Definition of "Usury"

CHRIS  SMITH real estate agent

Written by

CHRIS SMITHelite badge icon

CHRIS SMITH REALTY

An interest rate charged on a loan that exceeds the legal maximum interest rate within the state. It is illegal to do so. The maximum interest rate may depend on the type of lender and nature of the loan. Federal laws may also apply.

Comments for Usury

Cheryl Livesay Cheryl Livesay said:

My loan was sold. Now, when I pay additional principal it is held in a suspense account until it reaches one month's payment. That means they get to hold my money and earn interest while I continue to pay interest on the full mortgage amount until I reach the one payment threshold. Isn't this double dipping?

Oct 08, 2023  15:49:57

 
Real Estate Agent

Hello Cheryl! Thank you for reaching out to us!

A mortgage suspense account is a temporary holding account used by mortgage servicers to hold funds when there is a discrepancy or uncertainty about the proper allocation of payments made by borrowers. It can happen when you underpay or overpay. In such cases, your lender can't refund the surplus or accept partial payment.
A suspense account also exists when a borrower sends in a payment. However, there's an issue with the amount, account number, or other details. Instead of rejecting the payment outright, the mortgage servicer may place it in a suspense account.
Once the issue is resolved, the funds in the suspense account are released and applied to the appropriate part of the mortgage. This could be towards the principal, interest, escrow (if applicable), or any other relevant aspect.
Using a suspense account helps prevent delays in processing payments and ensures that payments are correctly allocated. It's a way for servicers to manage payments that don't align with the usual processing procedures.
If you have queries concerning a suspected foul play on behalf of your bank's policies, address the issue to your mortgage servicer or a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

Oct 12, 2023  06:09:23
 
Derah Gordon Derah Gordon said:

I entered into a contract with a real estate managing broker and I just learned that the interest rate far exceeds the Usury Law. Shouldn't he have known that?

May 11, 2018  08:14:29

 
Real Estate Agent

Hey, Derah

We'd need to know more about the case and the state you are in to give a fair opinion. It's best you find a real estate lawyer to help sort this usury problem out! Good luck!

May 18, 2018  10:45:57
 
 
image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Legal action by an owner of property to oust or exclude an individual or business form using the property. ...

In taxation, the excess of total long-term gains minus total long-term losses on the sale of real estate. Long-term classification is for real estate held one year or more. This is reported ...

Value is exchanged by the parties to an agreement involving current or future performance making it legally enforceable. Without reasonable consideration for performance, the contract may ...

The initial lessee of rented property who then leases it to a subtenant. ...

Contractual provision allowing an individual or business to renege on a commitment in certain cases without being penalized. ...

Relationship between individuals or entities out of which exists a mutual interest. An example is a privity of contract among the contracting parties concerning the actions each are to take. ...

What does contribute mean in everyday scenarios? The official “contribute definition” goes as follows: providing a thing of great value, regularly money, to help accomplish a ...

Individual or entity who pays for the professional services of another person or business. ...

Area or county used in the census or other data gathering functions that has a population of 50,000 inhabitants or more. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions