home equity loan or

FRB: Putting Your Home on the Loan Line Is Risky Business ESPAÑOL Are you in need of cash? Do you want to consolidate your debts? Are you receiving home equity loan or refinancing offers that seem too good to be true? Does your home need repairs that contractors tell you can be easily financed? If you are a homeowner who needs money to pay bills or for home repairs, you may think a home equity loan is the answer. But not all loans and lenders are the same--you should shop around. The cost of doing business with high-cost lenders can be excessive and, sometimes, downright abusive. For example, certain lenders--often called "predatory lenders"--target homeowners who have low incomes or credit problems or who are elderly by deceiving them about loan terms or giving them loans they cannot afford to repay. Borrowing from an unscrupulous lender, especially one who offers you a high-cost loan using your home as security, is risky business. You could lose your home and your money. Before you sign on the line, Think about your options Do your homework Think twice before you sign Know that you have rights under the law Think about Your Options If you’re having money problems, consider these options before you put your home on the loan line. Talk with your creditors or with representatives of non-profit or other reputable credit or budget counseling organizations to work out a plan that reduces your bill payments to a more manageable level. Contact your local social service agency, community or religious groups, and local or state housing agencies. They may have programs that help consumers, including the elderly and those with disabilities, with energy bills, home repairs, or other emergency needs. Contact a local housing counseling agency to discuss your needs. Call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development toll-free at 800-569-4287 or visit www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm to find a center near you. Talk with someone other than the lender or broker offering the loan who is knowledgeable and you trust before making any decisions. Remember, if you decide to get a home equity loan and can’t make the payments, the lender could foreclose and you would lose your home. If you decide a loan is right for you, talk with several lenders, including at least one bank, savings and loan, or credit union in your community. Their loans may cost less than loans from finance companies. And don’t assume that if you’re on a fixed income or have credit problems, you won’t qualify for a loan from a bank, savings and loan, or credit union--they may have the loan you want! Do Your Homework Contact several lenders--and be very careful about dealing with a lender who just appears at your door, calls you, or sends you mail. Ask friends and family for recommendations of lenders. Talk with banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and other lenders. If you choose to use a mortgage broker, remember they arrange loans but most do not lend directly. Compare their offers with those of other direct lenders. Be wary of home repair contractors that offer to arrange financing. You should still talk with other lenders to make sure you get the best deal. You may want to have the loan proceeds sent directly to you, not the contractor. Comparison shop. Comparing loan plans can help you get a better deal. Whether you begin your shopping by reading ads in your local newspapers, searching on the Internet, or looking in the phone book, ask lenders to explain the best loan plans they have for you. Beware of loan terms and conditions that may mean higher costs for you. Get answers to these questions and use the worksheet to compare loan plans: Interest Rate and Payments What are the monthly payments? Ask yourself if you can afford them. What is the annual percentage rate (APR) on the loan? The APR is the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate. You can use the APR to compare one loan with another. Will the interest rate change during the life of the loan? If so, when, how often, and by how much? Term of Loan How many years will you have to repay the loan? Is this a loan or a line of credit? A loan is for a fixed amount of money for a specific period of time; a line of credit is an amount of money you can draw as you need it. Is there a balloon payment--a large single payment at the end of the loan term after a series of low monthly payments? When the balloon payment is due, you must pay the entire amount. Points and Fees What will you have to pay in points and fees? One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount (1 point on a $10,000 loan is $100). Generally, the higher the points, the lower the interest rate. If points and fees are more than 5 percent of the loan amount, ask why. Traditional financial institutions normally charge between 1 and 3 percent of the loan amount in points and fees. Are any of the application fees refundable if you don’t get the loan? How and how much will the the lender or broker be paid? Lenders and brokers may charge points or fees that you must pay at closing or add on to the cost of your loan, or both. Penalties What is the penalty for late or missed payments? What is the penalty if you pay off or refinance the loan early (that is, is there a pre-payment penalty)? Credit Insurance Does the loan package include optional credit insurance, such as credit life, disability, or unemployment insurance? Depending on the type of policy, credit insurance can cover some or all of your payments if you can't make them. Understand that you don’t have to buy optional credit insurance--that’s why it’s called “optional.” Don’t buy insurance you don’t need. Credit insurance may be a bad deal for you, especially if the premiums are collected up-front at the closing and financed as part of the loan. If you want optional credit insurance, ask if you can pay for it on a monthly basis after the loan is approved and closed. With monthly insurance premiums, you don't pay interest and you can decide to cancel if the premiums are too high or if you believe you no longer want the insurance. After you have answers to these questions, start negotiating with more than one lender. Don’t be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete for your business by letting them know you are shopping for the best deal. Ask each lender to lower the points, fees, or interest rate. And ask each to meet--or beat--the terms of the other lenders. Once You’ve Selected a Lender, Get the Following A “Good Faith Estimate” of all loan charges. The estimate must be sent within 3 days of applying. Blank copies of the forms you’ll sign at closing, when the loan is final. Study them. If you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation. Advance copies of the forms you’ll sign at closing with the terms filled in. A week or two before closing, contact the lender to find out if there have been any changes in the Good Faith Estimate. By law, you can inspect the final settlement statement (also called the HUD-1 or HUD-1A form) one day prior to closing. Study these forms. Write down any questions you want to ask. Think Twice before You Sign Have a knowledgeable friend, relative, attorney, or housing counselor review the Good Faith Estimate and other loan papers before you sign the loan contract. Be sure the terms are the same ones you agreed to. For example, a lender should not promise one APR and then--without good reason--increase it at closing. Refer to the list of questions you’ve written down. Ask where these terms are covered in the loan contract. And ask for an explanation of any dollar amount or term you don’t understand. Don’t let anyone rush you into signing the loan contract. Make sure all promises, oral and otherwise, are put in writing. It’s only what’s in writing that counts. Get a copy of the documents you signed before you leave the closing. Don’t Sign on the Dotted Line if the Lender … Tells you to falsify information on the loan application (for example, suggests that you write down more income than you really have). Pressures you into applying for a loan for more money than you need, or one that has monthly payments larger than you can afford. Promises one set of terms but gives you another with no good reason for the change. Tells you to sign blank forms or forms that aren't completely filled in. If an item is supposed to be blank, draw a line through the space and initial it. Pressures you to sign today. A good deal today should be available tomorrow. Know that You Have Rights under the Law You Have 3 Business Days to Cancel the Loan If you're using your home as security for a home equity loan (or for a second mortgage loan or a line of credit), federal law gives you 3 business days after signing the loan papers to cancel the deal--for any reason--without penalty. You must cancel in writing. The lender must return any money you have paid to date. Do You Think You've Made a Mistake? Has the 3-day period during which you may cancel passed and you're worried that you've gotten in over your head? Do you think your loan fees were too high? Do you believe you were steered into monthly payments you can't afford? Has your lender repeatedly pressured you to refinance? Is your loan covered by insurance you don't need or want? If you think you've been taken advantage of, state and federal laws may protect you. Also, the following organizations may be able to help: Your local or state bar association--sometimes listed under "Lawyers Referral Service" in the Yellow Pages of your phone book. The association may be able to refer you to low-cost or no-cost lawyers who can help. Your local consumer protection agency, state attorney general’s office, or state office on aging, listed in the Blue Pages of your phone book. Your local fair housing group or affordable housing agency, housing counseling agency, or state housing agency. You can learn more about credit and home equity loans by visiting the federal government’s web site for consumers, www.consumer.gov (see the Home and Community section). If you don’t have access to the Internet, ask a friend or relative to get the information for you. Or visit your local library or senior center, which may offer you free access to the Internet on their computers. For More Information State Banks that Are Members of the Federal Reserve System Division of Consumer and Community Affairs Mail Stop 801 Federal Reserve Board Washington, DC 20551 (202) 452-3693 www.federalreserve.gov Federally Insured State Non-Member Banks and Savings Banks Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Consumer Response Center 2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 100 Kansas City, Missouri 64108 (877) 275-3342 www.fdic.gov National Banks and National Bank-Owned Mortgage Companies Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Customer Assistance Group 1301 McKinney Street Suite 3450 Houston, TX 77010 (800) 613-6743 www.occ.treas.gov Federally Insured Savings and Loan Institutions and Federally Chartered Savings Banks Office of Thrift Supervision Consumer Programs 1700 G Street, N.W., 6th Floor Washington, DC 20552 (800) 842-6929 www.ots.treas.gov Federal Credit Unions National Credit Union Administration Office of Public and Congressional Affairs 1775 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 518-6330 www.ncua.gov For state-chartered credit unions, contact your state's regulatory agency. Mortgage Companies and Other Lenders Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20580 (877) FTC-HELP (877-382-4357, toll free) www.ftc.gov Other Information Sources U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, NWB Washington, DC 20580 (202) 514-4713 www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/index.html Federal Housing Finance Board 1777 F Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 (202) 408-2500 www.fhfb.gov Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20410 800-669-9777 (voice) 800-927-9275 (TTY) www.hud.gov Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) 1700 G Street, N.W. 4th Floor Washington, DC 20552 (202) 414-6922 www.ofheo.gov Adobe acrobat version of text for printing (119 KB PDF) is formatted for printing on two sides of a 11 x 17" sheet of paper. Fold the paper in half. The PDF contains a fillable area on the back panel for you to provide your own contact information. Worksheet for printing (58 KB PDF) Obtaining the Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web Site This information was prepared by the following federal agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Justice, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Housing Finance Board, Federal Reserve Board, Federal Trade Commission, National Credit Union Administration, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision. Home | Brochures Accessibility | Contact us Last update: March 24, 2004

Texas landscapes of our

American Farmland Trust Texas region Texas Special Report Going, Going, Gone: The impact of land fragmentation on Texas agriculture and wildlife The Texas of legend, and of our memories, is a land of vast, wide open spaces. The reality, however, is that over the last 30 years, the average size of land ownership—the average acreage of land holdings—in Texas has been shrinking dramatically. A March, 2003 report from Texas Cooperative Extension of the Texas A&M University System and American Farmland Trust, entitled Texas Rural Lands: Trends and Conservation Implications for the 21st Century [ More ] , assesses the extent of land fragmentation in Texas and identifies predictors that warn of areas around the state most at risk for fragmentation. The report also examines how effective a purchase of development rights program may be in stemming the tide of land fragmentation in Texas. ( More information on PDR in Texas) Going, Going, Gone: The Impact of Land Fragmentation on Texas Agriculture and Wildlife summarizes some of the findings of that report, by discussing the effect of land fragmentation on our citizens, wildlife, farming, ranching and water supplies. This 12-page study also outlines recommendations made by American Farmland Trust with an eye toward conserving family lands and the Texas landscapes of our memory. To accommodate new landowners, the vast farms and famous Texas ranches are being rapidly splintered into smaller and smaller pieces. Each year since 1970, about 1,000 new farms and ranches have been established in Texas. At the same time, the total area devoted to agricultural uses declined by almost 3 million acres. That's 33,000 more farms and ranches on 3 million fewer acres. This process is part of a trend known as land fragmentation. ( Look at a map of Texas' most fragmented counties) Those new "ranchettes" are typically too small for traditional farming, ranching or forestry. But that's fine with most new landowners who have limited interest in working the land. Instead, they want a place where they can escape the crowds and noise of urban life. They want to do a little hunting, explore the countryside, own a few cattle and reconnect with the spirit of the old West. One recent survey of new landowners by the Texas A&M University's Real Estate Center found that 80 percent of buyers said that finding land for non-agricultural uses, like hunting, fishing and other recreation were "very important" motives for their purchase. Sadly, this rush to embrace the land may be ruining it. Thousands of new "ranchettes" are gobbling up open space and degrading wildlife habitat, while at the same time depleting and polluting scarce water resources. The most vivid examples of this phenomenon can be found in the more populous eastern half of the state and on the outskirts of just about any major city. From 1992 to 2001, over half a million acres of farm and ranchland in twenty-five Texas counties were converted to land uses other than agriculture. While this loss due to "urban sprawl" was primarily confined to the fringes of our major metropolitan areas, the fragmentation of agricultural lands into smaller ownerships has occurred in areas that have not been affected by urban sprawl. Fragmentation is starting to eat away at large ownerships even in areas such as the Trans Pecos and South Texas, which seem the very definition of "wide open spaces." This fragmentation is likely to continue in some of the most rural areas of the state where natural amenities such as recreation potential and scenic beauty are in high demand. Texas Rural Lands: Trends and Conservation Implications for the 21st Century examined the issue of land fragmentation and its impact on land uses across the state and found that this phenomenon is rapidly transforming Texas. The changes often go unnoticed by the average Texan, but those close to the land see the consequences. Things are changing. Follow the links below to view the rest of the report. Or download a PDF of the full report here . Look at the Texas Land Trends interactive report here . For more information on both reports, contact: Bob Wagner American Farmland Trust 1 Short Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-4593 Texas Regional home page AFT's Press Release on Going, Going, Gone Fragmentation study overview New Breed of Landowners Ranches and Wildlife Water Worries A PDR program for Texas Recommendations Charts and Graphs 1200 18th Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 info@farmland.org 202-331-7300 202-659-8339 (f) [ << AFT Home ]

Home Equity

Cash in your home - Equity release schemes from channel4.com/4Money E4 More4 FilmFour FourDocs TV Listings Site A-Z NEWS FILM HOMES LIFE ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY SCIENCE COMMUNITY SHOP SPORT CULTURE CARS MONEY VIDEO LEARNING HEALTH MUSIC GAMES Home On TV Compare & Buy Mortgages & Homebuying Smart Money Banking & Saving Borrowing & Spending Insurance Tax & Pensions Funny Money Forum Latest features Mortgages and homebuying features Special features Guide to renting & letting Homebuying guides Property buying Property selling Remortgage How much can I borrow Conveyancing What mortgage type Flexible mortgage Choose an interest rate type Decide a repayment method Cut your bills Gas & electricity Home phone Digital TV Mobile phone Broadband Top tools Mortgage calculator Overpayment calculator Stamp duty calculator Payments calculator Money jargon A-Z Compare and Buy 400 Loans 300 Credit Cards 7000 Mortgages 1000 Saving Accounts 300 Current Accounts Subject to Moneysupermarket .com Terms Money Books Latest personal finance books Share money tips Share your money tips Cash in your home - Equity release schemes next Older homeowners who struggle on the State Pension are also living in properties which have soared in value in recent years. Sarah Jagger looks at how you can unlock the value in your home. With the average house price in England and Wales now standing at £151,467, according to Halifax figures, people may be not be aware of the true value of their home. One of the simplest ways to release equity – the difference between what you owe on a mortgage and the value of your home - is to sell it and buy a smaller, cheaper property. This isn’t always practical or acceptable though. There are lenders who will advance mortgages to older customers, including the Norwich & Peterborough, Nationwide and Halifax. However, once people reach retirement they might find it difficult to keep up monthly payments, and could be worried about what would happen if one partner died. Equity release plans, also known as home reversion or home income plans or, increasingly, lifetime mortgages –are a way of unlocking this equity or wealth, whether to buy a new car, to pay for a holiday or home improvements, or simply to make day-to-day ends meet. These schemes essentially allow you to borrow money against the value of your home, with the debt being repaid from the sale proceeds after your death. Next: How equity release schemes work and the types available next About C4 | Jobs | Text Only | Access Advice | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy | Help | Online Ad Sales

FLORIDA REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

Sarasota Florida real estate golf & waterfront homes - Rich Stover Sarasota Florida real estate. Search here for Sarasota FL real estate on a golf course or the waterfront. SARASOTA FLORIDA REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL REALTOR® 2000 Webber Street, Sarasota, Florida 34239 Office: Home Ofc: Toll-Free: (941) 954-5454 (941) 951-6784 (800) 966-2334 Send Me An E-Mail Find your perfect Sarasota Florida real estate golf course or waterfront property in our paradise of warm water and top-rated golf courses. Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced investor, you will find useful Sarasota real estate information on choosing the "right" property, making an offer, negotiating, financing and everything involved in making an informed Sarasota real estate decision. I list and sell properties in all price ranges in the Sarasota FL real estate market including Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Bradenton. Every client, from the first-time buyer to the million dollar investor deserves respect and a dedicated professional. I'll go "that extra mile" to help you find the Sarasota Florida real estate property you will love. To search for Sarasota FL real estate properties on the waterfront or a golf course, you've come to the best Sarasota Florida real estate website. Search for Homes Visitors Guide to Sarasota Sarasota Golf Courses Meet Rich Stover Home Buyer and Seller Tips Real Estate Articles Consumer Info Rqst Free Info Home Page Site Map The Sarasota real estate information provided here is considered accurate and timely but not warranted. © 2001-2005 This website visited times since July, 2001 This website provides info on Sarasota Florida golf course and waterfront real estate properties, access to the Sarasota MLS database for Sarasota County, and extensive local information. Selecting a Sarasota Realtor® is an important decision. As a top RE/MAX Realtor®, Rich Stover is your best source of Sarasota Siesta Key and Bradenton real estate info. For all your Sarasota Florida real estate needs, call on and count on Rich Stover. Other Real Estate Resources Real Estate Resource Directory Real Estate Resources AL - AR Real Estate Resources - CA Real Estate Resources CO - DE Real Estate Resources FL - GA Real Estate Resources HI - MO Real Estate Resources MN - SC Real Estate Resources SD - WY Mortgage & International Real Estate Other Real Estate Resources REALS.COM Florida Real Estate Link Partners.com Real-Estate-Agents.com National Realtor® Directory Real Estate Link World AgentPreview - Real Estate Agents and Realtors InternetRealtyNetwork.com Epowered Professionals Real Estate Agents Directory Realtors® Indexed by State Designed by BerStan Web Creations

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosures Real Estate Website Directory [ Home ] [ Add a Website ] [ Modify a Website ] [ New ] [ Top Rated ] [ Email Updates ] [ Search ] Advanced search MAIN MENU TOP 100 SITES HOMES FOR SALE FOR REALTORS ADD YOUR WEBSITE JOIN THE TOP 100 LIST POST YOUR LISTINGS CONTACT SUPPORT ADVERTISING WEBMASTER Foreclosures Tips on buying a Foreclosure There are three types of foreclosure opportunities to look for. Pre-foreclosures, which are in the period before the foreclosure sale. Foreclosures, which exist when the property is taken back by the lender and sold at public sales. REOs, which exist when the lender ends up with the foreclosed property in it's own inventory after the public sale. How do I find the owners and borrowers? Pre-foreclosure Properties – You can approach the owner or borrower up until the time when the property actually is sold through foreclosure proceedings. If the owner or borrower isn’t living in the property, use one or more of these methods to hunt them down: * Don't be shy! KNOCK ON THE DOOR! - Simply be polite and see if you can gather information directly from the homeowner or renter. If you can get in the door you stand a much better chance of making an offer or finding out where the owner is. You are offering folks a way out of foreclosure -and possibly a more lenient approach than the bank might take to when they must vacate- if you buy the home. * By Mail – Send a letter to the owner/borrower at the property address or leave a letter for the owner/borrower at the property address (if you put it inside a mailbox, the USPS requires that you put a first-class stamp on it). In the letter, explain that you understand the property is going into foreclosure, and that you have some options so the owner/borrower can avoid credit problems, or possibly even retain ownership. * Use Public Records – If the owner/borrower doesn’t live in the property, check with the county courthouse. They’ll have the owner/borrower’s name on record. * Ask Neighbors – If the property is vacant, talk with neighbors to see if anyone knows how to reach the owner/borrower. Be sure to tell them you’ve got information to help the owner/borrower. * Open the Telephone Book – If you still can’t locate the owner/borrower, try calling people who have the same last name. You might happen upon a relative. Foreclosure Properties – You’ll find foreclosed properties at a public sales. The day, date, time and place is published in the newspaper. The usual location for foreclosure sales is at the county courthouse, and sometimes, they’re conducted on the courthouse steps. REOs – After the foreclosure proceedings, the lender may end up with the property if no one bids more than the lender’s bid, which is equal to the loan balance. At this point, the property is referred to as an REO or “real estate owned” (by the lender) property. REOs are great investment opportunities. REAL ESTATE NEWS CLICK HERE FOR REAL ESTATE NEWS MORTGAGE NEWS CLICK HERE FOR MORTGAGE NEWS MORTGAGE CALCULATOR Loan Amount Interest Rate (%) Term(Years) Starting: Mo.= January February March April May June July August September October November December Year= Amortization table No Yes Monthly Principal Prepayment Amount Annual Principal Prepayment Amount (Enter B here for Bi-weekly Loans) One-Time Prepayment Amount, to be paid before payment (month #) -- Powered by RealEstateAgencies.net