For Immediate Release
ALTA, Pennsylvania Land Title Association and AARP Applaud Attorney General Dave Sunday for Action Protecting Homeowners from Unfair MV Realty Contracts
Washington, D.C., May 7, 2026 — The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the Pennsylvania Land Title Association (PLTA) and AARP today commended Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday for securing a settlement that terminates more than 1,300 MV Realty mortgages, cancels existing contracts with Pennsylvania homeowners and delivers meaningful relief to consumers across the commonwealth.
Under the agreement, all existing Homeowner Benefit Agreements MV Realty signed with Pennsylvania homeowners shall be null and void and MV Realty is required to pay partial restitution to consumers who paid early termination fees. Additionally, MV Realty and its officers are permanently prohibited from engaging in any business involving the purchase or sale of residential real estate in Pennsylvania.
“Attorney General Sunday’s action sends a clear message: homeowners should never be trapped in deceptive agreements that cloud title and threaten their most valuable asset,” said Caroline Cone, director of state government affairs, ALTA. “Protecting clear title and preserving the ability to sell or refinance a home are fundamental to consumer confidence and property rights.”
MV Realty’s contracts, which in some cases stretched for 40 years, offered upfront payments in exchange for exclusive listing rights and were recorded against properties in ways that could interfere with a homeowner’s ability to sell, refinance or access home equity. Many homeowners reported they were unaware the agreement would result in a mortgage lien on their property.
ALTA, PLTA and AARP have worked alongside policymakers and consumer advocates nationwide to raise awareness about these types of agreements, often referred to as non-title recorded agreements for personal services (NTRAPS), and to advance solutions that protect homeowners from hidden risks.
“This settlement delivers significant relief for Pennsylvania homeowners and makes clear that deceptive real estate arrangements that tie up a family’s home will not stand,” said Jenn Jones, vice president of financial security and livable communities, government affairs, AARP. “AARP will keep working with state leaders and advocates nationwide to end these harmful practices and protect older homeowners’ financial security.”
ALTA has been actively engaged in supporting efforts to address NTRAPS, including developing consumer education resources, model legislative language and industry guidance to help prevent abusive practices that can encumber property rights.
"NTRAPS create clouds on title which cause various problems for unwitting homeowners. Such misleading encumbrances cause significant difficulties for the real estate closing process, of which the land title industry is a critical part," said Emanuel A. Chryssos Esq., CLTP, president, Pennsylvania Land Title Association. "We appreciate Attorney General Sunday’s efforts in removing these burdens from Pennsylvania homeowners and restoring transparency to the marketplace."
“These contracts are alarming because they lock people into decades-long agreements that threaten their financial security and control over their own homes,” said Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania state director. “Pennsylvania homeowners deserve transparency, fairness, and clear property rights—not hidden contracts that can derail a refinance, a sale, or an inheritance. AARP Pennsylvania is proud to stand with Attorney General Sunday, policymakers and our partners to ensure these predatory practices have no place in our housing market.”
ALTA, PLTA and AARP will continue working with state leaders, industry partners and consumer advocates to advance protections against predatory real estate contracts and safeguard the integrity of property ownership nationwide.
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About ALTA
The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, represents an industry comprised of more than 17,000 title insurance companies operating across the nation, with over 90% being small businesses.
About the Pennsylvania Land Title Association
PLTA is the trade association for the title insurance industry in Pennsylvania. We represent the title agents and agencies, title insurance underwriters, real estate attorneys and other real estate professionals throughout the state. Our members are knowledgeable, dedicated professionals in the title industry who are your best resource to protect your property rights.
Contact: Alisa Mairone
Office: 202-261-0305
Email: [email protected]