Real Estate Broker

Globe Real Estate - Brokers- Buyers - Properties - Sellers - listings Real Estate - Buy It - List It - Loans - Trade It - Links - Rentals - Homes Home Find an Agent! Property Search Electronic Appraisal RE Tools Free CMA! Log In A Featured Property Help Wanted This Could Be Yours! Location - Paramus NJ Price - $1299000 Beds & Baths - 5 / 3 Garage: 2 Size: 4400 Welcome to GlobeRE.Com, the Internet's best Real Estate resources for Brokers, Agents, Sellers, and Buyers! Getting connected to the right agent is the key to a positive real estate experience. Every day, people by the thousands use our advanced Real Estate database and proprietary scripts to fulfill their Real Estate needs. You can FIND AN EXPERT BROKER , perform an extensive FEATURED PROPERTY SEARCH for commercial, residential, income, land, investment, and recreational properties, and FIND AN AGENT BY ZIP OR MARKET ! Electronic Appraisal is all that information the bank seemed to come up with and FREE CMA Price-It-Right Tool are ideal for assisting buyers and sellers in negotiating a property's actual market value. Anyone may search and VIEW OUR FEATURED PROPERTIES ! If you are a seller or agent and wish to HAVE YOUR FOR SALE PROPERTY FEATURED he re you may do so and it is easy to do! Additional services for marketers , agents , advertise related goods and services! Interview Expert Agents ( USA ) - AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Interview Expert Agents ( Canada ) - AB BC MB NB NL NS ON PE SK YT Home I Agents Service I Traders Club I CUSTOMER SERVICE I Books I Connections I Look at Directory I Tools Get an Expert Agent I Loans I Privacy Statement I About Us I Search by Map I Moving Boxes I Log On I Links I Post a Property I Email US Help Wanted I

Las Vegas Real Estate

Tiny Vegas home sits at center of housing craze - Real Estate - MSNBC.com Skip navigation Business Stocks & Economy Personal Finance Real Estate U.S. Business Intl Business Oil & Energy Automotive Aviation Food Inc. CNBC TV Forbes.com BusinessWeek Financial Times Motley Fool Small Business Local Business U.S. News World News Business Sports Entertainment Tech / Science Weather Health Travel Blogs Etc. Local News Newsweek Multimedia News Video Most Popular NBC NEWS MSNBC TV Today Show Nightly News Meet the Press Dateline NBC MSNBC Home Business Real Estate Tiny Vegas home sits at center of housing craze His property in demand, former waiter raises asking price to $1.2 million Jae C. Hong / AP Manuel Corchuelo's 700-square-foot housein the Las Vegas neighborhood ofNaked City,purchased for $30,000 in 1978,is currently on the market for $1.2 million. The tract home is rapidly being surrounded by high-rise condominium projects. LAS VEGAS - Its front windows wish you "Feliz Navidad" in paint that won't wash off. The landscaping consists of four shriveling cacti and a patio piled with empty cat food boxes. Inside, it's 700 square feet of confirmed bachelor's clutter. And it can all be yours for $1.2 million - cash. There's perhaps no better evidence of the condo fever raging through Las Vegas' real estate market than the asking price on Manuel Corchuelo's home. Once considered deadlocked in the wasteland where the Las Vegas Strip fizzled into a decaying downtown, the World War II-era home is now happily nestled in the shadows of billions of dollars of new and proposed high-rise condominium projects. Corchuelo is sitting on much-coveted land. From his front lawn, Corchuelo likes to smile up at the cranes and listen to the clang of construction. "It's a good sound," he said. The former catering waiter and Colombian immigrant bought the home in 1978 for $30,000. He worked more than 20 years serving high rollers and conventioneers. He never married, saved some money and lost $15,000 of it on the stock market. Ten years ago, he started reading about investors' plans to build condominiums outside his door. He cut the clipping from the newspaper and put it in a three-ring binder. A few years later, he put his house on the market. He is still holding out for an acceptable offer. At last count, there were 93 luxury condominium projects, totaling 175 towers, proposed, planned or under construction in the Las Vegas valley in the second quarter of this year, according to a report released in September by Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas-based consulting firm. Though Brian Gordon, an analyst for the group, estimates that little more than one in three of the 93 will ever open its doors, 15 projects representing 10,000 units are expected to be completed by the end of next year. Developers tout the boom as the Manhattanization of Las Vegas, the move to "verticality" instead of sprawl. They promise an urban lifestyle, skyline views and celebrity neighbors. They court the young, rich and out of town. About 85 percent of condo buyers are non-Nevada residents or investors, Gordon said. Most of the projects are huddled on or around the Strip. "It's sort of like beach-front property. They're not making any more of it. Everybody that's within a stone's throw thinks their property is worth $20 million an acre," he said. The hype is fueling increases throughout the city. The cost of a vacant acre in the Las Vegas area has hit $601,600 - an 88 percent increase over last year. Corchuelo's home is one block off Las Vegas Boulevard and across the street from the future home of the Allure, a 41-story luxury complex under construction. Five years ago, his initial asking price of $350,000 attracted few offers. His agent dropped the listing. Corchuelo continued to collect articles about the market, filling three binders full of stories and notes handwritten in Spanish. He studied the moves of the city's real estate tycoons. "Even Trump makes mistakes," he said, citing a sale he says cost real estate mogul Donald Trump millions. "You have to know the area. Steve Wynn, he knew what he was doing. He had experience - 20 years building hotels. He knows everything moves in cycles." Corchuelo found an agent who, like him, is convinced they're riding an upturn that hasn't peaked. The pair has upped the asking price several times and are looking for a buyer who doesn't need financing. CONTINUED: Why they call it Naked City 1 | 2 | Next > Print this Email this MORE FROM REAL ESTATE Real Estate Section Front . Sales of previously owned homes fall . Mortgage rates continue December descent . U.S. mortgage applications fell last week . New-home sales tumble in November . Q3 mortgage delinquencies jump . Report: Millions face critical housing needs . Bubble, bubble -- then trouble . Calif. home affordability near record low . Slowdown could claim 800,000 jobs . ARCHIVE: More on real estate . Real Estate Section Front 'Nasty fires' feared in Texas, Okla. Rains raise flood fears in California NBC: 'Weighty' Mideast challenges Man turned in by sons gets 40 years Grieving Dungy rejoins Colts MSNBC-TV Question of the Day Man ending 1,000-bar journey NOPD Chief addresses shooting Scarborough vlog: Advice for Dems Red flags within Red Cross? SPECIAL REPORT Related coverage Hot or not? Affordability index Mortgage calculator Full coverage City-by-city data Midwest Northeast South West Related Stories | What's this? Turnberry keeps rolling in Las Vegas Was that Elvis? Las Vegas Marathon set to roll Californians gamble on career in real estate Las Vegas buries a slice of history to end centennial events Station plans another neighborhood casino in North Las Vegas Most Popular Most Viewed Call it the year of lame excuses Insurgents slay 11 Shiite family members in Iraq Man turned in by sons gets 40 years in prison Body of missing N.J. police officer recovered Top 10 films of 2005 Most viewed on MSNBC.com Top Rated Dungy rejoins Colts, expected to coach Sunday Abramoff probe spells trouble for Congress Mother of 5 locked in battle with music industry The lowest scam Study: Vitamin D lowers risk of major cancers Most viewed on MSNBC.com Most E-mailed Call it the year of lame excuses 2-year-old gets drunk; baby-sitter charged Abramoff probe spells trouble for Congress FSU star linebacker accused of sexual assault Survey: One in 10 teens face major depression Most viewed on MSNBC.com Cover | U.S. News | World News | Business | Sports | Tech/Science | Entertainment | Travel | Health | Blogs Etc. | Weather | Local News Newsweek | Today Show | Nightly News | Dateline NBC | Meet the Press | MSNBC TV About MSNBC.com | Newsletters | RSS | Podcasts | Help | News Tools | Jobs at MSNBC.com | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy © 2005 MSNBC.com MSN Privacy | Legal Feedback | Help

Buy House

WHAT TO DO ABOUT TAX WHEN YOU BUY A HOUSE FAQ's Select a FAQs Category Capital Acquisitions Tax Capital Gains Tax Employer Information Corporation Tax Customs & Excise Revenue Audit Value Added Tax (VAT) Vehicle Registration Tax What to do about Tax when you buy a house Do I need to tell the tax office if I buy a house? Can I claim tax relief on my mortgage? What is a sole or main residence? To help with the mortgage repayments, I intend letting part of my house. What tax relief can I claim against my personal income tax and against the rental income? Does residence only mean a house? Can I claim tax relief on a loan for home improvements? What can the loan be used for? How much tax relief will I get? How can I claim the relief? If I sell my house will I have to pay Capital Gains Tax? What happens if I had let part of the house or used part of the house for business purposes? What happens if my property has "development value"? 1. Do I need to tell the tax office if I buy a house? Yes - you should inform the tax office as soon as possible so that all correspondence can be sent to your new address. » Back to Top 2. Can I claim tax relief on my mortgage? Yes - if the house is situated in the State, Northern Ireland or Great Britain and is used as your sole or main residence. » Back to Top 3. What is a sole or main residence? A sole or main residence is the residence which is your home for the greater part of the time. It does not have to be owned by you e.g. your parents residence may also be your sole or main residence, if you normally live there. » Back to Top 4. To help with the mortgage repayments, I intend letting part of my house. What tax relief can I claim against my personal income tax and against the rental income? In this situation, part of the mortgage interest may be claimed as a normal interest credit against your personal income tax. However, the balance of the interest may not be claimed as a rental deduction. The mortgage interest applicable to the let part of the house will be determined on a just and reasonable basis. For example, the apportionment of the interest may be by reference to the number of rooms let. » Back to Top 5. Does residence only mean a house? No. It also includes: A flat Any garden or grounds of an ornamental nature which are used along with the house or flat A Mobile Home/Caravan - provided it: Is on a permanent site Is of a reasonable size to fulfill the requirements of use as a permanent residence Has electricity and other services supplied to it Is immobilised (i.e. wheels removed and mounted on blocks). 6. Can I claim tax relief on a loan for home improvements? Yes. You can claim tax relief on a loan used by you to purchase, repair, develop or improve your sole or main residence or to pay off another loan (or loans) used for that purpose. » Back to Top 7. What can the loan be used for? The loan can be used for most work done on your sole or main residence except for money spent on furniture or removable fittings (e.g. light fittings, curtains, carpets etc.). Examples of what the loan may be used for are: Extensions, purchase/construction of garage, garden shed, greenhouse etc. Construction of driveway, path etc. Conversions, painting and decorating Installing central heating Rewiring or replumbing (including bathroom suites) Replacing or installing windows Purchase and/or installation of burglar/fire alarms Purchase and installation of bedroom and kitchen units which are affixed to and become part of the building Treatment for damp, dry rot, woodworm etc. Landscaping gardens (including garden walls) Contributions to group water and sewerage schemes. » Back to Top 8. How much tax relief will I get? Tax relief is granted on the amount of the interest paid, at the standard rate subject to the overall limits as set out in Leaflet IT60 (Home Loan Interest Relief - 2000/2001 onwards) . Special provisions apply for "First Time Buyers". The period for which relief is available is 7 years (this does not apply to mortgages taken out before 6 April 1998). » Back to Top 9. How can I claim the relief? From 1 January 2002, tax relief for home mortgage interest is no longer given through the tax system but is instead granted at source. This means that your mortgage lender gives you the benefit of the tax relief element on the mortgage interest on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners. Your mortgage repayment is reduced by the amount of the tax relief. Your lender in turn claims this amount from Revenue. Any future adjustments in the tax relief (for example, arising from changes in interest rates) will be made automatically by the lender on behalf of Revenue. It is not be necessary to claim mortgage interest relief in the annual tax return, and it no longer appears on your Notice of Tax Credits. Borrowers who are taking out new mortgages must complete a TRS1 form. Your lender will supply you with a TRS1 form. Forms can also be obtained from the TRS Section, Collector-Generals, Sarsfield House, Francis Street, Limerick. Further details are available on the Leaflet TRS (Mortgage Interest Tax Relief at Source) . » Back to Top 10. If I sell my house will I have to pay Capital Gains Tax? No. If the house (including grounds of up to one acre) has been occupied as your sole or main residence throughout your period of ownership you will be exempt from capital gains tax on the sale. » Back to Top 11. What happens if I had let part of the house or used part of the house for business purposes? Full exemption may not be due if only part of the house has been used as your residence. In this case an apportionment will be made to arrive at the exempt portion of the total gain and you will have to pay capital gains tax on the balance. » Back to Top 12. What happens if my property has "development value"? Where your property has development value i.e. if it is sold for a price higher than its normal current use value then the relief from capital gains tax as outlined above is confined to what it would be if the property did not have development value. » Back to Top

house rental Home Page

Rentals Hawaii vacation rental - condo / house - Kihei - Maui Hawaii Wailea - Maui Hawaii Kaunakakai - Molokai Hawaii Poipu Beach - Kauai Hawaii Waikoloa - Hawaii Hawaii Makaha - Oahu Hawaii Kapalua - Maui Hawaii Punalu'u - Oahu Hawaii vacation condo or house rental Home Page = USA Vacation Rentals = Hawaii Vacation Rentals Rentals in Hawaii Vacation Rental Properties A new window will open for each individual rental property clicked on. (#) - pictures - availability calendar Vacation Property for rent in Hawaii include: (cities are added as listings become available) 2005-12-29  Kapalua - Maui Makaha - Oahu Waikoloa - Hawaii Kaunakakai - Molokai Poipu Beach - Kauai Wailea - Maui Kihei - Maui Punalu'u - Oahu Kapalua - Maui Hawaii vacation rental return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Kapalua - Maui Hawaii vacation rental Kapalua Ridge Oceanview Condo Ocean and Sunrise Views (3) Listing #100 Kapalua - Maui Accom:  1 Bedroom 2 Full Baths Condo Sleeps up to 4: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): $1120.00 - $1330.00 Kaunakakai - Molokai Hawaii vacation rentals return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Kaunakakai - Molokai Hawaii vacation rentals Luxury Oceanfront Condo Adults Only - No Smoking (3) Listing #146 Kaunakakai - Molokai Accom:  1 Bedroom 1 Full Bath Condo Sleeps up to 2: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): 735 - 735 Kihei - Maui Hawaii vacation rental return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Kihei - Maui Hawaii vacation rental Sugar Beach Oceanfront Condo 5 Miles of Open Beach (1) Listing #198 Kihei - Maui Accom:  1 Bedroom 1 Full Bath Condo Sleeps up to 4: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): $875.00 - $1435.00 Kihei - Maui Hawaii vacation rentals Nice Maui Beach Condo-$85+FUN Fab 1BR, slps 4, nr. #1 beach Listing #407 Kihei - Maui Accom:  1 Bedroom 1 Full Bath Condo Sleeps up to 4: Daily Rate (USA Dollars): 85 - 125 Kihei - Maui Hawaii vacation rental Ground Floor Ocean Front Deluxe Condo with Master Suite Listing #71 Kihei - Maui Accom:  2 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths Condo Sleeps up to 6: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): 826 - 1190 Makaha - Oahu Hawaii vacation rentals return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Makaha - Oahu Hawaii vacation rentals AFFORDABLE & BEACHFRONT MAKAHA Spectacular 180 Ocean View (3) Listing #255 Makaha - Oahu Accom:  1 Bedroom 1 Full Bath Condo Sleeps up to 2: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): $795 - $945 Poipu Beach - Kauai Hawaii vacation rental return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Poipu Beach - Kauai Hawaii vacation rental Views of Spectacular Sunsets Beach Just a Short Walk Away (3) Listing #96 Poipu Beach - Kauai Accom:  2 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths Condo Sleeps up to 4: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): $975 - $1225 Punalu'u - Oahu Hawaii vacation rentals return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Punalu'u - Oahu vacation rentals Hawaii Beachfront Rentals Oahu's North Shore in Punalu'u (3) Listing #121 Punalu'u - Oahu Accom:  1 Bedroom 1 Full Bath Condo Sleeps up to 4: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): $795. - $995. Waikoloa - Hawaii Hawaii vacation rental return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Waikoloa - Hawaii Hawaii rental Waikoloa Beach Resort OceanView Unit (3) Listing #215 Waikoloa - Hawaii Accom:  2 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths Condo Sleeps up to 6: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): $1050 - $1050 Wailea - Maui Hawaii vacation rentals return to top of Hawaii page or return to state list of USA vacation rentals Wailea - Maui Hawaii rentals Wailea Ekahi Village 20E Beautiful Beachfront Location (3) Listing #240 Wailea - Maui Accom:  1 Bedroom 2 Full Baths Condo Sleeps up to 5: Daily Rate (USA Dollars): $195 - $240 Wailea - Maui Hawaii vacation rental Wailea Ekahi Village Condo 20A 2 Bedroom Maui Owner Rental (3) Listing #405 Wailea - Maui Accom:  2 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths Condo Sleeps up to 6: Daily Rate (USA Dollars): 335 - 390 Wailea - Maui Hawaii vacation rentals Wailea Ekahi Ocean View Condo Oceanfront Village (3) Listing #98 Wailea - Maui Accom:  1 Bedroom 1 Full Bath Condo Sleeps up to 4: Weekly Rate (USA Dollars): 1365 - 1540

Home Mortgage Insurance Home

Looking for the Best Mortgage ESPAÑOL Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage--whether it’s a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan--is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You’ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. Skip to content Obtain information from several lenders Obtain all important cost information Obtain the best deal that you can Remember: Shop, compare, negotiate Fair lending is required by law Credit problems? Glossary Mortgage shopping worksheet For more information Obtain Information from Several Lenders Home loans are available from several types of lenders-- thrift institutions , commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions. Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you should contact several lenders to make sure you’re getting the best price. You can also get a home loan through a mortgage broker . Brokers arrange transactions rather than lending money directly; in other words, they find a lender for you. A broker’s access to several lenders can mean a wider selection of loan products and terms from which you can choose. Brokers will generally contact several lenders regarding your application, but they are not obligated to find the best deal for you unless they have contracted with you to act as your agent. Consequently, you should consider contacting more than one broker, just as you should with banks or thrift institutions. Whether you are dealing with a lender or a broker may not always be clear. Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and brokers. And most brokers’ advertisements do not use the word "broker." Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved. This information is important because brokers are usually paid a fee for their services that may be separate from and in addition to the lender’s origination or other fees. A broker’s compensation may be in the form of "points" paid at closing or as an add-on to your interest rate , or both. You should ask each broker you work with how he or she will be compensated so that you can compare the different fees. Be prepared to negotiate with the brokers as well as the lenders. Obtain All Important Cost Information Be sure to get information about mortgages from several lenders or brokers. Know how much of a down payment you can afford, and find out all the costs involved in the loan. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Ask for information about the same loan amount, loan term, and type of loan so that you can compare the information. The following information is important to get from each lender and broker: Rates Ask each lender and broker for a list of its current mortgage interest rates and whether the rates being quoted are the lowest for that day or week. Ask whether the rate is fixed or adjustable . Keep in mind that when interest rates for adjustable-rate loans go up, generally so does the monthly payment. If the rate quoted is for an adjustable-rate loan, ask how your rate and loan payment will vary, including whether your loan payment will be reduced when rates go down. Ask about the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR) . The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate. Points Points are fees paid to the lender or broker for the loan and are often linked to the interest rate; usually the more points you pay, the lower the rate. Check your local newspaper for information about rates and points currently being offered. Ask for points to be quoted to you as a dollar amount--rather than just as the number of points--so that you will actually know how much you will have to pay. Fees A home loan often involves many fees, such as loan origination or underwriting fees , broker fees, and transaction, settlement, and closing costs . Every lender or broker should be able to give you an estimate of its fees. Many of these fees are negotiable. Some fees are paid when you apply for a loan (such as application and appraisal fees), and others are paid at closing. In some cases, you can borrow the money needed to pay these fees, but doing so will increase your loan amount and total costs. "No cost" loans are sometimes available, but they usually involve higher rates. Ask what each fee includes. Several items may be lumped into one fee. Ask for an explanation of any fee you do not understand. Some common fees associated with a home loan closing are listed on the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet in this brochure. Down Payments and Private Mortgage Insurance Some lenders require 20 percent of the home’s purchase price as a down payment. However, many lenders now offer loans that require less than 20 percent down--sometimes as little as 5 percent on conventional loans . If a 20 percent down payment is not made, lenders usually require the home buyer to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) to protect the lender in case the home buyer fails to pay. When government-assisted programs such as FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Veterans Administration), or Rural Development Services are available, the down payment requirements may be substantially smaller. Ask about the lender’s requirements for a down payment, including what you need to do to verify that funds for your down payment are available. Ask your lender about special programs it may offer. If PMI is required for your loan, Ask what the total cost of the insurance will be. Ask how much your monthly payment will be when including the PMI premium. Ask how long you will be required to carry PMI. Obtain the Best Deal That You Can Once you know what each lender has to offer, negotiate for the best deal that you can. On any given day, lenders and brokers may offer different prices for the same loan terms to different consumers, even if those consumers have the same loan qualifications. The most likely reason for this difference in price is that loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Generally, the difference between the lowest available price for a loan product and any higher price that the borrower agrees to pay is an overage . When overages occur, they are built into the prices quoted to consumers. They can occur in both fixed and variable-rate loans and can be in the form of points, fees, or the interest rate. Whether quoted to you by a loan officer or a broker, the price of any loan may contain overages. Have the lender or broker write down all the costs associated with the loan. Then ask if the lender or broker will waive or reduce one or more of its fees or agree to a lower rate or fewer points. You’ll want to make sure that the lender or broker is not agreeing to lower one fee while raising another or to lower the rate while raising points. There’s no harm in asking lenders or brokers if they can give better terms than the original ones they quoted or than those you have found elsewhere. Once you are satisfied with the terms you have negotiated, you may want to obtain a written lock-in from the lender or broker. The lock-in should include the rate that you have agreed upon, the period the lock-in lasts, and the number of points to be paid. A fee may be charged for locking in the loan rate. This fee may be refundable at closing. Lock-ins can protect you from rate increases while your loan is being processed; if rates fall, however, you could end up with a less favorable rate. Should that happen, try to negotiate a compromise with the lender or broker. Remember: Shop, Compare, Negotiate When buying a home, remember to shop around, to compare costs and terms, and to negotiate for the best deal. Your local newspaper and the Internet are good places to start shopping for a loan. You can usually find information both on interest rates and on points for several lenders. Since rates and points can change daily, you’ll want to check your newspaper often when shopping for a home loan. But the newspaper does not list the fees, so be sure to ask the lenders about them. The Mortgage Shopping Worksheet that follows may also help you. Take it with you when you speak to each lender or broker and write down the information you obtain. Don’t be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete with each other for your business by letting them know that you are shopping for the best deal. Fair Lending Is Required by Law The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lenders from discriminating against credit applicants in any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, whether all or part of the applicant’s income comes from a public assistance program, or whether the applicant has in good faith exercised a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in residential real estate transactions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Under these laws, a consumer cannot be refused a loan based on these characteristics nor be charged more for a loan or offered less favorable terms based on such characteristics. Credit Problems? Still Shop, Compare, and Negotiate Don’t assume that minor credit problems or difficulties stemming from unique circumstances, such as illness or temporary loss of income, will limit your loan choices to only high-cost lenders.If your credit report contains negative information that is accurate, but there are good reasons for trusting you to repay a loan, be sure to explain your situation to the lender or broker. If your credit problems cannot be explained, you will probably have to pay more than borrowers who have good credit histories. But don’t assume that the only way to get credit is to pay a high price. Ask how your past credit history affects the price of your loan and what you would need to do to get a better price. Take the time to shop around and negotiate the best deal that you can. Whether you have credit problems or not, it’s a good idea to review your credit report for accuracy and completeness before you apply for a loan. To order a copy of your credit report, contact: Equifax: (800) 685-1111 TransUnion: (800) 888-4213 Experian: (888) 397-3742 Glossary Adjustable-rate loans , also known as variable-rate loans, usually offer a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate loans. The interest rate fluctuates over the life of the loan based on market conditions, but the loan agreement generally sets maximum and minimum rates. When interest rates rise, generally so do your loan payments; and when interest rates fall, your monthly payments may be lowered. Annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate. The APR includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that the borrower is required to pay. Conventional loans are mortgage loans other than those insured or guaranteed by a government agency such as the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), the VA (Veterans Administration), or the Rural Development Services (formerly know as Farmers Home Administration, or FmHA). Escrow is the holding of money or documents by a neutral third party prior to closing. It can also be an account held by the lender (or servicer) into which a homeowner pays money for taxes and insurance. Fixed-rate loans generally have repayment terms of 15, 20, or 30 years. Both the interest rate and the monthly payments (for principal and interest) stay the same during the life of the loan. The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate. Interest rates can change because of market conditions. Loan origination fees are fees charged by the lender for processing the loan and are often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. Lock-in refers to a written agreement guaranteeing a home buyer a specific interest rate on a home loan provided that the loan is closed within a certain period of time, such as 60 or 90 days. Often the agreement also specifies the number of points to be paid at closing. A mortgage is a document signed by a borrower when a home loan is made that gives the lender a right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to pay off the loan. Overages are the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price that the home buyer agrees to pay for the loan. Loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Points are fees paid to the lender for the loan. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. Points are usually paid in cash at closing. In some cases, the money needed to pay points can be borrowed, but doing so will increase the loan amount and the total costs. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects the lender against a loss if a borrower defaults on the loan. It is usually required for loans in which the down payment is less than 20 percent of the sales price or, in a refinancing, when the amount financed is greater than 80 percent of the appraised value. Thrift institution is a general term for savings banks and savings and loan associations. Transaction, settlement, or closing costs may include application fees; title examination, abstract of title, title insurance, and property survey fees; fees for preparing deeds, mortgages, and settlement documents; attorneys’ fees; recording fees; and notary, appraisal, and credit report fees. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the borrower receives a good faith estimate of closing costs at the time of application or within three days of application. The good faith estimate lists each expected cost either as an amount or a range. Mortgage Shopping Worksheet File for Printing Worksheet (12KB PDF) Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender: ___ ___ Name of Contact: ___ ___ Date of Contact: ___ ___ Mortgage Amount: ___ ___ mortgage 1 mortgage 2 mortgage 1 mortgage 2 Basic Information on the Loans Type of Mortgage: fixed rate, adjustable rate, conventional, FHA, other? If adjustable, see below ___ ___ ___ ___ Minimum down payment required ___ ___ ___ ___ Loan term (length of loan) ___ ___ ___ ___ Contract interest rate ___ ___ ___ ___ Annual percentage rate (APR) ___ ___ ___ ___ Points (may be called loan discount points) ___ ___ ___ ___ Monthly Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premiums ___ ___ ___ ___ How long must you keep PMI? ___ ___ ___ ___ Estimated monthly escrow for taxes and hazard insurance ___ ___ ___ ___ Estimated monthly payment (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, PMI) ___ ___ ___ ___ Fees Different institutions may have different names for somefees and may charge different fees. We have listed some typical fees you may see on loan documents. Application fee or Loan processing fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Origination fee or Underwriting fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Lender fee or Funding fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Appraisal fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Attorney fees ___ ___ ___ ___ Document preparation and recording fees ___ ___ ___ ___ Broker fees (may be quoted as points, origination fees, or interest rate add-on) ___ ___ ___ ___ Credit report fee ___ ___ ___ ___ Other fees ___ ___ ___ ___ Other Costs at Closing/Settlement Title search/Title insurance For lender ___ ___ ___ ___ For you ___ ___ ___ ___ Estimated prepaid amounts for interest, taxes, hazard insurance, payments to escrow ___ ___ ___ ___ State and local taxes, stamp taxes, transfer taxes ___ ___ ___ ___ Flood determination ___ ___ ___ ___ Prepaid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) ___ ___ ___ ___ Surveys and home inspections ___ ___ ___ ___ Total Fees and Other Closing/Settlement Cost Estimates ___ ___ ___ ___ Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender: mortgage 1 mortgage 2 mortgage 1 mortgage 2 Other Questions and Considerations about the Loan Are any of the fees or costs waivable? ___ ___ ___ ___ Prepayment penalties Is there a prepayment penalty? ___ ___ ___ ___ If so, how much is it? ___ ___ ___ ___ How long does the penalty period last? (for example, 3 years? 5 years?) ___ ___ ___ ___ Are extra principal payments allowed? ___ ___ ___ ___ Lock-ins Is the lock-in agreement in writing? ___ ___ ___ ___ Is there a fee to lock-in? ___ ___ ___ ___ When does the lock-in occur—at application, approval, or another time? ___ ___ ___ ___ How long will the lock-in last? ___ ___ ___ ___ If the rate drops before closing, can you lock-in at a lower rate? ___ ___ ___ ___ If the loan is an adjustable rate mortgage: What is the initial rate? ___ ___ ___ ___ What is the maximum the rate could be next year? ___ ___ ___ ___ What are the rate and payment caps each year and over the life of the loan? ___ ___ ___ ___ What is the frequency of rate change and of any changes to the monthly payment? ___ ___ ___ ___ What is the index that the lender will use? ___ ___ ___ ___ What margin will the lender add to the index? ___ ___ ___ ___ Credit life insurance Does the monthly amount quoted to you include a charge for credit life insurance? ___ ___ ___ ___ If so, does the lender require credit life insurance as a condition of the loan? ___ ___ ___ ___ How much does the credit life insurance cost? ___ ___ ___ ___ How much lower would your monthly payment be without the credit life insurance? ___ ___ ___ ___ If the lender does not require credit life insurance, and you still want to buy it, what rates can you get from other insurance providers? ___ ___ ___ ___ This brochure was prepared by the following agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Justice Department of the Treasury 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 These agencies (except the Department of the Treasury) enforce compliance with laws that prohibit discrimination in lending. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in the home financing process, you may want to contact one of the agencies listed above about your rights under these laws. For more information on home lending issues, visit ( http://www.consumer.gov ), write to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 or visit the Center’s Web site at ( http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov ). The following brochures are available from the Center: A Consumer’s Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins A Consumer’s Guide to Mortgage Refinancing Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance Home Buyer’s Vocabulary Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Rights to Fair Lending How to Buy a Home with a Low Down Payment How to Dispute Credit Report Errors The HUD Home Buying Guide What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit Home | Consumer information | Publications | Brochures | Accessibility | Contact Us Last update: January 22, 2004