing anything to let banks get out of their obligations, this… Read More »
Foreclosure Investors Can Get Foreclosed on Also
From the foreclosure crisis and even continuing today, consumers are not just people who are sued for debt, or who are unable to pay their mortgage. Sometimes the line between a consumer and a business investor is blurred. Many everyday people who can rightly be called consumers find and invest in property. Some find… Read More »
Fight Continues Over Interest that Debt Buyers Can Charge
It may be hard to believe that a relatively obscure case from 2015 is still being debated in Washington, but that’s exactly what is currently happening. Washington regulators—who currently are somewhat anti-consumer—are trying to “fix” a pro-consumer case that came out of New York in 2015. The Problem With Usurious Interest Rates The case… Read More »
Supreme Court Again Weighs In On FDCPA Question
Once again, the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on an important issue involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). And once again, the result is a confusing, mixed bag, leaving the state of the law up in the air for consumers being harassed by debt collectors. The FDCPA Statute of Limitations The… Read More »
More Protections Announced for Spouses Who Have Reverse Mortgages
For spouses of borrowers who pass away, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has some relief, in the form of a new announcement with new guidelines that can cake it easier for you to keep your home. The changes apply mostly to reverse mortgages. What is a Reverse Mortgage A reverse mortgage is a mortgage… Read More »
