By Jeremy Walsh
“This will require any lender or mortgage broker… to have the consumer read this bill of rights, and then after they read it, have them sign a copy,” Peralta said.The legislation, inspired by Queens mortgage consultant Robert Donoso, was introduced last week, Peralta said. “Once I get the bill number, it's going to go to committee,” he said.According to RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure tracking service, 2.2 million Americans defaulted on their loans last year.The problems are hitting Queens as well. According to figures from Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project, a city-based lending advocacy group, close to 400 homes have been foreclosed in Corona alone since 2004.Peralta said the number of calls his office has received from constituents about loan crises spiked about two years ago and has remained consistently high ever since.He urged people facing foreclosure to attend any of a number of upcoming workshops. Those about to buy a home should shop around and know their rights, he said, noting prospective buyers are not obligated to sign a contract if the final amount differs drastically from the good-faith estimate a broker gave them at the beginning of the transaction.”You can actually walk away from it,” he said. “People should be aware that they are the ones in control. The lenders and mortgage brokers and attorneys – none of them are in control until you sign on the dotted line.”Donoso will host two free, bilingual seminars at the Pan American Hotel, 40-27 97th St. The first is March 6 at 6:30 p.m.; the second March 8 from 2 to 4 p.m.NEDAP also has planned a series of bilingual workshops to address these issues, including a March 30 event at St. Leo Roman Catholic Church in Corona, 104-05 49th Ave. English services start at 11 a.m.; Spanish services at 12:30 p.m.Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
