O
regon’s Department of Justice announced a settlement with MV Realty that releases nearly 670 homeowners from “deceptive” 40‑year contracts, ensuring they owe the company nothing. Attorney General Dan Rayfield called the agreements an “outrageous scheme” and said the deal frees families from a debt that could have cost them thousands of dollars.

    MV Realty lured homeowners into “Homeowner Benefit Agreements” by offering a few hundred dollars for each of 669 Oregon properties. In return, owners agreed to list their homes with the company for any sale within the next four decades. The contracts also allowed MV Realty to file liens that blocked refinancing, home‑equity loans, and sales, even when homeowners tried to escape the arrangement. When they did, the company demanded thousands of dollars to release the liens.

    One couple, whose members had a disability and end‑stage kidney disease, signed the contract for a $1,500 payment, believing it would help them stay put. As medical bills rose, they discovered the MV Realty lien prevented a home‑equity line of credit and the company demanded $12,500 to terminate the contract.

    Oregon is not alone. California, Georgia, and Florida have court orders preventing MV Realty from enforcing similar contracts. New Jersey, where over 1,200 homeowners were affected, imposed a $1.5 million penalty and required the company to reimburse $1.3 million for early termination fees.

    Under Oregon’s agreement, MV Realty will pay the state $150,000 over roughly four years, with a reduction to $90,000 if the first payment is made on time. The Justice Department noted the company will not be required to pay an additional $500,000 due to its inability to pay.

    Rayfield emphasized that for a few hundred dollars, MV Realty tried to trap people in long‑term contracts that tied their homes—and even their children—to the company. “That’s not just a bad deal—it’s cruel,” he said. The settlement finally lifts those families from the burden.