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Nanaimo Real Estate | Nanaimo Real Estate Agents Nanaimo Real Estate Nanaimo real estate is one of the fastest growing enterprises on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo's prospects are exceptional, partly because of its frontier status as a portal to the massive recreational market of Vancouver Island. While the demand for real estate in Nanaimo is maintained by this gateway status, it is bolstered further by the steady increase in ecotourism. International visitors by the millions will continue to be drawn by the incredible power of the west coast beaches, the serene beauty of the Georgia Strait archipelagoes, and some of the remaining stands of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest. But Nanaimo's charm isn't just in its environmental context. The city itself is a thriving multiculural hub that fills in the corners of contemporary life. You'll find everything here, from avant-garde art societies to adventure games and a floating pub. Further discussion of Nanaimo real estate can be found on our Nanaimo chat forum . Join the conversation! Nanaimo Real Estate Agents The city's development has been marked by unprecedented booms, always straining at the seams and threatening to burst somehow, but Nanaimo real estate agents haven't cracked. A resilient west coast lot, they have a reputation for being laidback and candid. Attention, motivated Nanaimo real estate agents! There's still time to capture the targeted, high-traffic advertising space on this page and our Nanaimo realtors page. You must recognize the advantage of capturing internet searches in your quest for leads. If you are interested, email seogerry@seo-guy.com . Nanaimo, British Columbia MLS Listings If you would like to search the MLS Listings from anywhere in Canada, all you need to do is go to www.mls.ca . From there, you can find all the home listings in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas. We are eager to support the promotion of Nanaimo real estate becausewe are so proud of our peaceful lifestyle, refreshed by an artsyunderside but reinforced by sound economic conservatism. Nanaimo realestate prices are modest and growing, making a lifestyle in Nanaimoboth secure and profitable. Come and visit us, and you'll find that apart of you has always longed to settle into Nanaimo real estate. Nanaimo Real Estate : Nanaimo Homes : Nanaimo Realtor Thank you for visiting our Nanaimo Real Estate page The Nanaimo Real Estate staff Nanaimo Real Estate Nanaimo Realtors Nanaimo Homes Remax Nanaimo Coast Realty Nanaimo Real Estate Resources Nanaimo Home Rentals Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Nanaimo Luxury Homes New Developments Nanaimo Condos and Lofts Nanaimo Accommodations Nanaimo Restaurants Nanaimo Theaters Nanaimo Parks Nanaimo Hikes Things to do in Nanaimo Nanaimo Newspapers Nanaimo Golf Courses Nanaimo Landscaping Nanaimo Automotive Nanaimo Computer Services Nanaimo Employment Contact Us Quick Contact Name Email Comment Real Estate Web Design 2005 Nanaimo Information. Nanaimo Information Forum - Nanaimo Sitemap
DENVER REAL ESTATE |
Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver Colorado real estatelistings, home buying, selling and relocation information -NUMBER1EXPERT(tm) Highlands Ranch real estate, Littleton real estate, and Denver realestate and homes for sale in Douglas County Colorado - Wayne Herman,REALTOR® - NUMBER1EXPERT Pop-Up Window" WIDTH="89" HEIGHT="14" All agents are NOT alike! Find out why! Call me direct at 303-850-1866, or on my cell phone at 720-271-0790. Buyers Want Your Home for as Little as Possible. Are you thinking of selling your home? You should know exactly what it's worth before making such an important decision. Find Out More > View All Offers > "He puts his energy into it 100%" "... a hands-on guy who will make it work for his clients" Mrs. Lee T. Johnson,Aurora Read Quote > View All Quotes > Compare three mortgages at one time. Download TripleCalc now. It's free. Find Out More > Download Now > Wayne Herman is one of The Top Selling Real Estate Experts Find Out More > Welcome! This is your ONE-STOP site for information about Denver area Real Estate and Relocation! The Internet and Real Estate have finally come together to help YOU. You may have already been to dozens of Real Estate websites. THIS IS THE LAST ONE YOU'LL EVER NEED TO VISIT! If you're looking for homes for sale in Highlands Ranch or homes for sale in Littleton and other communities in the southern counties of Metro Denver, you're in the right place. Here's why! Information on EVERY HOME LISTED IN THE DENVER METROPOLITAN AREA is now available right here... on WayneHerman.com. Just click on the "Find Homes" button above and go to "Search All Local Listings." The Internet has changed the way Real Estate professionals do business. What used to be "secret" information prior to beginning a transaction is now available to YOU online... if you know where to find it. In the past, information about listings, mortgages, home inspections, sales trends and relocation packages was held tightly by Realtors. No more! Now YOU know where to find all this information and much more. Right here at WayneHerman.com. Fortunately, for you, the Internet will never replace the need for professionals during what has become a more complex Real Estate transaction. A few clicks will not replace knowledge when it comes to the transaction itself. So, what does all this mean to you? It means that a lot of information is available to you before you ever have to call a Real Estate Broker. When you're ready, I'll be here to answer your questions and guide you through your sale or purchase, or both... and far beyond, too. My business philosophy is "relationship" oriented. That means that when I gain your trust as a client, I want your business forever. I describe my job as "helping people make a major decision they must make - when they're ready to make it." Please, sit back and relax! Enjoy WayneHerman.com in the privacy of your home or office. When you have questions, I'm just an email or phone call away. Wayne Herman "A model of how the Internet can facilitate the process of deciding where to send your children to school" - America's Best School Profiles by The Heritage Foundation Colorado Public, Private and Charter Schools : Compare them using these top-rated, comprehensive reports. Schools in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver Financing Your Home When Interest Rates Rise Many people fall out of the home buying market when interest rates start to go up. This is often a mistake. Many of the best mortgages deals become available when lenders are competing for new business and sellers are competing within a smaller buyer pool. You just have to know how to keep the costs down in order to counter the higher interest rates. One of the best tricks is the buy-down. In a buy-down, a fee is paid at the closing to get a lower interest rate. In a soft market, an anxious seller may be lured into to paying all or part of the buy-down. Another approach is to get the seller to pay some of closing costs, thus lowering the amount of cash a buyer needs to close. Frequently the seller's costs can be used as a write-off by the buyer. Always consult with your tax advisor if you are considering such an arrangement. If the market is softening due to rising or higher rates, the price itself becomes an area where a buyer may be able to save a lot of money on a house through skillful negotiating. Lower prices mean lower loan amounts, so don't be discouraged by higher rates--use them to your advantage. See All Tips In The "Financing Your Home" Category > See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories > Q What has been described as the world's most beautiful building? A The white marble Taj Mahal in India was built by the Mogul emperor Shah Jahan (1631-53) to enshrine his favorite wife. See More Real Estate Trivia > Se hablaEspañol FEATURED PROPERTY Lone Tree Executive home! Beautiful Executive Home with Grand Entry in Lone Tree! Location: 7866 Witney Place Price: $739,900 VIEW THIS PROPERTY VIEW ALL PROPERTIES See the Nation's Top Rated: School Reports - Public, Private & Charter > Get My Latest Listings Before Anyone Else! As soon as I list another home for sale, I'll email you. You'll know first. Name: Email: Find Out More > America's Mortgage Working with a Certified Mortgage Lender means you receive the expertise and service of a dedicated professional. Find Out More > View All Affiliates > Get the Latest Real Estate News, Hot Off the Presses! If you are buying or selling a home, you need my eNewsletter. Name: Email: Why Sign Up? > Go To eNewsletter > See Today's News > Wayne Herman RE/MAX Alliance 10375 Park Meadows Drive, Suite 100 Lone Tree, CO 80124 Direct: 303-850-1866 Cell: 720-271-0790 Fax: 303-683-2696 WayneHerman@NUMBER1EXPERT.com Wayne is a Denver native whose family has been involved in Real Estate and Mortgage lending for over 30 years. Wayne first practiced his profession in California where he handled family investments. He then returned home to raise his family and serve the communities he knows best... Denver, Littleton and Highlands Ranch. www.WayneHerman.com is brought to you byWayne Herman NUMBER1EXPERT forHighlands Ranch CO real estate homes, Littleton CO real estate homes, and Denver CO real estate homes in Douglas County Colorado Read My Privacy Guarantee , Terms of Service ,and Free & Without Obligation Pledge Colorado Real Estate Agents - Homes - NUMBER1EXPERT Listings Some real estate agents outsell others 10 to 1. NUMBER1EXPERTS average a staggering 73 properties sold per year. How good is YOUR real estate agent? © Best Image Marketing and/or its clients. All rights reserved. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. JUMP TO: WELCOME DENVER REAL ESTATE | FIND DENVER HOMES | FOR DENVER BUYERS | FORDENVER SELLERS | LOCAL DENVER AREA INFO | DENVER REAL ESTATE RESOURCES | ABOUTWAYNE HERMAN DOUGLAS COUNTY REAL ESTATE AGENT WELCOME: DEVER HOMES AND REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Welcome: Home page for Denver, Highlands Ranch and Littleton reel estate. ABOUT WAYNEHERMAN: DENVER REAL ESTATE AGENT Who Am I?: Who is Wayne Herman of Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, Colorado? Testimonials: What Wayne Herman's clients are saying about this top Realtors real estate marketing Quick Response Guarantee: Wayne Herman guarantees a quick response to your email request for more Colorado home buying & property selling information Privacy Guarantee: Wayne Herman guarantees this Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver real estate web site will respect your privacy No Obligation Guarantee: Wayne Herman's real estate help by email is free & without obligation for Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver home owners in Colorado For Realtors: Let Wayne Herman help you with your professional real estate broker and agent needs in the Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver area About NUMBER1EXPERTS: NUMBER1EXPERTS are top real estate professionals, find out more Contact Information: How to contact Wayne Herman, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver real estate agent FIND HIGHLANDS RANCH, LITTLETON, ANDDENVER HOMES: Feature Denver Homes: Homes, properties, & other real estate in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver and Colorado with virtual tours, photos, and more Search All Local Denver Listings: Homes, properties, & other real estate in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver and Colorado with virtual tours, photos, and more National Listings Databases: Homes for sale in national American USA web site listings databases of properties Denver New Construction: New homes for sale, new construction and newly built properties and real estate subdivisions Unique & Luxury Homes: Home buyers, find luxury homes, real estate, beach front properties, mansions, & acreage/land for sale on these top national & international listings web sites International Properties: Find international homes for sale on these international/global real estate web sites from Canada, Europe, France, Germany, UK, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Asia, Africa, and beyond Search ALL the Experts' Homes: Search the best local homes for sale from all the real estate experts, agents, Realtors, and brokers HIGHLANDS RANCH, LITTLETON, ANDDENVER INFO: About Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver: Moving to Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, Colorado? Get info here... Relocating?: Free real estate information & relocation package if you're relocating to Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, CO School Information: Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver schools and the education system in Colorado: kindergarten, elementary, high schools, colleges & universities Local Maps & Links: Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver maps & local/Colorado web site links for news & media, TV stations, radio stations, daily Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver newspapers, transportation, airports & bus terminals, Colorado & local government, and more Local Weather: Weather in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, Colorado: spring, summer, winter, and fall climate changes Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver Photo Gallery: Tour Colorado in pictures DENVER REAL ESTATERESOURCES: Special Offers: Special offers for Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver homeowners from Wayne Herman, top Realtor Affiliates: Wayne Herman's real estate web site affiliates eNewsletter: Wayne Herman's Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver newsletter email will send you the latest real estate information Today's Denver Real Estate News: Daily real estate news for this neighborhood, Colorado, and United States Denver Market Conditions Report: Market conditions report for this area, Colorado, and United States Monthly Payments & Schedule: Monthly loan payments java mortgage calculator How Much Can You Afford?: Calculate how much home you can afford with this financial calculator Determine Tax Savings: Calculate how much your monthly Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver Colorado mortgage payments save you on your taxes because of loan interest Should You Rent or Buy a Denver home?: Is it better to rent a home in Colorado or buy your own Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver house, ranch, luxury property, condominium, acreage, or other real estate? Denver Adjustable Rate Mortgages: Adjustable rate Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver mortgages information and interest rate java calculator What Is Your APR?: Determine the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for your mortgage. Fixed or Adjustable Rate Mortgage?: Use this calculator to compare a fixed rate mortgage to two types of ARMs, a Fully Amortizing ARM and an Interest Only ARM. Are Balloon Mortgages For You?: Balloon mortgage calculator. A balloon mortgage can be an excellent option for many home buyers. 15 vs. 30 Yr Mortgages: With a 15 year mortgage you will pay significantly less interest, but only if you can afford the higher monthly payment. Use this calculator to compare these two mortgage terms. How Much Should Your Income Be?: What income is required to qualify for a mortgage? Use this calculator to find out. What's Your Maximum Mortgage?: This calculator will help you determine your maximum monthly housing payment and the resulting mortgage amount. Will Buying Points Save You Money?: This calculator helps you determine if you should pay for points, or use the money to increase your down payment. Experts: Real estate, homes for sale, and other properties: links in Colorado, United States and Canada TripleCalc: FREE Software Download: TripleCalc lets you compare three loans at one time for your property or other Colorado real estate Top National Real Estate Web Sites: Real Estate Web Sites that include some unique sources of realty information, listings, and more Direct Links: Direct real estate links to web sites mentioned in this Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, Colorado site Ask Anything: Ask Wayne Herman anything real estate NUMBER1EXPERTS: List of all the NUMBER1EXPERT real estate agents and realty professionals and brokers in the USA and Canada with links to their personal web sites with homes for sale Real Estate Tips: Wayne Herman's realty library of real estate tips and advice on everything from preparing your home for sale to negotiating with home buyers to escrow, closing costs, property inspections, and mortgage brokers Real Estate Trivia: Wayne Herman's collection of real estate trivia questions and answers that include real estate topics such as the most expensive home, largest swimming pool, and more Real Estate Dictionary: Complete real estate dictionary and glossary of realty words you'll use when you list and sell your Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver property in Colorado, including legal terms definitions, and more FOR DENVER HOMEBUYERS: Why Buyers Choose Me: Why homebuyers in the Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver area choose Wayne Herman as their Realtor Latest Denver Listings: Get Wayne Herman's latest Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver listings of homes for sale first! Find Your Perfect Denver Home: Wayne Herman will search for your ideal home and email you the newest Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver MLS listings of properties First Time Denver Homebuyers: Are you a first time homebuyer in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, CO? As a top Realtor, Wayne Herman can guide your home buying search Denver Mortgage Prequalification: Pre-qualify for a mortgage or loan for your Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver house or other real estate or property FOR DENVER HOMESELLERS: Why Sellers Choose Wayne Herman: Why home sellers in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver choose Wayne Herman Free Presentation: Free in-home listings presentation on marketing your Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, Colorado property Denver Property Valuation: How much is your Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver home worth? What Did That Denver Home Sell For?: What did that Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver, Colorado property or other real estate sell for? Denver real estate FSBO: Selling your Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Denver real estate on your own? Return to Top >
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Insider.com The Insider's Guide to the Internet Visit our Other Sites | Auto Insurance.com | Getaway.com Travel | Free Hosting & Forums | Laptops.com | 121Chat.com | Related Links Land Loan Bathroom Vanity Kitchen Remodeling Vinyl Siding Waterproofing Home Builder Pet Memorial Bathroom Cabinet Amerock New Home Builder Bathroom Remodeling Garage Switchplates Headstones Siding Switch Plate Lift Master Rustic Lighting Ceiling House Siding Sponsored Results for Land Loan: Land Loan Specialist in CA and NV Union Home Loan, Inc. lends for single family, commercial, developer lots, raw land, unimproved and improved property of all types and land purchases. It's easy to qualify. www.unionhomeloan.com Found Your Dream Lot? You've found the perfect location to build your dream home. Now you need the perfect land loan. With a lot loan from IndyMac Bank, you choose the program that's right for you. hcl.indymacbank.com West Coast Hard Money Expert: Land Loans Union Land Loan Center arranges loans for all types of land whether residential, commercial, or industrial. Hard money loans available from $20,000 to $3,000,000. Apply online today. www.unionlandloans.com Land Loans - Hard Money Hard money for land and commercial real estate. No upfront fees. $150,000 minimum. No houses or construction loans. www.hardmoney.cc Land Loan Quotes Get land and construction loan offers. Simple land lot loans application. Get competing rates. www.land-loans.net Land Loans at Lending Universe At Lending Universe, your land loan request will be seen by 10,000 brokers, qualified lenders and private investors. Get multiple bids for your loan request. Sign Up Free. www.lendinguniverse.com Resource for Land Loans If you have land we have a loan. Apply online and we can provide you a land loan. www.everysinglemortgage.com Next Page>> INVADER | CATWOMAN | COMIC | MANGA | MARVEL COMIC | Email - | - Terms/About
Home Mortgage Insurance U.S.
FCIC: The Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- Guide To Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Housing Office of Single Family Housing www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov Revised February 2005 Becoming a Homeowner Many people in the United States dream of owning their own homes,but few are able to pay cash for them. Many individuals and families whocould not otherwise afford to own a home become homeowners with thehelp of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance programs. FHA is a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) . One of the chief purposes of FHA is to help people obtain financing to buy their homes. This booklet can help homebuyers understand how they can make use of FHA mortgage insurance programs. It explains: How FHA mortgage insurance works Who can get FHA mortgage insurance How to shop for a HUD-approved lender How to apply for an FHA-insured mortgage loan What restrictions apply to FHA-insured mortgage loans Buying a home is the biggest single purchase that most people will make in their lifetimes. Most people borrow money through a mortgage loan to buy a home. Some people reduce the amount of money they borrow by making a large downpayment on the loan to buy a home. Persons who do not have money for a large downpayment may need the help of an FHA-insured mortgage to get a loan. MortgageA legal document that promises a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt. Here is more information about mortgage loans. DownpaymentThe part of the purchase price that a buyer pays in cash and is not included in the mortgage. How FHA Mortgage Insurance Works FHAs mortgage insurance programs help low- and moderate-incomeindividuals and families obtain financing to buy homes or refinance theircurrent mortgages. FHA mortgage insuranceallows a homebuyer to make a low downpaymentand get a mortgage loan for the balance ofthe purchase price. The mortgage loan is made by a HUDapproved lender, such as a bank, mortgage company, or credit union. FHA insures the mortgage and pays the lender if the homebuyer defaults on the loan, or fails to repay the loan. FHA/HUD does not make direct loans to people who want to buy, build, or refinance homes. Who Can Get FHA Mortgage Insurance If you are buying a home, refinancing a mortgage for a home youalready own, or making home improvements, you may qualify for anFHA-insured mortgage. In fact, almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured mortgage. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level required, although individual mortgage amounts are limited by law. Generally, homebuyers must live in the home in order to get an FHA-insured mortgage loan. The program is not open to investors. To find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you, call the HUD housing counseling and referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov . To find a HUD-approved lender , search online at www.hud.gov . You can also find lending institutions in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under the heading Mortgages. To find out if you qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage loan, youshould visit a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or a HUD-approved lender , such as a bank, credit union, or mortgage company. The housing counselor or lender will look at certain information about your income and spending to determine if you qualify. Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. How FHA Mortgage Insurance Can Help You Whether you are buying a home, making home improvements, or refinancingyour current mortgage, you should work with a HUD-approvedlendersuch as a bank, a mortgage company, or a credit unionto applyfor a mortgage loan.Once your loan isapproved, FHA willinsure the loan and paythe lender if you defaulton the mortgage.Because the lender isprotected by this insurance,the lender cangive you better termson your loan. A lower downpayment Some lenders require borrowers to pay 10 percent or more of the price of a home in cash as a downpayment. With FHA-insured mortgages, your downpayment can be as low as 3 percent. The lender will likely require you to prove that you have enough money for the loan downpayment. Use of cash gifts toward downpayment With an FHA-insured mortgage, under certain circumstances you can use a gift from a relative, a local nonprofit organization, or a government agency for all or part of the downpayment and closing costs. The Kinds of Homes Covered by FHA Mortgage Insurance FHA-insured mortgages are available in urban and rural areas for: Single family houses Houses with two, three, or four units Condominium units Houses needing rehabilitation In addition, FHA-insured mortgages are available for reverse mortgages for seniors, called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage . To make sure that its programs serve low- and moderate-income people, FHA sets upper limits on the dollar value of the mortgage loan. These limits change every year and vary by city and state. Check with a local lender or look online on HUDs website, www.hud.gov . Shopping for an FHA-Insured Loan Since buying a home is one of the most important purchases you willmake in your lifetime, HUD recommends you visit a HUD-approved housing counseling agency where a counselor can help you compare loansand give you homebuying tips. You can find counseling agencies by callingthe HUD housing counseling and referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visiting the HUD website at www.hud.gov . You can also findHUD-approved lenders on the HUD website. Your house hunting and homebuying experience can be easier when you become pre-qualified for a loan. To become pre-qualified, you will complete a pre-qualification loan application. When a lender pre-qualifies you, the lender tells you the maximum amount of money you can borrow to buy a home. With that information, you can spend your time looking at homes that you can afford rather than ones that are too expensive. Some lenders may charge a fee for pre-qualification, so you should ask about fees and compare two or more lenders. You should shop for an FHA-insured mortgage loan the same way you shop for any high-cost itemcompare prices and features. The cost of getting a mortgage can vary from one lender to another, so compare these features when you are comparing lenders: Interest rate Discount points Closing costs and other fees Annual percentage rate FHA/HUD does not set the amounts for the above factors. You can negotiate with the lender and come to agreement on the interest rate, points, and most processing fees. Interest Rate You can negotiate with your lender on the interest rate that you will pay for your mortgage. Interest rates fluctuate daily, depending on conditions in the mortgage market. FHA recommends that you check with several mortgage lenders to make sure you get the best interest rate available. Discount Points Lenders can charge you discount points when the interest rate is lower than the yield required by investors who buy mortgage securities. A discount point is $1 for every $100 of the mortgage loan amount. The number of points charged varies in different places at different times and among different lenders. Discount points for an FHA-insured mortgage may be paid by you as the homebuyer, by the homebuilder, or by the person selling the house. Closing Costs and Prepaid Items When your loan is finalized, you will have to pay closing costs. Closing costs are costs in addition to the price of the property that are paid when you close your loan to cover the transfer of ownership. A mortgage loan is made up of two parts: principal and inter- est. Principal is the amount of money borrowed to buy your home. Interest is the amount paid for the privilege of borrowing the money and paying it back later, usually over 30 years. When the borrower pays the mortgage each month, some of the amount goes toward paying the principal and some toward interest. Equity is an owner's financial interest in a property. It is the difference between the amount still owed on the mortgage loan and the fair market value of the property. Closing costs are generally made up of thefollowing: Closing agents or attorney fees Interest paid from date of closing through the end of the month of closing Loan origination fee to cover lender administrative costs Credit report fees Appraisal fees Recording fees Survey fee First mortgage insurance premium Title insurance (yours and your lenders) Certain of these closing costs, as well as certain of the prepaid items listed below, may be paid by the seller, or shared between the borrower and the seller, depending on the terms of the sales contract. Prepaids are advance payments (property taxes, first annual premium for homeowners insurance, etc.) made at closing by the borrower that may be placed in an escrow account and used by the lender to pay these bills as they become due. The property tax you will pay is the amount that the state or locality, or both, assesses as a tax on your piece of property based on the value. While the property taxes due at closing are usually covered in your prepaids, your mortgage payment will also include an amount to pay future taxes as assessed by your state or locality. These tax rates vary by area and typically increase over time. Homeowners insurance combines hazard insurance and lia- bility insurance. Hazard insurance covers property damage caused by fire, wind, storms, and other similar events. Coverage for earthquakes and floods may or may not be included with hazard insurance, and you should check with your insurance carrier to determine if this is included in your policy. Liability insurance coverage protects you against claims alleging negligence or inappropriate action resulting in bodily injury or property damage. Annual Percentage Rate The Truth in Lending Act requires the lender to tell you the annualpercentage rate (APR) charged on your home mortgage. The annual percentagerate is calculated by adding the interest rate, the discount points,the initial service charge, the premium paid to insure the mortgage, andcertain other charges collected by the lender. The APR is not the sameas the mortgage loan interest rate. The Cost of FHA Mortgage Insurance When you get a mortgage loan insured by FHA, you have to pay an up-front insurance premium, which can be included in the loan you get through a lender. You will also have to pay a monthly insurance premium that is added to the regular mortgage payment. FHA uses the premiums to pay the lender if you default on your mortgage. The Importance of Getting a Home Inspection Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you should be sure that the home you want to buy is in good condition. A home inspection is an evaluation of a homes condition by a trained expert. During a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth and impartial look at the property you plan to buy. The inspector will: Evaluate the physical condition: the structure, construction, and mechanical systems. Identify items that should be repaired or replaced. Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure, and finishes. After the inspection is complete, you will receive a written report of the findings from the home inspector, usually within five to seven days. FHA does not guarantee the value or condition of your future home, and FHA does not perform home inspections. If you find problems with your new home after closing, FHA cannot give or lend you money for repairs, nor can it buy the home back from you. Thats why it is so important for you, the buyer, to get an independenthome inspection. You should remember that an inspection is differentfrom an appraisal, which also will be performed as part of the mortgageprocess. Ask a qualified home inspector to thoroughly examine the physicalcondition of your future home and give you the information you needto make a wise decision. Information Resources You may want more information for yourself, your family, or others.The following services are available to help you. Internet www.hud.gov or espanol.hud.gov HUDs website contains comprehensive information about homebuying, homeownership, selling a home, making home improvements, and other housing-related topicsin English and Spanish. HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency Locator HUD supports a network of approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling services across the nation. For a complete list of HUDapproved agencies in your area, call the HUD housing counseling referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov. HUD-Approved Lenders A searchable database of HUD-approved lenders, including banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions, is available on the HUD website at www.hud.gov. HUD Customer Service Center 1-800-767-7468 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) https://webapps1.hud.gov/dds/ Most of the information products developed by HUD are available from HUDs Customer Service Center by calling toll-free 1-800-767-7468 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST. Written requests should be addressed to: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Customer Service Center Room B-100 451 Seventh Street, SW Washington, DC 20410 You may fax requests to (202) 708-2313. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --