While there is an abundance of information available via the web, the problem often is how to access the data. This tip sheet will be updated continually with web sites that may be of interest and/or assistance regarding consumer concerns. Here, then, are some web sites to assist.
While the internet has a vast amount of information, the difficulty is often how to find what we need, when we need it. The following are a few web sites that may help unravel some of the confusion surrounding consumer laws and regulations related to real estate, mortgages and home loans and assist in interpreting the alphabet soup of government rules and regulations.
In some cases, we have provided the addresses and phone numbers of an agency office. (Much of this information is courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle and therefore the contact information is primarily for the Northern California area.)
Some of the confusion for consumers is caused by the fact that enforcement for many consumer laws is split between various agencies. We have tried to provide a brief review of the over-sight responsibilities of the various sites.
REAL ESTATE & FINANCE REGULATORY AGENCIES
California Department of Real Estate (DRE): Licenses and regulates real estate brokers and agents. The DRE web site provides consumer information and can be used to verify a licensee’s current status. Complaints can be files from the site.
California Department of Real Estate
P. O. Box 187000 (2201 Broadway)
Sacramento, CA. 95818-7000
(916)227-0864
www.dre.ca.gov
Department of Corporations (DOC): has enforcement authority over the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, an act regulating residential mortgage lenders . . . Typically those lenders functioning without real estate licenses. Also regulates the California Finance Lenders Law, regulating finance lenders in the state . . . those functioning in finance companies and Savings and Loans. Finally, oversees the Escrow Law, regulating the activities of independent escrow companies.
Department of Corporations
1515 K Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA. 95814-4025
(916)445-7719
www.corp.ca.gov
Department of Financial Institutions (DFI): has jurisdiction over state chartered banks. Questions and complaints can be addressed at:
Department of Financial Institutions
Consumer Information Desk
801 K Street, Suite 2124
Sacramento, CA. 95814
(800)622-0620 or (916)323-0189
www.dho.ca.gov
DISCLOSURE FORM REGULATIONS
The following agencies execute oversight regarding the required disclosure forms involved in mortgage financing. For interpretations on the meaning of many of the disclosure forms (Regulation Z provisions under the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act) you can visit www.federalreserve.com.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): has enforcement authority in the case of mortgage companies for such forms as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Truth in Lending Act (TIL) and the Regulation Z form.
FTC Regional Office
901 Market Street, Suite 570
San Francisco, CA. 941103
(415)356-5270
www.ftc.com
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): has administrative authority for, among others, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) which includes the requirements for providing Good Faith Estimates (GFE). The Federal Housing Association (FHA) loan program is administered by this agency.
HUD RESPA Enforcement Unit
451 Seventh Street S.W. Suite 5241
Washington, D. C. 20410
(202)708-1112
www.hud.gov
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency: administers in whole or in part and has enforcement authority over national banks for the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Housing Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Truth in Lending Act.
Comptroller of the Currency, Western District Office
50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900
San Francisco, CA. 94105
(415)545-5900
www.occ.treas.gov
Office of Thrift Supervision: administers in whole or in part and has enforcement authority over federally chartered and state chartered savings institutions for the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Housing Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Truth in Lending Act.
Office of Thrift Supervision
Pacific Telesis Tower 1 Montgomery Street
Suite 400, San Francisco, CA. 94104
(415)616-1500
www.ots.treas.gov
LOOKING FOR A HOME INSPECTOR
A home inspection contingency is becoming increasingly popular in today’s real estate purchase contracts. Many potential home buyers rely upon word of mouth, personal recommendations when determining who to use as their home inspector.
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI): Many home inspectors are members of this professional organization. You can acquire the name(s) of local home inspectors by calling 1-800-743-2744 or www.ashi.com
APPRAISAL OVERSITE
Office of Real Estate Appraisers (OREA): licenses real estate appraisers and ensures adherence to the national standards and California law and regulations. Also investigates complaints against appraisers. The OREA Web site provides consumer information and license verification of appraisers.
Office of Real Estate Appraisers
1755 Creekside Oaks Drive, Suite 190
Sacramento, CA. 95833
(916)263-0722
www.orea.ca.gov
PEST CONTROL REGULATION
Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB): licenses and regulates pest control operators. The SPCB Web site provides consumer information and license verification.
Structural Pest Control Board
1418 Howe Avenue, Suite 18
Sacramento, CA. 95825
(916)263-2540
www.dca.ca.gov/pestboard
TITLE INSURANCE OVERSITE
Department of Insurance (DOI): has jurisdiction over title and other insurance companies.
Department of Insurance, Consumer Services Division
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA. 94105
(800)927-4357
www.insurance.ca.gov
CONTRACTOR REGULATION
There has been recent concerns about the number of scams being perpetrated by unlicensed, door to door salespersons offering home improvement (i.e.; roof repairs, driveway repairs, etc.). The following web site can be useful, particularly prior to engaging in any door to door offer.
Contractors State License Board (CSLB): Licenses and regulates 40 types of licensed contractors that constitute the construction industry. The CSLB also registers home improvement salespersons and can offer arbitration in some disputes. The CSLB Web site has consumer information and can be used to verify a contractor’s license status.
Contractors State License Board
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA. 95827
Twenty-four hour licensing and consumer information at (800)321-2752
www.cslb.ca.gov
MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES
The State of California: home page has links to most state agencies: www.ca.gov
The Business, transportation and Housing Agency: home page provides information about and links to the 13 departments the agency oversees, including the Department of Real Estate, Department of Corporations, California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA), Department of Financial Institutions and the Department of Housing and Community Development: www.bth.ca.gov
Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA): licenses over 200 professionals ranging from doctors to accountants to contractors.
Department of Consumer Affairs
400 R Street
Sacramento, CA. 95814
(800)952-5210 or (916)445-1254
www.dca.ca.gov
Better Business Bureau: provides valuable information to both businesses and consumers: (909)825-0490 or www.bbb.org
The Legislative Counsel: maintains the Web site, which allows searches of any of the California codes and provides information on current and past legislative bills. www.leginfo.ca.gov
CONSUMER INFORMATION
For specific information on all aspects of consumer topics, this portion of the Federal Trade Commission’s website will have a lot of answers. The site addresses consumer scams, vast data about all forms of consumer finance, purchases (autos, insurance, etc.) and allows for searching for specific information.