Preston Vows to Push RESPA by Year's End

Housing Secretary Steve Preston vowed Wednesday morning to implement permanent changes to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act by year's end even though industry groups are fighting the agency's proposals on consumer disclosures. Speaking at a luncheon in Washington, HUD Secretary Preston said, "Our goal is to get RESPA completed by the end of this year and then provide the industry with a full year to implement the rule." He added, "I firmly believe this will be a big step forward for restoring trust and transparency between the industry and homeowners." Industry trade groups do not like what the Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed and want the department to work with the Federal Reserve on simplified disclosure forms. HUD's proposal is now under review at the Office of Management and Budget. Fed staffers have urged HUD to take a more coordinated approach in revamping consumer disclosures. HUD has made major modifications to its original proposal based on conversations with the Fed and other government agencies, as well as 12,000 comment letters HUD has received, according to a HUD spokesman. It sent the final RESPA rule to the OMB on Aug. 21.