Buy Property

Amazon.co.uk: Buying a Home in Spain: Books BOOK SEARCH BROWSE CATEGORIES SPECIAL OFFERS TOP SELLERS AUDIO BOOKS Paperbacks 3 for £12 NEW & USED TEXTBOOKS HARRY POTTER SELL YOUR BOOKS All Products -Books -Used Books -Collectable Books All Subjects -Art, Architecture & Photography -Audio Cassettes -Audio CDs -Biography -Business, Finance & Law -Children's Books -Comics & Graphic Novels -Computers & Internet -Crime, Thrillers & Mystery -Fiction -Food & Drink -Gay & Lesbian -Health, Family & Lifestyle -History -Home & Garden -Horror -Humour -Mind, Body & Spirit -Music, Stage & Screen -Poetry, Drama & Criticism -Reference & Languages -Religion & Spirituality -Romance -Science & Nature -Science Fiction & Fantasy -Scientific, Technical & Medical -Society, Politics & Philosophy -Sports, Hobbies & Games -Travel & Holiday -Young Adult All Subjects Art, Architecture & Photography Audio Cassettes Audio CDs Biography Business, Finance & Law Children's Books Comics & Graphic Novels Computers & Internet Crime, Thrillers & Mystery Education & Languages Fiction Food & Drink Gay & Lesbian Health, Family & Lifestyle History Home & Garden Horror Humour Mind, Body & Spirit Music, Stage & Screen Poetry, Drama & Criticism Reference Religion & Spirituality Romance Science & Nature Science Fiction & Fantasy Scientific, Technical & Medical Society, Politics & Philosophy Sports, Hobbies & Games Travel & Holiday Young Adult BOOKS INFO At A Glance Reviews Customer Reviews See more by these authors: David Hampshire Jim Watson E-mail a Friend About This Item Recommendations If you already own this, rate it and improve your recommendations , Not Rated Find a huge selection of books at 30% off Become an Associate Join our Associates Programme and make money from your website! Buying a Home in Spain David Hampshire , Jim Watson (Illustrator) Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book. Availability: usually dispatched within 1 to 2 working days 31 Used & New from £1.20 See larger photo Edition: Paperback More Product Details Customers who shopped for this item also shopped for: Buying a Property in Spain: An Insider Guide to Finding a Home in the Sun ; Paperback ~ Harry King The Best Places to Buy a Home in Spain ; Paperback ~ Joanna Styles, Jim Watson (Illustrator) Buy to Let in Spain: How to Invest in Spanish Property for Pleasure and Profit ; Paperback ~ Harry King Property Hotspots in Spain: The Hottest Property Locations in the Sunny Costas and How to Invest in Them ; Paperback ~ Ajay Ahuja Buying a Home in Spain 2005 ; Paperback ~ David Hampshire Product Details: Paperback 288 pages(December 1999) Publisher: Survival Books Language: English ISBN: 1901130363 Category(ies): Business, Finance & Law , Health, Family & Lifestyle , Travel & Holiday Average Customer Review: | Write a review Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2,760 (Publishers and authors: improve your sales ) 1 new from 5.95 30 used from 1.20 Have one to sell? (We'll set one up for you) View my Wish List . Customers interested in this title may also be interested in: What's this? ( What's this? ) Feedback Business Finance Directory Find a wide range of business finance services and specialists in the finance section of our free business directory. www.business-search.uk.net Reviews Book Information Buying a Home in Spain is essential reading for anyone planning to purchase property in Spain and is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information available. Whether you're seeking a castillo, villa, farmhouse, townhouse or an apartment, a holiday or a permanent home, this book will help make your dreams come true. Packed with over 200 pages of valuable information, it's designed to help you avoid costly mistakes and save time and money. If you're planning to buy a home in Spain or even just thinking about it--this is the book for you. Buying a Home in Spain is designed to guide you through the property maze and make buying a home a pleasant and enjoyable experience. Most importantly, it's packed with vital information to help you avoid the sort of disasters that can turn your dream home into a nightmare. Vital topics covered include: Doing your Homework and Avoiding Problems Choosing the Region Finding the Right Home and Location Real Estate Agents Finance, Mortgages and Taxes Home Security Utilities, Heating and Air-conditioning Moving House and Settling In Renting and Letting Permits and Visas Retirement, Working and Starting a Business Travelling and Communications Health and Insurance Renting a Car and Driving And much, much more. Customer Reviews Avg. Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other shoppers! 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: Buying a Home in Spain , March 8, 2004 Reviewer: A reader from Los Angeles, California USA David Hampshire has written or co-written a series of books on living, working and purchasing homes in different countries; this is the 5th of his "country" books I have bought. We have previously lived in Switzerland and France and have close relatives in Portugal and we find David Hampshire's books invaluable - they are detailed, honest and well-written - good reference books and introduction for anyone contemplating a move abroad. I have given his books to several friends, including his book on the U.S. to a friend who moved to Virginia. I purchased this one for a relative planning to buy a house in Spain. It is not the only hand-book or advice one needs but it is certainly a great guide/check-list of the daily items one needs to deal with in a foreign country. Was this review helpful to you? 25 of 26 people found the following review helpful: BUYING A HOME IN SPAIN , November 25, 2002 Reviewer: Alexandra Campbell from Costa del Sol, Spain Having made several mistakes buying my first property in Spain when it came to the second I invested in David Hampshire's BUYING A HOME IN SPAIN. What a revelation! He has certainly saved me a lot of money, and probably my sanity - Spain is a wonderful place to live, but the laws, regulations, and customs are very different to the UK, and the well-meaning advice of ex-pats can lead to losing your car, home or savings. This book tells it like it is...thank you Mr Hampshire, you obviously HAVE lived here, and your advice really hits the spot. Was this review helpful to you? 28 of 34 people found the following review helpful: One to read if you are one of life's great pessimists! , June 15, 2001 Reviewer: A reader from Britain This book scared the living daylights out of me! Having read it I was convinced that I would never have the mental stamina to deal with all the red tape he describes. I know that it is important that people are warned of the possible pitfalls of buying property abroad but did this book have to be so negative and so pessimistic? The Chapter on Spanish driving was dreadfully insulting, as were the comments about Spain being the noisiest country in Europe! How I would have liked a more ENCOURAGING book - by all means point out potential pitfalls, Mr Hampshire, but please do so in a constructive way. Were I a more timid character I would have read this book and ditched all my plans for moving to Spain in the near future - not a read for the faint hearted. Was this review helpful to you? 27 of 28 people found the following review helpful: Excellent; Should be mandatory reading for prospective owner , July 6, 2000 Reviewer: A reader from Scotland A very comprehensive guide to buying a place in Spain. There's a wealth of facts in this book so don't expect to absorb it all on the first reading. - But don't worry, it's all presented in a very readable and humerous style. The author also provides a useful insight into some of the less palatable aspects of property ownership in Spain (not that Spain is any worse than any other country)and this means that we can approach our negotiations with much more confidence. Indeed, he doesn't appear to be scared to tread on a few toes he also exposes some of the less appealing aspects (for example read the section on Community properties, pages 150-155) Reading the rather vitriolic comments of a previous reviewer made me curious as to why the book prompted such a reaction. It was either somebody in the property trade who's cage he'd rattled or (call me a cynic if you wish) it was deliberate bait. Either way it attracted me to the book. So to that person 'Thank You' for calling it to my attention; it has become my bible. Was this review helpful to you? See all customer reviews... Customers who bought books by David Hampshire also bought books by these authors: Harry King Andre de Vries Charles Davey Joe Laredo Alan S. Lindsey Look for similar books by subject: Browse for Books in: Subjects > Travel & Holiday > General Subjects > Business, Finance & Law > Personal Finance > Property & Real Estate > General Subjects > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Self Help > Practical & Motivational Subjects > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Europe > Portugal > General Subjects > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Europe > Spain > General Subjects > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Self Help > General Search for books by subject: Business / Economics / Finance Economics Europe - Spain & Portugal Property & real estate Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes Self-Help & Practical Interests Spain TRAVEL & HOLIDAY Travel i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ... Comment on this title I have read this book and I want to review it. I am the author and I want to comment on my book. I am the publisher and I want to comment on this book. Correct errors and omissions in this listing. Where's My Stuff? • track your recent orders • view or change your orders in Your Account Delivery and Returns • see our delivery rates and policies • thinking of returning an item ? (See our Returns Policy ) Need Help? • forgot your password? Click here • redeem or buy a gift certificate • still have questions? Visit our Help Pages Search our shops All Products Books Used Books Collectable Books Electronics & Photo Popular Music Classical Music DVD Rental DVDs Video Software PC & Video Games Software & Games DIY & Tools Garden & Outdoors Kitchen & Home Personal Care Toys Auctions zShops for Text Only Top of Page : Buying a Home in Spain International Sites:  United States | Germany | France | Japan | Canada | China Join Associates | Join our staff | About Amazon.co.uk | Help pages | Contact us Our Privacy Notice , Conditions of Use & Sale © 1996-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates

land for sale because

BLM Info: Land for Sale? Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC LANDS FOR SALE? Does the Federal Government ever sell public land? The answer is yes. Lands identified as excess to the public's andGovernment's needs or more suited to private ownership are sometimes offeredfor sale. This brochure explains the procedures and where to go for moredetails. First, it's important to understand the Federal Government has twomajor categories of property which it makes available for sale: real propertyand public lands. Real Property is primarily developed land withbuildings, usually acquired by the Federal Government for a specific purpose,such as a military base or office building. If you are interested in realproperty, contact the General Services Administration (GSA). This Federalagency is responsible for selling developed surplus property. Addresses andtelephone numbers for the GSA regional offices are listed in the back of thisbrochure. Public Land is undeveloped land with no improvements,usually part of the original public domain established during the westernexpansion of the United States. Most of this land is in the 11 Western Statesand Alaska, although some scattered parcels are in the East. This land is theresponsibility of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management(BLM). (Note: Because of land entitlements to the State of Alaska and to AlaskaNatives, no public land sales will be conducted in Alaska in the foreseeablefuture.) The BLM does not offer much land for sale because of a congressionalmandate in 1976 to generally retain these lands in public ownership. The BLMdoes, however, occasionally sell parcels of land where our land use planningfinds disposal is appropriate. We receive numerous questions about land sales and have prepared pageto answer the most common ones. You may also obtain more detailed informationfrom one of the -- BLMstate offices . Where are these public lands? Almost all are in the Western States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. There are also small amounts in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin. There are no public lands managed by the BLM in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Is any of this land available free through homesteading? No. Congress has repealed the Homestead Act. What lands are available? Although homesteading is a thing of the past, the BLM does have some lands suitable for purchase by private citizens. These are lands that have been identified as unneeded by the Federal Government or as better utilized in private ownership. By law, these lands are made available for sale at no less than fair market value. How are these lands selected for sale? The law states that the BLM can select lands for sale if, through land use planning, they are found to meet one of three criteria: 1) they are scattered, isolated tracts, difficult or uneconomic to manage; 2) they were acquired for a specific purpose and are no longer needed for that purpose; or 3) disposal of the land will serve important public objectives, such as community expansion and economic development. What do the lands look like? Land types vary widely. Some may be desert; some are rural. Some are small parcels of just a few acres; some are several hundred acres in size. Is any land suitable for farming? Any lands with agricultural potential will be clearly identified in the sale notice. However, most public lands have little or no agricultural potential. On the average, what would public land cost per acre? There is no "average" cost. Each parcel is evaluated separately through established appraisal procedures, based on the value of surrounding parcels. Fair market value is determined for each parcel. No parcel can be sold for less than fair market value. How is the land actually sold? The BLM has three options for selling land: modified competitive bidding where some preferences to adjoining landowners are recognized, direct sale to one party where circumstances warrant, and competitive bidding at public auction. The sale method is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the circumstances of each particular parcel or sale. Are there any preferences for veterans? No laws currently exist allowing the BLM to give veterans any preference for land purchases. Where can find out about land that is going to be sold? Your best source is the BLM office with jurisdiction over the area you're interested in. The BLM State Offices and their jurisdictions are noted in the back of this brochure. They can send you sale information. Sale information will also be published and broadcast in local news media. Where are land sales held? They are held near the area to be sold, either at the local BLM office or in a suitable public location. Sales by the BLM are not held in Washington, D.C. Are there any restrictions on who can bid on these parcels? Federal law states that the BLM can sell public land only to U.S. citizens or corporations subject to Federal or State laws. Must I appear in person to participate at the sale? Your personal appearance is not required, but it is always to your advantage to examine the parcel and know exactly what you are bidding on. Sales can be conducted by oral bid, sealed bid, or a combination of both. However, even if only oral bidding is allowed, you can be represented by an agent. Details on procedures for a particular sale are specified in the sale notice available from the BLM. The notice will specify type of sale, the percentage of the full price that must be deposited with each bid, and the time period allowed for full payment. The highest qualified bidder is eligible to buy the land; the deposits of unsuccessful bidders are returned Now is payment made? Is there financing available? A certain minimum percentage of the full price is required with each bid. If you are the successful high bidder,the balance must be paid in full to the BLM within a set period of time before a deed or patent can be issued. Long-term financing must be arranged through private lenders. Once the BLM issues my deed, can I do anything I want with the land? Yes, according to the terms of the deed and subject to State or local restrictions. The sale notice will clearly specify any Federal reservations or conditions of sale. These might include reserving mineral rights to the Federal Government, or allowing some currently authorized uses, such as grazing, to continue for a certain period of time, or reserving rights-of-way or easements for powerlines, pipelines, etc. You are advised to review these conditions carefully so that you fully understand what your deed does and does not include. What about local taxes, zoning, etc.? Once you receive title, the land is subject to all applicable State and local taxes, zoning ordinances, etc. Are water, power, and sewer service available on all parcels? You should check with the city or county involved to see if such services are available. Are there roads or easements that guarantee I can get to the property? The sale notice will explain legal access to the property or any access restrictions. You are advised to check out the parcel before you buy, including finding out if available access meets your needs. I'd like to find out what parcels the BLM currently has listed for sale. Where can I obtain that information? The -- BLM State Offices are your best source. They can tell you what sales are currently scheduled and what prospects are coming up. You can write, call, or visit them periodically for latest details. If a sale is currently scheduled, information can be requested from the BLM describing the property and method of sale. More detailed information, such as land reports, environmental assessments, etc., is also available upon request for a small copy fee. TAX DELINQUENCY SALES Some local governments sell private land on which taxes have been delinquent to satisfy the tax debt. The Federal Government has no involvement in these sales. The best source for information is the local county tax assessor in the area involved. STATE LAND PROGRAMS State governments sometimes sell state-owned land. Information on these types of sales can be obtained through the State Lands Office in the State capital. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --

Home Mortgage Home Equity

State Farm Bank® - Home Mortgage Loans -- Search statefarm.com® Powered by Google™ Banking Bank accounts Credit cards Loans Home Mortgage Home Equity Vehicle Security Safeguards Find an agent by zip/postal code Advanced Search 24-hour Customer Service Limited Service 12am-5am CT 1-877-SF4-BANK 1-877-734-2265 HOME MORTGAGE LOANS > Learn about mortgages Select a Product ==================== CENTERS - Purchase - Refinance - Affordable Housing ==================== PRODUCTS - Fixed Rate - Adjustable Rate - Affordable Housing ==================== LENDING PROCESS - How to apply - Pre-approval ==================== MORTGAGE TOOLS - Calculators - FAQ - Mortgage glossary - Application checklist - House hunting tips - Home comparison chart ==================== CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE - Access my account - Contact us - Mortgage Inquiry - Locate an Agent > How to apply > Access my account > View on-line mortgage application status > Contact us Information Minimum loan amount is $25,001 Maximum loan amount is $650,000* * Larger loan amounts available by request on an individual case basis. · Variety of products: - Fixed rates - Adjustable rates - Affordable housing · Pre-approvals available · Can be used for purchasing or refinancing: - Primary residence - Second home - Investment property (availability varies by mortgage product). Properties may be a single family home (1-4) unit, condominium or Planned Unit Development (PUD) · Loans to finance the construction of a property are not available. However, any of the mortgage products may be used for a mortgage upon completion of the construction · Rates may change daily based on market conditions · Fees and closing costs vary by geographic area and the type of loan · Maximum loan-to-value varies by product and situation but can be as high as 97 percent · Property that is for sale or has been sold (i.e. "bridge loans") is not eligible · FHA and VA loans are not available at this time Centers · Purchase center · Refinance center · Affordable housing center More About Mortgage Loans · Rates · Products · Mortgage Calculators · Frequently asked questions · Home mortgage glossary · Application checklist · House hunting tips · House hunting checklist · Home comparison chart · How to apply for home mortgage loans · 24-Hour account access via phone and Internet · Learn how to stop mortgage fraud Related Links · Home Equity Loans/Line of Credit · Mortgage Disability Income Pricing and APR Assumptions Location: Pricing could vary based on the state where the property is located. Contact a Mortgage Consultant for a price quote based on your property location. Loan amount: $200,000 for conforming products; $500,000 for JUMBO products Loan-to-value ratio: 80% or lower Property type: Single Family Primary Residence Loan purpose: Purchase only Escrow: Customer escrows for taxes, insurance, etc. as part of monthly payment Closing Costs/Prepaids: Estimated at 1% of the purchase price/value of the home Lock period: 30 days Income Documentation: All income used to qualify for a loan is documented Additional Notes · Mortgage rates change on a daily basis and have the ability to change within the day depending on market conditions. · Your rate at loan approval may be different based on underwriting considerations and your individual financing request. · Fees and closing costs vary by geographic area and the type of loan. · All loans are considered as either a conforming loan or a JUMBO loan (also known as a non-conforming loan). A conforming loan is a loan with a mortgage amount that does not exceed eligibility limits for purchase by the secondary mortgage market (i.e. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, etc.). A JUMBO loan is a loan with mortgage amount that exceeds the eligibility limits for purchase by the secondary mortgage market. · The APR and payments on Adjustable Rate Mortgage ( ARM ) Loan Products are subject to change after the loan is closed due to the product's variable-rate feature. For good neighbor service in your mortgage loan process, call your local State Farm agent, call State Farm Bank toll-free at 1-877-SF4-BANK (1-877-734-2265) or submit your mortgage inquiry online. *Some products and services may not be available in all areas. [ home | sitemap | my account | login | register | contact us | privacy | terms of use ] [ insurance | banking | mutual funds | planning & learning | agents | about us ] Search statefarm.com® Powered by Google™ Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC

Home Equity Conversion (HEC).

Home Equity Conversions: Reverse Mortgages Home Equity Conversions: Reverse Mortgages Authors: Celia Ray Hayhoe, Ph.D, CFP®, Family Resource Management Cooperative Extension Specialist and Stacey Williamson, Graduate Assistant; Virginia Tech Publication Number 354-025, Posted April 2004 Many senior adults are finding it hard to live on their fixed retirement incomes and are looking for ways to supplement those incomes. For some, the largest asset they own is their home, but they do not want to sell their home and move. For these individuals, there is an option called Home Equity Conversion (HEC). One type of home equity conversion is a reverse mortgage. The equity or cash value of the house is used to provide income to repay the loan. All reverse mortgage options are not the same. They have different eligibility requirements, income amounts, timing of payments, interest rates, and/or initial costs. Homeowners should compare the different options, keeping in mind their goals and needs. Advantages The value of your house, not your income, is used to determine eligibility. You can receive a lump sum, a line of credit, or a monthly amount, without having to make a monthly repayment. You do not have to sell your home and move, and can continue to live in the same familiar surroundings. You do not have to worry about losing your home to foreclosure since the payments are made out of your equity in the home, not from your income. The loan must be repaid when the house is no longer used as your personal residence. However, the lender can only look to the proceeds from the sale of the house for repayment. They cannot go to your heirs if the house sells for less than what was borrowed. Money can be used for any purpose. You must attend a free HECM/HUD approved counseling session to see if this type of mortgage is right for you. Disadvantages Interest for a reverse mortgage is compounded, and cannot be deducted on income taxes until you repay it. The income you receive decreases the equity in your home, and the equity may not be adequate for your future needs or for your estate. Interest rates and initial costs (application fees, points and closing costs) are usually higher for a reverse mortgage than for other equity loans. Income ends when you sell your home or no longer use it as a principal residence. Payments may affect Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid payments. You must attend a free HECM/HUD approved counseling session. This may add time to the process of obtaining a loan. You may need to pay off your existing mortgage out of the proceeds of your reverse mortgage. You will be required to maintain the house, pay the taxes, and carry property insurance. Eligibility You could be eligible if you own your own home, use the home as your principal residence, and are at least 62 years of age. You must also have adequate equity in the home. A lender looks at the equity in the home plus any expected appreciation or depreciation in the value of the home to calculate a base amount. The costs associated with any reverse mortgage loan (application fees, interest rates, closing costs, initial charges, sales commissions, and homeowner's insurance) also must be considered. All reverse mortgages currently available in Virginia require homeowner's insurance. The lender and the homeowner must work together to determine the type of payment, the payment amount, and the time period. This is determined not only by the calculations of the base amount by the lender, but also by keeping your goals and financial needs in mind. Income Income from a reverse mortgage is not taxable, and will not affect Medicare eligibility or benefits. But the added income can affect both Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid eligibility and benefits for Virginia residents. Confused? A home equity conversion is not a home equity loan! Home-equity loans require that a homeowner has enough income to pay back the loan, and the payments are made in monthly amounts. A home-equity loan would not work for the majority of senior adults who are living on limited fixed incomes and who could not afford a loan payment. Example A wide variety of loan options are available depending upon your age, the amount of equity available, the time period of the loan, and the way payments are disbursed. For example, Mary Jones, a 75-year-old widow whose home is her principal residence, is looking at a ten-year reverse mortgage that will provide her with additional monthly income of approximately $450. At the end of the ten years the monthly income payment will stop. But because her loan is through an insured lender (loans offered by HUD approved lenders have government guarantees), the loan will not have to be repaid until she sells the home, moves, or dies. Home Equity Conversion Checklist These questions can to help you determine if you are eligible for a home equity conversion (HEC). YES NO 1. Are you 62 years of age or older? _____ _____ 2. Is your mortgage paid off in full or nearly so? _____ _____ 3. Do you use your home as your primary residence? _____ _____ If you have answered yes to questions 1 through 3, you might want to consult with an HEC lender for specific information. The following questions will help to determine if you are eligible for a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) home equity conversion. A HUD-HEC is similar to other HECs but with additional requirements for the property and residents. 4. Is your home a single-family dwelling? _____ _____ 5. Will your home probably meet HUD minimum property standards? _____ _____ 6. Is your family income less than 80% of area median? _____ _____ If you have answered yes to questions 1 through 6; you might want to consult with a HUD-HEC lender for specific information. The following is a list of HEC/Reverse mortgage programs. FHA - HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) Guaranteed by FHA/HUD Flexible Income Payment Option Growing Line of Credit Maximum Lending Limit - $ 280,749 Cash Account Flexible Income Payment Options Growing Line of Credit Higher Equity Release Options No Maximum Lending Limit HomeKeeper by Fannie Mae Guaranteed by Fannie Mae Line of Credit Options Maximum Lending Limit - $ 322,700 Zero Point Cash Account Closing Costs Limited Minimum Draw at Closing Required Interest Rate Cap No Maximum Lending Limit The following lenders offered HEC/Reverse mortgages as of March 2004: Mortgage Capital Investors Equity Division 6571 Edsall Road Springfield, VA 22151 (703) 941-0711 East West Mortgage - HECM, HK, CA 4321 Northview Drive Bowie, MD 20716 (866) 9REVERSE [(866) 973-8377] (301) 809-1568, ext. 225 Financial Freedom Senior Funding Corp. (Subsidiary of Lehman Brothers, FSB) - HECM, HK, CA (800) 368-3254 Reverse Mortgages of the Mid-Atlantic - HECM, HK, CA (800) 745-0102 Suntrust 564 Lynnhaven Parkway Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (757) 431-4876 Fidelity & Trust Mortgage, Inc. - HECM, HK, CA 7229 Hanover Parkway Suite C Greenbelt MD 20770 (703) 273-3797 (800) 458-4624 People's Choice Mortgage - HECM, HK, CA (757) 564-8596 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage - HECM, HK (888) 292-1180 Inclusion on this list of lenders does not imply endorsement by Virginia Cooperative Extension, nor does omission from this list imply a lack of endorsement. Home Equity Conversion Comparison Worksheet Name of Lender Features Payment Option: ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- Lump Sum Option Line of Credit Option Monthly Benefit Option APR (Annual Percentage Rate) Time Period Application Costs Closing Costs Sales Commissions Insurance Costs Other Initial Charges For More Information AARP Home Equity Information Center 601 E. Street NW Washington D.C. 20004 (202) 638-2863 http://www.aarp.org/revmort/ Reverse Mortgage Money (866) 363-1914 requestinfo@reversemortgagemoney.com American Credit Counselors Tudor Square, Ste. 10 211 Roanoke St. Christiansburg, VA 24073 (800) 926-0042 virginia@cccsswva.org http://www.americancredit.org HECM Counseling National Center for Home Equity Conversion 360 Robert Street North Suite 403 St. Paul, MN 55101 (651) 222-6775 People Incorporated 1173 W Main St Abingdon, VA 24210-2428 (540) 623-9000 HECM Counseling Original authors: Patricia Gorman, graduate assistant, and Kathleen Parrott, former Extension housing specialist, Virginia View this document in PDF format Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension

real estate prices in

Towards Liberty International Society for Individual Liberty > Don't Get Stuck Paying "Zombie" Debt – Towards Liberty – A commentary on current events by Jarret Wollstein The Coming Real Estate Collapse – 05-24-05 – As real estate prices in much of the U.S. continues to soar, evidence is growing that both commercial and residential real estate is greatly over-priced in many of the country's hottest markets – including New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami, and much of California. One clear indication that real estate is overpriced is that rents are now a fraction of mortgage payments, and are continuing to fall in terms of real dollars. For instance, Forbes reports that cash return on income-producing real estate has fallen from 9% a few years ago, to just 5% to 7% now, and is likely to go lower. You can clearly see why rents are falling in overheated markets like California's Silicon Valley. In the San Francisco-San Jos corridor, there is currently over 33 million square feet of un-rented (and in many cases never occupied) commercial space. Last year, just 65 thousand square feet of this enormous inventory was rented. At that rate, it will take over 507 years to rent all unoccupied commercial real estate in Silicon Valley. Since most investors can't wait over half a millennium for returns on their capital, what's more likely is that commercial real estate prices in this "hot market" will soon fall like a rock. Another indication that real estate is poised for a fall, that fewer and fewer people can afford today's astronomically-priced houses. For instance, in California – where ordinary 2,000 square foot, 3-bedroom homes are going for $500,000 to $2,000,000+ – less than one family in six now qualifies to repurchase their own house. Another indications that real estate is ready for a fall: Of 362 U.S. metropolitan areas, about 15% are experiencing a housing "boom" – a three-year, inflation adjusted price gain of 30% or more – according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. That's the highest number of boom markets ever recorded in the 30 years that they have been tracked. In Americas hottest real estate markets – including the big cities in New York, Florida and California – housing prices went up by 15% to 35% in the past year alone. This is clearly unsustainable. No matter how low interest rates are and no matter how many schemes George Bush comes up with for an "ownership society," it's clear that we are rapidly reaching the point when hardly anyone can afford to buy a new house in a hot real estate market, without putting their financial future in jeopardy. So what's propping up the real estate bubble, and causing housing prices to go ever-higher, even as rents fall and commercial landlords face enormous vacancy rates? Besides artificially low interest rates, the answer, in a word, is speculation. Up to one residence in three in California is now purchased not to live in, but for resale, according to the San Francisco Chronicle . The comparable figure may be as high as one property in two in the Las Vegas area. In downtown Miami, 80% of approximately 35,000 new condos now under construction or just completed, are owned by investors – not people who actually plan on living in them – according to MoneyNews.com. Call it the triumph of delusion over reality. I can't tell you how many people have told me that real estate price "can't fall, because if they did, they would be bankrupt." In other words, because they want prices to stay up, they must stay up. If you believe that, there is a nice three-bedroom fixer-upper on a dirt lot, and on the edge of an eroding cliff, in Pacifica, California, I'd like to sell you for just $2.5 million. Buy this bargain now, before the price really goes up! (This is a real example.) In the current frenzied real market, self-delusion is rampant. In Florida's red-hot real estate market, one Miami realtor recently told the New York Times , "South Florida is working off a totally new economic model than any of us have ever experienced in the past." That's precisely what executives of dot coms told investors to justify their astronomical stock prices, just before the collapse – which triggered the destruction of over $3 trillion in stock value. Unfortunately, for many overextended home owners, property prices aren't immune to the laws of economics. Property prices can and do fall in America, as witnessed by the bear markets of 1974-75, 1980-82 and 1990-92. A personal example: One Northern California home owner I know bought his 2,000 sq. ft. house for $750,000 in 1989. In 1992, he was couldn't get $450,000 for his property, and was forced to declare bankruptcy after he lost his job. Millions of overextended American families with "interest only" and adjustable rate mortgages will likely find themselves in the same boat, when mortgage interest rates edge up above 7% or 8% – which is likely by the end of this year. (Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has warned that we can expect at least a 2.25% increase in interest rates in 2005, on top of the 2% increase in 2004.) The brutal financial reality is that a mere 2% rise in mortgage rates, can increase ARM payments by as much as 40% – an unsustainable burden for families living on the edge. One way or another, at best , the U.S. real estate bubble has 1 to 2 more years to run before it collapses. If you or your children are among those living in overpriced homes you can barely afford, NOW is the time to sell, when the market is at or near its peak, and before prices drop by 30% or more – and they find themselves living in a Motel 6 or in your basement. To minimize taxes on the profits, reinvest in a home in a small town or rural area where prices arent so absurd, and bank the rest. Please stay in touch! Add yourself to our e-mail list. Two times per month we send an update on the activities of our members and new features at ISIL.org. Simply enter your e-mail address here and click the button. You can easily remove yourself (unsubscribe) at any time. E-mail us at isil@isil.org if you have any personal questions or comments. E-mail address: Subscribe Unsubscribe