ANSWERS FROM THE
WEB . . .
GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES & OTHERS!
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 . . . Ttpically 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.dfi.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.gov.
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.gov
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. 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 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
VOCABULARY SEARCH
Does it seem that real estate has a vocabulary all its own
and is designed to confuse you?
This Web page may assist in understanding the “language” of
real estate words and terms. You can search for specific terms and/or words as
well as do a general search for real estate information. The Web site has a lot
of other information related to contracts in general (i.e.; insurance, vehicle
purchases, etc.) www.Consumerlawpage.com