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HR 3081 110th Congress House Housing and Community Development Commerce Consumer credit Consumer protection Counseling Debtor and creditor Finance and Financial Sector Finance charges Housing finance Insurance premiums Mortgage banks Mortgage guaranty insurance Mortgage interest rates Mortgages Property insurance Property tax Taxation

Fairness for Homeowners Act of 2007

Introduced: July 18, 2007 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 18, 2007
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 18, 2007
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fairness for Homeowners Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit any creditor or mortgage broker from making, providing, or arranging for any consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling without verifying the consumer's reasonable ability to make the scheduled payments of principal, interest (including variable interest), real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage insurance premiums.

Prescribes criteria for determining the reasonable ability to make such payments.

Prohibits steering (arranging for a lower investment grade credit transaction if the consumer qualifies for a higher investment grade transaction) and prepayment penalties for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) that are not jumbo mortgages.

Limits financed points, finance charges, and fees to 5% of a transaction's principal, unless the transaction is ensured or guaranteed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the Farmers Home Administration.

Specifies duties of agency for mortgage brokers acting to obtain or arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling.

Requires creditors and mortgage brokers to obtain independent verification that a borrower seeking to refinance a special mortgage has received counseling on the transaction's advisability. Defines "special mortgage" as one that: (1) was originated, subsidized, funded, or guaranteed by or through a state, tribal, or local government, or nonprofit organization; and (2) bears one or more specified nonstandard payment terms which substantially benefit the consumer.

Prescribes minimum financial requirements for mortgage brokers.

Excludes reverse mortgages from coverage by this Act.

What's happening now July 18, 2007

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1