Home Buyers Are Paying Millions to Experience the ‘Fairy Tale' of Forest Hills
The Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens has long been known for its quaint winding streets and charming early 20th-century houses, some of which have sold for about $4 million.
High-end condo sales in the New York City neighborhood, however, have historically been rare. Now for the first time, luxury condos are fetching prices on par with some of the neighborhood's most expensive single-family houses.
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Miami Herald
18 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
What is the FCRA, and How Can It Help Remove Collection Accounts From Your Credit Report?
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / When inaccurate or outdated collection accounts show up on a credit report, the consequences can be immediate, from denied loans, increased interest rates, or even job application rejections. That's why understanding the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA") is crucial for anyone facing credit reporting issues. Petroff Amshen LLP, a New York-based consumer protection law firm, is raising awareness about the FCRA and how it can be used to remove damaging or incorrect information, or unfair collections. What Is the FCRA? (FCRA Meaning) The FCRA, or Fair Credit Reporting Act, is a federal law enacted by Congress in 1970 to promote accuracy, fairness, and privacy in the information maintained by consumer reporting agencies. In simple terms, the FCRA meaning is rooted in the idea that consumers have the right to know what's on their credit reports, and the right to challenge what doesn't belong there. This law regulates how credit bureaus collect and report data and gives consumers the ability to: Request copies of their credit reportsDispute incorrect or incomplete informationBe notified if their credit report has been used against themLimit how long negative items can remain on fileSeek damages for violations Using the FCRA to Remove Collections One of the most powerful tools within this law is the ability to use the FCRA to remove collections that are inaccurate, outdated, or unverified. This includes: Debts that don't belong to you (often due to identity theft or clerical errors)Duplicate entriesUnverified accounts reported without adequate documentationCollections older than 7 years When a consumer files a dispute, the credit reporting agency must investigate and respond within 30 days. If the furnisher of the information cannot verify the debt with supporting evidence, it must be removed. "The FCRA exists to protect consumers from being defined by credit data that is flat-out wrong," said Steven Amshen, Founding Partner of Petroff Amshen LLP. "If a creditor or collector can't prove the debt, they shouldn't be allowed to report it." Legal Support Can Make the Difference While consumers are legally required to file FCRA disputes themselves, many quickly run into roadblocks, including creditors that don't respond, agencies that close investigations without real inquiry, or accounts that reappear after deletion. That's where proper legal support becomes essential. Petroff Amshen LLP assists clients who have already taken that first step but haven't received meaningful results. The firm's team reviews the credit file, evaluates the prior dispute, and takes action when violations of the FCRA are evident - especially when creditors ignore documentation or credit bureaus fail to follow proper procedures. "When a valid dispute is ignored or mishandled, it's not just negligence; it's a violation of federal law," said Steven Amshen. "That's when we intervene to make sure consumer rights are enforced." Petroff Amshen LLP's FCRA Approach The firm's legal strategy is focused on results, not delays. By leveraging the FCRA, Petroff Amshen LLP helps clients: Identify all inaccurate or unverifiable items in their credit reportsSupport targeted disputes with proper documentationFile claims against credit bureaus or creditors when rights are violatedDemand monetary compensation and full deletion of harmful records when justified Petroff Amshen LLP doesn't offer generic credit repair. As a consumer protection law firm, its team approaches every case through the lens of litigation, not negotiation. Know Your Rights, Protect Your Credit If you've found collections that don't belong to you, errors that won't go away, or accounts reported without proof, it may be time to explore legal solutions under the FCRA. The law exists to protect, not just monitor, your credit history. Petroff Amshen LLP encourages consumers in New York and New Jersey to take action when collection accounts are misreported or mishandled. Every inaccurate record has the potential to affect housing, employment, and financial freedom. Stay Informed. Stay Protected. Stay Connected. Petroff Amshen LLP uses its social platforms to share legal updates, case victories, credit protection tips, and consumer rights resources in real time. Whether you're looking to understand your rights under the FCRA or want to connect directly with the firm, these channels are built to support and inform you. Follow Petroff Amshen LLP for practical legal insights and ongoing protection strategies: Instagram: @petroffamshenFacebook: Petroff Amshen LLPLinkedIn: Petroff Amshen LLP | New York SOURCE: Petroff Amshen LLP press release


Chicago Tribune
18 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Local real estate firms Baird & Warner and Dream Town to merge
Two of the Chicago region's largest independent real estate firms announced Thursday that they will merge operations, forming what company leaders say will be the second largest brokerage in Chicagoland, based on 2024 sales volume. The acquisition of Dream Town by Baird & Warner will result in a combined organization with nearly 3,000 agents, loan officers and other staff and a total of 30 offices throughout the city and suburbs. Dream Town CEO Yuval Degani said combining forces will ensure agents have access to the best technology, including AI, and allow them to stay independent and locally owned. 'Every major brokerage in town is now run by Wall Street or a hedge fund,' Degani said. The combination of Dream Town and Baird & Warner will create 'an even more competitive, locally committed and powerful independent alternative for agents.' The combined firm will operate under the Baird & Warner brand, and Degani will join company leadership as president of brokerage services. Dream Town agents will also have access to Baird & Warner's other businesses, including Key Mortgage and Baird & Warner Title Services. 'Throughout our 170-year history, we have sought to make bold moves that sharpen our competitive edge and enhance the value we bring to our agents and their clients,' Baird & Warner CEO Steve Baird said. The constant demand from real estate brokers for more advanced technology has helped lead many other firms, including local and national brands, to combine their efforts. New York-based Compass in January acquired Chicago-based @properties Christie's International Real Estate for $444 million. @properties had acquired Christie's International Real Estate, a global network in about 50 countries, in 2021. Recent litigation has also greatly changed how buyers acquire new homes. The Chicago-based National Association of Realtors and real estate brokerages nationwide agreed in 2024 to settle massive class-action antitrust lawsuits filed by home sellers who argued they were forced to pay inflated commissions to real estate brokers. The NAR agreed to pay out $418 million, and make commissions more transparent, requiring potential homebuyers to sign written agreements stating how their agents will be paid. 'Being small is almost impossible today because of technology and because of the needs of the agent — whether it be technology or marketing or training and coaching,' @properties co-founder Mike Golden told the Tribune in March. 'You're going to continue to see more consolidation, especially with the stuff that's happened with the litigation in our industry.'

Wall Street Journal
20 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
Major Indexes End the Day Up as Nasdaq and S&P Near Records - Minute Briefing
Full Transcript This transcript was prepared by a transcription service. This version may not be in its final form and may be updated. Julia Carpenter: Here's your closing bell brief for Thursday, June 26th. I'm Julia Carpenter for the Wall Street Journal. All three major US stock indexes ended the day up with both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closing near record levels. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 404 points to close at 43,387. The S&P 500 advanced 49 points, and the Nasdaq rose 194 points. The US dollar fell to a three-year low earlier in the day after President Trump floated the idea of naming a successor to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell much earlier than expected. Meanwhile, the White House had previously set a deadline of July 9th to arrive at trade deals. But today, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, said "The deadline is not critical." More than a dozen nations are rushing to secure deals ahead of the tariffs. In individual companies trading today, JP Morgan Chase stock hit a new intraday peak and was on track to close with a market capitalization above $800 billion for the first time. Shares ended the day up 1.7%. and Goldman Sachs Group were also among the big gainers. Shares in Amazon advanced 2.4%, and Goldman Sachs rose 2.6%. Shell is denying a WSJ report that says it's in early talks to buy rival oil company BP. Shares in Shell were up 2.2% as shares in BP nudged down 0.1%. Stock in Nvidia gained 0.5% following the AI chip makers record high close on Wednesday afternoon. The record high close makes Nvidia the largest company by market capitalization. We'll have a lot more coverage of the day's news on the WSJ's What's News Podcast. You can add it to your playlist on your smart speaker or listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.