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

Person providing advice for compensation about real estate. ...

Rights, interest, and benefits inherent in the ownership of real estate, as distinguished from personal property ...

Process determining an individual's financial ability to meet the terms of a loan. When selling real estate, the sales broker must qualify the buyer to make certain he/ she has the ...

Individuals who are legally entitled to inherit money and property when someone dies. ...

Term given to two depreciation systems defined by the Internal Revenue Service: The main system is called the General Depreciation System (GDS). Under GDS, most property is assigned to ...

Within Real Estate, “nuisance” is a term used to describe any disturbance that might affect neighboring houses. Nuisance abatement is the enforcing of policies and codes that ...

A cost of funds index that most adjustable rate mortgages written in California in recent years are tied to. Computed by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, it reflects the cost ...

Sale that is finalized only in the case of a particular occurrence or eventuality. ...

CE Shop has become a widely used and popular term in real estate. But what does it mean? “CE” stands for continuing education, and in the real estate business, it implies a ...

Popular Real Estate Questions