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UK mortgages home: mortgage calculator, rates & lenders list Mortgages UK: Mortgage calculators, rates & lenders list Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 MORTGAGES.CO.UK MORTGAGES CREDIT CARDS LOANS INVESTMENTS LIFE INSURANCE HOME INSURANCE INSURANCE KEY WORKER MORTGAGES MORTGAGE NEWS REMORTGAGES MORTGAGE CALCULATOR FIRST TIME BUYERS BUY TO LET MORTGAGES MORTGAGE INFORMATION MORTGAGE PROTECTION INSURANCE POOR CREDIT MORTGAGES EQUITY RELEASE MORTGAGES LARGE MORTGAGES COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES INTERNATIONAL MORTGAGES HOLIDAY HOMES MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS BAD CREDIT MORTGAGES UK MORTGAGE LENDERS DIRECTORY ENDOWMENT MORTGAGES DIVORCE & MORTGAGES NEW MORTGAGE TYPES: Current Account Mortgages Islamic Mortgages Green Mortgages Self Build Mortgages Shared Ownership Mortgages TOOLS: MAXIMUM BORROWING MORTGAGE CATEGORIES MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE MORE LINKS : CREDIT CARDS PERSONAL LOANS LIFE INSURANCE PENSIONS Search all Financial Services Welcome to Mortgages.co.uk , your comprehensive online UK mortgage portal. We have over 100 pages of information , questions & answers and glossary sections, with separate areas for remortgages , buy to let , commercial mortgages , international mortgages , inheritance tax and how to make a will . Read our guide for homeowners 2005. For an international mortgage or overseas mortgage for investment properties or holiday homes in Australia , Bulgaria , Canada , Caribbean , Cyprus , Florida , France , Greece , Ireland , Italy , Malta , Poland , Portugal , South Africa , Spain and the USA . To make an enquiry now please click here . Mortgage Calculator Enter Mortgage Amount: £ Enter Mortgage Interest:% Enter Mortgage Term: 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years 7 years 8 years 9 years 10 years 11 years 12 years 13 years 14 years 15 years 16 years 17 years 18 years 19 years 20 years 21 years 22 years 23 years 24 years 25 years 26 years 27 years 28 years 29years 30 years Your Monthly Payment Will Be: Repayment: £ Interest only: £ For a no obligation quotation You may also wish to start by using our interest rate calculator service, or by comparing products on offer from different lenders . If you would like mortgages.co.uk to put you in touch with a regulated adviser call 0845 1080505 8 out of 10 people in the UK are paying too much for their mortgage. Find out if YOU are one of them, and get a FREE, no obligation quote. Do you have mortgage protection insurance ? Why not get a free quote for Accident, Sickness & Unemployment cover, and SAVE up to 33% compared to high street lenders. Cover starts at just £3.95 per £100.00 of benefit, with cover from day one. You can apply online and get the first three months of cover FREE . We also have directory of UK brokers , or you can let us do the work for you by filling in our simple, no obligation one minute enquiry form . Today's Most Popular Results Mortgage Enquiry Form Need Life Insurance? ------ Mortgages - Information Mortgages - Home ------ Financial Services - Home mortgage news Are bad credit mortgages available to anyone? - Thu, 29 Dec 2005 Mortgage lending reaches new high - Thu, 29 Dec 2005 Good year for first-time buyers predicted - Wed, 28 Dec 2005 More News ARREARS & CCJs? Remortgages Sub Prime Mortgages Arrears, CCJs Self Certification Adverse Credit Debt Consolidation APPLY NOW FREE HOME CONSULTATION APPLY HERE PROTECT YOUR MORTGAGE 3 month's free mortgage protection cover APPLY NOW None of the information on this website is intended to promote any specific mortgage product or provide mortgage advice. Mortgages.co.uk is a non-regulated trading name of Financial Services Net Ltd. links | contact us | advertise with us | Add to your favourites Mortgages.co.uk (C) 2005 Financial Services Net Ltd [Terms & Conditions] more sites: pensions | PMI | cheap flights | ink cartridges | income insurance

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First Hawaiian Bank: Hawaii/Guam — Mortgage Options select an online service -------------------- FHB Online FHB Business Online StrataWeb PlanWeb QuickTax Web Cash Manager - Hawaii Web Cash Manager - Guam for a new account -------------------- CREDIT CARDS Gold Aloha AirAwards MasterCard Gold Aloha AirAwards Visa Aloha AirAwards MasterCard Aloha AirAwards Visa Aloha Business AirAwards Business MasterCard Gold MasterCard Diamond Head MasterCard Ukulele MasterCard Gold Visa Mosaic Visa Surfer Visa -------------------- LOANS Morgage Pre-qualification Personal Loan Personal Line of Credit Business FirstLine Business FirstTerm Business Equipment Lease -------------------- CHECKING FirstChecking Discount Checking Regular Checking Bonus Checking Priority Banking Checking Business Checking -------------------- SAVINGS Regular Savings MaxiMizer Savings Certificates of Deposit -------------------- PrimeTime/Primera about products & services Business Services Cash Management Checking Accounts Credit Cards Foreign Exchange Insurance Services Investment Services IRA Leasing Lines and Loans * Home Equity Line of Credit * Personal Loans * Student Loans * Calculators Mortgages Online Banking PrimeTime/Primera Savings and TCDs Small Business Banking Student Banking Trust and Estate Services a branch or ATM Oahu * Oahu - Honolulu * Oahu - East Oahu * Oahu - Windward * Oahu - Northshore * Oahu - Leeward Maui & Lanai Big Island Kauai Guam Saipan First Investment Center Insurance Services Mortgage Banking • Mortgage Options • Mortgage Document Checklist • Current Rates • Foreclosures • Mortgage Glossary • Calculators • Realtor News • Contact Us Compare Options Pre-Qualify Now! Contact Us Mortgage Options For a free analysis and recommendation of the best mortgage loan program for you, please call us at 643-HOME (4663). Click on the options below to learn more about each of our mortgage solutions. You can also use our Online Comparison Tool to compare options side by side. Fixed Rate Mortgage Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Balloon Mortgage First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Absolute Zero Mortgage FHA/VA Flex 100 Rural Housing Service Loan (RHS) Construction Loans Home Improvement Loans Second Mortgage Land Loans Fixed Rate Mortgage Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Interest rate is constant over the life of the loan Features: · Variety of terms available · Finance with as little as 3% down payment · Flexible qualifying guidelines Benefits: · Stable monthly payments · Protection against rising interest rates · Fully amortized over the life of the loan Best Suited For: · Borrowers seeking a set interest rate · Borrowers who want the certainty of knowing their payment amount · Borrowers on a fixed monthly income Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Interest rates and monthly payments can adjust periodically over the life of the loan Features: · Conversion to a fixed rate option available · Initial interest rate may be lower than fixed rate products · Variety of terms available · Annual and lifetime interest rate caps Benefits: · Interest rates and monthly payments can adjust periodically over the life of the loan · Conversion to a fixed rate option available · Initial interest rate may be lower than fixed rate products · Variety of terms available · Annual and lifetime interest rate caps Best Suited For: · Borrowers who expect to move within 5-7 years · Borrowers who anticipate rising incomes · Borrowers who can manage payment changes · Borrowers expecting large cash settlements in the future Balloon Mortgage Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Interest rate is fixed for a set term Features: · Monthly payments amortized over a longer period than the loan term · Balance is due on balloon date · Outstanding balance may be refinanced for qualified borrowers on balloon date Benefits: · Lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgage · Borrower may qualify for higher loan amount · Stable monthly payments for term of loan · Rate re-set feature available after 7-years Best Suited For: · Borrowers who expect to move or refinance within 7 years · Borrowers who want to take advantage of lower short-term rates and can tolerate some uncertainty about future loan terms · Owner occupants and second homeowners First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed or adjustable interest rates Features: · Variety of terms available · As little as 3% down payment · Flexible qualifying guidelines · Fully amortizing · Reduced loan fees Benefits: · Payments go towards equity rather than rent · Minimum down payment enhances buying power · Flexible guidelines may qualify borrower for larger loan amount · Reduced closing costs make buying easier Best Suited For: · First-times home buyers · Borrowers with limited personal funds for down payments and closing costs · Borrowers on modest incomes Absolute Zero Mortgage Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed interest rate loan Features: · 0 points and 0 closing costs · Competitive fixed rate pricing · Finance with as little as 3% down Benefits: · Allows buyers to save on closing costs and use the savings towards their down payment instead · Gives borrowers an opportunity to refinance and reduce their interest rate without paying expensive closing costs make buying easier Best Suited For: · Ideal for those limited on cash to close their loan · Best for those considering a move or refinance in 5-7 years · Ideal for those who want to reduce their rate without paying for points or closing costs · For those with limited down payment who want to buy now instead of later · Restricted to owner occupants FHA/VA Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed or adjustable interest rates Features: · Requires little or no down payment · Flexible qualifying guidelines Benefits: · Low down payment · Certain closing costs may be financed · Less cash on hand required to qualify Best Suited For: · First-time home buyers · Borrowers on modest incomes · Eligible veterans Flex 100 Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed long term rates Features: · No down payment · Able to use "flexible" funds for closing cost such as gifts, grants, or unsecured loans from relatives Benefits: · No income limits · Stable monthly payments for term of the loan · Possibly maximize your tax deduction Best Suited For: · Borrowers with excellent credit · Borrowers on modest incomes · Eligible veterans Rural Housing Service Loan (RHS) Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed long term rates Features: · No down payment · Guaranteed loan to assist eligible households in rural areas Benefits: · No reserves required · May be able to finance all closing costs Best Suited For: · Limited to owner occupants · For borrowers located in rural areas Construction Loans Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed or adjustable interest rates Features: · Interest only payments during the construction period · Permanent financing means applying only once · Competitive pricing Benefits: · Buy your land and build, all with one permanent financing plan · Interest only payments provide some relief on the budget during the construction period · Flexible pricing to meet your construction contract terms Best Suited For: · Those planning to buy land and build within a year · Large dollar home improvement projects Home Improvement Loans Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed long term interest rate loan with competitive pricing Features: · As little as 5% down payment Benefits: · Buy a home and renovate with one loan · Stable monthly payments for term of loan Best Suited For: · Those who are owner occupants, second homeowners and investors · Those who want to buy a "fixer-upper" Second Mortgage Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages Features: · Competitive pricing Benefits: · Use the equity in your home to consolidate higher interest rate loans, purchase automobiles, make home improvements and more. · Does not affect a current low rate first mortgage Best Suited For: · Those with established equity in their homes · Best for shorter term obligations Land Loans Pre-Qualify Online Rates: · Fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgages available Features: · Competitive pricing Benefits: · Buy the land now, build later · Recieve a discount on fees when applying for a construction loan at First Hawaiian Bank within a 1-year period Best Suited For: · Those seeking to invest in land, but not ready to build just yet About Us | Career Opportunities | Bancwestcorp.com | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | Site Map | Contact Us

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Online Florida Real Estate License Courses Login Online real estate courses at rock bottom prices...FREE SHIPPING all orders.** Online Florida Sales Associate Pre-License Course Take your 63-hour prelicensing course online. Fulfills the Florida Real Estate Commission's (FREC) education requirement for all persons wanting to become licensed sales associates (real estate agents) in Florida. Available online or on CD-ROM. Enroll now and get started in minutes! Special this week— $199. [ learn more ] Online Florida Sales Associate Post-License Course Take your 45-hour post-licensing course online. Fulfills the Florida Real Estate Commission's (FREC) education requirement for a sales associate's first renewal. Available online or on CD-ROM. Enroll now and get started in minutes! Tuition starts at just $175. [ learn more ] Online Florida Broker Pre-License Course Take your 72-hour pre-licensing course online. Fulfills the Florida Real Estate Commission's (FREC) education requirement for becoming a Florida Broker. Enroll now and get started in minutes! Tuition starts at just $349. [ learn more ] Online Florida Broker Post-License Courses Take your 60-hour post-licensing requirement online.Our courses fulfill the Florida Real Estate Commission's (FREC) education requirementfor Florida Broker post-licensing education. Enroll now and get started in minutes! Tuitionstarts at just $165 per course. [ learn more ] Did you find it cheaper somewhere else? Request a price match. real estate news Special Holiday Hours: Friday, Dec. 23 - closed @ noon. Mon. Dec. 26, closed Fri. Dec. 30th closed at noon Mon. Jan. 2nd closed Governor Bush, in response to the damage of Hurricane Wilma, has changed the expiration date for real estate applications. [learn more] Testimonials - Don't take our word for it, see what our students have to say about the quality and service you can expect in all of our real estate courses and exam prep products. [learn more] Florida Real Estate Exam Prep For Spanish Speakers - The new Spanish-English version of our exam prep program will help you review for your real estate exam in Spanish! Toggle between Spanish and English real estate questions at any time. [learn more] exam prep superstore We've got all the exam prep software , books , audio cds , cd-roms and textbooks you need to pass your real estate exams the first time. Florida Broker Exam Prep CD-ROM. Florida Sales Associate Exam Prep CD-ROM. Florida Mutual Recognition Exam Prep CD-ROM . Florida Real Estate Exam Review Manual . Florida Real Estate Exam Prep Audio CDs and Books . Exam Prep for nearly every state . resources Can't find a Florida Real Estate Commission form or need to know the location of your nearest testing center? Florida Real Estate Commission Forms . Florida Testing Locations . Exam Candidate Handbook . Florida Real Estate Commission Statutes and Rules . Apply online to take or retake your Florida Real Estate Licensing Exam. Take the free 100-question practice exam. help Thinking of getting into the Real Estate business, but don't know where to start? Here's a guide to the steps you should take. Qualifications and requirements for obtaining a Florida real estate license and becoming a realtor. Watch a Video describing the requirements for Sales Associates , Brokers and Mutual Recognition licenses. Step By Step - how to get your Florida real estate license. Real Estate Career Information and Statistics . Log in to your online course. Facts About The Real Estate School, Inc. A career in real estate starts with The Real Estate School. We offer real estate pre-license , post-license and continuing education courses in the classroom and also provide online courses for real estate professionals. Please take a few minutes to explore our site. You will find information on our school, our course offerings and our instructors, as well as important resources for real estate professionals such as links to real estate license law , the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) and other industry-related sites. Conveniently located in Tallahassee, at 2100 Centerville Road, we have been training real estate professionals in North Florida for more than 20 years. We have helped more students obtain real estate licenses than any other school in the area. You'll love the wall-to-wall windows with tree-top views. Our instructors are personable and knowledgeable, with years of experience in the fields of real estate sales, brokerage and appraisal. Our online real estate courses are second to none. We offer online sales associate pre-licensing and online post-licensing courses , with a wide variety of supplemental material to help students pass the Florida real estate exam . We realize that choosing the best real estate school can be a tough decision. We encourage you to see what our students have to say about us . If you're in the Tallahasse region and considering taking one of our classroom courses, feel free to call a few local brokers and ask them which real estate school they would recommend. We're confident they will send you to us. If you have any questions that have not been answered by your visit to our site, please contact us and let us know. ** Free UPS Ground shipping on all orders is available in the continental US only. Free shipping not applicable to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. home | courses | exam prep | books | laws | forum | articles | support | contact | links forum -- online store | store search | view cart | checkout | terms & conditions | testimonials | site map All content 2002-2005, The Real Estate School, Inc. 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Buy Home

FCIC: HUD Home Buying Guide Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development THE HUD HOME BUYING GUIDE www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov YOUR DREAM HOME COULD BE A HUD HOME. OWNING A HOME OF YOUR OWN. Almost everybody has a dream home. A place they like to wander through in their thoughts, choosing imaginary wallpaper and putting in imaginary skylights. But for too many people, dream homes remain just thatdreams. The reality of owning their own home never seems to become theirs. Thats where the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) comes into the picture. HUD is a government agency created to help make the American dream of homeownership a real possibility for everyone. Since 1934, HUDs Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has helped millions of Americans unlock the door to homeownership and have a home of their own. We do it by making homebuying easier and more affordable. One way we can do this is by selling homes HUD owns in many communities throughout the U.S., at attractive prices and economical terms. So that home youve been dreaming about just may be one you buy from HUD. But whether you decide on a HUD Home or not, you can use this guide to take you step by step through each stage of finding and buying your own home. HOW MUCH HOME CAN YOU AFFORD? Before you start shopping for a home, you need to know what kind of home to shop for. To determine that, of course, youve got to figure out how much you can afford to pay each month. Fortunately, theres a pretty simple formula for coming up with this number. Its the FHA formula that many mortgage lenders use. The FHA has found that most people can afford to budget 29 percent of their gross monthly income to housing expenses, depending on total debt. Buyers with no debt can budget as much as 41 percent of monthly income to housing. No need to reach for your calculatorweve done the math for you. The two charts on the opposite page should tell you everything you need to know. The first chart tells you how much 29 percent of your monthly income is. Find your annual income, or a figure close to it, in the column at the left. Then read across to find out howmuch yourmonthly gross income is, and finally,what 29 percent of that figureamounts to. This is approximately how much you can spend on total housing costs each month. The second chart tells you how much your monthly mortgage might be based on a homes selling price. Remember to keep in mind that the monthly figure from this second chart is based on a 30-year fixed mortgage and includes monthly principal and interest payments only. Taxes and insurance which vary from community to community are not included. So if 29 percent of your gross income is, say, $604, that doesnt mean you can pay a $604-per-month mortgage. You need to look at a mortgage somewhat below that, to leave room for taxes and insurance. Be sure to ask your lender to help you estimate how much your total costs will be. Annual Gross Income Monthly Gross Income 29% of Gross Income $15,000 $1,250 $363 20,000 1,667 483 25,000 2,083 604 30,000 2,500 725 35,000 2,917 846 40,000 3,333 967 45,000 3,750 1,088 50,000 4,167 1,208 MORTGAGE PAYMENT CALCULATOR. Monthly principal, interest payments for 30-year, fixed rate mortgage.Monthly taxes, insurance not included. COST 6% 6.5% 7% 7.5% 8% 8.5% 9% 9.5% 10% $25,000 $ 150 158 166 175 183 192 201 210 219 $30,000 $ 180 190 200 210 220 231 241 252 263 $40,000 $ 240 253 266 280 293 308 322 336 351 $50,000 $ 300 316 333 350 367 384 402 420 439 $60,000 $ 360 379 399 420 440 461 483 505 527 $70,000 $ 420 442 466 489 514 538 563 589 614 $80,000 $ 480 506 532 559 587 615 644 673 702 $90,000 $ 540 569 599 629 660 692 724 757 790 $100,000 $ 600 632 665 699 734 769 805 841 878 $110,000 $ 660 695 732 769 807 846 885 925 965 $120,000 $ 719 758 798 839 880 923 966 1,009 1,053 $130,000 $ 780 822 865 909 954 1,000 1,046 1,093 1,141 $140,000 $ 839 885 931 979 1,027 1,076 1,126 1,177 1,229 $150,000 $ 899 948 998 1,049 1,101 1,153 1,207 1,261 1,316 $160,000 $ 959 1,011 1,064 1,119 1,174 1,230 1,287 1,345 1,404 $170,000 $1,019 1,075 1,131 1,189 1,247 1,307 1,368 1,429 1,492 IT'S TIME TO STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND BEGIN DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. HELP IS AVAILABLE. You will have lots of questions and countless issues to consider when you buy a home. You'll need someone that can help you through the process.Agood real estate agent is a good place to start. The quality of local schools, neighborhood safety, the number of children in the area, and traffic patterns are just a few of the issues to be considered in shopping for the right home. A real estate professional can be helpful in guiding you to the right source for facts and useful information. And all the financial details that can seem so mind-boggling to first-time home buyers are something the agent deals with every day. He or she will help you figure the price range you can afford, explain the different types of mortgages, guide you through the paperwork, and be there to answer last-minute questions when you sign the final papers at closing. If you're buying a HUD Home, you're required to use a real estate agent. While purchasing a HUD Home may be easier than many private real estate transactions, there are still some requirements which must be metcertain forms that must be used, and procedures that must be followed. But these requirements are clearly stated in advance, and the real estate agent will be there to help you through it all. There are no negotiations between buyer and seller when you buy a HUD Home. This can be a real advantage. There's no haggling about priceeverything is spelled out in black and white. What's more, your offer is responded to promptly, and if it's accepted, closing on the home usually will occur within 30-60 days. Finding a HUD-approved selling broker is not difficult, especially since so many real estate brokers are happy to sell HUD Homes. All you need to do is to call a few brokers who work in the area you're interested in and you'll find someone willing and experienced. Some brokers specifically advertise their desire to sell HUD Homes in the real estate sections of newspapers. Best of all, the valuable help you'll receive from the real estate agent is usually free! In most instances, agents get their sales commission from the home seller, not you, the buyer. Even if you're buying a HUD Home, HUD will pay the broker's commission. THERE'S A HUD HOME WITH YOUR NAME ON IT. Out of all the homes for sale in your area, there is likely to be one that has everything you want. The trick is simply to find it. Of course, your real estate agent can be a big help. But even the agent will need to know what your priorities are. Is a short commute important to you? Or are schools your biggest concern? How many bedrooms do you think you need? Before you begin looking at homes, try to decide in advance exactly what you want. This can save you and the agent a lot of time. It's a good idea to actually write down your wishes, and share the list with your agent. This is helpful because he or she will usually have lists of the properties for sale in your area, including all the HUD Homes. HUD Homes are listed in the local multiple listing service (MLS) and on the internet at www.hud.gov. A broker should have all the information you need. Almost any home you look atwill have room for improvement. But the more that needs to be done to a home, the less you're going to have to pay for it.HUDHomes, because they're sold in as-is condition, can often be a great, affordable opportunity for the fixer-upper. Many are in fine neighborhoods and offer outstanding values. And while some HUD Homes do qualify as handyman specials, many are in very good condition. HUD does not warrant the condition of its properties, butwill give you the information it has about the condition of the property you're interested in. You can use this information in formulating your bid. There's even a HUD loan program available called the 203(K), where buyers can borrow money to make repairs on some properties. You repay these funds later, as part of your mortgage. Just be aware that 203(K) funds aren't available for all houses in all areas. Ask the real estate agent you're working with about 203(K) availability in your area. BEGINNING TO MAKE IT YOUR OWN. Once you've found the home of your dreams, it's time to make an offer to buy it. Before deciding how much to offer, HUD urges you to get a professional home inspection. It can also be helpful to find out how long the home has been on the marketif it's been for sale awhile, the seller may be more willing to bargain. After you and the agent have prepared your offer, he or she will present it to the seller. It may be accepted or rejected, or the seller may counter your offer by asking for a higher price or by making changes in the sales contract. Making an offer to buy a HUD Home is often much easier than the process of buying a homeon the private market.Your bidwill be submitted electronically through a computer, a touchtone telephone or by real estate broker. The person making the highest acceptable bid is generally awarded that HUD Home. Offers for HUD Homes can only be made through a licensed real estate broker. This way, HUD requirements are met and buyers get the help they need. HUD will pay real estate commissions if the commission amount is requested as part of the bid. The initial listing price of each property is HUD's estimate of current fair market value and is based upon an appraisal conducted by an independent real estate appraiser. HUD may accept an offer that is less than the listing price, depending on market conditions and the length of time the property has been on the market. In some instances, buyers will offer more than the listing price if they believe the market conditions demand it or if the home is particularly appealing. It is important for buyers to be aware of the property values established by HUD and submit offers knowingly. You will generally make your offer for a HUD Home during a designated Listing Period. With the commencement of the Initial Listing Period, bids may be submitted by all potential purchasers. However, priority will be given to owner-occupant purchasers for the first 10 calendar days as follows: All owner-occupant offers received during the first five days of this10 day period will be considered to have been received simultaneously. On the first business day following the expiration of the five day period, owner-occupant bids are reviewed, at which point the highest acceptable net owner-occupant will be accepted. Should there be no acceptable owner-occupant bids, owner-occupant bids will be reviewed on a daily basis for the remaining five days. At each such daily review, HUD will accept the highest acceptable net owner-occupant bid. At the conclusion of the 10-day owner-occupant priority period, should the property remain unsold, a review of all general public bids (e.g. investor) received during the 10 day period will be conducted. Earnest money. When you make an offer on a home, the seller will usually require an earnest money deposit as proof that your offer is serious. If the offer is accepted, your earnest money deposit will become part of your down payment or closing costs. If your offer is rejected, the broker will return your earnest money to you. YOU'RE ALMOST HOME. DIFFERENT LOANS FOR DIFFERENT HOME BUYERS. Just as there is more than one kind of home, there is more than one way to finance it. Mortgage lenders have come up with many different methods of helping you pay for a home each one with its own advantages and disadvantages. First of all, you should know that HUD itself does not provide financing. You obtain financing through a bank or mortgage lender. Since many HUD Homes are eligible for FHA-insured mortgage loans, this can make financing easier to obtain. However, you are not required to get an FHA loan to buy a HUD Home. Fixed-Rate Mortgage. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the term of the mortgage, which is usually 30 years. Your principal and interest payment remains stable, making it easier to plan a monthly budget. However, initial interest rates tend to be higher than with other types of loans. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage. With an ARM, your interest rate and monthly payments start out lower than with a fixed-rate, but your rate and payments can change either up or down, depending on where interest rates in general are going. (If they're going up, your monthly payments will probably go up as well, sometimes significantly.) FHA-Insured Mortgage. In this type of loan, the Federal Government insures the lender against loss in case the home buyer defaults on the loan. This program was set up so that Americans who can't afford the 10 percent to 20 percent down payment required by most lenders can still buy a home. Many HUD Homes can be bought with FHA-insured mortgages, which allow you to purchase the home with a low down payment. You do not have to be a first-time buyer in order to qualify for an FHA loan. VA Loan.Under this program, the Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees the lender against loss. HUD Homes may be purchased with a VA loan or any other loan. Assumable or Non-Assumable. You may find a home with a mortgage loan you can assume from the previous owner. This means that the lender is willing to transfer the old loan on the home to you. These loans can be wonderful bargains, and the paperwork is usually not very complicated. Before you decide which loan is right for you, talk to your loan officer. You'll get information that will help you figure out which option best suits your needs. HUD BRINGS UP-FRONT COSTS DOWN. The costs of buying a home are more than just the price you agree to pay for it. Before you move in, you'll have to pay various charges, which we explain below. The good news is, with HUD Homes these costs may be lower than they are with other homes. DOWN PAYMENT. Most people know that a down payment is a percentage of the price of the home that must be paid up front, in cash. The typical downpayment is three percent and family members may give a gift to make up the balance of the downpayment. CLOSING COSTS. This term covers various fees your lender charges for providing your loan, and other expenses. Closing costs typically add up to about 3 percent or 4 percent of the price of your home, depending on where you purchase it. But when you buy a HUD Home, these costs may be picked up by HUD if this incentive is offered by HUD and if they are specifically requested, by dollar amount, in the bid offering. If you buy a HUD Home, HUD may pay many of your usual and customary closing expenses plus real estate sales commissions. Just remember that closing costs and sales commissions are deducted from the bid amount in making the decision as to which offer brings the greatest return to HUD. Since bidding is competitive, you may, in order to offer a more competitive bid, pay your own closing costs. This makes HUD's net return greater, making your bid more favorable and increasing the likelihood that HUD will accept your offer. COMMISSIONS. These are paid to the broker by the seller, and usually amount to 6% or 7% of the cost of the house.When you buy aHUDHome, the selling agent's commissions are usually paid by HUD. CHECKING IT OUT BEFORE YOU CHECK IN. Before you buy anything, you'll want to know exactly what it is you're getting. With something as important as your home, you can't know too much. That's why it's a good idea to get a professional inspection of your home even before you make the offer. HUD strongly urges every home buyer to get a professional inspection, whether you're buying a HUD Home or not. HUD Homes are sold in as-is condition. That means you agree, if you buy the home, to accept it in its present condition. HUD does not pay for the correction of defects in existing homes that it sells or on homes purchased with FHA-insured mortgages. The owner of the home will be responsible for needed repairs. Therefore, be sure of the condition of the home before you submit your offer. THE FINISH LINE. The day you finally close on your new home will probably be one of the most exciting in your life. Finally, the long, tedious process of finding a home and getting a loan is over, and by the time the day is done, you'll be the proud and happy owner of your new home. Before that day ends, you will be asked to sign a seemingly endless number of forms, but the closing agent will go over each one with you. It's all necessary, but you can make it a little easier by asking the real estate agent about it before the big day comes. Also, when you apply for your loan, your lender is required to give you a booklet explaining closing costs, an estimate of how much cash you'll have to supply at the closing, and a list of all the documents you'll need. If you have any questions, perhaps they are answered in the Q and A section that follows. If not, why not go straight to the phone right now, and call a real estate agent and ask about HUD Homes? It's a small, first step. But the journey could eventually end at the door to a home you call your own. Good luck and have fun! QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HUD HOMES. What is a HUD Home? A HUD Home may be a single-family house, a townhome, condominium or other type of residence. The properties were deeded to HUD/FHA by mortgage companies who had foreclosed on FHA-insured mortgage loans. Now HUD must sell these homesas quickly as possible at market valuein order to obtain the maximum financial return on its mortgage insurance funds. Who can buy a HUD Home? Anyone who has the money or can qualify for the necessary amount of mortgage financing can purchase a HUD Home. You do not have to be low-income or meet any other such limitations. Can I get a HUD Home for free, or for one dollar? No. HUD acquires its properties through the foreclosure of FHA insured mortgages. One of HUD's many missions is to maximize return to the FHA insurance fund, which it does by selling the properties at fair market value. How do I buy a HUD Home? Our policy is to market acquired properties on a competitive basis with offers being submitted through any participating licensed real estate broker. Local brokers will assist you in the transaction. They can show the property to prospective buyers, as well as answer questions and provide information on the location of parks, schools, shopping, and employment centers. Are HUD Homes meant for low income people? HUD Homes come in a variety of price ranges, though most are affordably priced, making them accessible to low and moderate income Americans. What are the income requirements? If youmake a cash purchase, there are no income requirements. Otherwise, you must be able to qualify for a particular type of mortgage financing based on established mortgage lending criteria (see page 3). How does HUD decide how much to charge for a HUD Home? The listing price of a HUD property is a price based on the appraised value. Can investors purchase HUD Homes? Yes. However, HUD offers its properties to owner/occupants for a period before making them available to investors. What happens if I can't close the sale within the time permitted by HUD? You'll probably have to pay fees for an extension of time, usually in increments of 15 days. Is there any way for me to get advanced notice about homes that will be coming up for sale? No. HUD Homes are listed for sale in the local multiple listing service (MLS), the Internet at www.hud.gov or ask your broker. A WORD ABOUT LEAD-BASED PAINT. HUD and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have begun a nationwide effort to alert home buyers to the risk that older homes may contain lead-based paint. Lead exposure can be harmful to young children. If you are making an offer on a home constructed prior to 1978, you should receive a copy of the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home from your broker. You will be required to submit a lead-based paint addendum with your offer on the HUD Home. You will be given the opportunity to conduct a risk assessment or lead-based paint inspection (at your own expense) prior to being obligated under the contract. TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW. Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) . A type of mortgage rate loan whose interest rate changes periodically up or down, usually once or twice a year. Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Everything financed in your mortgage loan package (interest, loan fees, points or other charges) expressed as a percentage of the loan amount (usually slightly above the actual interest rate alone). Assumable Loan. A loan in which the lender is willing to transfer from the previous owner of the home to the new owner, sometimes at the same interest rate, sometimes at a new rate. An assumable loan can make your home more attractive to buyers when you want to sell. Closing Costs. Costs the buyer must pay at the time of closing in addition to the down payment: including points, mortgage insurance premium, homeowners insurance, prepayments for property taxes, etc. Closing costs average 3 percent -4 percent of the loan amount. If you're buying a HUD Home, you can request they be paid by HUD, if the sales incentive is offered. Contingency. A condition put on an offer to buy a home; such as the prospective buyer making an offer contingent on his or her sale of a present home. Conventional Mortgage. A type of mortgage not insured by either the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and thus usually requiring a 10 percent - 20 percent down payment. (HUD Homes may be purchased with a conventional mortgage.) Earnest Money. Funds submitted with an offer to show good faith to follow through with the purchase. Earnest money is placed by the broker in an escrow/trust account until closing, when it becomes part of the down payment or closing costs. (HUD generally requires an earnest money deposit of $500-$2,000.) Escrow. A procedure in which documents or transfers of cash and property are put in the care of a third party, other than the buyer or seller. FHA Financing. Financing for a loan which will be insured against loss by the Federal Housing Administrationa part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Such financing allows for a lower down payment than required by most lenders. Homeowners Insurance. Insurance that protects the homeowner from casualty (losses or damage to the home or personal property) and from liability (damages to other people or property). Required by the lender and usually included in the monthly mortgage payment. Loan Origination Fee. A fee charged by the lender for evaluating, preparing, and submitting a proposed mortgage loan. Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP). A charge paid by the borrower (usually as part of the closing costs) to obtain financing, especially when making a down payment of less than 20 percent of the purchase price, for example on an FHA-insured loan. Point. An amount equal to one percent of the principal amount being borrowed. The lender may charge the borrower several points in order to provide the loan. Property Taxes. Taxes (based on the assessed value of the home) paid by the homeowner for community services such as schools, public works, and other costs of local government. Paid as a part of the monthly mortgage payment. Title Insurance. Protects lenders and homeowners against loss of their interest in property due to legal defects in the title. VA Loan. A loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs against loss to the lender, and made through a private lender. (HUD Homes may be purchased with a VA loan.) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Single Family Housing 451 Seventh Street, SW Washington DC 20410-3000 August 2004 Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --