April 9, 2004 

The Honorable Alphonso Jackson 
Secretary 
Department of Housing and Urban Development 
451 Seventh Street, SW 
Suite 10100 
Washington, DC 20410-0050 

Re: Withdrawal of Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (REPSPA) Draft Final Rule 

Dear Secretary Jackson: 

As Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration, I am writing 
to commend your leadership in withdrawing the draft final RESPA rule from the Office of 
Management and Budget’s review. 

Over the past two years, my office worked closely with small businesses in the real estate 
industry regarding the potential impact of the proposed RESPA rule. While we applaud the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) efforts to simplify, improve and lower 
the costs of obtaining home mortgages, we strongly support HUD’s decision to reexamine the 
RESPA rule, meet with industry groups, and seek public comment on a new proposed rule. My 
staff of regulatory experts and economists is available to work with your team as it revisits this 
rulemaking. Your decision demonstrates HUD’s commitment to give proper consideration to 
small entity impacts under Executive Order 13272 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. 

Once again, thank you for leadership in deciding to take a closer look at the potential 
impact of the RESPA rule before moving forward. 
Sincerely, 

Thomas M. Sullivan 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy 

cc: Dr. John Graham, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs