Home Equity Loans Features

DCU Fixed-Rate Home Equity Loans Mortgages / Home Equity Home Equity Loan Menu Fixed-Rate Home Equity Loans Fixed-Rate Home Equity Loans Features / Compare with other DCU HELs Rates And Applications DCU Fixed-Rate Home Equity Installment Loans A Fixed-Rate Home Equity Installment Loan is much like an auto loan in that you get the full amount at the start of the loan and pay it down in equal payments for the term you selected. DCU's Fixed-Rate Home Equity Loans offer you... Low competitive fixed rates – Your actual rate is determined by your personal credit history Finance up to 100% of your home's value minus your first mortgage – (Maximum 80% in Texas by state law.) Loans from $5,000 Choose from 4 Terms – 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, and 20 years. Shorter loans mean lower interest rates. Longer loans mean smaller monthly payments. No closing costs* No application fees or pre-payment penalties * Excludes state mortgage taxes in FL , MD , MN , NY , OK , TN , and VA . Fixed-rate Home Equity Loans are available in all 50 states. To beginning of page Comparing DCU Options Here's a side-by-side comparison of DCU's Home Equity Loan options to help you decide which is best for you. Major Features Fixed- Rate Home Equity Loan Equity LinePLUS Type of Rate Fixed for life of the loan. Variable as low as Prime minus 1/4% on line advances. Same as Fixed-Rate Loans for fixed-rate advances Maximum Loan Percentage of home value 100% 100% Minimum Loan or Line $5,000 $5,000 for initial line and $5,000 for each fixed-rate advance Available Terms Balance is Maintained 5, 10, 15, and 20 year terms 20 year draw / 20 year repayment on total loan. Fixed-rate advances for 5, 10, or 15 years Annual Fees None None Closing Costs None None Application Fees None None Prepayment Penalties None None Tax Advantage Yes Yes To beginning of page Rates and Applications Apply for Home Equity Loans Apply Online or by calling 800.328.8797 (select 3). If you need additional information press 0 and ask to speak with one of our Mortgage Specialists. Home Equity Rates Apply Online Use our Loan Calculators to help you determine the loan financing and payment options that are best for you. Back to beginning What's New at DCU | Join Us | New Member Guide | Links Branches | ATMs | Questionnaire | Help Digital Federal Credit Union 220 Donald Lynch Boulevard, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130 • 800.328.8797 ® 2005 Digital Federal Credit Union

Investment Property

Australian Investment Properties ... Many of Australias Best - Right Here! Click on the photograph of the property you wish to view. Scroll down to view all of the properties. 250E Luxury apartments due to be completed November 2002: Melbourne CBD, Victoria. Singularly the most centrally located CBD residential property in Melbourne is 250e. Absolute CBD. Right in the heart of the city, it is absolute CBD. There is no other property that can touch it for location and potential investment value. new Arcadia Grove Stage 1 Townhouses and Apartments due to be completed July 2003: East Hawthorn, Victoria. Arcadia Grove offers brand new homes with all features Hawthorn lovers love best. Beautiful garden townhouses and apartments of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, are set among leafy streets that lead into a central urban oasis of parkland. Boulevard 610 Luxury apartments due to be completed June 2002: Melbourne, Victoria. From the tranquility of Albert Park Lake to the colour and excitement of St Kilda & Chapel Street, the Boulevard's spectacular location is at the centre of everything. new i.d. Luxury apartments due to be completed October 2003: Port Melbourne, Victoria. i.d. sees the redevelopment of the Joshua Brothers Distillery site in Port Melbourne. The apartments are designed around a courtyard space, with pool and recreation areas and a mix of landscaped surfaces, palms and lush planting. new Pacific International Apartments Melbourne Serviced apartments due to be completed January 2003: Melbourne, Victoria. Overlooking Collins Street and the Yarra, Pacific International Apartments, offers fully furnished and superbly decorated one and two bedroom hotel apartments and hotel suite apartments. Philadelphia Luxury Apartments now completed: Melbourne, Victoria. Located in the residential Golden Mile of Melbourne opposite the beautiful Treasury Gardens. Scala Luxury apartments due to be completed October 2002: Melbourne, Victoria. A sophisticated inner city apartment building, Scala Apartments, Lakeside offer stunning views and an exceptional level of refinement. With 107 apartments, Scala offers you the choice of 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms with some apartments incorporating a study. new Tribeca Luxury apartments due to be completed May 2005: East Melbourne, Victoria. Tribeca East Melbourne will be a development of unsurpassed quality, fusing contemporary architectural design with the existing heritage structures of the Victoria Brewery site. new Westway Apartments Luxury apartments due to be completed October 2003: Maribyrnong, Victoria. Westway offers 67 magnificent luxury style two and three bedroom apartments & townhouses only 5km from the CBD. Close to all amenities such as child care centres, shopping centres, Maribyrnong River, parklands and Universities, Westway is sure to create a lifestyle within its self. new Linc Stage 2 Luxury apartments due to be completed November 2003: Alexandria, New South Wales . Architecturally designed with a choice between live/work apartments, studios, one or two bedroom apartments, Linc is the perfect location for easy living. Ellington Luxury apartments due to be completed August 2002: Tenneriffe, Queensland. Ellington comprises three separate buildings encircling extensive recreation areas and tree lined pedestrian walkways. Set amongst extensive landscaping, incorporating lap pool and barbecue areas, Ellington will provide a green oasis, a tranquil retreat shielding the residents from the hustle and bustle, yet still its just a few minutes from the heart of the action. Last Few Horizons Luxury apartments now completed: New Farm, Queensland. Overlooking the New Farm Park and Brisbane River, Horizons consists of twelve luxury ensuited apartments and two villa, executive residences. The development features a pool and B.B.Q area, north-facing and park views, has lift access to all levels, on-site management and massive entertainment balconies. new Alpha G Luxury apartments due to be completed February 2003: Waterloo, New South Wales. Alpha G is a unique development of 75 space age apartments which will be built on top of a futuristic commercial office space and modern showroom complex. The building features sun shading to the east and west, air conditioning, undercover parking and an entry level cafe. Apex Apartments Luxury apartments due to be completed September 2001: North Sydney, New South Wales. Located centrally in Berry Street North Sydney, Apex offers 77 luxury apartments with security undercover parking, swimming pool and gymnasium. Last Few Balmain Shores Stage 3 Luxury apartments due to be completed December 2002: Iron Cove, New South Wales. Idyllic environment with 340 metres of water frontage in the historic Balmain area, just four kilometres from the Sydney CBD. Balmain Shores Stage 4 Luxury Terraces Apartments due to be completed December 2002: Rozelle, New South Wales. Inspired by the historic architecture of the surrounding area, the final stage of Balmain Shores embraces the convenience and style of terrace living. These boutique buildings are no more than three storeys high and all apartments features balconies. new Garden Square Luxury apartments due to be completed February 2003: Chatswood CBD, New South Wales. Garden Square is a community orientated, environmentally sustainable, new development, occupying a prime position amongst the more traditional red roofed bungalows of Chatswood. An easy walk to Chatswoods many amenities and attractions, Garden Square comes with convenient access to trains, buses, schools and shops. King Street Wharf (Stage 2, North) Luxury Apartments due to be completed June 2002: Darling Harbour, New South Wales. King Street Wharf will be an exciting new waterfront district in Sydney. Formerly wharf 9 and 10 of a former maritime terminal in which Darling Harbour was known as Wharf 8. Stage 2 consists of the construction of twin residential towers (North and South) of Building 3, plus the balance of the waterfrontage retail and strata commercial element, Building 2. King Street Wharf (Stage 2, South) Luxury Apartments due to be completed June 2002: Darling Harbour, New South Wales. King Street Wharf will be an exciting new waterfront district in Sydney. Formerly wharf 9 and 10 of a former maritime terminal in which Darling Harbour was known as Wharf 8. Stage 2 consists of the construction of twin residential towers (North and South) of Building 3, plus the balance of the waterfrontage retail and strata commercial element, Building 2. new Linc - Stage 1 Luxury apartments due to be completed May 2003: Alexandria, New South Wales. Architecturally designed with a choice between live/work apartments, studios, one or two bedroom apartments, Linc is the perfect location for easy living. Last Few Linea Luxury apartments due to be completed December 2002: St Leonards, New South Wales. Brand new, contemporary apartments located amidst the vibrancy of St Leonards dynamic lifestyle attractions. Boasting smart design, captivating views and spacious, open living areas, Linea apartments offer the smooth integration of complete comfort and style. new Medina Classic Serviced apartments now completed: Sydney, New South Wales. Medina Classic Martin Place is ideally located in the heart of Sydneys vibrant CBD and shopping precinct, only one block north of Martin Place. The 49 studio and one bedroom apartments all have fully equipped kitchens and laundries. new Nexus Luxury apartments due to be completed July 2003: St Leonards, New South Wales. Rising through the St Leonards skyline, Nexus is an address where life meets style. Located between the transport hub of St Leonards and the cafe society of Crows Nest, convenience meets necessity in this central location. Pacific International Suites Parramatta Serviced apartments now completed: Parramatta, New South Wales. Fully furnished 4.5 star serviced apartments with a thirty year guaranteed return. new Proximity 1 and 2 Luxury apartments due to be completed June 2004: North Arncliffe, New South Wales. Only minutes from the Sydney CBD as well as beaches, parks and waterways, Proximity defines a new standard for contemporary residential communities. Each apartment offers views, space, parking and privacy, with ample room for individual style. new Proximity 3 Luxury apartments due to be completed June 2004: North Arncliffe, New South Wales. Only minutes from the Sydney CBD as well as beaches, parks and waterways, Proximity defines a new standard for contemporary residential communities. Each apartment offers views, space, parking and privacy, with ample room for individual style. new Quadrant Luxury apartments due to be completed July 2003: Broadway, New South Wales. Located only 1 km from Sydney CBD, Quadrant offers residential apartments featuring a blend of heritage and modern architecture. A vibrant central plaza forms the heart of the development, with restaurants and alfresco cafes in landscaped gardens featuring reflection pools. new State Apartments Luxury apartments due to be completed June 2003: Waitara, New South Wales. Located in the upper north shore suburb of Waitara, the State Apartments comprises 102 stylish and spacious one bedroom + study, two bedroom and three bedroom apartments, all featuring secure undercover parking, split system air conditioning and balconies. new Waitara Grand Apartments Luxury apartments due to be completed June 2003: Waitara, New South Wales. The Waitara Grand Apartments offer 136 luxury apartments over two towers in Sydneys upper northern suburb of Waitara. Waitara Grand features public parklands on two sides of the development and provides a private swimming pool, communal courtyard and secure undercover parking. Back to the Australia Financial Services Directory

buy property in France

French property in France. Guide to French real estate and sales in france For property buyers >Buying guide Buying property in France Property prices vary across France, with property near Paris and on the south coast costing much more than property in less well-connected areas of the country. You can buy a four-bedroom property in the Loire for up to £200,000, or a two-bedroom apartment in Cannes for about the same price. It all depends on your preference for areas, how remote you want to be, and whether you need to commute to work. Click here to locate a French Property Generally, buying a property abroad is a good way of reducing the cost of living, but buying a property in France is not necessarily an investment as it has been in the UK: property prices are much more stable compared to the English property market, with prices really only rising in line with inflation and not adding much value to the property in real terms. There are also the taxes and costs associated with buying property in France to consider when planning your investment. Looking for property abroad is therefore more often associated with investing in your future life - somewhere to spend your holidays or somewhere to retire when the time comes. When you buy property in France bear in mind that the costs are different to those in the UK. There are more taxes for a start, including income, wealth, property, capital gains, and residential taxes. This can add up to quite a hefty sum. Even though the government has pledged to reduce income tax by a third in the coming years, tax in France is still quite high. Late payment of taxes incurs a charge of around 10%, so make sure you pay your dues on time! If you rent out your property in France, whether this is to a friend for a few weeks' holiday or 52 weeks of commercial rent, you will have to declare and pay income tax on the rental income (revenu foncier) even if you live abroad. Property tax covers your contributions to local services like rubbish removal and street lighting and varies greatly depending on the region: oddly enough, the Paris area has some of the lowest rates in the country. You pay wealth tax if your annual income exceeds €720,000. Residential tax applies to properties with a rental value over €4,600 on 1 st January. Even if you rent or sell the property from 2nd January onwards, you have to pay the full year, not the new tenant or owner. Capital gains tax (CGT) is rather more complicated: suffice to say that the sale of second residences incurs CGT and the EU tax authorities are working together to track anyone who tries to dodge paying it! Having said all this France is a great place to live - the quality of life is better, the roads are a joy to drive on and the weather is better than the UK! For holiday makers For property buyers For property owners Buying guide Find an agent Find a property Property services Life in France Short List -- About us Advertise your property Contact us Site map Accessibility -- WebConnection Ltd. Advertise your property Terms of use Privacy policy Site map Quick links Contact us --

Home Equity Line (introductory

Home Equity Loans at NetBank -- PERSONAL FINANCE > LOANS > HOME EQUITY You've worked hard to build equity in your home - now may be the time to use it. Featured HELOC Rate APR* Home Equity Line (introductory rate fixed for 6 months as low as 7.25% APR thereafter) 6.25% (Intro Rate) Home Equity Loan 6.75% How muchwill my payments be? More home equity calculators and guides Cash in on your home's equity and... Pay off high interest credit card debt Renovate your house, build a pool or buy a boat Pay for education expenses or go back to school Have some fun and go on the vacation of your dreams Plus, save at tax time; the interest you pay may be tax deductible* With potential tax advantages, and interest rates lower thanmost other kinds of consumer credit, equity products are smart,powerful tools that can help manage one of your most important assets- your home. Determine the best solution for you: Home Equity Line of Credit Home Equity Loan Interest-only payments for the first 10 years Open end line of credit with flexible, convenient access to your funds No application fee or lender closing costs Credit lines up to $250,000 Fixed payment and rate 5-, 10- and 15-year fully amortizing loan terms available Minimum loan amount as low as $10,000 Borrow up to 100% of the value of your home Loan amounts up to $200,000 Apply how you want, when you want: Apply online Available anytime, any day of the week Call 866-461-5028 Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (ET) Already started the loan process? Click here to complete your application Learn More Important Notices *APR varies according to your credit history and other factors. Homeowners insurance is required. Document stamp costs as well as recording fees and taxes for your county/state may apply. Maximum APR for a Home Equity Line of Credit is 18%. Following are examples of the APR and monthly payments for a 5-, 10-, and 15-year home equity loan (assuming a $50,000 loan amount with 10% equity): For a 5-year term, the APR is 6.352%** with 60 monthly payments of $19.50 per $1,000 borrowed; For a 10-year term, the APR is 6.187%** with 120 monthly payments of $11.20 per $1,000 borrowed; For a 15-year term, the APR is 6.132%** with 180 monthly payments of $8.50 per $1,000 borrowed. * Consult your tax advisor. ** As of 2/7/05 View Application Status About Us | Privacy | Security | Careers | Contact Us | Locator | Site Map 2005 NetBank, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Buy Home

Common Questions from First-time Homebuyers - HUD HUD News Newsroom Priorities About HUD Homes Buying Owning Selling Renting Homeless Home improvements HUD homes Fair housing FHA refunds Foreclosure Consumer info Communities About communities Volunteering Organizing Economic development Working with HUD Grants Programs Contracts Work online HUD jobs Complaints Resources Library Handbooks/ forms Common questions Tools Webcasts Mailing lists Contact us Help Common Questions from First-time Homebuyers Information by State Esta página en español Print version Email this to a friend Why should I buy, instead of rent? Answer: A home is an investment. When you rent, you write your monthly check and that money is gone forever. But when you own your home, you can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes. This will save you a lot each year, because the interest you pay will make up most of your monthly payment for most of the years of your mortgage. You can also deduct the property taxes you pay as a homeowner. In addition, the value of your home may go up over the years. Finally, you'll enjoy having something that's all yours - a home where your own personal style will tell the world who you are. What are "HUD homes," and are they a good deal? Answer: HUD homes can be a very good deal. When someone with a HUD insured mortgage can't meet the payments, the lender forecloses on the home; HUD pays the lender what is owed; and HUD takes ownership of the home. Then we sell it at market value as quickly as possible. Read all about buying a HUD home . Check our listings of HUD homes and homes being sold by other federal agencies. Can I become a homebuyer even if I have I've had bad credit, and don't have much for a down-payment? Answer: You may be a good candidate for one of the federal mortgage programs . Start by contacting one of the HUD-funded housing counseling agencies that can help you sort through your options. Also, contact your local government to see if there are any local homebuying programs that might work for you. Look in the blue pages of your phone directory for your local office of housing and community development or, if you can't find it, contact your mayor's office or your county executive's office. Are there special homeownership grants or programs for single parents? Answer: There is help available. Start by becoming familiar with the homebuying process and pick a good real estate broker. Although as a single parent, you won't have the benefit of two incomes on which to qualify for a loan, consider getting pre-qualified, so that when you find a house you like in your price range you won't have the delay of trying to get qualified. Contact one of the HUD-funded housing counseling agencies in your area to talk through other options for help that might be available to you. Research buying a HUD home, as they can be very good deals. Also, contact your local government to see if there are any local homebuying programs that could help you. Look in the blue pages of your phone directory for your local office of housing and community development or, if you can't find it, contact your mayor's office or your county executive's office. Should I use a real estate broker? How do I find one? Answer: Using a real estate broker is a very good idea. All the details involved in home buying, particularly the financial ones, can be mind-boggling. A good real estate professional can guide you through the entire process and make the experience much easier. A real estate broker will be well-acquainted with all the important things you'll want to know about a neighborhood you may be considering...the quality of schools, the number of children in the area, the safety of the neighborhood, traffic volume, and more. He or she will help you figure the price range you can afford and search the classified ads and multiple listing services for homes you'll want to see. With immediate access to homes as soon as they're put on the market, the broker can save you hours of wasted driving-around time. When it's time to make an offer on a home, the broker can point out ways to structure your deal to save you money. He or she will explain the advantages and disadvantages of different types of mortgages, guide you through the paperwork, and be there to hold your hand and answer last-minute questions when you sign the final papers at closing. And you don't have to pay the broker anything! The payment comes from the home seller - not from the buyer. By the way, if you want to buy a HUD home , you will be required to use a real estate broker to submit your bid. To find a broker who sells HUD homes, check your local yellow pages or the classified section of your local newspaper. How much money will I have to come up with to buy a home? Answer: Well, that depends on a number of factors, including the cost of the house and the type of mortgage you get. In general, you need to come up with enough money to cover three costs: earnest money - the deposit you make on the home when you submit your offer, to prove to the seller that you are serious about wanting to buy the house; the down payment , a percentage of the cost of the home that you must pay when you go to settlement; and closing costs , the costs associated with processing the paperwork to buy a house. When you make an offer on a home, your real estate broker will put your earnest money into an escrow account. If the offer is accepted, your earnest money will be applied to the down payment or closing costs. If your offer is not accepted, your money will be returned to you. The amount of your earnest money varies. If you buy a HUD home, for example, your deposit generally will range from $500 - $2,000. The more money you can put into your down payment, the lower your mortgage payments will be. Some types of loans require 10-20% of the purchase price. That's why many first-time homebuyers turn to HUD's FHA for help. FHA loans require only 3% down - and sometimes less. Closing costs - which you will pay at settlement - average 3-4% of the price of your home. These costs cover various fees your lender charges and other processing expenses. When you apply for your loan, your lender will give you an estimate of the closing costs, so you won't be caught by surprise. If you buy a HUD home , HUD may pay many of your closing costs. How do I know if I can get a loan? Answer: Use our simple mortgage calculators to see how much mortgage you could pay - that's a good start. If the amount you can afford is significantly less than the cost of homes that interest you, then you might want to wait awhile longer. But before you give up, why don't you contact a real estate broker or a HUD-funded housing counseling agency ? They will help you evaluate your loan potential. A broker will know what kinds of mortgages the lenders are offering and can help you choose a lender with a program that might be right for you. Another good idea is to get pre-qualified for a loan. That means you go to a lender and apply for a mortgage before you actually start looking for a home. Then you'll know exactly how much you can afford to spend, and it will speed the process once you do find the home of your dreams. How do I find a lender? Answer: You can finance a home with a loan from a bank, a savings and loan, a credit union, a private mortgage company, or various state government lenders. Shopping for a loan is like shopping for any other large purchase: you can save money if you take some time to look around for the best prices. Different lenders can offer quite different interest rates and loan fees; and as you know, a lower interest rate can make a big difference in how much home you can afford. Talk with several lenders before you decide. Most lenders need 3-6 weeks for the whole loan approval process. Your real estate broker will be familiar with lenders in the area and what they're offering. Or you can look in your local newspaper's real estate section - most papers list interest rates being offered by local lenders. You can find FHA-approved lenders in the Yellow Pages of your phone book. HUD does not make loans directly - you must use a HUD-approved lender if you're interested in an FHA loan. In addition to the mortgage payment, what other costs do I need to consider? Answer: Well, of course you'll have your monthly utilities. If your utilities have been covered in your rent, this may be new for you. Your real estate broker will be able to help you get information from the seller on how much utilities normally cost. In addition, you might have homeowner association or condo association dues. You'll definitely have property taxes, and you also may have city or county taxes. Taxes normally are rolled into your mortgage payment. Again, your broker will be able to help you anticipate these costs. So what will my mortgage cover? Answer: Most loans have 4 parts: principal: the repayment of the amount you actually borrowed; interest: payment to the lender for the money you've borrowed; homeowners insurance: a monthly amount to insure the property against loss from fire, smoke, theft, and other hazards required by most lenders; and property taxes: the annual city/county taxes assessed on your property, divided by the number of mortgage payments you make in a year. Most loans are for 30 years, although 15 year loans are available, too. During the life of the loan, you'll pay far more in interest than you will in principal - sometimes two or three times more! Because of the way loans are structured, in the first years you'll be paying mostly interest in your monthly payments. In the final years, you'll be paying mostly principal. What do I need to take with me when I apply for a mortgage? Answer: Good question! If you have everything with you when you visit your lender, you'll save a good deal of time. You should have: 1) social security numbers for both your and your spouse, if both of you are applying for the loan; 2) copies of your checking and savings account statements for the past 6 months; 3) evidence of any other assets like bonds or stocks; 4) a recent paycheck stub detailing your earnings; 5) a list of all credit card accounts and the approximate monthly amounts owed on each; 6) a list of account numbers and balances due on outstanding loans, such as car loans; 7) copies of your last 2 years' income tax statements; and 8) the name and address of someone who can verify your employment. Depending on your lender, you may be asked for other information. I know there are lots of types of mortgages - how do I know which one is best for me? Answer: You're right - there are many types of mortgages, and the more you know about them before you start, the better. Most people use a fixed-rate mortgage. In a fixed rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the term of the mortgage, which normally is 30 years. The advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is that you always know exactly how much your mortgage payment will be, and you can plan for it. Another kind of mortgage is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). With this kind of mortgage, your interest rate and monthly payments usually start lower than a fixed rate mortgage. But your rate and payment can change either up or down, as often as once or twice a year. The adjustment is tied to a financial index, such as the U.S. Treasury Securities index. The advantage of an ARM is that you may be able to afford a more expensive home because your initial interest rate will be lower. There are several government mortgage programs,including the Veteran's Administration's programs and the Department of Agriculture's programs . Most people have heard of FHA mortgages. FHA doesn't actually make loans. Instead, it insures loans so that if buyers default for some reason, the lenders will get their money. This encourages lenders to give mortgages to people who might not otherwise qualify for a loan. Talk to your real estate broker about the various kinds of loans, before you begin shopping for a mortgage. When I find the home I want, how much should I offer? Answer: Again, your real estate broker can help you here. But there are several things you should consider: 1) is the asking price in line with prices of similar homes in the area? 2) Is the home in good condition or will you have to spend a substantial amount of money making it the way you want it? You probably want to get a professional home inspection before you make your offer. Your real estate broker can help you arrange one. 3) How long has the home been on the market? If it's been for sale for awhile, the seller may be more eager to accept a lower offer. 4) How much mortgage will be required? Make sure you really can afford whatever offer you make. 5) How much do you really want the home? The closer you are to the asking price, the more likely your offer will be accepted. In some cases, you may even want to offer more than the asking price, if you know you are competing with others for the house. What if my offer is rejected? Answer: They often are! But don't let that stop you. Now you begin negotiating. Your broker will help you. You may have to offer more money, but you may ask the seller to cover some or all of your closing costs or to make repairs that wouldn't normally be expected. Often, negotiations on a price go back and forth several times before a deal is made. Just remember - don't get so caught up in negotiations that you lose sight of what you really want and can afford! So what will happen at closing? Answer: Basically, you'll sit at a table with your broker, the broker for the seller, probably the seller, and a closing agent. The closing agent will have a stack of papers for you and the seller to sign. While he or she will give you a basic explanation of each paper, you may want to take the time to read each one and/or consult with your agent to make sure you know exactly what you're signing. After all, this is a large amount of money you're committing to pay for a lot of years! Before you go to closing, your lender is required to give you a booklet explaining the closing costs, a "good faith estimate" of how much cash you'll have to supply at closing, and a list of documents you'll need at closing. If you don't get those items, be sure to call your lender BEFORE you go to closing. Be sure to read our booklet on settlement costs . It will help you understand your rights in the process. Don't hesitate to ask questions. More information? Answer: See our 100 questions and answers about buying a home. Content updated October 25, 2005 Back to top FOIA Privacy Web Policies and Important Links Home U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455 Find the address of a HUD office near you