home equity loan, ask
Shopping for a Home Equity Loan? -- Search: FTC Consumer Alert PDF Version Shopping for a Home Equity Loan? If you decide that the timing’s right for a home equity loan, ask your friends or family for recommendations of lenders. Then, comparison shop . Comparing loan plans will help you get a better deal. Contact several lenders, not just the ones that send you mail, call you, or knock on your door. Talk with banks, savings and loans, credit unions, mortgage companies, and mortgage brokers. Remember, brokers don’t lend money: they help arrange loans. Ask all the lenders you interview to explain the loan plans they have for you. If you don’t understand any loan terms and conditions, ask questions . They could mean higher costs. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Pay close attention to fees , including: the application or loan processing fee, origination or underwriting fee, lender or funding fee, appraisal fee, document preparation and recording fees, and broker fees which may be quoted as points, origination fees, or interest rate add-on. If points and other fees are added to your loan amount, you’ll pay more to finance them. Also ask for your credit score . Credit scoring is a system creditors use to help determine whether to give you credit. Information about you and your credit experiences – like your bill-paying history, the number and type of accounts you have, late payments, collection actions, outstanding debt, and the age of your accounts — is collected from your credit application and your credit report . Creditors compare this information to the credit performance of consumers with similar profiles. A credit scoring system awards points for each factor that helps predict who is most likely to repay a debt. A total number of points — your credit score — helps predict how creditworthy you are, that is, how likely it is that you will repay a loan and make the payments when they’re due. Negotiate with more than one lender. Don’t be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete for your business by letting them know that you’re shopping for the best deal. Ask each lender to lower the points, fees or the interest rate. And ask each to meet — or beat — the terms of the other lenders. Before you sign, read the loan closing papers carefully . If the loan isn’t what you expected or wanted, don’t sign the loan. Either negotiate changes or walk away. You also generally have the right to cancel the deal for any reason — and without penalty — within three days after signing the loan papers. The lender must return any money you’ve paid to date. Your Credit Report Because your credit report is an important part of many credit scoring systems, it’s very important to make sure it’s accurate before you submit a credit application. To get copies of your report, contact the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax: (800) 685-1111 Experian (formerly TRW): (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742) Trans Union: (800) 916-8800 These agencies may charge you up to $9.00 for your credit report. To Learn More For more information about shopping for a home equity loan and a glossary of home loan terms, call the FTC’s Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Ask for a free copy of Looking for the Best Mortgage: Shop, Compare, Negotiate ; and Home Equity Loans: The Three-Day Cancellation Rule . Or visit us online at ftc.gov . Lender A Lender B Lender C What are the monthly payments? What is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR)? (the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate; includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and other credit charges) What is the interest rate? (the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate) Will the interest rate change? When? How often? By how much? What will you have to pay in points? What will you have to pay in fees? Application or loan processing fee Origination or underwriting fee Lender or funding fee Appraisal fee Document preparation and recording fees Broker fees Other fees Are any of the application fees refundable if you don't get the loan? How many years will you have to repay the loan? Is this an installment loan or a line of credit? Is there a balloon payment? What are the total closing costs? If you use a broker, how will he or she be paid? Does the loan include optional credit insurance? (You don't have to accept optional credit insurance to get your loan.) If you want optional credit insurance, can you pay for it monthly instead of financing the premiums as part of your loan? Did you get a copy of your credit score? Can you afford this loan? The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues , visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. January 2001
Property Search How Fannie
Resources: Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search Our Business Is The American Dream Search Home Fannie Mae News Media Initiatives Issues & Commentary Translated Documents About Us About Fannie Mae Corporate Governance Investor Relations Careers For Business Partners Affordable Housing & Community Development Single-Family Multifamily Tools & Resources Debt Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities For Home Buyers & Homeowners Homepath Find a Mortgage Find a Lender Search Resources Calculators Checklists, Tip Sheets & Worksheets Counselors & Agencies Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search How Fannie Mae Saves Home Buyers Money Glossary Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search To help your search, please provide the state where you want to search for a property. Or, for a more specific search, provide the state and city; the state and ZIP code; or the state, city, and ZIP code. You can also search for a specific property type by selecting either single-family, 2-4 unit, or condo/co-op from the "Property Type" drop-down menu. You can sort your results by price, type of property, or ZIP code by selecting from the "Sorted By" options. Your use of the Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search is subject to the following terms and conditions. Price Range: No Minimum $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 More than $1,000,000 to $0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 No Maximum City: (To include multiple cities, separate each city by a comma.) State (required) : Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Guam Puerto Rico Virgin Islands ZIP Code: Property Type: Any Single-Family 2-4 Unit Condo/Co-op Sorted By: No Sort City Price Type Zip ©1998-2004 Fannie Mae Contact Us FAQ Site Map Advanced Search Privacy Legal
Las Vegas Real Estate
In Business Las Vegas December 9 - December 15 Current Issue Special Publications Search In Business In Business on TV The List Book of Lists About InBusiness Media Kit Subscribe Contact Us Real Estate and Development Centex takes over Urban Village project By Jennifer Shubinksi / Staff Writer Fresh from paying $146 million for the 15-acre Westward Ho site near the north end of the Strip, Centex Destination Properties has turned its sights to the south with the purchase of Urban Village Las Vegas. Denver-based Centex Destination Properties, a division of the Houston-based Centex Homes, bought the first phase - 13.6 acres - and the original Urban Village Las Vegas concept promoted by Diversified Real Estate Group. The purchase price was not disclosed. Clark County recorder's data does not show any recent sales between the two parties. Centex Destination Properties has the option to purchase the remainder of the 50-acre site at a later date, said C.J. Julin, Centex Destination vice president of market ing. The Urban Village concept will remain largely unchanged from its Diversified beginnings. (Diversified Real Estate Group is owned by Philippe Pageau-Goyette, formerly involved in the under-construction Manhattan Condominiums at Las Vegas Boulevard South and Serene Avenue and who is also involved in the development of condo tower Club Renaissance in downtown Las Vegas.) Urban Village, at the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Pyle Avenue, will include five neighborhoods with about 2,400 condominium houses in brownstones, high rises, live-work spaces, flats, lofts and condo-hotel units. Also slated for the project will be restaurants, service retailers, a pool complex and fitness center, jogging paths and parks. The first phase of the project will consist of the brownstone portion of the project, Julin said. The architecture will resemble the brownstones of the East Coast, Chicago and Boston areas with an emphasis on brick, Julin said. Reservations for the first phase will begin after the first of the year with construction tentatively scheduled for the spring, Julin said. Price ranges for units were not disclosed. John Restrepo, principal at Las Vegas-based Restrepo Consulting Group, said large companies buying out smaller companies' ideas is not uncommon, whether it's in the high-tech field or in real estate. "Maybe Philippe wants to focus on Club Renaissance and they (Centex Destination Properties) probably gave him an offer he couldn't refuse," Restrepo said. Restrepo said this type of transaction is positive for the market and means the project will probably get built more quickly than if it had stayed with a smaller developer. "It will allow Philippe to focus on his downtown property," Restrepo said. "They are a small company and they can only manage so many projects at one time." Officials with Centex Destination Properties view the Las Vegas market as the place to be right now. "There's nothing like Las Vegas in the world," Julin said. "In Las Vegas, that's the attraction - Las Vegas." Centex Destination Properties entered the Las Vegas market several years ago with its Lake Las Vegas resort communities. It was the positive feedback from that project that in part spurred the company to pursue further opportunities in the valley, Julin said. Centex Homes, a large Las Vegas homebuilder, has built homes in Las Vegas since 1952. Centex Destination Properties has essentially made bookends of Las Vegas Boulevard - with its Urban Village at the south and the Westward Ho at the north. Centex Destination Properties in September, together with Gary Tharaldson, created a limited liability company to acquire the Westward Ho hotel and casino. Details on redevelopment of the site have not been released. Tharaldson was the original financier for Diversified Real Estate Group for the Urban Village Las Vegas concept. Urban Village Las Vegas is helping define Centex Destination Properties' direction, Paul Stashick, president of the West Division of Centex Destination Properties, said in a statement. "We plan to take this concept to addi tional markets and create similar villages that reflect the unique qualities of other cities," Stashick said in the statement. In other news: • Del American, the development company that was sued for changing its pricing structure on the under-construction Vegas Grand, has announced new plans for its previously announced condominium at Flamingo Road and Hugh Hefner Drive, near the Palms. Now called Las Vegas 888 (previously called Las Vegas One), the planned 50-story tower is now in the reservation stage. Condominiums at Las Vegas 888 are priced from $750,000 to more than $10 million. • Wright Engineers is under construction with an office building at Buffalo Drive and Peak to accommodate its expanding workforce. The 16,000-square-foot building will be located next door to its existing building, which will continue to house its structural and engineering departments. The new building will accommodate the company's expanding civil engineering department and surveying division. "The Las Vegas construction market has been unbelievable and we have been fortunate as a company to ride the wave of this phenomenal growth," said Brent Wright, president and chief executive of Wright Engineers. "This additional office will help us to better serve our clients and accommodate our continued growth." The move-in date for the new building, which Wright Engineers has purchased, is July. • Las Vegas-based Slade Development re cently announced its plans for Vantage Lofts, planned for the southwest corner of Gibson Road and Paseo Verde Parkway in Hender son. Vantage Lofts is planned for construction in three phases. Phase one will encompass 110 units and has an expected completion date in the fourth quarter of 2006. Construc tion of phase two is scheduled to begin the second quarter of 2006. Slade Development, which has built and sold custom homes in the past, is the developer and design builder. Metropolitan Realty is the development's broker. The development consists of one-and two-bedroom flats, town homes and two-story lofts ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,600 square feet. The project will be terraced into the hills with glass walls that will give views of the city and the mountains, the developer said. • Sunvest Communities USA LLC bought three Las Vegas apartment properties totaling 836 units for a total cost of $103 million. The company's Las Vegas portfolio already includes the Latigo and Desert Shore Villas properties, both condo conversions. Sunvest bought the 180-unit Southgate, 2615 W. Gary Ave., in Las Vegas from St. James Las Vegas LLC for $21.6 million. The lender is Key Bank National. The company also purchased Traverse Point, a 296-unit property at 45 Maleena Mesa St. in Henderson, from Traverse Point Apartments LLC for $39.96 million. The Lender is JP Morgan Chase Bank NA. It also bought Pinehurst Apartments, 6650 Warm Springs Road in Las Vegas from Pine hurst Apartments LLC for $42 million for 360 units. The lender is JP Morgan Chase Bank NA. Jennifer Shubinski covers real estate and development for In Business Las Vegas and its sister publication, the Las Vegas Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-8832 or by e- mail at js@lasvegassun.com. IBLV Homepage Click here for problems or questions. Read our policy on privacy and cookies. Advertise on Vegas.com. Work for Vegas.com. All contents © 1998 - 2005 Vegas.com The Most Visited Place on Earth
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home equity plan may
When Your Home Is on the Line: home More and more lenders are offering home equity lines of credit. By using the equity in your home, you may qualify for a sizable amount of credit, available for use when and how you please, at an interest rate that is relatively low. Furthermore, under the tax law--depending on your specific situation--you may be allowed to deduct the interest because the debt is secured by your home. If you are in the market for credit, a home equity plan may be right for you. Or perhaps another form of credit would be better. Before making a decision, you should weigh carefully the costs of a home equity line against the benefits. Shop for the credit terms that best meet your borrowing needs without posing undue financial risk. And remember, failure to repay the amounts you've borrowed, plus interest, could mean the loss of your home. What is a home equity line? What should you look for? How will you repay your home equity plan? Lines of credit vs. traditional second mortgage loans Disclosures from lenders What is a home equity line of credit? A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. Because the home is likely to be a consumer's largest asset, many homeowners use their credit lines only for major items such as education, home improvements, or medical bills and not for day-to-day expenses. With a home equity line, you will be approved for a specific amount of credit--your credit limit , the maximum amount you may borrow at any one time under the plan. Many lenders set the credit limit on a home equity line by taking a percentage (say, 75 percent) of the home's appraised value and subtracting from that the balance owed on the existing mortgage. For example, [D] In determining your actual credit limit, the lender will also consider your ability to repay, by looking at your income, debts, and other financial obligations as well as your credit history. Many home equity plans set a fixed period during which you can borrow money, such as 10 years. At the end of this "draw period," you may be allowed to renew the credit line. If your plan does not allow renewals, you will not be able to borrow additional money once the period has ended. Some plans may call for payment in full of any outstanding balance at the end of the period. Others may allow repayment over a fixed period (the "repayment period"), for example, 10 years. Once approved for a home equity line of credit, you will most likely be able to borrow up to your credit limit whenever you want. Typically, you will use special checks to draw on your line. Under some plans, borrowers can use a credit card or other means to draw on the line. There may be limitations on how you use the line. Some plans may require you to borrow a minimum amount each time you draw on the line (for example, $300) and to keep a minimum amount outstanding. Some plans may also require that you take an initial advance when the line is set up. What should you look for when shopping for a plan? If you decide to apply for a home equity line of credit, look for the plan that best meets your particular needs. Read the credit agreement carefully, and examine the terms and conditions of various plans, including the annual percentage rate (APR) and the costs of establishing the plan. The APR for a home equity line is based on the interest rate alone and will not reflect the closing costs and other fees and charges, so you'll need to compare these costs, as well as the APRs, among lenders. Interest rate charges and related plan features Home equity lines of credit typically involve variable rather than fixed interest rates. The variable rate must be based on a publicly available index (such as the prime rate published in some major daily newspapers or a U.S. Treasury bill rate); the interest rate for borrowing under the home equity line changes, mirroring fluctuations in the value of the index. Most lenders cite the interest rate you will pay as the value of the index at a particular time plus a " margin ," such as 2 percentage points. Because the cost of borrowing is tied directly to the value of the index, it is important to find out which index is used, how often the value of the index changes, and how high it has risen in the past as well as the amount of the margin. Lenders sometimes offer a temporarily discounted interest rate for home equitylines--a rate that is unusually low and may last for only an introductory period, such as 6 months. Variable-rate plans secured by a dwelling must, by law, have a ceiling (or cap ) on how much your interest rate may increase over the life of the plan. Some variable-rate plans limit how much your payment may increase and how low your interest rate may fall if interest rates drop. Some lenders allow you to convert from a variable interest rate to a fixed rate during the life of the plan, or to convert all or a portion of your line to a fixed-term installment loan. Plans generally permit the lender to freeze or reduce your credit line under certain circumstances. For example, some variable-rate plans may not allow you to draw additional funds during a period in which the interest rate reaches the cap. Costs of establishing and maintaining a home equity line Many of the costs of setting up a home equity line of credit are similar to those you pay when you buy a home. For example, A fee for a property appraisal to estimate the value of your home An application fee , which may not be refunded if you are turned down for credit Up-front charges, such as one or more points (one point equals 1 percent of the credit limit) Closing costs, including fees for attorneys, title search, and mortgage preparation and filing; property and title insurance; and taxes. In addition, you may be subject to certain fees during the plan period, such as annual membership or maintenance fees and a transaction fee every time you draw on the credit line. You could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars to establish the plan. If you were to draw only a small amount against your credit line, those initial charges would substantially increase the cost of the funds borrowed. On the other hand, because the lender's risk is lower than for other forms of credit, as your home serves as collateral, annual percentage rates for home equity lines are generally lower than rates for other types of credit. The interest you save could offset the costs of establishing and maintaining the line. Moreover, some lenders waive some or all of the closing costs. How will you repay your home equity plan? Before entering into a plan, consider how you will pay back the money you borrow. Some plans set minimum payments that cover a portion of the principal (the amount you borrow) plus accrued interest. But (unlike with the typical installment loan) the portion that goes toward principal may not be enough to repay the principal by the end of the term. Other plans may allow payment of interest alone during the life of the plan, which means that you pay nothing toward the principal. If you borrow $10,000, you will owe that amount when the plan ends. Regardless of the minimum required payment, you may choose to pay more, and many lenders offer a choice of payment options. Many consumers choose to pay down the principal regularly as they do with other loans. For example, if you use your line to buy a boat, you may want to pay it off as you would a typical boat loan. Whatever your payment arrangements during the life of the plan--whether youpay some, a little, or none of the principal amount of the loan--when the plan ends you may have to pay the entire balance owed, all at once. You must be prepared to make this " balloon payment " by refinancing it with the lender, by obtaining a loan from another lender, or by some other means. If you are unable to make the balloon payment, you could lose your home. If your plan has a variable interest rate, your monthly payments may change. Assume, for example, that you borrow $10,000 under a plan that calls for interest-only payments. At a 10 percent interest rate, your monthly payments would be $83. If the rate rises over time to 15 percent, your monthly payments will increase to $125. Similarly, if you are making payments that cover interest plus some portion of the principal, your monthly payments may increase, unless your agreement calls for keeping payments the same throughout the plan period. If you sell your home, you will probably be required to pay off your homeequity line in full immediately. If you are likely to sell your home in the near future, consider whether it makes sense to pay the up-front costs of setting up a line of credit. Also keep in mind that renting your home may be prohibited under the terms of your agreement. Lines of credit vs. traditional second mortgage loans If you are thinking about a home equity line of credit, you might also want to consider a traditional second mortgage loan. A second mortgage provides you with a fixed amount of money repayable over a fixed period. In most cases the payment schedule calls for equal payments that will pay off the entire loan within the loan period. You might consider a second mortgage instead of a home equity line if, for example, you need a set amount for a specific purpose, such as an addition to your home. In deciding which type of loan best suits your needs, consider the costs under the two alternatives. Look at both the APR and other charges. Do not, however, simply compare the APRs, because the APRs on the two types of loans are figured differently: The APR for a traditional second mortgage loan takes into account the interest rate charged plus points and other finance charges. The APR for a home equity line of credit is based on the periodic interest rate alone. It does not include points or other charges. Disclosures from lenders The federal Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to disclose the important terms and costs of their home equity plans, including the APR, miscellaneous charges, the payment terms, and information about any variable-rate feature. And in general, neither the lender nor anyone else may charge a fee until after you have received this information. You usually get these disclosures when you receive an application form, and you will get additional disclosures before the plan is opened. If any term (other than a variable-rate feature) changes before the plan is opened, the lender must return all fees if you decide not to enter into the plan because of the change. When you open a home equity line, the transaction puts your home at risk. If the home involved is your principal dwelling, the Truth in Lending Act gives you 3 days from the day the account was opened to cancel the credit line. This right allows you to change your mind for any reason. You simply inform the lender in writing within the 3-day period. The lender must then cancel its security interest in your home and return all fees--including any application and appraisal fees--paid to open the account. The material on this site is adapted from the brochure "When Your Home Is on the Line." Single or multiple copies of the brochure are available without charge. Order the brochure by telephone, mail, or fax . Order on line . Glossary | Where to go for help | Checklist Home | Consumer information | Publications | Brochures Accessibility To comment on this site, please fill out our feedback form. Last update: July 25, 2001