Final answer:
Violations under Section 9 of RESPA can incur a penalty amounting to three times the title insurance cost, ensuring homebuyers have the freedom to choose their title insurance provider.
Step-by-step explanation:
The penalties for violations under Section 9 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) involve significant fines. If a seller violates this section by requiring the homebuyer to use a particular title insurance company, they can be met with a penalty that includes three times the amount of the title insurance. This is designed to protect consumers from unfair practices and to ensure a free market. RESPA Section 9 ensures that homebuyers have the right to choose their own title insurance company, and violation of this provision triggers the stipulated penalties.