Latest news with #SarahMancini
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Judge blocks company behind 40-year listings from enforcing agreements in Florida. Could OH be next?
A Florida judge has issued an injunction blocking a company that has been the focus of a series of News Center 7 I-Team investigations from enforcing its controversial 40-year listing agreement in that state. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The I-Team's lead investigative reporter John Bedell has the latest on the ruling and if Ohio could ask for something similar tonight on News Center 7 at 5:30. TRENDING STORIES: Delta plane crashes, flips at Toronto airport injuring at least 15 Ohio lawmaker introduces 'Boneless Wing Bill' Venomous snake found in box of bananas at grocery store MV Realty's controversial Homeowner Benefit Agreements have been the focus of I-Team reports for more than two years. The new ruling barred the company from enforcing those agreements and placing liens on homes in Florida. The decision also says MV Realty cannot collect any money from Florida homeowners under contract with them. This comes in connection with the Florida Attorney General's Office lawsuit against the realty company. Court documents obtained by the I-Team show roughly a third of the company's contracts around the country are in Florida, where MV Realty is headquartered. 'This ruling is absolutely an important and positive step forward in getting relief for any consumers that were harmed by MV Realty,' Sarah Mancini, a lawyer with the National Consumer Law Center, said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FL judge blocks company behind 40-year listings from enforcing agreements. Could GA be next?
A Florida judge has issued an injunction blocking a company that has been the focus of a series of Channel 2 Action News investigations from enforcing its controversial 40-year-long Homeowner Benefit Agreements in that state. In Georgia, Attorney General Chris Carr has filed a motion for summary judgment against MV Realty and its Georgia contracts, similar to the one ordered this week in Florida. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'The relief that has been won now in Florida is exactly the kind of relief that Attorneys General around the country have been seeking,' said Sarah Mancini from the National Consumer Law Center. Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray has been investigating MV Realty and its 40-year listing agreements for the past three years. MV Realty cuts homeowners an immediate check. In return, you either list your home with an MV Realty agent or pay a penalty equivalent to 3% of the sale price of the house. And the term of the deal is for the next 40 years. Since Channel 2 Action News and our sister stations across the country started investigating MV Realty, Attorneys General in 12 states including Georgia have sued the company, and 29 states, including Georgia, have passed laws targeting the company. But a 2023 change to Georgia law did not impact MV Realty contracts currently on the books, only future contracts. RELATED STORIES: Documents show company behind 40-year listings wanted to collect penalties more than sell homes Realty group still trying to enforce illegal 40-year listing agreements, victims say GA Attorney General sues realty company for trying to enforce illegal 40-year listing agreements Governor signs new law tied to Channel 2 investigations into controversial real estate deals In an October motion for summary judgment, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr asked a judge to terminate all MV Realty liens and cease collection of termination fees. 'That is the whole ball of wax. That is the most important relief that Georgians need. And so hopefully this Florida ruling will be helpful to getting to that end goal,' Mancini said. MV Realty is appealing the Florida ruling. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's office tells us they have requested a hearing for their motion for summary judgment but so far, no hearing date has been set. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
