Staircase, Inc. ("Staircase") is a technology company. All data and mortgage services are provided by 3rd parties. While efforts are made to verify the information provided, the information should not be assumed to be error free. Some information may have been provided by 3rd parties and has not necessarily been verified by Staircase. Staircase does not assume any liability for the information contained herein, be it direct, indirect, consequential, special, or exemplary, or other damages whatsoever and howsoever caused, arising out of or in connection with the use of Staircase or in reliance on the information, including any personal or pecuniary loss, whether the action is in contract, tort (including negligence) or other tortious action.
Market mortgage rates and Staircase mortgage rates are provided for illustrative purposes only (see example) and are not intended to provide mortgage or other financial advice specific to the circumstances of any individual and should not be relied upon in that regard. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply.
A licensed Real Estate Agent is associated with every real estate transaction. A licensed Mortgage Loan Officer is associated with every mortgage transaction. A licensed underwriter underwrites every mortgage loan. A licensed lawyer performs all Title searches and underwrites all Title policies.
Artificial Intelligence ("AI") is used only to collect data from the borrower and to provide real-time communications with the borrower. AI is not used to make any underwriting decisions or to otherwise replace origination processes mandated by law such as processing, underwriting, quality control, and closing.
Governing Law
Federal Fair Lending
Staircase conducts all activities in a manner consistent with federal and state fair lending laws including the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Staircase treats all existing and prospective customers fairly and consistently throughout the real estate and mortgage lifecycle, without regard to any characteristic or basis prohibited by law.
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act (“FH Act”) is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The FH Act expressly prohibits discrimination in every aspect of a residential real estate-related transaction, including the following:
Making loans to buy, build or repair a dwelling
Purchasing real estate loans
Selling, residential brokering or appraising residential real estate
Selling or renting a dwelling
The FH Act prohibits discrimination based on any of the factors listed below:
Race or color
Religion
National origin
Sex
Handicap
Familial status (which prohibits discrimination against households having children under the age of 18 living with a parent or legal custodian, pregnant women, or individuals with legal custody of children under 18)
Two additional factors are expressly prohibited when dealing with loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the “FHA”) and the properties securing those loans. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a rule that prohibits FHA-approved lenders from basing eligibility determinations for FHA-insured loans on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, its implementing regulation (together, “ECOA”), prohibit discrimination in any aspect of a credit transaction against any applicant based on any of the following factors:
Race or color
Religion
National origin
Sex
Marital status
Age (provided the applicant is old enough and has the capacity to enter into a contract)
Receipt of income from any public assistance program
An exercise in good faith of a right under the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act or state law counterpart
All Staircase real estate, mortgage, and title partners are subject to both the FH Act and ECOA.
ECOA Notice
The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract); because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The Federal agency that administers compliance with this law concerning this creditor is Federal Trade Commission, Equal Credit Opportunity, Washington, DC 20580.
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Notice
The HMDA data about residential mortgage lending are available online for review. The data show geographic distribution of loans and applications; ethnicity, race, sex, age, and income of applicants and borrowers; and information about loan approvals and denials. HMDA data for many financial institutions is available online at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Website.
E-Sign Act Disclosures
You always have the right to receive Servicing Notices in paper form. Even if you consent to Paperless, you have the right to obtain a paper copy of an electronic record. You may generate a paper copy of a Servicing Notice from your online account with your servicer.
State Law
Other laws and regulations, including those at the state or local level, contain additional prohibited bases, including, for example, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship, immigration status, or gender identity.