Under RESPA, affiliated businesses are allowed to receive payment for which of the following?

Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), affiliated businesses can receive payment in the form of ownership returns. This refers to the profits generated by the business that are distributed to owners or investors who have a stake in the affiliated entity. RESPA aims to protect consumers by prohibiting kickbacks and unearned fees in real estate transactions, but it does allow for payments between affiliated businesses as long as they comply with certain disclosure requirements.

When a business or service is owned in part by someone involved in the transaction, such as real estate agents and mortgage lenders, they can legally share the profits or returns that come from the business. This ensures transparency about financial relationships and allows consumers to be informed about where their money is going.

In contrast, commission payments, service fees, or marketing discounts do not fall under the same allowances. RESPA restricts these other forms of payments in order to prevent conflicts of interest and protect consumers from unnecessary costs in home buying and lending processes. By permitting ownership returns, RESPA provides a framework where affiliated businesses can operate while still maintaining consumer protection standards.