real estate agents Money

Feds probe real estate agents - Apr. 22, 2005 Web CNN/Money Buying & Selling Investment Property Home Improvement Million $ Life Financing Best Places SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY | Feds probe real estate agents Money magazine investigation shows Justice Dept. looking into anticompetitive practices. April 22, 2005: 5:27 PM EDT By Jon Birger, Money Magazine NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Did you pay your real estate broker too much? The U.S. Department of Justice may be set to turn Tulsa, Okla. into a test-case for ending the stranglehold 6 percent commissions have over the real estate brokerage business. MONEY has learned that Justice's Antitrust Division is gathering information on the bully tactics that full-commission brokers in Tulsa allegedly use against their discount rivals to discourage commission-cutting. The probe follows other recent efforts to spur competition in the real estate industry. According to a copy of a Justice Department subpoena obtained by MONEY, federal investigators are seeking information on "possible anticompetitive conduct in the provision of real estate services in the Tulsa area" as well as "documents related to refusal to cooperate on real estate transactions." An Antitrust Division spokeswoman confirmed the existence of the investigation but declined to provide additional details. Al Unser, executive director of the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors said: "We received a CID [civil investigative demand] from the Justice Dept. and we have responded." Economists who study real estate, such as the University of Cincinnati's Norm Miller, believe anti-competitive behavior is the primary explanation for the persistence of the 6 percent commission. J.D. Smith and Bob Meyer are two Tulsa discount real estate agents who say they were interviewed by federal investigators. They say the investigators wanted information on full-commission agents' alleged refusal to show home-buying clients properties listed by discount brokers -- a tactic known as boycotting. Boycotting exploits the one major weakness of the multiple listing service. The MLS's upside is that it centralizes all homes for sale in a single electronic marketplace that can be accessed by all agents -- and these days by Web-savvy consumers as well. The downside is that brokers must depend on one another to help sell their homes, and that discourages them from undercutting each other's commissions. While boycotting the listings of discounters is generally considered an antitrust violation -- if undisclosed, it's also a breach of fiduciary duty to clients -- industry insiders are well aware that boycotting goes on, even if they claim not to condone it. For Smith, the Feds' investigation comes a year or so too late. His realty business on the brink of ruin, Smith recently abandoned discount brokerage and went back to charging 6 percent. "In one week," Smith said, "I've had more showings and more offers from other realtors than I had in the previous two months." The Tulsa investigation is part of an ongoing Antitrust Division foray into the sharp-elbowed realty world. In March, the Antitrust Division sued the Kentucky Real Estate Commission over a state law that prohibits real estate brokers from offering commission rebates to consumers. More recently, Assistant Attorney General R. Hewitt Pate sent letters to lawmakers and regulators in Oklahoma and Texas, urging them to reject proposals that would effectively prohibit brokers from engaging in limited-service or fee-for-service realty -- such as listing a home for sale on the multiple listing service for a flat fee of $500. Bruce Hahn, chairman of the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance, argues that state prohibitions on rebates and fee-for-service discourage competition and inflate commissions paid by consumers. "We've talked to Justice, and we think what they're doing is tremendous," he said. E-mail Jon Birger at jbirger@moneymail.com. The Hot List Most profitable renovations How risky is your 401(k)? Big new tax credits for hybrid cars More Real Estate How to buy and build on rural land Most overvalued housing markets When booms go bust... contact us | magazine customer service | site map | glossary | RSS | press room OTHER NEWS: CNN | SI | Fortune | Business2.0 = Money subscribers = Premium content -- * - Time reflects local markets trading time. † - Intraday data is at least 15-minutes delayed. Disclaimer © 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms under which this service is provided to you. privacy policy Reprints of site stories are available. Top Stories Most overvalued housing markets Risks to the economy in 2006 Which was the worst ad of all in 2005? After the ride, a rest Hilton brands reunite after 40 years YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Real Estate Antitrust Division Corporate Governance Oklahoma or Create your own Manage alerts | What is this?

Home For Sale

Real Estate for Sale from Government Surplus & Foreclosures on FirstGov.gov Skip to Main Content Skip to Government Search Skip to Bottom Nav Skip to Top Nav Bar-Right Aligned Skip to By Organization Skip to Contact Your Government Skip to Top Nav bar Skip to Reference Center Skip to Commercial Buildings and Land Skip to Farms and Ranches Skip to Single Family Homes Skip to State and Local Government Sales Search Government Websites Advanced Search Search Tips Home About Us Site Index Frequent Questions Help Español Other Languages By Organization » A-Z Agency Index Federal Executive Federal Legislative Federal Judicial Cross-Agency Portals State Government Local Government Tribal Government Contact Your Government » E-mail Phone In-Person Frequently Asked Questions more Reference Center » Data & Statistics Forms Graphics and Photos Laws & Regulations Libraries more Home > Shopping > Surplus & Foreclosed Real Estate Real Estate for Sale from Government Buy real estate that the government has seized or no longer needs, through public auction or other methods. Includes commercial buildings, investment properties, land, multifamily and single family homes, condominiums, mobile homes, farms, ranches and agricultural properties. On This Page Commercial Buildings and Land Farms and Ranches Single Family Homes State and Local Government Sales More Shopping Cars and Vehicles for Sale Government & Nonprofit Buyers Government Securities & Investments Sales by Agency Souvenirs, Books & Gifts for Sale Supplies & Equipment for Sale Commercial Buildings and Land Buy Commercial Real Estate and Land from the Federal Government Click on map to view properties for sale from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Also links to other agencies' commercial real estate sales. Farms and Ranches USDA Farms and Ranches for Sale Search by state for farms, ranches, structures and agricultural properties for sale from U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Loan Program. Single Family Homes Buy Single Family Homes from the U.S. Government Click on a state to find homes for sale from the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture (USDA/Rural Development), and Veterans Affairs. Includes residential homes, condominiums and mobile homes. Single Family Home Sale Links to Various Federal Agencies Links to federal agencies selling homes: HUD, Veterans Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, General Services Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, Customs, U.S. Marshals and USDA. Back to Top State and Local Government Sales State and Local Surplus Property Sales Find state and local government surplus auctions. Important Notices Privacy Contact Us Suggest-A-Link Link to Us FirstGov.gov TM is the U.S. government's official web portal: Federal Citizen Information Center Office of Citizen Services and Communications , U.S. General Services Administration 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405 Questions about the federal government? Check our frequently asked questions , e-mail FirstGov or call 1 (800) FED INFO (1-800-333-4636)

Home Loans FAQ Home

HDFC : Home Loan FAQs - Your Complaint - Your Questions - FAQs - Sitemap Search : Newsroom Home Page FAQs Home Loans FAQ Home Loans FAQs Non-Resident Indian FAQs Variable Rate Deposits FAQs HDFC Home Loans FAQs -- How will HDFC decide my home loan eligibility? We assess the customers repayment capacity while deciding on the home loan eligibility. Repayment capacity is based on factors such as income, age, qualifications, number of dependants, spouse's income, assets, liabilities, stability and continuity of occupation and savings history. And, of course, our main concern is to make sure that you can comfortably repay the loan amount. To get an indicative eligibility please click here: Loan Calculator Back to top --What are the different interest rate options you offer? We offer the following loan options Adjustable Rate Home Loans Fixed Rate without money market conditions with money market conditions 2-in-1 Home Loans Back to top --How do I apply for the loan? HDFC Home Line HDFC Office Locator Apply Online SMS HDFCHOME to 6767 Back to top --Can HDFC assist me in selecting accommodation of my choice? We can assist you in finding the property of your choice. For information on this service, do contact our Property Services . Back to top --What Documents do you need for a loan approval ? Click here for List of Documents . Back to top --What is an EMI? You repay the loan in Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) comprising principal and interest. Repayment by way of EMI commences from the month following the month in which you take full disbursement. EMI Calculator Back to top --What is pre-EMI interest? Pending final disbursement, you pay interest on the portion of the loan disbursed. This interest called pre-EMI interest. Pre-EMI interest is payable every month from the date of each disbursement upto the date of commencement of EMI. Back to top --What is Tranche Based EMI repayment option ? To help customers save pre-EMI interest, we have introduced a special facility of Tranche Based EMI. For under construction properties customers can choose the instalments they wish to pay, till the time the property is ready for possession. Anything paid over and above the interest by the customer goes towards Principal repayment. The customer benefits by starting EMI and hence repays the loan faster. Back to top --Can I repay my loan ahead of schedule? Yes, you can repay the loan ahead of schedule by making Lumpsum payments or choose our accelerated repayment scheme . There are NO charges for choosing an accelerated repayment scheme and for lumpsum payments under Adjustable Rate Home Loan. There are no prepayment charges under fixed rate loans for prepayments less than 25% of the opening loan amount outstanding in a financial year. Prepayment charges are applicable under Fixed and Adjustable Rate Home Loan for prepayment through a refinance from other bank or institution. For further details please contact our Loan Counsellor. Back to top --Do I get a tax benefit on the loan? Yes. Resident Indians are eligible for certain tax benefits on principal and interest components of a loan under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Interest repayment of Rs. 1,50,000 p.a. can get you a tax saving upto about Rs. 47,250 p.a. Moreover, you can get added tax benefits under Sec 80 C on repayment of principal amount upto Rs. 1,00,000 p.a. that can further reduce your tax liability by about Rs. 30,000 p.a. Back to top --What security will I have to provide? The security for the loan is a first mortgage of the property to be financed, normally by way of deposit of title deeds and/or such other collateral security as may be necessary. Interim security may be additionally required, if the property is under construction. Collateral or interim security could be assignment to HDFC of life insurance policies, the surrender value of which is at least equal to the loan amount, guarantees from sound and solvent guarantors, pledge of shares and such other investments that are acceptable to HDFC. Please do ensure that the title to the property is clear, marketable and free from encumbrance. To elaborate, there should not be any existing mortgage, loan or litigation, which is likely to affect the title to the property adversely. Back to top --Does the Agreement for Sale have to be registered? In many states in India, the Agreement for Sale between the builder and purchaser is required by law to be registered. You are advised, in your own interest to lodge the Agreement for registration within four months of the date of the Agreement at the office of the Sub-Registrar appointed by the State Government, under the Indian Registration Act, 1908. Back to top --Are there any restrictions on transfer of immovable properties? In terms of Chapter XX C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the Central Government has the first option to purchase certain immovable properties exceeding certain value and as such transactions covered by this Chapter can be proceeded with only after complying with the requirements prescribed therein. Back to top --Will HDFC finance persons of Indian origin holding foreign passports? As per current guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India persons of Indian origin holding foreign passports are eligible for loans with HDFC. Back to top --How is my loan reassessed if there is a change in status from Non-Resident Indian to Resident Indian? The repayment capacity of the applicant(s) based on Resident status is reassessed and a revised repayment schedule worked out. The new rate of interest will be as per the currently applicable rate of Resident Indian loans (for that specific loan product). This revised rate of interest would be applicable on the outstanding balance being converted. A letter is given to the customer confirming the change of status. Back to top --Are these policies subject to change? Yes. These policies will be reviewed periodically. Back to top Suggestions Tell a Friend Print this Page -- Frequently Asked Questions HDFC Bank | HDFC Mutual Fund | HDFC Standard Life | HDFC Securities | HDFC Realty | HDFC Chubb | Intelenet Global | CIBIL Disclaimer 1999 Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited. Site Designed & Developed by IL&FS Infotech Limited .

Texas Land 700 West

Jerry Patterson For Texas Land - Community & Social Services - Austin, TX, 78701-2727 - Citysearch 7 BOC Spa & Beauty: 7 days till voting begins -- New to Citysearch? Sign In · Help · Dec 29 2005 Home Restaurants Bars & Clubs Hotels Shopping Spa & Beauty Movies Events See More Categories » Search Business name, category, and/or keyword Search by name only Address, city & state, or zip | Neighborhood Address, city & state, or zip | Neighborhood Address, city & state, or zip | Airport Address, city & state, or zip | Attraction Select a Austin Neighborhood Arboretum Bergstrom Airport Buda CedarPk/Leander Downtown Austin East Austin Georgetown Hill Country Hyde Park Lake Travis North Austin Northeast Austin Northwest Hills Oak Hill Round Rock/Pflugerville San Marcos South Austin Southeast Austin Tarrytown Travis Heights University of Texas - Austin West Austin West Lake Hills Select an Austin Airport Select an Austin Attraction My Locations Add/edit locations Recent Locations Clear recent locations Save to My Citysearch Printer Friendly Version Home · Yellow Pages · Community & Social Services · Political Organizations · Profile Jerry Patterson For Texas Land 700 West Ave Austin, TX 78701-2727 (512) 477-2427 7.6 Overall Popular About our ratings Ratings feedback Send to a Friend Own this business? » Enhance or edit your listing See something wrong? » Suggest a correction Things to do nearby: 700 West Ave Austin, TX 78701-2727 · Restaurants · Hotels · Bars · Movie Theaters · Department Stores · Shopping Centers & Malls · Grocery Stores · Pharmacies · Florists · Banks Related Searches · Austin Community & Social Services · Austin Political Organizations Community & Social Services · Search anything in Austin · Search Yellow Pages in Austin · Search other Cities · Browse Austin Editorial Lists Related Editorial Content Dog-Friendly Austin We've sniffed out the city's best spots for a full day of doggie nirvana. So grab a leash and lap up the fun. Sail On Find a sport on the water that uses your muscles. Downtown Walking Tour The must-dos of downtown. View More » Driving Directions 1. Enter starting address: Address: City: State: Postal Code: 2. Enter destination address: Address: City: State: Postal Code: Options Display type: Text Turn by turn maps with text Avoid the following: Limited access highways Toll Ferry lanes Find A Different Location Enter Location Address: Address: City: State: Postal Code: About Us | Advertise with Us | Contact Us | Press Center | Site Guide | List Your Business on Citysearch | Become an Affiliate | Job Opportunities | Other Cities | Get a Business Website | Submit an Event | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Austin Yellow Pages Citysearch is a registered trademark of 720619 Ontario Inc. and is used under license (C) 2005 Citysearch.com All rights reserved. partner sites: Evite - Entertainment.com - Gifts.com - TripAdvisor - ServiceMagic - Ticketmaster - Expedia - Hotels.com - Hotwire - HSN - LendingTree - Match.com - RealEstate.com - ReserveAmerica - Zerodegrees - CondoSaver - ClassicVacations - Ballard Designs - Frontgate - Garnet Hill - Smith+Noble - The Territory Ahead - Travel Smith

home equity. Why? Certain

Home Equity Scams: Borrowers Beware! Home Equity Loans : Borrowers Beware! D o you own your home? If so, it's likely to be your greatest single asset. Unfortunately, if you agree to a loan that's based on the equity you have in your home, you may be putting your most valuable asset at risk. Homeowners-particularly elderly, minority and those with low incomes or poor credit-should be careful when borrowing money based on their home equity. Why? Certain abusive or exploitative lenders target these borrowers, who unwittingly may be putting their home on the line. Abusive lending practices range from equity stripping and loan flipping to hiding loan terms and packing a loan with extra charges. The Federal Trade Commission urges you to be aware of these loan practices to avoid losing your home. The Practices Equity Stripping You need money. You don't have much income coming in each month. You have built up equity in your home. A lender tells you that you could get a loan, even though you know your income is just not enough to keep up with the monthly payments. The lender encourages you to "pad" your income on your application form to help get the loan approved. This lender may be out to steal the equity you have built up in your home. The lender doesn't care if you can't keep up with the monthly payments. As soon as you don't, the lender will foreclose-taking your home and stripping you of the equity you have spent years building. If you take out a loan but don't have enough income to make the monthly payments, you are being set up. You probably will lose your home. Hidden Loan Terms: The Balloon Payment You've fallen behind in your mortgage payments and may face foreclosure. Another lender offers to save you from foreclosure by refinancing your mortgage and lowering your monthly payments. Look carefully at the loan terms. The payments may be lower because the lender is offering a loan on which you repay only the interest each month. At the end of the loan term, the principal-that is, the entire amount that you borrowed-is due in one lump sum called a balloon payment. If you can't make the balloon payment or refinance, you face foreclosure and the loss of your home. Loan Flipping Suppose you've had your mortgage for years. The interest rate is low and the monthly payments fit nicely into your budget, but you could use some extra money. A lender calls to talk about refinancing, and using the availability of extra cash as bait, claims it's time the equity in your home started "working" for you. You agree to refinance your loan. After you've made a few payments on the loan, the lender calls to offer you a bigger loan for, say, a vacation. If you accept the offer, the lender refinances your original loan and then lends you additional money. In this practice-often called "flipping"-the lender charges you high points and fees each time you refinance, and may increase your interest rate as well. If the loan has a prepayment penalty, you will have to pay that penalty each time you take out a new loan. You now have some extra money and a lot more debt, stretched out over a longer time. The extra cash you receive may be less than the additional costs and fees you were charged for the refinancing. And what's worse, you are now paying interest on those extra fees charged in each refinancing. Long story short? With each refinancing, you've increased your debt and probably are paying a very high price for some extra cash. After a while, if you get in over your head and can't pay, you could lose your home. The "Home Improvement" Loan A contractor calls or knocks on your door and offers to install a new roof or remodel your kitchen at a price that sounds reasonable. You tell him you're interested, but can't afford it. He tells you it's no problem-he can arrange financing through a lender he knows. You agree to the project, and the contractor begins work. At some point after the contractor begins, you are asked to sign a lot of papers. The papers may be blank or the lender may rush you to sign before you have time to read what you've been given. The contractor threatens to leave the work on your house unfinished if you don't sign. You sign the papers. Only later, you realize that the papers you signed are a home equity loan. The interest rate, points and fees seem very high. To make matters worse, the work on your home isn't done right or hasn't been completed, and the contractor, who may have been paid by the lender, has little interest in completing the work to your satisfaction. Credit Insurance Packing You've just agreed to a mortgage on terms you think you can afford. At closing, the lender gives you papers to sign that include charges for credit insurance or other "benefits" that you did not ask for and do not want. The lender hopes you don't notice this, and that you just sign the loan papers where you are asked to sign. The lender doesn't explain exactly how much extra money this will cost you each month on your loan. If you do notice, you're afraid that if you ask questions or object, you might not get the loan. The lender may tell you that this insurance comes with the loan, making you think that it comes at no additional cost. Or, if you object, the lender may even tell you that if you want the loan without the insurance, the loan papers will have to be rewritten, that it could take several days, and that the manager may reconsider the loan altogether. If you agree to buy the insurance, you really are paying extra for the loan by buying a product you may not want or need. Mortgage Servicing Abuses After you get a mortgage, you receive a letter from your lender saying that your monthly payments will be higher than you expected. The lender says that your payments include escrow for taxes and insurance even though you arranged to pay those items yourself with the lender's okay. Later, a message from the lender says you are being charged late fees. But you know your payments were on time. Or, you may receive a message saying that you failed to maintain required property insurance and the lender is buying more costly insurance at your expense. Other charges that you don't understand-like legal fees-are added to the amount you owe, increasing your monthly payments or the amount you owe at the end of the loan term. The lender doesn't provide you with an accurate or complete account of these charges. You ask for a payoff statement to refinance with another lender and receive a statement that's inaccurate or incomplete. The lender's actions make it almost impossible to determine how much you've paid or how much you owe. You may pay more than you owe. Signing Over Your Deed If you are having trouble paying your mortgage and the lender has threatened to foreclose and take your home, you may feel desperate. Another "lender" may contact you with an offer to help you find new financing. Before he can help you, he asks you to deed your property to him, claiming that it's a temporary measure to prevent foreclosure. The promised refinancing that would let you save your home never comes through. Once the lender has the deed to your property, he starts to treat it as his own. He may borrow against it (for his benefit, not yours) or even sell it to someone else. Because you don't own the home any more, you won't get any money when the property is sold. The lender will treat you as a tenant and your mortgage payments as rent. If your "rent" payments are late, you can be evicted from your home. Protecting Yourself You can protect yourself against losing your home to inappropriate lending practices. Here's how: Don't: Agree to a home equity loan if you don't have enough income to make the monthly payments. Sign any document you haven't read or any document that has blank spaces to be filled in after you sign. Let anyone pressure you into signing any document. Agree to a loan that includes credit insurance or extra products you don't want. Let the promise of extra cash or lower monthly payments get in the way of your good judgment about whether the cost you will pay for the loan is really worth it. Deed your property to anyone. First consult an attorney, a knowledgeable family member, or someone else you trust. Do: Ask specifically if credit insurance is required as a condition of the loan. If it isn't, and a charge is included in your loan and you don't want the insurance, ask that the charge be removed from the loan documents. If you want the added security of credit insurance, shop around for the best rates. Keep careful records of what you've paid, including billing statements and canceled checks. Challenge any charge you think is inaccurate. Check contractors' references when it is time to have work done in your home. Get more than one estimate. Read all items carefully. If you need an explanation of any terms or conditions, talk to someone you can trust, such as a knowledgeable family member or an attorney. Consider all the costs of financing before you agree to a loan. For More Information The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues , visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER 1-877-FTC-HELP www.ftc.gov April 1998