October, 1995

Homeowner Checklist:
How to Avoid Becoming A Victim

Protect your most valuable asset - your home. Carefully investigate all the possibilities before you decide to obtain a second mortgage or home equity loan. Call several savings and loan institutions, banks and mortgage lenders to obtain information about current interest rates, fees and points for second mortgages/home equity loans; reputable institutions will gladly give you this information.

Beware of entering into second mortgage/home equity loan transactions with anyone who comes to your door or which you did not initiate or solicit! Consider the following tips:

Beware of anyone who tries to convince you to take out a second mortgage/home equity loan with the following characteristics:

  • A contractor or broker offers the loan in connection with an unsolicited home improvement contract.
  • The loan is made solely on the equity value of your home, not on your ability to repay the loan. This means a "guaranteed foreclosure" because it will be impossible for you to pay the loan according to the terms of the loan agreement.

  • The interest rates are very high, greatly exceeding current market rates. Take care to look at the annual percentage rate of interest (APR). This is the real cost of the loan, including both the simple interest rate and certain fees, commissions, costs and expenses. Use the APR to compare loans which have different simple interest rates, points and other loan charges. The loan with the higher APR usually will cost you more over the term of the loan. You can check your local newspaper's real estate section to get an idea of prevailing market interest rates for home loans.

  • The loan is setup as an "'interest only, non-amortizing or partially amortizing loan" with a large balloon payment that is impossible to meet. This could cause default and foreclosure. Ask if you will still owe any money at the end of the loan. In an effort to make a loan look more "affordable" some broker/lenders arrange for balloon payment loans. The payments are low for the first several years because they are applied to pay off the interest and little or none of the loan principal. After several years of low payments, you are required to pay off the loan principal in one large balloon payment. If you cannot pay the balloon payment when it comes due, the loan will go into default and you may lose your home through foreclosure.

  • The lender or broker requires you to pay high and non-refundable application fees.
  • The broker/lender engages in unfair and deceptive practices such as:
    • asking you to sign blank forms;
    • using high pressure sales tactics;
    • asking you to sign forms written in a language which you do not understand;
    • making loans regardless of the borrower's physical or mental capacity to understand the legal and financial implications of entering into the loan;
    • misrepresenting the nature of the document signed by the borrower (a "contract for home improvement services" is really a "deed of trust" giving the broker/lender an interest in the borrowers home should the borrower default).

  • Protect yourself. Never sign any documents which you don't understand or which put your home on the line without first consulting with an attorney.
  • Never sign blank documents or documents with any blank spaces.

  • Do not give in to high pressure tactics. If the salesperson or loan agent will not leave you a copy of the loan papers to read over before you sign - look for another lender.

  • As of this writing, the Federal Truth in Lending Act requires a lender to inform you of your right to rescind (get out of) a loan contract within three days of signing whenever your home is used as security for a home equity loan. Even if you have already signed a contract, if you act promptly to get competent advice, you may still protect yourself from an unscrupulous lender. if the lender failed to provide you with all of the required disclosures regarding the terms and cost of your loan and your rights, you may have up to three years to rescind the contract. Contact an attorney if you have any questions about whether your lender violated the law.

  • Beware of scams which attempt to take advantage of individuals with similar interests or affinities. Investigate offers for home equity loans with equal care and caution even if the loan agent is someone you know.

  • Above all, spread the word in your community about this type of fraud. The scam artists' greatest enemy is a well-informed public. Do what you can to keep scam artists out of your neighborhood.

If You Have Already Been Victimized

  • Contact an attorney immediately to find out about what rights and remedies you may have under state and federal law. You must act quickly, particularly if foreclosure is imminent. Prompt legal action can make the difference between losing and saving your home. Contact your local bar association for a referral to a qualified lawyer in your area. Try to get a lawyer as soon as possible even if you feel you cannot afford one. Losing your home will be even more expensive than paying a lawyer. Contact your local bar association and ask about seeing an attorney for a fixed or reduced fee.

  • Open all and any mail that may have to do with your house. Do not ignore any mail about your loan. This mail could include notices of default or foreclosure. If you don't understand what the notices mean, ask a trusted family member or friend to read and explain them to you and see an attorney immediately.

  • File a complaint with the appropriate regulatory and law enforcement agencies in your state. Call and write the places where you filed your complaint every month to see if they are investigating it.


    California Department of Real Estate
    185 Berry Street, Room 3400
    San Francisco, California 94107
    (415) 904-5925

    California Department of Corporations
    3700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 600
    Los Angeles, California 90010
    (800) 347-6995 (toll free)

In California, the Department of Real Estate regulates the conduct of all mortgage brokers who, by law, are required to be licensed real estate agents. The Department of Corporations regulates non-institutional consumer finance lenders and mortgage bankers.


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