When you get a home mortgage, should your lender be free to mark up your fees without limit? The Department of Housing and Urban Development says all markups are illegal. But lenders, title agencies and other industry groups have fought HUD's ban. And now, three federal appellate courts, covering 15 states, have ruled that unlimited mark-ups on mortgages are just fine within their jurisdictions.

Clark wanted you to be aware of the states where mark-ups are legal so you are extra careful when buying a home. Here is the list:

• Arkansas
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

Source: The Washington Post