What is predatory mortgage lending?
A predatory mortgage is a needlessly expensive home loan that provides no financial benefit to the borrower in return for the extra costs. In many cases, homeowners are deceived about the loan’s true costs and terms or are pressured into signing loans they cannot afford.Many of these homeowners lose their homes to foreclosure.
If you’re in the market for a home loan, here are some questions you should ask and common predatory lending practices of which you should be aware. Because the information in this Guide is by no means complete, you should always have an attorney review all loan documents before you sign them. If you cannot afford an attorney, you should bring all of your loan documents to a HUD-certified housing counseling agency for review. To find a housing counseling agency in your area, see the list of agencies at the back of this Guide.
