home equity plan may

When Your Home Is on the Line: home More and more lenders are offering home equity lines of credit. By using the equity in your home, you may qualify for a sizable amount of credit, available for use when and how you please, at an interest rate that is relatively low. Furthermore, under the tax law--depending on your specific situation--you may be allowed to deduct the interest because the debt is secured by your home. If you are in the market for credit, a home equity plan may be right for you. Or perhaps another form of credit would be better. Before making a decision, you should weigh carefully the costs of a home equity line against the benefits. Shop for the credit terms that best meet your borrowing needs without posing undue financial risk. And remember, failure to repay the amounts you've borrowed, plus interest, could mean the loss of your home. What is a home equity line? What should you look for? How will you repay your home equity plan? Lines of credit vs. traditional second mortgage loans Disclosures from lenders What is a home equity line of credit? A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. Because the home is likely to be a consumer's largest asset, many homeowners use their credit lines only for major items such as education, home improvements, or medical bills and not for day-to-day expenses. With a home equity line, you will be approved for a specific amount of credit--your credit limit , the maximum amount you may borrow at any one time under the plan. Many lenders set the credit limit on a home equity line by taking a percentage (say, 75 percent) of the home's appraised value and subtracting from that the balance owed on the existing mortgage. For example, [D] In determining your actual credit limit, the lender will also consider your ability to repay, by looking at your income, debts, and other financial obligations as well as your credit history. Many home equity plans set a fixed period during which you can borrow money, such as 10 years. At the end of this "draw period," you may be allowed to renew the credit line. If your plan does not allow renewals, you will not be able to borrow additional money once the period has ended. Some plans may call for payment in full of any outstanding balance at the end of the period. Others may allow repayment over a fixed period (the "repayment period"), for example, 10 years. Once approved for a home equity line of credit, you will most likely be able to borrow up to your credit limit whenever you want. Typically, you will use special checks to draw on your line. Under some plans, borrowers can use a credit card or other means to draw on the line. There may be limitations on how you use the line. Some plans may require you to borrow a minimum amount each time you draw on the line (for example, $300) and to keep a minimum amount outstanding. Some plans may also require that you take an initial advance when the line is set up. What should you look for when shopping for a plan? If you decide to apply for a home equity line of credit, look for the plan that best meets your particular needs. Read the credit agreement carefully, and examine the terms and conditions of various plans, including the annual percentage rate (APR) and the costs of establishing the plan. The APR for a home equity line is based on the interest rate alone and will not reflect the closing costs and other fees and charges, so you'll need to compare these costs, as well as the APRs, among lenders. Interest rate charges and related plan features Home equity lines of credit typically involve variable rather than fixed interest rates. The variable rate must be based on a publicly available index (such as the prime rate published in some major daily newspapers or a U.S. Treasury bill rate); the interest rate for borrowing under the home equity line changes, mirroring fluctuations in the value of the index. Most lenders cite the interest rate you will pay as the value of the index at a particular time plus a " margin ," such as 2 percentage points. Because the cost of borrowing is tied directly to the value of the index, it is important to find out which index is used, how often the value of the index changes, and how high it has risen in the past as well as the amount of the margin. Lenders sometimes offer a temporarily discounted interest rate for home equitylines--a rate that is unusually low and may last for only an introductory period, such as 6 months. Variable-rate plans secured by a dwelling must, by law, have a ceiling (or cap ) on how much your interest rate may increase over the life of the plan. Some variable-rate plans limit how much your payment may increase and how low your interest rate may fall if interest rates drop. Some lenders allow you to convert from a variable interest rate to a fixed rate during the life of the plan, or to convert all or a portion of your line to a fixed-term installment loan. Plans generally permit the lender to freeze or reduce your credit line under certain circumstances. For example, some variable-rate plans may not allow you to draw additional funds during a period in which the interest rate reaches the cap. Costs of establishing and maintaining a home equity line Many of the costs of setting up a home equity line of credit are similar to those you pay when you buy a home. For example, A fee for a property appraisal to estimate the value of your home An application fee , which may not be refunded if you are turned down for credit Up-front charges, such as one or more points (one point equals 1 percent of the credit limit) Closing costs, including fees for attorneys, title search, and mortgage preparation and filing; property and title insurance; and taxes. In addition, you may be subject to certain fees during the plan period, such as annual membership or maintenance fees and a transaction fee every time you draw on the credit line. You could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars to establish the plan. If you were to draw only a small amount against your credit line, those initial charges would substantially increase the cost of the funds borrowed. On the other hand, because the lender's risk is lower than for other forms of credit, as your home serves as collateral, annual percentage rates for home equity lines are generally lower than rates for other types of credit. The interest you save could offset the costs of establishing and maintaining the line. Moreover, some lenders waive some or all of the closing costs. How will you repay your home equity plan? Before entering into a plan, consider how you will pay back the money you borrow. Some plans set minimum payments that cover a portion of the principal (the amount you borrow) plus accrued interest. But (unlike with the typical installment loan) the portion that goes toward principal may not be enough to repay the principal by the end of the term. Other plans may allow payment of interest alone during the life of the plan, which means that you pay nothing toward the principal. If you borrow $10,000, you will owe that amount when the plan ends. Regardless of the minimum required payment, you may choose to pay more, and many lenders offer a choice of payment options. Many consumers choose to pay down the principal regularly as they do with other loans. For example, if you use your line to buy a boat, you may want to pay it off as you would a typical boat loan. Whatever your payment arrangements during the life of the plan--whether youpay some, a little, or none of the principal amount of the loan--when the plan ends you may have to pay the entire balance owed, all at once. You must be prepared to make this " balloon payment " by refinancing it with the lender, by obtaining a loan from another lender, or by some other means. If you are unable to make the balloon payment, you could lose your home. If your plan has a variable interest rate, your monthly payments may change. Assume, for example, that you borrow $10,000 under a plan that calls for interest-only payments. At a 10 percent interest rate, your monthly payments would be $83. If the rate rises over time to 15 percent, your monthly payments will increase to $125. Similarly, if you are making payments that cover interest plus some portion of the principal, your monthly payments may increase, unless your agreement calls for keeping payments the same throughout the plan period. If you sell your home, you will probably be required to pay off your homeequity line in full immediately. If you are likely to sell your home in the near future, consider whether it makes sense to pay the up-front costs of setting up a line of credit. Also keep in mind that renting your home may be prohibited under the terms of your agreement. Lines of credit vs. traditional second mortgage loans If you are thinking about a home equity line of credit, you might also want to consider a traditional second mortgage loan. A second mortgage provides you with a fixed amount of money repayable over a fixed period. In most cases the payment schedule calls for equal payments that will pay off the entire loan within the loan period. You might consider a second mortgage instead of a home equity line if, for example, you need a set amount for a specific purpose, such as an addition to your home. In deciding which type of loan best suits your needs, consider the costs under the two alternatives. Look at both the APR and other charges. Do not, however, simply compare the APRs, because the APRs on the two types of loans are figured differently: The APR for a traditional second mortgage loan takes into account the interest rate charged plus points and other finance charges. The APR for a home equity line of credit is based on the periodic interest rate alone. It does not include points or other charges. Disclosures from lenders The federal Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to disclose the important terms and costs of their home equity plans, including the APR, miscellaneous charges, the payment terms, and information about any variable-rate feature. And in general, neither the lender nor anyone else may charge a fee until after you have received this information. You usually get these disclosures when you receive an application form, and you will get additional disclosures before the plan is opened. If any term (other than a variable-rate feature) changes before the plan is opened, the lender must return all fees if you decide not to enter into the plan because of the change. When you open a home equity line, the transaction puts your home at risk. If the home involved is your principal dwelling, the Truth in Lending Act gives you 3 days from the day the account was opened to cancel the credit line. This right allows you to change your mind for any reason. You simply inform the lender in writing within the 3-day period. The lender must then cancel its security interest in your home and return all fees--including any application and appraisal fees--paid to open the account. The material on this site is adapted from the brochure "When Your Home Is on the Line." Single or multiple copies of the brochure are available without charge. Order the brochure by telephone, mail, or fax . Order on line . Glossary | Where to go for help | Checklist Home | Consumer information | Publications | Brochures Accessibility To comment on this site, please fill out our feedback form. Last update: July 25, 2001

Florida Real Estate

South Florida Real Estate - Homes, Condos, Apartments For Rent & For Sale - Palm Beach Post Real Estate Jobs | Autos | Classifieds | Personals | Shopping | Health | Travel Travel | Subscribe | Archives | Customer Care | Today's Paper All Residential | Condos | Luxury | Commercial | Land/Lots Neighborhood, School & Community Info Due to the storm, some information may be incomplete. ------ Search By Web ID What's a Web ID? Mapping the Housing Boom • Where The Investors Are. • Where and why prices and sales have jumped. • This Week's Housing Boom Advertisers Buying or Refinancing? • Mortgage Lender Guide | Mortgage Calculators Browse new homes in Real Estate Weekend Search the New Homes Locator Directory Find ads & articles from Residences - our guide to existing home sales View Rental ads in The BIG Apartment Magazine This month's featured... Developments | Properties | Realtors This week's... Hot Properties | Hot Rentals Must See! Open Houses Neighborhood Experts • Find a Real Estate Agent • Find a Real Estate Company • Find a Rental Agent LaPalmaInteractivo.com Clasificados • Clasificados en Español This Week's Local Commercial Real Estate • From Our Business to Business Section • Search For Sale Commercial Real Estate Listings Home Improvement • Design Center | Service Directory | Gardening New to the area? • Newcomer's Guide | Neighborhoods | Schools Local Property Values • Check Out Area Property Sales For information about advertising opportunities contact Linda Goings a product of The Palm Beach Post Classifieds ©2005 The Palm Beach Post By using PalmBeachPost.com, you accept the terms of our visitor agreement . Please read it. Customer Care | Privacy Policy | Want to advertise here? | Job Opportunities

Buy Home

How to Buy a HUD Home Housing About Housing Contact us Keywords Single Family Audience groups Buying a home Events & training FHA insured loans Common questions Housing counseling HUD homes/ REO Owning a home Reference guide Regulatory programs Hospitals Multifamily OAHP Reading room Online forums Work online HUD news Homes Communities Working with HUD Resources Tools Webcasts Mailing lists Contact us Help FAQs About Buying HUD Homes Information by State Esta página en español Print version Email this to a friend Question 1: What is a "HUD Home"? Answer: 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. Question 2: Who can buy a HUD home? Answer: Almost anyone! If you have the cash or can qualify for a mortgage, subject to certain restrictions, you may buy a HUD home. HUD employees and relatives of HUD employees are eligible, but must receive written approval from the Director of HUD's Office of Single Family Asset Management in order to purchase a HUD-owned single family property. HUD employees should refer to paragraph 10-29C of Handbook 4310.5, REV-2, Property Disposition Handbook-One to Four Family Properties for the exact requirements to purchase a HUD-owned single family property. Other less common restrictions may apply. Question 3: Are HUD Homes meant for people with low incomes? Answer: HUD homes range in price, but most are affordable for low- and moderate-income Americans. Question 4: Is it true I can get a HUD Home for a dollar? Answer: No. HUD sells homes at market value - that means that the price is set based on the price of similar homes sold in the area. Question 5: If the HUD Home needs repairs, will HUD make them? Answer: HUD Homes are sold "as-is," without warranty. That means that HUD will not pay to correct any problems. But even if a HUD Home needs fixing up - and not all of them do - it can be a real bargain! For example, HUD's asking price on the home will reflect the fact that the buyer will have to invest money to make improvements. HUD might offer special incentives such as an allowance to upgrade the property, a moving expense allowance, or a bonus for closing the sale early. And keep in mind that on most sales, the buyer can request HUD to pay all or a portion of the financing and closing costs. Your real estate agent will have details. We encourage you to get the home professionally inspected before you make an offer so you will know what repairs you may have to make BEFORE you submit your bid. Question 6: How do I buy a HUD home? Answer: Start by finding a participating real estate agent. Your real estate agent must submit your bid for you. Normally, HUD Homes are sold in an "Offer Period." At the end of the Offer Period, all offers are opened and, basically, the highest reasonable bid is accepted. If the home isn't sold in the initial Offer Period, you can submit a bid until the home is sold. Bids can be submitted any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. They will be opened the next business day. If your bid is acceptable to HUD, your real estate agent will be notified, usually within 48 hours. Question 7: If my bid is accepted, what happens next? Answer: Your real estate agent will help you through the paperwork process. You'll be given a settlement date, normally within 30-60 days, by which you need to arrange financing and close the sale, or forfeit your earnest money deposit, or pay for an extension of your sales contract. We have an excellent booklet to help you understand the settlement process: " Buying Your Home - Settlement Costs and Helpful Information . When you buy a HUD Home, the selling agent's commission will be paid by HUD but only if you make this a condition of your offer. The listing agent's commission is always paid by HUD. HUD will pay a total sales commission of up to 6%. Question 8: How can I find out what HUD Homes are for sale? Answer: Right here! We update our lists of HUD Homes for sale every day. If you see one that interests you, contact one of the real estate agents in your area who shows HUD homes. They can help you from there. Question 9: How can I get a loan to buy a HUD Home? Answer: HUD doesn't make loans directly. But we do have a number of mortgage insurance programs that could help you buy a home. You can read about those programs . Then contact a HUD approved lender , who will take you through the steps and actually make the loan. Question 10: Can I buy a HUD Home as an investment? Answer: Most HUD Homes are initially offered on a priority basis to owner occupant purchasers (people who are buying the home as their primary residence). Following the priority period, unsold properties are then available to all buyers, including investors. Question 11: Is there anything else I should know about HUD Homes? Answer: We encourage every homebuyer and homeowner to be a wise consumer, so be sure to read our consumer information . Houses built before 1978 may have lead-based paint , which can cause harm to your family; so be sure to read about this hazard and about what you would need to do to correct it. Teachers and law enforcement officers qualify for 50% discounts in certain situations. Attention: Nonprofits and Government Agencies! HUD has a special sales program under which approved nonprofit organizations and government agencies may purchase properties at discounted prices for use in local housing or homeless programs. Content updated March 16, 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

Real Estate Broker

Plaza Real Estate - Wichita Real Estate Agency -- QUICK LINKS Agent Login Virtual Tours Area Info Transaction Mgmt Careers Home -- Language Services Español Dutch Hindi, Pungab, Siraiki, Urdu Hindi, Gujarati Home Owner Services Overview Schools Relocation Area Info Utilities & Services Resources Learn The Lingo Buying A Home The Mortgage Process Financial Services Overview Mortgage Services Title Services Closing Services Calculator Interest Rates Resources About Us Mission Statement Company Profile Our Team Our Locations Corporate/East Office West Office South/Derby Office Commercial Office Plaza New Homes Plaza/Astle Realty Hutchinson Contact Us News/Events What's New Press Releases Sign up for eNews -- MLS#: Go! Street Name: Go! Welcome to the premiere Wichita Real Estate Agency, Plaza Real Estate, Inc. Welcome to the home of Plaza Real Estate, Inc., the premiere Wichita Real Estate Agency. Whether you are buying or selling residential or commercial real estate, Plaza Real Estate, Inc. is here to serve all of your Wichita Real Estate needs. Plaza Real Estate, Inc. is one of the first Wichita Real Estate Agencies to feature in-house title and mortgage services for a complete real estate experience. Our website furthers this one-stop shop service and is full of features to assist you. If you are considering buying a home, browse Wichita Real Estate listings using our home search feature or search for a Wichita Real Estate agent who will work hard to help you find what you are looking for. You can even research financing at our financial services page or take virtual tours of homes throughout Wichita and surrounding areas. If you are considering -- selling your home, Plaza Real Estate, Inc. has over 130 sales associates , any of whom will help ensure the sale of your home for the best possible price, and in the most efficient way. Or, you may be curious how much your home is worth. We'll provide you with a free home value estimate customized to the Real Estate Market in Wichita . Plaza Real Estate, Inc. | Corporate HQ (316) 686-7121 | + site design md

real estate loan fraud

Inman Real Estate News - Loss from real estate loan fraud soars to $1 billion FBI launches mortgage fraud-fighting initiative Loss+from+real+estate+loan+fraud+soars+to+%241+billion FBI+launches+mortgage+fraud-fighting+initiative %3ca+href%3d'http%3a%2f%2fwww.inman.com'+target%3d'_blank'%3eInman+News%3c%2fa%3e 2005-12-16T00%3a00%3a00.0000000-08%3a00 49246 HOME | NEWS | JOIN | PRODUCTS | CONFERENCES | ADVERTISE | ADVICE | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | SUBMIT A TIP Member Resources Members Home Search Inman News Content Warehouse Cartoon Database Weekly Newsletter Special Reports Audio Files Inman Blog Feedback Connect Registration Audio Conference LETTERS TO THE EDITOR There's no denying real estate bubble Re: ' Worst-case scenario for housing next year ' (Dec. 28) Dear Editor: I have been a real estate investor since I was 19. I am now 54. To deny a real estate bubble is to ignore the obvious market fundamentals. Obviously, there are different factors in different markets, but as a longtime investor/Realtor/broker there is no logical argument against real estate prices declining 10 percent to 30 percent in the "hot markets." The South Florida condo market will be a blood bath. The median income cannot buy the median house in most markets; interest rates will continue creeping up; speculators have driven prices to insane levels and when the going gets rough they will walk from a lot of residential properties. Most "hot" areas are becoming alarmingly overbuilt with residential inventories rising; lenders have ticking time bombs in their ARMs, negative equity and interest-only mortgages. Do your homework. Be wary of those whose opinions are tainted by the fact that they or their company have a stake in this insane market continuing. Michael H. Mosieur Mosieur Business Brokers Re: ' America closes doors to architectural expression ' (Dec. 26) Dear Editor: This is one of the most insightful articles I've read in a long time. We might add, "And what are we doing to our children as we worship at the altar of the mundane?" Years ago I read that about 1,000 children were tested for creativity just prior to entering kindergarten. Eighty-five percent of the children tested "creative." Twelve years later the same group was tested, and only 35 percent of the students tested "creative." What happened to the children along the scholastic way, and does the country even care? Where's the outcry? Isn't the creativity of our generations one of our most precious resources? It's been said that we're only one generation away from losing our freedom. Could it be that with escalating offshore competition in view, and stultifying U.S. scholastic models utilized, that the above advisory could also apply to our economic freedom? A. Bruce Belfield III Associate real estate broker Hurricane, W.V. FREE website content! Make Inman.com your homepage Get the Inman News Toolbar Link to Inman News Consumer News Commercial News Real Estate Articles from Inman News Already a Member? Log in below to view full story: User ID: Password: Lost Password? Loss from real estate loan fraud soars to $1 billion FBI launches mortgage fraud-fighting initiative Friday, December 16, 2005 Inman News To read this article, become a Member of Inman News now! JOIN NOW TO BECOME AN INMAN MEMBER 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Group discounts available First Name: Last Name: E-mail: User Name: Call 1.800.775.4662 x128 8am - 5pm Pacific Time to order by phone or to get a discount group membership for your company or colleagues. View News Article Sample Hear Sample View Newsletter Sample Connect Info View Audio Conference Schedule Back Top © 2005 Inman News Home | Privacy | Editorial | Legal | Site Map