Real Estate
Home›Real Estate›Residential›Veterans United faces bid to revive RESPA class action…
Veterans United faces bid to revive RESPA class action over alleged steering
Plaintiffs say a Veterans United agent network steered VA borrowers into loans with higher rates, fees and closing costs, after the lender moved to dismiss an amended complaint in June.
Fifteen named plaintiffs are urging a Missouri federal court to reject Veterans United Home Loans motion to dismiss an amended RESPA class action, according to HousingWire. The plaintiffs allege the nations largest VA mortgage lender ran an illegal kickback and steering scheme that funneled borrowers into overpriced loans.
In court filings, the plaintiffs argue that alleged kickbacks and steering through Veterans Uniteds agent network led to higher mortgage rates, fees and closing costs. They also contend that some prospective borrowers believe Veterans United is affiliated with the US Department of Veterans Affairs due to misleading messaging, which they say results in real estate agents and loan officers losing business.
The case is overseen by the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri. HousingWire reports it began in February with a suit against Veterans United and Realty Search Solutions LLC, the lenders real estate arm doing business as Veterans United Realty.
HousingWire says Veterans United filed a motion to dismiss the original complaint in April, and the company previously called the lawsuit meritless. The plaintiffs later filed an amended complaint in May that increased named plaintiffs from three to 15 and doubled claims from four to eight, including two counts under RESPA and additional consumer protection law claims across Missouri, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Texas.