How does HUD define “settlement service”?
“Settlement service” means any service provided in connection with a prospective or actual settlement including, but not limited to, the following:

A. Origination, processing and funding of a federally related mortgage loan;

B. Rendering mortgage brokerage services, including counseling, taking mortgage applications; obtaining verifications and appraisals, other loan processing and origination services and communicating with the borrower and lender;

C. Providing title services, including title searches, title examinations, abstract preparation, insurability determinations, and issuance of title commitments and title insurance policies;

D. Services rendered by an attorney;

E. Preparing documents, including notarization, delivery and recordation;

F. Rendering credit reports and appraisals;

G. Rendering inspections, including those required by applicable law or any inspections required in the sales contract or mortgage
documents prior to transfer of title;

H. Conducting of settlement by a settlement agent and any related services;

I. Providing services involving mortgage insurance;

J. Providing services involving hazard, flood or other casualty or homeowner's warranties;

K. Providing services involving mortgage life, disability or similar insurance designed to pay a mortgage loan upon disability or death of a borrower, if required by the lender as a condition of the loan;

L. Providing services involving real property taxes or any other assessments or charges on the real property;

M. Rendering services by a real estate agent or broker; and

N. Providing any other services for which a settlement service provider requires a borrower or seller to pay, for example, surveys.