Know Your Rights About Home Loans and Mortgages - Beware Discrimination

It is not openly spoken about, but it does exist. Discrimination against people who apply for home mortgages is illegal and those who are applying for home loans need to be aware of their rights. The FTC (Federal Trade Commissiom) is the United States division of the government that protects consumers. The government wants you to help make you aware of the federal laws that are designed to avoid discrimination in getting home mortgages, home equity loans, refinance, or loan modifications. As you look to apply for home loans, be sure to do your research about the various types of home mortgage choices you have, know your rates, be aware of your credit score, and know your rights to protect yourself against mortgage discrimination, and what steps you can take for corrective action.

Lenders are obligated under the law to take many things into consideration when people are applying for home loans. They must treat income from public assistance the same as any other income. Income from social security, annuities, pensions, and credible part time employment in consideration for the loan. Income from child support, alimony and maintenance if supported by proof that it is received regularly, must be allowed as part of the income. Financial lending institutions must allow a co signer, even if they are not your spouse. You have the right to have credit in your birth or maiden name. You can also use your first name, combined with your maiden and married name. You can obtain a loan without a co signer, provided your income qualifies. You have the right to know your credit score and what your credit report says about you. You have the right to correct errors on your credit report. Learn more at what's my credit store

Learn how to correct your credit report at correct credit report and bank errors.

You may not get approved for a loan, and this does not mean you may have been discriminated against. Lending institutions have the right to protect their investments and to make a profit from their monetary extension for home mortgages and other types of home loans.. It is prudent of creditors to check your creditworthiness to see your credit history and payment records. They need to , have knowledge of your income and expenses, to make sure you can pay back the loan.

There are things you can do to make your application more appealing to the lender and up your odds of getting your loan approves.
If your mortgage application is turned down, the creditor has to give you the reasons why you were denied the loan. If they don’t give you the reason automatically, you have the right to get the reasons. You have the right to know if your application is approved within thirty days from the time you submitted the forms. The financial company must make a concerted effort to gather the pertinent information, do a credit check, and get the property appraised within this 30 days. Any application that is denied, must be explained in writing from the lender. You have the right to get the specific detail about why your application was denied, within 60 days. Acceptable reasons for denial have to do with income qualifications. Unacceptable reasons are vague statements like not meeting minimum requirements. You have the right to inquire deeper when you are given ambiguous statements.

The government has set up several laws to protect your rights from discrimination against home mortgages.

• ECOA -The Equal Credit Opportunity Act - you can the details of this law at  www. justice. gov. This law is designed to protect you from being discriminated against when you seek to get financing towards home loans. The lenders can not use the descriptive information that is asked on most applications, as a reason to refuse you credit, or as a basis for the terms of the home mortgages. Even real estate brokers who arrange home mortgages must abide by the ECOA regulations. 

• FHA - The Fair Housing Act halts discrimination for all types of loans for residential property including home improvement loans, appraisals, and home mortgages. This law protects people against all types of discrimination including disabilities, and family status with children under 18 living with a legal guardian. This act protects pregnant women and individuals who are trying to get custody of their underage children.