real estate prices, using

2005-05-13 New rules to curb surging real estate price 2@webnews ,#house#housing#estate#, 0 Housing Price /enpproperty-- New rules to curb surging real estate price Home News Center China New rules to curb surging real estate price (Agencies) Updated: 2005-05-13 10:48 China is taking a wide range of steps to curb surging real estate prices, using tax and other policies to discourage speculative dealings and ensure a supply of affordable housing, state media announced Thursday. Residents in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, walk past a newly-constructed apartment building May 10, 2005. [newsphoto] The campaign, backed by seven government agencies, shows that Beijing recognizes it needs to make cooling the housing market a nationwide priority, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Despite the government's powerful vested interest in a thriving property market, authorities worry that too much investment is going into the construction of luxury and commercial real estate and that speculative buying has pushed prices unsustainably high. Newspapers carried a notice by the State Council, China's cabinet, ordering local governments to make controlling property prices a major part of their economic policy. Average real estate prices rose by 14.4 percent year-on-year in 2004 and by 12.5 percent in the first quarter of 2005. Shanghai had the "most shocking housing prices in China," with average costs per square meter of over 10,000 yuan ($1,200), the Xinhua report said. Many urban Chinese own their homes thanks to housing reforms years ago, but cannot afford to buy new property. And low income families are generally priced out of a market that has focused on wealthy investors while neglecting construction of budget housing. The latest effort to cool the market involve the ministries of construction, finance, and land and resources, along with the State Development and Reform Commission, the State Administration of Taxation, China Banking Regulatory Commission and the People's Bank of China, China's central bank. The policy change that drew most attention in property crazy Shanghai was one requiring payment of a business tax the rate was not given on sales of property less than two years after purchase. It takes effect June 1. Local governments were ordered to clarify prices and housing sizes before granting land use rights, to limit credit for property deals and to confine real estate developers' profits to a maximum of 3 percent. Developers who fail to build within a year after buying land will be penalized, and those that fail to build within two years after buying property would lose their rights to the land, Xinhua said. The measures follow earlier, piecemeal steps by local governments. Last month Shanghai enacted a rule requiring home owners to pay off their mortgages before selling property and extending the time buyers must wait before taking ownership to 28 days, from the previous seven. In March, it imposed a tax on sales of property owned for less than a year. The measures have definitely had an impact. In April, sales of "second hand," or previously occupied apartments in Shanghai fell between 30 percent and 50 percent, depending on the district, compared with the month before, according to industry statistics published Thursday in the newspaper Oriental Morning Post. Close Today's Top News Top China News Central banker denies yuan revaluation on May 18 New rules to curb surging real estate price Hu, Soong join hands for Straits peace Beijing offers Taiwan more conveniences China and Japan seek to smooth relations Pressure on yuan revaluation won't work Beijing offers Taiwan more conveniences Angels of the ward, toast of the world Illegal explosive trade targeted Probe shows colliery workmen ignored laws New regulation in Dalian beggars belief Congestion takes its toll on bridge Go to Another Section select hot link News Center China World Business Life Sports Most Popular Photo Gallery Story Tools Related Stories Efforts to control housing prices continue House prices to maintain robust growth Housing policies pre-empt speculators Policies failing to get a grip on housing speculation China's housing prices up 14.4% last year China's housing price hike reasonable? Housing prices surge in first 10 months News Talk It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008 Find Suppliers Trade Leads Firm Directory Product Directory China Products Gold Suppliers Hot Products Hot Buys New Products Country Search Trade Shows Advertisement

Real Estate Course Search

Alabama Real Estate Commission Home Approved Schools Course Requirements Real Estate Course Search Real Estate Exams Instructor Resources Forms and Applications Education Menu Broker Salesperson Company Reciprocal Fees Certification of Licensure Licensing Menu Loading. . . Formal Complaints Enforcement Jurisdiction Gifts, Rebates & Kickbacks Unlicensed Assistants Risk Management 101: Office Audit Checklist Legal Menu CMap Forms and Applications FAQs License Law License Search Newsletters Contact Us Jump To: Consumer Information Booklet Real Estate Course Search ARELLO Staff Directory Directory of Commissioners Consumer Guide Commission Meeting Minutes Alabama License Law Book Order Form Other Links Related Links Commission Meeting Date: January 19, 2006 Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Alabama Real Estate Commission 1201 Carmichael Way Montgomery, Alabama CMap Click here to search for Real Estate Course Schedules and Licensee Course Credit. Change Home Address Online Go to Online Services to change home address online, home telephone and home email. Customer Service: How Are We Doing? We would like to hear from you. The Commission is interested in receivingfeedback from the real estate licensee population and others who have contact with the Commission office. Click here to complete our Licensee/Consumer Service Satisfaction Survey. All comments are welcome. D. Philip Lasater Email Us Privacy Policy Alabama Real Estate Commission Montgomery, AL 36106-3674 Executive Director Email Webmaster © 2002 AREC Telephone (334) 242-5544, TTY (334) 396-0064, Fax (334)270-9118

Real Estate Broker License

California Department of Real Estate: Real Estate Broker License California Home DRE Home What's new About DRE Careers at DRE DRE Records Consumers Escrow Violations Examinees Licensees Subdivisions Real Estate Law Regulations Publications Forms FAQs Links Index Department of Real Estate My CA Real Estate Broker License indicates an item is in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need Adobe Reader (or an Adobe Acrobat product) to view it. Click on the icon below to download a free copy of Adobe Reader. Click here for information about using Adobe Reader. Minimum Requirements to Apply for the Broker Exam and License To obtain a real estate broker license, you must first qualify for and pass a written examination. Those who pass the examination are provided a license application which must be submitted to and approved by the DRE. For complete statutory requirements and qualification patterns, see Instructions to License Applicants . Age : To apply for a license, you must be 18 years of age or older. Residence : License applicants must provide Proof of Legal Presence in the U.S. If not a California resident, see Out-of-State Applicants . Honesty : License applicants must be honest and truthful. Conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license. Failure to disclose any criminal violation or disciplinary action in an applicant's entire history may also result in the denial of a license. For further information, see Help Avoid Denial of Your License Application and Application Eligibility Information (RE 222) . Experience : A minimum of two years full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last five years or the equivalent is required. For further information, see Documenting Experience Requirements for the Broker Examination . Education : Applicants for a real estate broker license examination must have successfully completed the following eight statutorily required college-level courses: Real Estate Practice Legal Aspects of Real Estate Real Estate Finance Real Estate Appraisal Real Estate Economics or Accounting And three* courses from the following group: Real Estate Principles Business Law Property Management Escrows Real Estate Office Administration Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending Advanced Legal Aspects of Real Estate Advanced Real Estate Finance Advanced Real Estate Appraisal Computer Applications in Real Estate Common Interest Developments * If both Real Estate Economics and Accounting are taken, only two courses from the above group are required. Continuing education offerings do not satisfy the college-level course requirements for this examination. Each college-level course must be a minimum of three semester-units or four quarter-units. The courses must be completed prior to being scheduled for an examination. Copies of official transcripts are generally acceptable evidence of completed courses. Transcripts of other courses, submitted as an equivalent course of study in lieu of the statutory courses, must be accompanied by an official course or catalog description in order to be evaluated. Broker qualification courses must be completed at an institution of higher learning accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or by a comparable regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, or by a private real estate school which has had its courses approved by the California Real Estate Commissioner. Courses completed through foreign institutions of higher learning must be evaluated by a foreign credentials evaluation service approved by the Department of Real Estate. See Examination Applicant Foreign Education Information (RE 223) . NOTE: Applicants who have completed the eight college-level courses statutorily required for the broker examination and license are eligible to take the salesperson examination without providing further evidence of education or experience. Back to Top of Page Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Tech Problems 2003 State of California This page last modified on Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Home Mortgage Insurance Home

Looking for the Best Mortgage ESPAÑOL Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage--whether it’s a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan--is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You’ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. Skip to content Obtain information from several lenders Obtain all important cost information Obtain the best deal that you can Remember: Shop, compare, negotiate Fair lending is required by law Credit problems? Glossary Mortgage shopping worksheet For more information Obtain Information from Several Lenders Home loans are available from several types of lenders-- thrift institutions , commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions. Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you should contact several lenders to make sure you’re getting the best price. You can also get a home loan through a mortgage broker . Brokers arrange transactions rather than lending money directly; in other words, they find a lender for you. A broker’s access to several lenders can mean a wider selection of loan products and terms from which you can choose. Brokers will generally contact several lenders regarding your application, but they are not obligated to find the best deal for you unless they have contracted with you to act as your agent. Consequently, you should consider contacting more than one broker, just as you should with banks or thrift institutions. Whether you are dealing with a lender or a broker may not always be clear. Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and brokers. And most brokers’ advertisements do not use the word "broker." Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved. This information is important because brokers are usually paid a fee for their services that may be separate from and in addition to the lender’s origination or other fees. A broker’s compensation may be in the form of "points" paid at closing or as an add-on to your interest rate , or both. You should ask each broker you work with how he or she will be compensated so that you can compare the different fees. Be prepared to negotiate with the brokers as well as the lenders. Obtain All Important Cost Information Be sure to get information about mortgages from several lenders or brokers. Know how much of a down payment you can afford, and find out all the costs involved in the loan. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Ask for information about the same loan amount, loan term, and type of loan so that you can compare the information. The following information is important to get from each lender and broker: Rates Ask each lender and broker for a list of its current mortgage interest rates and whether the rates being quoted are the lowest for that day or week. Ask whether the rate is fixed or adjustable . Keep in mind that when interest rates for adjustable-rate loans go up, generally so does the monthly payment. If the rate quoted is for an adjustable-rate loan, ask how your rate and loan payment will vary, including whether your loan payment will be reduced when rates go down. Ask about the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR) . The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate. Points Points are fees paid to the lender or broker for the loan and are often linked to the interest rate; usually the more points you pay, the lower the rate. Check your local newspaper for information about rates and points currently being offered. Ask for points to be quoted to you as a dollar amount--rather than just as the number of points--so that you will actually know how much you will have to pay. Fees A home loan often involves many fees, such as loan origination or underwriting fees , broker fees, and transaction, settlement, and closing costs . Every lender or broker should be able to give you an estimate of its fees. Many of these fees are negotiable. Some fees are paid when you apply for a loan (such as application and appraisal fees), and others are paid at closing. In some cases, you can borrow the money needed to pay these fees, but doing so will increase your loan amount and total costs. "No cost" loans are sometimes available, but they usually involve higher rates. Ask what each fee includes. Several items may be lumped into one fee. Ask for an explanation of any fee you do not understand. Some common fees associated with a home loan closing are listed on the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet in this brochure. Down Payments and Private Mortgage Insurance Some lenders require 20 percent of the home’s purchase price as a down payment. However, many lenders now offer loans that require less than 20 percent down--sometimes as little as 5 percent on conventional loans . If a 20 percent down payment is not made, lenders usually require the home buyer to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) to protect the lender in case the home buyer fails to pay. When government-assisted programs such as FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Veterans Administration), or Rural Development Services are available, the down payment requirements may be substantially smaller. Ask about the lender’s requirements for a down payment, including what you need to do to verify that funds for your down payment are available. Ask your lender about special programs it may offer. If PMI is required for your loan, Ask what the total cost of the insurance will be. Ask how much your monthly payment will be when including the PMI premium. Ask how long you will be required to carry PMI. Obtain the Best Deal That You Can Once you know what each lender has to offer, negotiate for the best deal that you can. On any given day, lenders and brokers may offer different prices for the same loan terms to different consumers, even if those consumers have the same loan qualifications. The most likely reason for this difference in price is that loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Generally, the difference between the lowest available price for a loan product and any higher price that the borrower agrees to pay is an overage . When overages occur, they are built into the prices quoted to consumers. They can occur in both fixed and variable-rate loans and can be in the form of points, fees, or the interest rate. Whether quoted to you by a loan officer or a broker, the price of any loan may contain overages. Have the lender or broker write down all the costs associated with the loan. Then ask if the lender or broker will waive or reduce one or more of its fees or agree to a lower rate or fewer points. You’ll want to make sure that the lender or broker is not agreeing to lower one fee while raising another or to lower the rate while raising points. There’s no harm in asking lenders or brokers if they can give better terms than the original ones they quoted or than those you have found elsewhere. Once you are satisfied with the terms you have negotiated, you may want to obtain a written lock-in from the lender or broker. The lock-in should include the rate that you have agreed upon, the period the lock-in lasts, and the number of points to be paid. A fee may be charged for locking in the loan rate. This fee may be refundable at closing. Lock-ins can protect you from rate increases while your loan is being processed; if rates fall, however, you could end up with a less favorable rate. Should that happen, try to negotiate a compromise with the lender or broker. Remember: Shop, Compare, Negotiate When buying a home, remember to shop around, to compare costs and terms, and to negotiate for the best deal. Your local newspaper and the Internet are good places to start shopping for a loan. You can usually find information both on interest rates and on points for several lenders. Since rates and points can change daily, you’ll want to check your newspaper often when shopping for a home loan. But the newspaper does not list the fees, so be sure to ask the lenders about them. The Mortgage Shopping Worksheet that follows may also help you. Take it with you when you speak to each lender or broker and write down the information you obtain. Don’t be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete with each other for your business by letting them know that you are shopping for the best deal. Fair Lending Is Required by Law The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lenders from discriminating against credit applicants in any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, whether all or part of the applicant’s income comes from a public assistance program, or whether the applicant has in good faith exercised a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in residential real estate transactions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Under these laws, a consumer cannot be refused a loan based on these characteristics nor be charged more for a loan or offered less favorable terms based on such characteristics. Credit Problems? Still Shop, Compare, and Negotiate Don’t assume that minor credit problems or difficulties stemming from unique circumstances, such as illness or temporary loss of income, will limit your loan choices to only high-cost lenders.If your credit report contains negative information that is accurate, but there are good reasons for trusting you to repay a loan, be sure to explain your situation to the lender or broker. If your credit problems cannot be explained, you will probably have to pay more than borrowers who have good credit histories. But don’t assume that the only way to get credit is to pay a high price. Ask how your past credit history affects the price of your loan and what you would need to do to get a better price. Take the time to shop around and negotiate the best deal that you can. Whether you have credit problems or not, it’s a good idea to review your credit report for accuracy and completeness before you apply for a loan. To order a copy of your credit report, contact: Equifax: (800) 685-1111 TransUnion: (800) 888-4213 Experian: (888) 397-3742 Glossary Adjustable-rate loans , also known as variable-rate loans, usually offer a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate loans. The interest rate fluctuates over the life of the loan based on market conditions, but the loan agreement generally sets maximum and minimum rates. When interest rates rise, generally so do your loan payments; and when interest rates fall, your monthly payments may be lowered. Annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate. The APR includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that the borrower is required to pay. Conventional loans are mortgage loans other than those insured or guaranteed by a government agency such as the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), the VA (Veterans Administration), or the Rural Development Services (formerly know as Farmers Home Administration, or FmHA). Escrow is the holding of money or documents by a neutral third party prior to closing. It can also be an account held by the lender (or servicer) into which a homeowner pays money for taxes and insurance. Fixed-rate loans generally have repayment terms of 15, 20, or 30 years. Both the interest rate and the monthly payments (for principal and interest) stay the same during the life of the loan. The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate. Interest rates can change because of market conditions. Loan origination fees are fees charged by the lender for processing the loan and are often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. Lock-in refers to a written agreement guaranteeing a home buyer a specific interest rate on a home loan provided that the loan is closed within a certain period of time, such as 60 or 90 days. Often the agreement also specifies the number of points to be paid at closing. A mortgage is a document signed by a borrower when a home loan is made that gives the lender a right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to pay off the loan. Overages are the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price that the home buyer agrees to pay for the loan. Loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Points are fees paid to the lender for the loan. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. Points are usually paid in cash at closing. In some cases, the money needed to pay points can be borrowed, but doing so will increase the loan amount and the total costs. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects the lender against a loss if a borrower defaults on the loan. It is usually required for loans in which the down payment is less than 20 percent of the sales price or, in a refinancing, when the amount financed is greater than 80 percent of the appraised value. Thrift institution is a general term for savings banks and savings and loan associations. Transaction, settlement, or closing costs may include application fees; title examination, abstract of title, title insurance, and property survey fees; fees for preparing deeds, mortgages, and settlement documents; attorneys’ fees; recording fees; and notary, appraisal, and credit report fees. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the borrower receives a good faith estimate of closing costs at the time of application or within three days of application. The good faith estimate lists each expected cost either as an amount or a range. Mortgage Shopping Worksheet File for Printing Worksheet (12KB PDF) Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender: ___ ___ Name of Contact: ___ ___ Date of Contact: ___ ___ Mortgage Amount: ___ ___ mortgage 1 mortgage 2 mortgage 1 mortgage 2 Basic Information on the Loans Type of Mortgage: fixed rate, adjustable rate, conventional, FHA, other? If adjustable, see below ___ ___ ___ ___ Minimum down payment required ___ ___ ___ ___ Loan term (length of loan) ___ ___ ___ ___ Contract interest rate ___ ___ ___ ___ Annual percentage rate (APR) ___ ___ ___ ___ Points (may be called loan discount points) ___ ___ ___ ___ Monthly Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premiums ___ ___ ___ ___ How long must you keep PMI? ___ ___ ___ ___ Estimated monthly escrow for taxes and hazard insurance ___ ___ ___ ___ Estimated monthly payment (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, PMI) ___ ___ ___ ___ Fees Different institutions may have different names for somefees and may charge different fees. We have listed some typical fees you may see on loan documents. Application fee or Loan processing fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Origination fee or Underwriting fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Lender fee or Funding fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Appraisal fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Attorney fees ___ ___ ___ ___ Document preparation and recording fees ___ ___ ___ ___ Broker fees (may be quoted as points, origination fees, or interest rate add-on) ___ ___ ___ ___ Credit report fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Other fees ___ ___ ___ ___ Other Costs at Closing/Settlement Title search/Title insurance For lender ___ ___ ___ ___ For you ___ ___ ___ ___ Estimated prepaid amounts for interest, taxes, hazard insurance, payments to escrow ___ ___ ___ ___ State and local taxes, stamp taxes, transfer taxes ___ ___ ___ ___ Flood determination ___ ___ ___ ___ Prepaid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) ___ ___ ___ ___ Surveys and home inspections ___ ___ ___ ___ Total Fees and Other Closing/Settlement Cost Estimates ___ ___ ___ ___ Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender: mortgage 1 mortgage 2 mortgage 1 mortgage 2 Other Questions and Considerations about the Loan Are any of the fees or costs waivable? ___ ___ ___ ___ Prepayment penalties Is there a prepayment penalty? ___ ___ ___ ___ If so, how much is it? ___ ___ ___ ___ How long does the penalty period last? (for example, 3 years? 5 years?) ___ ___ ___ ___ Are extra principal payments allowed? ___ ___ ___ ___ Lock-ins Is the lock-in agreement in writing? ___ ___ ___ ___ Is there a fee to lock-in? ___ ___ ___ ___ When does the lock-in occur—at application, approval, or another time? ___ ___ ___ ___ How long will the lock-in last? ___ ___ ___ ___ If the rate drops before closing, can you lock-in at a lower rate? ___ ___ ___ ___ If the loan is an adjustable rate mortgage: What is the initial rate? ___ ___ ___ ___ What is the maximum the rate could be next year? ___ ___ ___ ___ What are the rate and payment caps each year and over the life of the loan? ___ ___ ___ ___ What is the frequency of rate change and of any changes to the monthly payment? ___ ___ ___ ___ What is the index that the lender will use? ___ ___ ___ ___ What margin will the lender add to the index? ___ ___ ___ ___ Credit life insurance Does the monthly amount quoted to you include a charge for credit life insurance? ___ ___ ___ ___ If so, does the lender require credit life insurance as a condition of the loan? ___ ___ ___ ___ How much does the credit life insurance cost? ___ ___ ___ ___ How much lower would your monthly payment be without the credit life insurance? ___ ___ ___ ___ If the lender does not require credit life insurance, and you still want to buy it, what rates can you get from other insurance providers? ___ ___ ___ ___ This brochure was prepared by the following agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Justice Department of the Treasury Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Federal Housing Finance Board Federal Reserve Board Federal Trade Commission National Credit Union Administration Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Office of Thrift Supervision These agencies (except the Department of the Treasury) enforce compliance with laws that prohibit discrimination in lending. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in the home financing process, you may want to contact one of the agencies listed above about your rights under these laws. For more information on home lending issues, visit ( http://www.consumer.gov ), write to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 or visit the Center’s Web site at ( http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov ). The following brochures are available from the Center: A Consumer’s Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins A Consumer’s Guide to Mortgage Refinancing Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance Home Buyer’s Vocabulary Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Rights to Fair Lending How to Buy a Home with a Low Down Payment How to Dispute Credit Report Errors The HUD Home Buying Guide What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit Home | Consumer information | Publications | Brochures | Accessibility | Contact Us Last update: January 22, 2004

Buy House

Amazon.com: House of Sand and Fog: DVD Your Store DVD See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Genres | Top Sellers | New & Future Releases | Television Central | Life & Learning | DVD Essentials | Blowout DVDs | Movie Showtimes | Used DVDs Search Amazon.com DVD Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . DVD Information Explore this item buying info editorial reviews customer reviews cast and crew fun facts Listmania! Ten best movies of 2003 : A list by Kalle Frm Add your List Ready to buy? Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . MORE BUYING CHOICES 157 used & new from $3.85 Available for in-store pickup now from: $14.99 Price may vary based on availability Enter your ZIP Code Have one to sell? House of Sand and Fog (2003) Starring: Jennifer Connelly , Ben Kingsley Director: Vadim Perelman Rating: First Line: Officer at End: Are you Kathy Nicolo? Kathy: Yeah. Officer at End: Is this your house? See larger image Share your own customer images List Price: $14.99 Price: $10.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details You Save: $4.00 (27%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Want it delivered Tuesday, January 3? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details 157 used & new available from $3.85 Edition: Other Versions and Languages Other Versions (DVD) List Price Price Other Offers: DVD House of Sand and Fog Other Versions (VHS Tape) VHS Tape House of Sand and Fog $9.98 $9.98 19 used & new from $1.45 Other Versions (Audio CD) Audio CD House of Sand and Fog $17.98 $17.98 62 used & new from $10.89 Better Together Buy this DVD with 21 Grams DVD ~ Sean Penn today! Total List Price: $29.97 Buy Together Today: $21.98 Customers who bought this DVD also bought 21 Grams DVD ~ Sean Penn Hotel Rwanda DVD ~ Xolani Mali Mystic River (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Sean Penn Collateral DVD ~ Tom Cruise Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Books , and in Video Storyline Genres: Drama Tagline: Some dreams can't be shared. Plot Outline: An abandoned wife is evicted from her house and starts a tragic conflict with her home's new owners. Plot Synopsis: Massoud Amir Behrani, an Iranian immigrant, has spent most of his savings trying to enhance his daughter's chances of a good marriage. Once she is married, he spends the remaining funds on a house at an auction, unwittingly putting himself and his family in the middle of a legal tussle with the house's former owner. What begins as a legal struggle turns into a personal confrontation, with tragic results. Plot Keywords: Based On Novel | Bathtub Scene | Beach | Cigarette Smoking | Classified Ad | Compassion | Courier | Deputy Sheriff | Directorial Debut | Eviction | Father Daughter Dance | (Show all 90 plot keywords recommended by customers) Product Details Actors: Jennifer Connelly , Ben Kingsley , Ron Eldard , Frances Fisher , Kim Dickens , See more Directors: Vadim Perelman Format: Ac- , Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc, Widescreen Anamorphic Region: Region 1 ( U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats. ) Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number of discs: 1 Rated: (Not for sale to persons under age 18.) Studio: Dreamworks Video DVD Release Date: March 30, 2004 Run Time: 126 minutes Average Customer Review: Based on 252 Reviews DVD Features: Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Unknown Format) Commentary by: director Vadim Perelman, actor Ben Kingsley, novelist Andre Dubus III, costume designer Hala Bahmet, and production designer Maia Javan (Unknown Format) Deleted Scenes with commentary Behind the Scenes featurette Shohreh Aghdashloo Audition Archives Production Notes From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: B0001DMVBC Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,512 in DVD Theatrical Release Information US Theatrical Release Date: December 26, 2003 MPAA: for some violence/disturbing images, language and a scene of sexuality. Production Company: DreamWorks SKG, Bisgrove Entertainment, Cobalt Media Group USA Box Office: $13 Million Budget Estimate: $16 Million Filming Locations: San Francisco, California, USA| Biltmore Hotel - 506 S. Grand Ave., Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA| Carpinteria, California, USA| Golden Valley Ranch, Santa Clarita, California, USA| Los Angeles, California, USA| Malibu, California, USA| San Mateo County, California, USA| Santa Clarita, California, USA Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Jennifer Connelly followed up her Academy Award for A Beautiful Mind with this dark but moving story of small mistakes that escalate, with tragic necessity, to disaster. In House of Sand and Fog , Kathy (Connelly) gets evicted from her house for failing to pay a tax she never should have been charged in the first place. The house is swiftly put up for auction and bought by a former military officer from Iran named Behrani (Ben Kingsley, Sexy Beast ). When legal efforts fail her, Kathy turns to a sympathetic cop (Ron Eldard, Bastard Out of Carolina ), who wants out of a loveless marriage and who's willing to step over legal boundaries if it might give him a fresh start. Topnotch performances by the entire cast make House of Sand and Fog a compelling psychological drama; your sympathies will be pulled in all directions. --Bret Fetzer Product Description: Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) and Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) deliver stunning performances as two strangers whose conflicting pursuits of the American Dream lead to a fight for their hopes at any cost. What begins as a struggle over a rundown bungalow spirals into a clash that propels everyone involved toward a shocking resolution. "The surprise ending will leave you breathless!" (Clay Smith, Access Hollywood) Customers who viewed this DVD also viewed Monster DVD ~ Charlize Theron Sideways (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Paul Giamatti Million Dollar Baby (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Jay Baruchel Closer (Superbit Edition) DVD ~ Natalie Portman Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Books Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 149 of 160 people found the following review helpful: A Heartbreaking and Stunning "House" of Emotions! , March 6, 2004 Reviewer: Mark D. Cunningham (Austin, Texas United States) - See all my reviews With the exception of Niki Caro's sublime "Whale Rider," no movie moved me more this past year than Vadim Perelman's "House of Sand and Fog." This story of a broken and desperate young woman who loses her house because her depression won't allow her to simply open her mail and the determined and steadfast Iranian colonel who strives to secure a better life and future for his family is a cacophony of raw emotion and heartbreak. Further, it is a meditation on what is important in life and how easy it is--no matter the intentions--to forget that very thing. This is a movie that is well photographed, beautifully adapted from Andre Dubus III's Oprah-approved novel of the same name and stunningly helmed by first time feature director Perelman. But "House" is a film that is anchored by its performances. There is hardly a false note in the acting (Ron Eldard occasionally seems overwhelmed by the powerhouse actors who surround him, however his work is still convincing). Jennifer Connelly conveys Kathy Niccoli's despair wonderfully. You can feel the depression wholly consuming her. Ben Kingsley is superb! The scene in the hospital near the end of the film is a master class in acting. Kingsley's work is brave throughout the film--he allows the audience to see Colonel Behrani's flaws and hold him accountable for them while also helping us to understand that his ambition, his dreams and desires are to serve the needs of his family. It is among the most dynamic work by an actor in any year. As fine as Kingsley is, however, my favorite performance of last year and now one of my favorites of all time has to be the stunning work by the invaluable and flawless Shohreh Aghdashloo. In her role as Behrani's patient and loving wife Nadi, Aghdashloo is grace under pressure. I dare you to catch this marvelous actress acting. She is the heart and soul of this film. It is through her expressive eyes that we understand what is at stake and what a home and family truly means. In dialogue that blends Farsi and broken English, Aghdashloo's Nadi is heard loud and clear, there is no mistaking anything she is thinking or saying. Let's face it: the Academy screwed up royally by awarding Renee Zellweger the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her Granny Clampett-ish Ruby in "Cold Mountain" (I say this completely realizing that Zellweger singlehandedly saved "Cold Mountain" from its own pretention). The devastatingly beautiful Aghdashloo far and away claimed the prize with the superlative work she delivers in each and every scene she steals. Here is hoping that Hollywood keeps this major, major talent working for years and years to come. Buy/rent "House of Sand and Fog," which also boasts a very fine performance by young actor Jonathan Adbout as Kingsley and Aghdashloo's son, Esmail. Despite its heavy subject matter, it is a dynamic piece of filmmaking complete with some of the best performances of last year. This film haunted me for weeks after I saw it, and it has yet to release my thoughts completely. A job well done! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 65 of 82 people found the following review helpful: American dream or American nightmare? , February 28, 2004 Reviewer: Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews "House of Sand and Fog," directed by Vadim Perelman, is based on a novel by Andre Dubus III. The film stars Ben Kingsley as Col. Behrani, a former Iranian military officer under the Shah who now lives with his family in the United States. He buys a house from a government source, not knowing that the property was improperly seized from its prior owner (Jennifer Connelly). This bureaucratic nightmare sets up a personal conflict that drives the film. "House" is a beautifully crafted film, rich in detail and visual impact. But what really makes it shine are the excellent performances. Connelly makes her wounded character's pain palpable. As the colonel's wife, Shohreh Aghdashloo brings out both the inner lamb and lioness of the character. Frances Fisher brings a steely authority to her small but memorable role as an attorney. But it's Ben Kingsley who most impressed me. He gives a rich, multifaceted, full-bodied performance; he explores his character's aspects as husband, father, warrior, businessman, and immigrant in a way that creates a memorable and believable person. I found some plot points to seem a bit forced and hard to believe, but overall the superb craftsmanship of the film and its amazing performances really carry "House." This is a drama with moments of shocking intensity, as well as scenes of fierce anger and searing pain. But there are also scenes of real compassion and tenderness. It's a powerful story and a compelling use of the motif of the immigrant experience in America. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Good Ben Kingsly movie , December 16, 2005 Reviewer: nopsman (east coast, USA) - See all my reviews Not a real fan of Jennifer Connelly but liked Ben Kingsly very much in the movie. A good film to settle in on the couch with the spouse and share some popcorn. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: Beautifully photographed and well acted drama! , November 26, 2005 Reviewer: smoothjazzandmore (Clay, NY USA) - See all my reviews Oscar winners Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley give solid performances as rivals who both want the same house to call their own. I enjoyed the way this film was photographed. This movie was based on the book by Andre Dubus III. Faithful readers will notice the difference as the film takes on a different perspective, concentrating on both rivals, rather than the family as a whole. Take a star away for that reason. Overall, its still a powerful movie to watch. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 4 of 7 people found the following review helpful: A brilliant masterpiece , October 18, 2005 Reviewer: JP - See all my reviews After this movie, all I thought was wow. WOW. That describes how unbelievably good this movie is. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King over this gem? Is that a joke? How didn't this even get nominated? Sean Penn over Ben Kingsley? Now that is pathetic! Sean Penn's accent is so thick you can barely even understand what he's saying! Ben Kingsley here has given one of those unforgettable performances you'll never see again. His performance is to me the 2nd best ever behind Billy Bob Thorton in the unforgettable Sling Blade. This gem is one of the most tragic ever and in the end, well, I was crying. I felt demolished and I was so sucked in by this masterpiece that I wanted to kill certain characters. This is the first movie that I've seen with Ben Kingsley and I can't belieeve how remarquable he is! Gene Hackman is nothing compared to this man. He put all of his emotions into this movie and made me feel for him. Hands done, this is the saddest and most tragic movie that I have EVER seen. Now for the plot. Kathy (Jennifer Collony) is a young lady living in California. She's got a nice house and a good life (or so we're led to believe). That soon changes though when her house gets reposessed because of not payed taxes. She is furious at these "false?" accusations. While she's trying to get it back, enter an Iraqui man, ex colonel and his wife and son. He buys the house at a very low price to make a huge profit. His family is living a wonderful and sweet life, and their tradtions are adorable. But, lil' Kathy here is still mad. And her wonderful body has attracted a police officer. And he's following here complete orders. What follows is a gem of a movie carried by Ben Kingsley's masterful perfomance. This is one of those rare movies that come along once in a decade. So, please tell your friends and everyone you know to watch this wonderful gem. Its box office is lousy, much like every masterpiece, besides Titanic of course. (I'm just joking, I hope you realized that, Titanic is horrid) Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 6 people found the following review helpful: Gandhi Does LA , October 13, 2005 Reviewer: R. A Rubin (Eastern, PA United States) - See all my reviews I'm beginning to believe that Ben Kingsley is from a desert kingdom. There's sand between my teeth from his recreations of Gandhi, or in this case, one of the Shah's men. He's very good, and so is Jennifer Connelly who I last saw in an overwrought film that the elitist scum of Hollywood liked, Requiem for a Dream. Don't bother with that one unless you enjoy dizzy spells and adult toys, but in HOSAF, based on a most un-Hollywood premise, Connelly's sad face is perfect. HOSAF is not a comedy and is not aimed at fifteen-year-olds. Kingsley is a proud ex-colonel from Iran used to wealth and prestige, but now he is in exile in California. He wears a suit to work, but changes in a restroom into workers garb, because he is reduced to working as a road-gang, ditch digger and a part-time gas station jockey. He's saving every penny he makes and wins a house in an auction. Unfortunately, the County made a mistake and they took the house away from Connelly, a depressed twenty-something, ex-drug abuser. She should have opened her mail and after eviction, her lawyer and new boyfriend start a campaign to evict the Iranian family. Neither Connelly nor Kingsley is portrayed unsympathetically. They are fleshed out with pathos. This is a parable about ethical business and the consequences of our actions. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 252 customer reviews... Listmania! I name 25 films from 2003 you ... : by A. Fuller Ten best movies of 2003 : by Kalle Frm Independent Spirit Awards: Bes... : by mijacogeo22 "mijacogeo22" So You'd Like to... See Some Bleak/Poignant/Depressing/Paranoid/Thrilling : by Rukshan , Published Poet Of Sri Lanka watch some cult films : by superstarm2 , Movie critic/ obsessive but talented watcher Watch some hot actresses : by ZombieMan 5000 , Admirer of talented actresses Fun Facts from IMDb.com: Awards Click here to see more Awards Independent Spirit Awards: Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards: KCFCC Award for Best Actress Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: LAFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress National Board of Review, USA: NBR Award for Best Debut Director New York Film Critics Circle Awards: NYFCC Award for Best Supporting Actress Online Film Critics Society Awards: OFCS Award for Best Supporting Actress Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards: PFCS Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nominations Click here to see more Nominations Academy Awards, USA: Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Music, Original Score, Best Actor in a Leading Role Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: BFCA Award for Best Actress, Best Actor Casting Society of America, USA: Artios for Best Casting for Feature Film, Drama Golden Globes, USA: Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Independent Spirit Awards: Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead, Best First Feature Online Film Critics Society Awards: OFCS Award for Best Actor Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards: PFCS Award for Breakout Performance - Behind the Camera Satellite Awards: Golden Satellite Award for Best Film Editing, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama Screen Actors Guild Awards: Actor for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Trivia Click here to see more Trivia Author Andre Dubus III received more than 100 offers from film studios who wanted to make his book into a feature. In the scene near the end of the movie where Kathy pulls into her driveway and tries to shoot herself, Jennifer Connelly accidentally put the car in "reverse" instead of "park", and almost severely damaged the camera positioned in the car door. After Connelly apologized profusely, she was urged by the director to continue the scene, and it ended up being one of the best takes. This is the take shown in the final print. Goofs Click here to see more Goofs When Behrani is shown working in the convenience store, the Snickers bar he is holding is alternately opened/unopened between shots. It seems clear from his entry in the ledger he keeps that he has only eaten one. Movie Connections Click here to see more Movie Connections References: The Searchers Referenced in: The Ring Two Featured in: Quotes Click here to see more Quotes Esmail : Why did that man say we would be deported? Behrani : I do not know. But we are American citizens. We own this house. They can do nothing to us now. Esmail : I feel bad for that lady, bawbaw-jahn. Behrani : The woman's house was taken from her because she did not pay her taxes. That happens when one is not responsible. [interjects in Persian] Esmail : Behrani : Do you understand? Do not feel bad. Americans they do not deserve what they have. They have the eyes of small children who are forever looking for the next source of distraction, entertainment, sweet taste in the mouth. We are not like them. We know rich opportunities when we see them and do not throw away God's blessing. [talking with Nadi] Kathy : I grew up in this house. It's the house that my father left to me and my brother when he died. The county evicted me from this house by mistake and your husband bought it and now, he won't sell it back for less than four times what he paid. Now, I don't want to argue with him. You know, I really don't. It's just that if this goes to court, it could take... [interrupting] Nadi : They want to deport us? Kathy : I don't know. Nadi : You must see... they will kill us. They will shoot my childen. [breaks down and crys] [comforting her] Kathy : Hey, hey. You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you? Nadi : Please, you are a very nice girl. [grabs a notepad and pen] Nadi : Please, you write for me everything. I want for to understand for discussing with my husband. OK? Kathy : OK. 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