Texas Land Commissioner Jerry

GLO | News & Information Press Releases Editorials Live Webcasts Meetings Archive News Archive Upcoming Events Field Notes Texas General Land Office Signs Historic Coastal Lease to Develop Offshore Wind Energy First U.S. offshore wind farm to be built on the Texas coast October 24, 2005 PRESS RELEASE (PDF) Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson today announced the first offshore wind energy project in the United States will be built off the Texas coast. The multi-million dollar lease, signed with Louisiana-based Wind Energy Systems Technologies (W.E.S.T.), allows work to begin immediately on the construction of two meteorological towers. These towers will help gather data to determine exactly where the 150 MW wind energy development will be built on an 11,355-acre lease about seven miles off the coast of Galveston. Revenue from the agreement - expected to be at least $26.5 million - will be deposited in the state's Permanent School Fund, which helps pay for public education. See additional information below. Video Files Press Conference (RealPlayer) Press Teleconference (RealPlayer) Audio Files Press Conference Complete (MP3) Press Conference Soundbite (MP3) Offshore Wind Farm Video B-Roll Video footage of the Nysted Offshore Wind Farm located off the coast of Denmark. Broadcast quality copies available upon request from Texas General Land Office Media Services. For more information call (512) 305-9116. Run Time: 10:14. Courtesy Capewind, Cielo Wind Power, and Vosswerke. PLAY VIDEO LOW | HIGH For more information, members of the media should contact Jim Suydam at 512-463-5339. Fact Sheet (PDF) Electronic Press Kit (PDF) Lease Map B&W (PDF) W.E.S.T. Bios (PDF) Texas Offshore Artist's Rendering (JPEG) Permanent School Fund Primer (PDF) Patterson Sustainable Energy Plan (PDF) GLO Sustainable Energy Offshore Lease Map (PDF) Texas Wind Energy Classification Map Previous Press Conference Videos : October 23, 2003 – Austin ANNOUNCEMENT OF PLANS FOR LEASING STATE LANDS FOR WIND ENERGY PRODUCTION Run Time 10:16 PLAY VIDEO LOW | MID | HIGH PDF Press Release April 22, 2003 – Austin COMMISSIONER PATTERSON PRESENTS DETAILS OF HIS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PLAN Run Time 9:27 PLAY VIDEO LOW | MID | HIGH PDF Press Release For more information, contact the Texas General Land Office Communications Office or call (512) 463-5339. Press Releases | Editorials | Live Webcasts | Meetings Archive News Archive | Upcoming Events | Field Notes For more information, contact us .

Home Mortgage

FRB: Understanding the Home Mortgage Process Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending Shop for the mortgage package that best meets your financial needs. If you apply for a mortgage and the lender says you don't qualify, keep in mind that some lenders have stricter credit standards than others. Try someone else. Don't stop shopping after one discouraging experience--or even several. "Just Right!" You’ve been looking at houses for months and months, and you have finally found it--the house that’s just right. Now, you’re anxious to buy your new home, move in, and get settled. But you still have an important task ahead of you--getting a mortgage loan. This brochure explains about dealing with mortgage lenders. It tells you where to look, what to look for, and what takes place when you apply for a mortgage. Knowing what to expect, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer, may make it easier for you to get through the process. You’ll also learn about your legal rights to fair lending and what you have a right to expect in fair treatment. The Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act make it unlawful for a lender to decide whether you qualify for a loan, or to offer less favorable terms, for reasons such as your race, national origin or sex and other prohibited factors. If you believe you have been unlawfully discriminated against by a lender, or have questions about the treatment you have received, this brochure also tells you where to file a complaint. Where to Shop and What to Look For The Mortgage Application Process Understanding Your Rights to Fair Lending Directory of Federal Agencies Home | Brochures Accessibility To comment on this site, please fill out our feedback form. Last update: June 21, 2001

Real Estate prices in

Google Answers: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. Log in | Google Answers Home View Question Ask a Question Q: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. ( Answered , 4 Comments ) Question Subject: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. Category: Business and Money > Economics Asked by: realestatedoom-ga List Price: $10.00 Posted: 06 May 2002 14:46 PDT Expires: 05 Jun 2002 14:46 PDT Question ID: 13448 With everything in the economy setting new lows, the SF bay area realestate is growing up surprisingly. During the hey days of internetboom, the real estate hike was justified with the stock prices. Nowmost of those internet companies are bankrupted or trading at theirlows of a few pennies. Yet, the bay area real estate is HOT, sizzlingand I heard that the home prices are indeed going up. This has left meclueless as it defies all the gravity. I would like to know thereasons. Also, if the reasons indicate that there is a manipualtion ofthis market by vested parties, I would like some pointers as well. Andabove all, when does one see the real estate crash in this area andwhat could trigger the same. Thanks. Answer Subject: Re: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. Answered By: easterangel-ga on 19 May 2002 03:53 PDT Rated: Hi! Thanks for the question. I have collected the following assessments on why the Bay Area realestate market is being overpriced right now.According to these two articles by Broderick Perkins of the RealtyTimes he mentioned two underlying factors: (a and b).a. “The area's housing market is further influenced by the contractionof household wealth, largely due to the bust in the area'stechnology-based economy.”“When the market crashed, housing prices declined, and many newhomeowners, who found themselves with a mortgage they could no longerafford, put their homes on the market.”These statements are particularly trying to point out that a selectivefew are trying to squeeze the real estate market especially forhigh-end homes. http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20020205_bayarea.htm b.) “The spotty-market syndrome” – “A record high "luxury" home price index that doesn't fully jibe withreports of lagging sales activity is a red flag indicating aspotty-market that warrants close scrutiny by both buyers and sellers.Spotty-Market syndrome or reporting is using data that does notadequately represent the targeted population in this case the sellersand buyers of homes in the Bay Area. ““Home shoppers may buy into bidding wars that don't exist and pay toomuch in a flat or depreciating market in a given neighborhood… couldbe trickling down to mid-priced homes which aren't appreciating asfast as even cheaper condos and townhomes.” http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20010223_bayprices.htm Do these two statements subscribe to your suspicion as regards tosomeone or somebody trying to control the market? I think they do.c.) Supply and demand. There is such a demand for land/housing in theBay Area, and this drives the price of homes up. However, there areaffordable housing options. This was taken from Advantage Homeswebsite. This can be located at the lower part of the web page. http://216.239.33.100/search?q=cache:2eSmmIcxiNcC:www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/business/personal_finance/debt_management/mortgages/ask_expert_front.htm+%2BWhy+Bay+Area+homes+expensive&hl=en d.) The region's economy is so much more diverse than a decade ago.This reason is specifically a factor for the Sacramento area accordingto this article. http://www.sacbee.com/static/archive/home/realestate/2001/0520.html Some housing bargains in the Bay Area are mentioned this article.Housing Bargains: http://beta.kpix.com/news/5reports/Housing_Bargains.shtml As to your question as to when it would end? The second article ofBroderick Perkins which I cited said this near the end."Buyers and sellers are cautioned to keep tabs on sales and prices ofall homes. As spring approaches with its seasonally more activemarket, a clearer picture of the spotty market should emerge -- forbetter or for worse."The article continued that small changes in the Bay Area economy willchange the balance of supply and demand bringing pressure for high-endhome prices to go down. http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20010223_bayprices.htm I pray that right now this is the case. Search Terms Used:+Why Bay Area homes expensivespotty marketI hope this would be of help. Thanks for being a part of GoogleAnswers.Regards,Easterangel-ga realestatedoom-ga rated this answer: provides good insight. of course, i am still puzzled on who and howpeople can so easily afford 1+ million homes in the bay area assumingnot much money is flowing from stock options?. i am also a littlepuzzled that the "demand" has not waned out significantly due to fallout of "tech" economy here!. in any case, thanks for the answer. Comments Log in to add a comment Subject: Re: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. From: delphina-ga on 06 May 2002 15:33 PDT prices are indeed going up. houses are still selling quickly withmultiple bids. why? not everyone was wiped out in the dot-com crash.those that made it, made it, and those that didn't are already gone. basically, it won't crash unless there is an earthquake.everything you need to know is in carol lloyd's Surreal Estate columnin the San Francisco Chronicle.see here: http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/lloyd/archive/ Subject: Re: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. From: realestatedoom-ga on 06 May 2002 16:43 PDT so, how does an earthquake impact the prices given that this region iseqrthquake prone. why is the buying herd not factoring this?. readingthrough lloyd's article, there is a sense of desperation amongstbuyers (so there are still buyers at this price left:), wonder whythey don't choose other greener pastures where they do not have tosacrifice their entire life paying huge mortgages in an uncertain andimploding tech and job market!.) to own the realty in the bay area. isthat desperation out of a need to be in this area or pyramid formationwhere you buy and get out of this in a few years selling the home fora huge profit. a.k.a like buying internet stocks at hyped up priceswith an idea of selling them to a bigger fool at higher prices. aslong as the pyramid continues, it all looks great. didn't we seeenough of that with internet stock bubble?. if so, when does the realestate bubble/pyramid come crashing? Subject: Re: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. From: claudietta-ga on 17 Jun 2002 01:19 PDT I think there were plenty of people with high incomes waiting for thehousing market to adjust, prior to the bubble bursting. Since therecontinues to be a large portion of high income earners in SiliconValley, say >$100k/person/yr; a $200k household could easilty afford a$1m-home. These could be earned by a single CEO or two professionalswith that sort of total income. In the high-end districts, Los AltosHills, Saratoga, Woodside, this is precisely the profile of the homeowners. There are plenty CEOs and professionals (lawyers, engineers,managers) who make that amount of money.I've also heard of many who've lost their $5m-homes, and have had to'settle' for a $2m-home.The very high-end, >$2.5m is where the real housing crisis is inSilicon Valley.claudietta-ga Subject: Re: Real Estate prices in San Francisco Bay Area - Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga .. From: krup-ga on 30 Oct 2002 01:38 PST I am baffled that the effect of low interest rates has not yet beenmentioned- people are able to afford more, so they do. It's theAmerican way.Check out Fortune's recent cover article with a pic of an SF domicileentitled, "Is this House worth $1.2 Million?" It sums up thesituation perfectly.http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc_id=209840 Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service . If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-editors@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you. Search Google Answers for all questions answered questions unanswered questions Google Home - Answers Help & Tips - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy ©2005 Google

Home Loan Program VA

Information on the VA Home Loan Program Information on the Home Loan Program Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? Property Management Construction and Valuation Lenders & Servicers Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage VBA HomePage VA Homepage If You Owe VA VA Monitoring Unit Loan Production Specially Adapted Housing Information on the VA Home Loan Program VA Pamphlet 26-4 VA-Guaranteed Home Loans for Veterans. This pamphlet is designed to help veterans planning to purchase or construct homes, particularly those veterans who intend to finance with VA home loans VA Pamphlet 26-91-1 A Quick Guide for Homebuyers & Real Estate Professionals VA Pamphlet 26-6 To the Homebuying Veteran - A guide for veterans planning to buy or build homes with a VA loan Start here for brief information about VA Home Loans. Pamphlet 26-71-01 Questions and Answers on Manufactured Home Loans for Veterans . The questions and answers included in this pamphlet are intended to cover major items of interest to veterans interested in buying a manufactured (mobile) home. VA Pamphlet 26-93-1 VA Direct Home Loans for Native American Veterans Living on Trust Lands . VA direct home loans are available to eligible Native American veterans who wish to purchase or construct a ho me on trust lands. Home Buying Links Useful links to help you with your homebuying experience . Fact Sheet Information on VA Home Loans Information on the Home Loan Program / Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? / Property Management Construction and Valuation / Lenders & Servicers / Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service / Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage / If you owe VA / Monitoring Unit / Loan Production / SAH Disclaimer / Privacy & Security Statement / Freedom of Information Act Contact the VA / VBA HomePage / VA HomePage This page has been accessed since February 16, 2003. Reviewed/Updated: May 19, 2005 [kt]

Buy Home

How to Buy a HUD Home Housing About Housing Contact us Keywords Single Family Audience groups Buying a home Events & training FHA insured loans Common questions Housing counseling HUD homes/ REO Owning a home Reference guide Regulatory programs Hospitals Multifamily OAHP Reading room Online forums Work online HUD news Homes Communities Working with HUD Resources Tools Webcasts Mailing lists Contact us Help FAQs About Buying HUD Homes Information by State Esta página en español Print version Email this to a friend Question 1: What is a "HUD Home"? Answer: When someone with a HUD insured mortgage can't meet the payments, the lender forecloses on the home; HUD pays the lender what is owed; and HUD takes ownership of the home. Then we sell it at market value as quickly as possible. Question 2: Who can buy a HUD home? Answer: Almost anyone! If you have the cash or can qualify for a mortgage, subject to certain restrictions, you may buy a HUD home. HUD employees and relatives of HUD employees are eligible, but must receive written approval from the Director of HUD's Office of Single Family Asset Management in order to purchase a HUD-owned single family property. HUD employees should refer to paragraph 10-29C of Handbook 4310.5, REV-2, Property Disposition Handbook-One to Four Family Properties for the exact requirements to purchase a HUD-owned single family property. Other less common restrictions may apply. Question 3: Are HUD Homes meant for people with low incomes? Answer: HUD homes range in price, but most are affordable for low- and moderate-income Americans. Question 4: Is it true I can get a HUD Home for a dollar? Answer: No. HUD sells homes at market value - that means that the price is set based on the price of similar homes sold in the area. Question 5: If the HUD Home needs repairs, will HUD make them? Answer: HUD Homes are sold "as-is," without warranty. That means that HUD will not pay to correct any problems. But even if a HUD Home needs fixing up - and not all of them do - it can be a real bargain! For example, HUD's asking price on the home will reflect the fact that the buyer will have to invest money to make improvements. HUD might offer special incentives such as an allowance to upgrade the property, a moving expense allowance, or a bonus for closing the sale early. And keep in mind that on most sales, the buyer can request HUD to pay all or a portion of the financing and closing costs. Your real estate agent will have details. We encourage you to get the home professionally inspected before you make an offer so you will know what repairs you may have to make BEFORE you submit your bid. Question 6: How do I buy a HUD home? Answer: Start by finding a participating real estate agent. Your real estate agent must submit your bid for you. Normally, HUD Homes are sold in an "Offer Period." At the end of the Offer Period, all offers are opened and, basically, the highest reasonable bid is accepted. If the home isn't sold in the initial Offer Period, you can submit a bid until the home is sold. Bids can be submitted any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. They will be opened the next business day. If your bid is acceptable to HUD, your real estate agent will be notified, usually within 48 hours. Question 7: If my bid is accepted, what happens next? Answer: Your real estate agent will help you through the paperwork process. You'll be given a settlement date, normally within 30-60 days, by which you need to arrange financing and close the sale, or forfeit your earnest money deposit, or pay for an extension of your sales contract. We have an excellent booklet to help you understand the settlement process: " Buying Your Home - Settlement Costs and Helpful Information . When you buy a HUD Home, the selling agent's commission will be paid by HUD but only if you make this a condition of your offer. The listing agent's commission is always paid by HUD. HUD will pay a total sales commission of up to 6%. Question 8: How can I find out what HUD Homes are for sale? Answer: Right here! We update our lists of HUD Homes for sale every day. If you see one that interests you, contact one of the real estate agents in your area who shows HUD homes. They can help you from there. Question 9: How can I get a loan to buy a HUD Home? Answer: HUD doesn't make loans directly. But we do have a number of mortgage insurance programs that could help you buy a home. You can read about those programs . Then contact a HUD approved lender , who will take you through the steps and actually make the loan. Question 10: Can I buy a HUD Home as an investment? Answer: Most HUD Homes are initially offered on a priority basis to owner occupant purchasers (people who are buying the home as their primary residence). Following the priority period, unsold properties are then available to all buyers, including investors. Question 11: Is there anything else I should know about HUD Homes? Answer: We encourage every homebuyer and homeowner to be a wise consumer, so be sure to read our consumer information . Houses built before 1978 may have lead-based paint , which can cause harm to your family; so be sure to read about this hazard and about what you would need to do to correct it. Teachers and law enforcement officers qualify for 50% discounts in certain situations. Attention: Nonprofits and Government Agencies! HUD has a special sales program under which approved nonprofit organizations and government agencies may purchase properties at discounted prices for use in local housing or homeless programs. Content updated March 16, 2005 Back to top FOIA Privacy Web Policies and Important Links Home U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: (202) 708-1112 TTY: (202) 708-1455 Find the address of a HUD office near you