home loan benefits. How
Am I Eligible for a VA Home Loan Information on the Home Loan Program Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? Property Management Construction and Valuation Lenders & Servicers Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage VBA HomePage VA Homepage If You Owe VA VA Monitoring Unit Loan Production Specially Adapted Housing Am I Eligible? General Rules for Eligibility Determine if you are eligible for VA home loan benefits. How to request a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits To request a Certificate of Eligibility for VA home loan benefits, you must complete VA Form 26-1880 and submit it to one of our VA Eligibility Centers along with acceptable proof of service as described on the instruction page of the form. It's also possible to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from your lender. Most lenders have access to the ACE (automated certificate of eligibility) system. This Internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through ACE - only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records. However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate. A Certificate of Eligibility is NOT Necessary for Interest Rate Reduction Refinance of Existing VA Loan Your lender may use our e-mail confirmation procedure in lieu of a certificate if you are obtaining a Interest Rate Reduction Refinance of an existing VA loan. Contact an Eligibility Center If you have specific questions regarding VA home loan eligibility, e-mail your Eligibility Center. Most questions regarding the VA Home Loan Program are answered in our Frequently Asked Questions , we ask that you read them prior to sending an inquiry. VA Eligibility Centers Address and Telephone Numbers Addresses and Telephone numbers Frequently Asked Eligibility Questions Information on the Home Loan Program / Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? / Property Management Construction and Valuation / Lenders & Servicers / Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service / Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage / If you owe VA / Monitoring Unit / Loan Production / SAH Disclaimer / Privacy & Security Statement / Freedom of Information Act Contact the VA / VBA HomePage / VA HomePage This page has been accessed since February 16, 2003. Reviewed/Updated: June 24, 2004 (SG)
Real Estate Prices in
Sarasota Real Estate-Siesta Key Real Estate-Sarasota Homes and Condos Florida Sarasota Real Estate Siesta Key Real Estate Siesta Key Condos for Sale Florida Real Estate Sarasota Realtor MLS Sarasota Real Estate Searching for Sarasota Florida real estate? You've come to the right place! Luxury Homes and Condos on Siesta Key , Longboat Key , Casey Key , St. Armands , Lido Key - all Florida real estate needs including buying, selling, information, free MLS listings available on this site. Search like a realtor with no sign up unless you want more info! T ravel and home magazines describe Florida as a tropical paradise, and financial and investment publications feature lengthy articles about real estate and its rich economic vitality -- the height in luxury living! See why Money Magazine named Sarasota as one of the Best Places to Live . July 2005: Sarasota is experiencing a strong real estate market and soaring prices. A recent article in the H erald-Tribune refers to " the rising price of 'white gold'". The scarcity of premium beachfront land -- sand is the white gold of the real estate market -- is what drives the value . . . It's the land values and the scarcity that are driving this market. Prices are going out of sight! Real estate developers and realtors in Sarasota alike believe it won't be long before prices in Sarasota are as high as Naples and Boca Raton. Real estate listings referred to in the article sited waterfront luxury properties in Sarasota ranging from $5.4 million to rapidly approaching $20 million. Investors are flocking to Sarasota to view listings, buy condos and luxury waterfront property with views of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Golfers want to retire here. Baby boomers are picking out properties before retirement -- Sarasota is hot, hot, hot!!! Neighborhood Update Sarasota's neighborhoods are tropical in nature and offer an outstanding Florida lifestyle. Some popular neighborhoods to check out: Forest Lakes and the Lakes Estates. Real estate owners in mainland Sarasota , appreciate what an extraordinary place Sarasota Florida is. A vital community, each facet of of our tropical city is just as exciting as the next. Special - Sarasota Lot for Sale - Waterfront on Phillippi Creek $695,000 Bubble Update P rices in Sarasota have increased considerably in the last few years but keep in mind, Florida prices are a bargain when compared to other areas such as Naples, San Diego, Boston and Washington, DC. For a chunk of white gold, give us a call today! Please enjoy our website and see why Sarasota is the best place to live in Florida! And good news for buyers, prices seem to be stabilizing with lots of new and resale homes on the market in October just in time for the 2006 season. Also news you should know - in October, the National Association of Realtor Research Group released studies of 130 U.S. cities including Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice market, to refute media claims that a housing bubble exists. Annette Smith REALTOR , e-PRO RE/MAX Properties 2000 Webber Street Sarasota, FL 34239 941.308.3814 941.954.5455 annette@annettesellssarasota.com www.AnnetteSellsSarasota.com Home Page Sarasota Real Estate and MLS Search Featured Homes for Sale Sarasota Prices About Sarasota Florida About Siesta Key-Florida About Other Florida Communities Home Buyer and Home Seller Resources Sarasota Community Information & Real Estate Resources Blog About Annette Contact Annette Sarasota Statistics November 2005: Looks like Sarasota prices are leveling off and a buyer's market could be just around the corner! Read More-Real Estate Prices in Sarasota! The crown jewels of Sarasota neighborhoods will always be its barrier islands of Siesta Key , Longboat Key , Casey Key , St. Armands , Bird Key , and Lido Key . With world-class championship golf courses , gourmet restaurants, quaint antique stores, live theater , sport fishing, boating, tennis, performing arts, beach walking, galleries, fine dining, collecting seashells and watching spectacular sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico or buying real estate. . . Sarasota has it all! Read an extensive list of Sarasota's accolades. Beaches, boating, golf, dining, shopping, theater -- there's always something exciting going on in Sarasota. Sophisticated or casual, upscale or economical activities and real estate, it's all just minutes away. Each area of Sarasota County has its own personality, and our visitors are delighted to find more vacation variety here than they ever expected. The City of Sarasota is home to gourmet restaurants and chic shops featuring the best items from around the world. Once known primarily as a vacation or retirement destination, today's Sarasota is home to diversity from mansions, distinctive waterfront properties, private waterfront estates to old Florida cottage charm. A great year-round climate, expanding employment opportunities, abundant leisure time activities and excellent schools attract creative entrepreneurs, real estate investors, skilled workers and professionals who want to thrive in a community where life is sun and fun. Almost half of Sarasota County's population is in the prime working age range of 25 to 64. No matter what your age or stage, there's always something interesting to do. Free Sarasota Information . Sarasota Condos - Information Come visit Sarasota and give Annette a call for a list of Sarasota homes for sale in the MLS and other Sarasota real estate information. Map Your Sarasota Florida Trip , view Find Siesta Key-City Data . For best gas prices in Sarasota, check out GasBuddy.com. - Send us an email: annette@annettesellssarasota.com if you have a question. The MLS Search for Florida Homes Sarasota Golf Communities For the golfer, Sarasota offers spectacular golf course homes in the communities of Lakewood Ranch, Prestancia, the Concession and Forest Lakes. Browse our Sarasota Golf Communities for the ultimate in golf course living and find the informationon all the courses on - Sarasota Golf Info! New! Downtown Sarasota Condos! Downtown Living! Water front Real Estate in Sarasota Our investment property professionals are available to assist you in the sales of ocean front condos,beachfront vacation condos, and luxury beach houses - in the most desirable locations and best neighborhoods throughout Sarasota, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lido Key, St. Armands and Longboat Key. We specialize in finding you the perfect vacation home, whether it be as a private year round residence, or as rental investment property. The Sarasota real estate market and ocean front real estate sales are soaring, and we offer unique guidance in the purchase or sale of beach resort property. Spend some time with us on our website and our new blog and let us show you what the Sarasota lifestyle is all about. If you are just discovering our city, take a photo tour and then send us an email or give us a call for more information! e-mail Annette Smith, your Sarasota Realtor Sarasota Real Estate Sarasota homes Sarasota accolades Sarasota condos Sarasota downtown condos Sarasota Golf Course Homes Sarasota real estate values Choosing a Sarasota Realtor Sarasota new homes info Sarasota home buying tips Sarasota home selling tips Sarasota luxury homes for sale Sarasota luxury real estate Hot Neighborhood Sales Neighborhood Descriptions Sarasota Lifestyle Real estate related sites Sarasota real estate agents Sarasota preconstruction ___________ Siesta Key real estate Siesta Key waterfront condos Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce _________________ Longboat Key real estate Longboat Key waterfront condos Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Lido Key real estate Lido Key waterfront condos _________________ Bird Key real estate Casey Key real estate Casey Key waterfront homes St. Armands real estate Sarasota featured homes Sarasota schools Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Realtors in other states Sarasota tour ________________ RE/MAX Properties C ommunity information links Selling for top dollar Your Quick Guide to Sarasota real estate ! Real Estate News Articles Preconstruction Real Estate Investments - Buy Now, Pay Later Waterfront Property - Four Hurricanes Haven't Slowed Sarasota Real Estate Sales Sarasota Condos -Waterfront Luxury Homes for the Stars Sarasota Hot Neighborhoods For the boater or just a water lover, Sarasota offers spectacular waterfront homes in the communities of Golden Gate Point . If water is not the priority, Forest Lakes Country Club has new zoning plans for the golf course, new condos and single-family homes in the forecast for this Sarasota gem. The Sarasota Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the project, and demolition of the existing Club House facility could begin as early as the second week of December 2005. For the best West of the Trail location, check out the area close to Morton's Gourmet Market. Another charming neighborhood is The Lakes Estates . Real Estate Relocation and Referral Resources Learn about this Relocation and Referral Network Real Estate Roster -- End Code -- "Web-Savvy" Relocation Realtors Relocating to another area? Please contact one of the real estate agents listed below to assist you with realty, relocation, MLS (multiple listing service), and city information in any of these areas. Or, we'll make the introductions for you as our relocation network is global. Please contact us regarding real estate professionals in another country, state or city . Los Angeles Real Estate The Real Estate Blog Bali Villas Boca Raton Homes for Sale Palm Beach Real Estate Boca Raton Florida Real Estate Southern California Real Estate Myrtle Beach Vacation Condo Rentals Miami Beach Real Estate Las Vegas Real Estate Clearwater Florida Real Estate Scottsdale and Phoenix Real Estate Metro Denver Relocation Nashville Real Estate Relocation Referral Network Myrtle Beach Condos Tenerife house for sale Santa Clarita Real Estate Sudbury MA Real Estate Millsboro Real Estate Boca Raton Real Estate Witchita Kansas Real Estate Lake Travis Real Estate Washington DC Real Estate Denver Real Estate La Crescenta CA Real Estate Leesburg VA Real Estate Hopkinton MA Real Estate Phoenix Real Estate Boca Raton FL Real Estate Myrtle Beach Vacation and Real Estate Guide Myrtle Beach Real Estate Tucson Real Estate Tucson Luxury Homes Calgary Canada Real Estate Tulsa and Oklahoma City Metro Real Estate Temecula Real Estate Hawaii Real Estate Hawaii MLS Homes Northern Illinois Real Estate & MLS Round Rock Realtor Las Vegas Condos-Las Vegas High Rises Myrtle Beach Preconstruction Aventura Real Estate Preconstruction Real Estate Myrtle Beach Golf Packages St. Augustine Beach Real Estate Garden City Real Estate Rehoboth Beach Real Estate Ulster County NY Real Estate Boston Real Estate Atlanta real estate San Jose Real Estate REMAX Columbus Ohio Real Estate Las Vegas Golf Homes-Las Vegas Country Clubs San Clemente Real Estate Naples Real Estate Henderson Real Estate Tampa Real Estate Utah Real Estate Pensacola Homes for Sale Westlake Village Real Estate and Calabasas Real Estate Sarasota Condos Sarasota Real Estate RELO-EXPERTS - Directory of Real Estate Agents New Resort Partners - Myrtle Beach South Carolina Myrtle Beach Preconstruction Condominiums Home and Garden Show exposwest.com: Producers of quality Public Events. 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Sarasota Real Estate is featured in Agent-Pro Real Estate Directory Homes For Sale Listings Homes for sale listings, including multiple listing services (MLS), for sale by owner (FSBO), foreclosed houses and new homes Awarded Top 10% in the Nation for Consumer Satisfaction by the Internet Consumer Group Directory Real Estate - Meta-Directory for Real Estate Real Estate Link World Web www.annettesellssarasota.com Your online source for real estate, real estate agents, and homes for sale in Sarasota communities! Investment Real Estate Information in this site about Sarasota property for sale is collected from various resources and deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed. This site contains MLS real estate listings and resources on Siesta Key homes, mainland real estate in Sarasota , St. Armands, Bird Key , Casey Key luxury property, Lido Key, and Longboat Key Florida . Search the MLS in this site for information about Sarasota homes for sale, Buyer Tips and seller tips , mortgage info and other resources available also. AnnetteSellsSarasota.com offers a wide range of residential properties for sale. Annette and her network of realtors want to be your Sarasota Realtors and your online resource for information about homes listed in Sarasota, Florida -offering you housing info in our relocation website and a search of properties in the multiple listing service (mls listings). This comprehensive site offers direct MLS access to the latest properties for sale, homes, condos, condominiums, investment properties, Gulf Front, waterfront, beach properties, golf course communities in Sarasota, FL including community information, consumer resources, school information , free reports, answers to commonly asked real estate questions. Site updated daily. Our goal as your Sarasota Realtor is to help you be an informed home buyer or home seller in today's changing real estate market. When looking for homes for sale or if you need to sell a house, selecting your Realtor is an important decision. You will benefit from Annette and her relocation network of realtors combined real estate experience. When the time is right to buy or sell, call or e-mail Annette for a smooth transaction or a sophisticated internet marketing presentation to get your house listed in the MLS immediately. Call Annette Smith, your Sarasota connection, for all your Sarasota Florida real estate needs. We can refer you to a Naples Florida real estate agent if Naples is your dream. South Florida Realtors are in our network of partners as Naples is only 90 miles south on I-75- give us a call for a referral. Google | Yahoo | Altavista | MSN | AOL | Lycos | Ask Jeeves | Excite | Netscape | All The Web
Real estate brokers are
Homepage of the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) California Home DRE Home Contact Us What's new About DRE Careers at DRE DRE Records Consumers Escrow Violations eLicensing Examinees Licensees Subdivisions Real Estate Law Regulations Publications Forms FAQs Links Index Department of Real Estate START Examinees and Licensees: Use eLicensing for expedited processing of: Examination services Mailing address changes License renewals Salesperson additions/changes of employing broker Broker certification of salesperson employment Broker discontinuation of salesperson employment Duplicate license requests Additional services Learn to use eLicensing It's easy, paperless and interactive! Resources Key Announcements Brokers Must Report Commission Payments on 1099s Real estate brokers are required to report commission payments of $600 or more to brokers and salespersons on Form 1099-MISC, Box 7 - Nonemployee Compensation. For more information, see 1099 Reporting for Real Estate Brokers published by the Franchise Tax Board. Combination examination and license applications are now available: Broker Examination/License Sales Examination/License Expanded Services: Use eLicensing to apply for the salesperson exam Important Information About: Application Processing Timeframes Satellite Exam Sites for Salespersons and Brokers Can't find what you're looking for? Try the Index Featured Items Topics of Interest: Gulf Coast Hurricanes CalHFA First Time Homeownership Program Instructions to License Applicants Help Avoid DENIAL of Your License Application Guides for First Time Home Buyers and Renters Information for Homebuyers Apply Online for a CalVet Home Loan Predatory Lending Prevention Investigate Before You Invest Small Business and DVBE Opportunities Workers' Compensation Coverage Flex Your Power - Be Energy Efficient! Find out how you can save money, save energy, and save natural resources. more My CA Customer Survey Course & Instructor Evaluation Back to Top of Page Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Tech Problems 2003 State of California This page last modified on Wednesday, December 28, 2005
new home. //-- New
The California Endowment - Home Grant Finder | Contact Us The start of the New Year marks a new beginning for The California Endowment as we move our Woodland Hills administrative office and the Los Angeles Regional Program Office to a new facility in downtown Los Angeles. The new campus will also feature the Center for Healthy Communities , designed to mobilize leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to collaborate in order to improve the health of California's underserved communities. The Center will open to the public on April 6, 2006. Beginning December 22, 2005, our new main mailing address is: 1000 North Alameda Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Our phone number remains the same: 800.449.4149. Best wishes for the holiday season, and we look forward to welcoming you to our new home. //-- New Annual Report Breaking Ground Now Online The California Endowment's 2004-05 Annual Report, Breaking Ground, reflects a year in which the foundation launched new statewide initiatives while it literally broke ground on construction of a new multipurpose facility – to house administrative offices and its Center for Healthy Communities – in downtown Los Angeles. The report also presents information concerning The Endowment’s governance, grant making and resource management for the past fiscal year in an online format. View 2004-05 annual report View 2004-05 grants list Getting California's Kids Covered There is a growing movement among California counties to get all of the state’s children enrolled in public and private health coverage programs. These Children’s Health Initiatives (CHIs) serve as a single point of entry to enrolling kids in Medi-Cal; the state-run children's health insurance program Healthy Families; and Healthy Kids , a low-cost vision, dental and health insurance product. Healthy Kids covers children who don’t qualify for publicly-funded programs and whose family income does not exceed 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (about $56,000 for a family of four). The California Endowment today announced $7.5 million in premium subsidy support for 17 CHIs across the state. This funding will provide health coverage for about 8,000 uninsured California kids. Learn more about The Endowment’s funding to the counties of: Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Bay Area counties of San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Napa and Sonoma Central Valley counties of Fresno, Tulare, San Joaquin, Yolo and Solano California’s coastal counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz Learn more about the movement to get all of California’s kids covered. New Report Dignity Denied: The Price of Imprisoning Older Women in California "Dignity Denied: The Price for Imprisoning Older Women in California," a report funded in part by The California Endowment, examines the conditions of confinement for older women imprisoned in California, their health and safety concerns as well as strategies to improve their health and well-being. View press release View report New Grant Application Guide Available The California Endowment is pleased to offer a new Grant Application Guide for prospective applicants. We have made several changes in application procedures to better focus our resources to make lasting improvements in the health of Californians. In conjunction with the launch, The Endowment is also hosting a series of information sessions throughout the state. View Guide Welcome to The Center for Healthy Communities A letter from Board Chair Cynthia Ann Telles, Ph.D., and President and CEO Robert K. Ross, M.D., announces The California Endowment's exciting development in Downtown Los Angeles – a multipurpose facility that will house the foundation's Los Angeles Program Office, administrative offices and the Center for Healthy Communities. Learn More Two reports, funded by The California Endowment, show that increasing health premiums are eroding dependent coverage nationwide. While job-based dependent coverage is falling for all income levels, the sharpest drops are in low and moderate-income families. View the press release Read 'Kids at Risk' Read 'Current Strategies to Expand Dependent Health Coverage' -- Currently, there are 800,000 kids in California without health insurance. Peter Long, a senior program officer for The California Endowment, was a recent guest on KNX 1070's Michael Jackson radio show in Los Angeles and discussed ways to cover all kids in the state. Listen to Part One Listen to Part Two //-- Print this page | Send to a friend | Sign Up for E-mail Updates | Create Your Profile Privacy | Terms of Use | Site Map | Help | Home | About the Foundation | Program Area | Grant Application Guide | Public Policy & Advocacy | | News & Information Bureau | Evaluation | Reference Library | Regional Offices | Careers | If you are having technical difficulties, please contact us at: webmaster@calendow.org .
Home Mortgage Insurance U.S.
FCIC: The Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- Guide To Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Housing Office of Single Family Housing www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov Revised February 2005 Becoming a Homeowner Many people in the United States dream of owning their own homes,but few are able to pay cash for them. Many individuals and families whocould not otherwise afford to own a home become homeowners with thehelp of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance programs. FHA is a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) . One of the chief purposes of FHA is to help people obtain financing to buy their homes. This booklet can help homebuyers understand how they can make use of FHA mortgage insurance programs. It explains: How FHA mortgage insurance works Who can get FHA mortgage insurance How to shop for a HUD-approved lender How to apply for an FHA-insured mortgage loan What restrictions apply to FHA-insured mortgage loans Buying a home is the biggest single purchase that most people will make in their lifetimes. Most people borrow money through a mortgage loan to buy a home. Some people reduce the amount of money they borrow by making a large downpayment on the loan to buy a home. Persons who do not have money for a large downpayment may need the help of an FHA-insured mortgage to get a loan. MortgageA legal document that promises a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt. Here is more information about mortgage loans. DownpaymentThe part of the purchase price that a buyer pays in cash and is not included in the mortgage. How FHA Mortgage Insurance Works FHAs mortgage insurance programs help low- and moderate-incomeindividuals and families obtain financing to buy homes or refinance theircurrent mortgages. FHA mortgage insuranceallows a homebuyer to make a low downpaymentand get a mortgage loan for the balance ofthe purchase price. The mortgage loan is made by a HUDapproved lender, such as a bank, mortgage company, or credit union. FHA insures the mortgage and pays the lender if the homebuyer defaults on the loan, or fails to repay the loan. FHA/HUD does not make direct loans to people who want to buy, build, or refinance homes. Who Can Get FHA Mortgage Insurance If you are buying a home, refinancing a mortgage for a home youalready own, or making home improvements, you may qualify for anFHA-insured mortgage. In fact, almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured mortgage. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level required, although individual mortgage amounts are limited by law. Generally, homebuyers must live in the home in order to get an FHA-insured mortgage loan. The program is not open to investors. To find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you, call the HUD housing counseling and referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov . To find a HUD-approved lender , search online at www.hud.gov . You can also find lending institutions in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under the heading Mortgages. To find out if you qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage loan, youshould visit a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or a HUD-approved lender , such as a bank, credit union, or mortgage company. The housing counselor or lender will look at certain information about your income and spending to determine if you qualify. Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. How FHA Mortgage Insurance Can Help You Whether you are buying a home, making home improvements, or refinancingyour current mortgage, you should work with a HUD-approvedlendersuch as a bank, a mortgage company, or a credit unionto applyfor a mortgage loan.Once your loan isapproved, FHA willinsure the loan and paythe lender if you defaulton the mortgage.Because the lender isprotected by this insurance,the lender cangive you better termson your loan. A lower downpayment Some lenders require borrowers to pay 10 percent or more of the price of a home in cash as a downpayment. With FHA-insured mortgages, your downpayment can be as low as 3 percent. The lender will likely require you to prove that you have enough money for the loan downpayment. Use of cash gifts toward downpayment With an FHA-insured mortgage, under certain circumstances you can use a gift from a relative, a local nonprofit organization, or a government agency for all or part of the downpayment and closing costs. The Kinds of Homes Covered by FHA Mortgage Insurance FHA-insured mortgages are available in urban and rural areas for: Single family houses Houses with two, three, or four units Condominium units Houses needing rehabilitation In addition, FHA-insured mortgages are available for reverse mortgages for seniors, called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage . To make sure that its programs serve low- and moderate-income people, FHA sets upper limits on the dollar value of the mortgage loan. These limits change every year and vary by city and state. Check with a local lender or look online on HUDs website, www.hud.gov . Shopping for an FHA-Insured Loan Since buying a home is one of the most important purchases you willmake in your lifetime, HUD recommends you visit a HUD-approved housing counseling agency where a counselor can help you compare loansand give you homebuying tips. You can find counseling agencies by callingthe HUD housing counseling and referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visiting the HUD website at www.hud.gov . You can also findHUD-approved lenders on the HUD website. Your house hunting and homebuying experience can be easier when you become pre-qualified for a loan. To become pre-qualified, you will complete a pre-qualification loan application. When a lender pre-qualifies you, the lender tells you the maximum amount of money you can borrow to buy a home. With that information, you can spend your time looking at homes that you can afford rather than ones that are too expensive. Some lenders may charge a fee for pre-qualification, so you should ask about fees and compare two or more lenders. You should shop for an FHA-insured mortgage loan the same way you shop for any high-cost itemcompare prices and features. The cost of getting a mortgage can vary from one lender to another, so compare these features when you are comparing lenders: Interest rate Discount points Closing costs and other fees Annual percentage rate FHA/HUD does not set the amounts for the above factors. You can negotiate with the lender and come to agreement on the interest rate, points, and most processing fees. Interest Rate You can negotiate with your lender on the interest rate that you will pay for your mortgage. Interest rates fluctuate daily, depending on conditions in the mortgage market. FHA recommends that you check with several mortgage lenders to make sure you get the best interest rate available. Discount Points Lenders can charge you discount points when the interest rate is lower than the yield required by investors who buy mortgage securities. A discount point is $1 for every $100 of the mortgage loan amount. The number of points charged varies in different places at different times and among different lenders. Discount points for an FHA-insured mortgage may be paid by you as the homebuyer, by the homebuilder, or by the person selling the house. Closing Costs and Prepaid Items When your loan is finalized, you will have to pay closing costs. Closing costs are costs in addition to the price of the property that are paid when you close your loan to cover the transfer of ownership. A mortgage loan is made up of two parts: principal and inter- est. Principal is the amount of money borrowed to buy your home. Interest is the amount paid for the privilege of borrowing the money and paying it back later, usually over 30 years. When the borrower pays the mortgage each month, some of the amount goes toward paying the principal and some toward interest. Equity is an owner's financial interest in a property. It is the difference between the amount still owed on the mortgage loan and the fair market value of the property. Closing costs are generally made up of thefollowing: Closing agents or attorney fees Interest paid from date of closing through the end of the month of closing Loan origination fee to cover lender administrative costs Credit report fees Appraisal fees Recording fees Survey fee First mortgage insurance premium Title insurance (yours and your lenders) Certain of these closing costs, as well as certain of the prepaid items listed below, may be paid by the seller, or shared between the borrower and the seller, depending on the terms of the sales contract. Prepaids are advance payments (property taxes, first annual premium for homeowners insurance, etc.) made at closing by the borrower that may be placed in an escrow account and used by the lender to pay these bills as they become due. The property tax you will pay is the amount that the state or locality, or both, assesses as a tax on your piece of property based on the value. While the property taxes due at closing are usually covered in your prepaids, your mortgage payment will also include an amount to pay future taxes as assessed by your state or locality. These tax rates vary by area and typically increase over time. Homeowners insurance combines hazard insurance and lia- bility insurance. Hazard insurance covers property damage caused by fire, wind, storms, and other similar events. Coverage for earthquakes and floods may or may not be included with hazard insurance, and you should check with your insurance carrier to determine if this is included in your policy. Liability insurance coverage protects you against claims alleging negligence or inappropriate action resulting in bodily injury or property damage. Annual Percentage Rate The Truth in Lending Act requires the lender to tell you the annualpercentage rate (APR) charged on your home mortgage. The annual percentagerate is calculated by adding the interest rate, the discount points,the initial service charge, the premium paid to insure the mortgage, andcertain other charges collected by the lender. The APR is not the sameas the mortgage loan interest rate. The Cost of FHA Mortgage Insurance When you get a mortgage loan insured by FHA, you have to pay an up-front insurance premium, which can be included in the loan you get through a lender. You will also have to pay a monthly insurance premium that is added to the regular mortgage payment. FHA uses the premiums to pay the lender if you default on your mortgage. The Importance of Getting a Home Inspection Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you should be sure that the home you want to buy is in good condition. A home inspection is an evaluation of a homes condition by a trained expert. During a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth and impartial look at the property you plan to buy. The inspector will: Evaluate the physical condition: the structure, construction, and mechanical systems. Identify items that should be repaired or replaced. Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure, and finishes. After the inspection is complete, you will receive a written report of the findings from the home inspector, usually within five to seven days. FHA does not guarantee the value or condition of your future home, and FHA does not perform home inspections. If you find problems with your new home after closing, FHA cannot give or lend you money for repairs, nor can it buy the home back from you. Thats why it is so important for you, the buyer, to get an independenthome inspection. You should remember that an inspection is differentfrom an appraisal, which also will be performed as part of the mortgageprocess. Ask a qualified home inspector to thoroughly examine the physicalcondition of your future home and give you the information you needto make a wise decision. Information Resources You may want more information for yourself, your family, or others.The following services are available to help you. Internet www.hud.gov or espanol.hud.gov HUDs website contains comprehensive information about homebuying, homeownership, selling a home, making home improvements, and other housing-related topicsin English and Spanish. HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency Locator HUD supports a network of approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling services across the nation. For a complete list of HUDapproved agencies in your area, call the HUD housing counseling referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov. HUD-Approved Lenders A searchable database of HUD-approved lenders, including banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions, is available on the HUD website at www.hud.gov. HUD Customer Service Center 1-800-767-7468 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) https://webapps1.hud.gov/dds/ Most of the information products developed by HUD are available from HUDs Customer Service Center by calling toll-free 1-800-767-7468 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST. Written requests should be addressed to: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Customer Service Center Room B-100 451 Seventh Street, SW Washington, DC 20410 You may fax requests to (202) 708-2313. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --