Learn Your Rights: The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X)
As a consumer, it’s important to be aware of your rights when it comes to real estate transactions. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X) is a federal law that protects consumers in these transactions by requiring disclosure of certain information and prohibiting certain practices. For example, Regulation X requires that loan originators give borrowers a Good Faith Estimate of all settlement charges within three days of receiving a loan application. This estimate must include a breakdown of all fees, so that the borrower can shopping around for the best deal. Additionally, Regulation X prohibits certain practices, such as kickbacks and fee splitting, which can increase the cost of a loan for the borrower.