<P> Section 9 of RESPA prohibits a seller from requiring the buyer to use a particular title insurance company, either directly or indirectly, as a condition of sale . Buyers may sue a seller who violates this provision for an amount equal to three times all charges made for the title insurance . The only exception to this rule applies to commercial real estate transactions, which is not within the parameters of RESPA . </P> <P> The new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is the latest step taken by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to protect and assist consumers . In the past, lenders had provided potential borrowers with GFEs . However, there are major differences between what borrowers had historically received and what they would receive going forward under the new HUD regulation . Four major changes stand out: </P> <P> 1 . Lenders are now required to issue the GFE </P> <Dl> <Dd> If a loan originator does not provide a GFE within 3 business days of receiving a completed loan application, they are in violation of Section 5 of RESPA . HUD provides the specific criteria for what constitutes a complete loan application: </Dd> </Dl>

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