mcall reports from the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania Love Homes and its owner, Lawrence Higgins, in Lower Macungie Township are in danger of losing licenses necessary to conduct its retail business of selling manufactured housing. A Pennsylvania Department of Banking order issued in March, 2012 has accused Love Homes of engaging in “dishonest, fraudulent or illegal practices in its business, and in unfair or unethical practices or conduct in connection with the mortgage loan business, on at least eight occasions, by taking down payments from consumers and failing to fulfill its contractual obligations.” One customer has received only $9,000 of $16,500 owed by Love Homes dating back to Dec. 2010, and in another instance of receiving a $25,000 down payment from a customer who had credit issues, Higgins did not return the deposit or assist with financing as offered. MHProNews has learned Higgins is not licensed as a loan originator despite attempts to secure financing, nor did he post a surety bond when trying to make a loan. Saying he will take care of restitution, Higgins says, “Everybody who’s in the housing business has got the same issue. We’re all struggling, just barely hanging on.” The state’s order is subject to appeal.
