home loan benefits. How

Am I Eligible for a VA Home Loan 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 Am I Eligible? General Rules for Eligibility Determine if you are eligible for VA home loan benefits. How to request a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits To request a Certificate of Eligibility for VA home loan benefits, you must complete VA Form 26-1880 and submit it to one of our VA Eligibility Centers along with acceptable proof of service as described on the instruction page of the form. It's also possible to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from your lender. Most lenders have access to the ACE (automated certificate of eligibility) system. This Internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through ACE - only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records. However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate. A Certificate of Eligibility is NOT Necessary for Interest Rate Reduction Refinance of Existing VA Loan Your lender may use our e-mail confirmation procedure in lieu of a certificate if you are obtaining a Interest Rate Reduction Refinance of an existing VA loan. Contact an Eligibility Center If you have specific questions regarding VA home loan eligibility, e-mail your Eligibility Center. Most questions regarding the VA Home Loan Program are answered in our Frequently Asked Questions , we ask that you read them prior to sending an inquiry. VA Eligibility Centers Address and Telephone Numbers Addresses and Telephone numbers Frequently Asked Eligibility Questions 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: June 24, 2004 (SG)

home equity plan may

When Your Home Is on the Line: home More and more lenders are offering home equity lines of credit. By using the equity in your home, you may qualify for a sizable amount of credit, available for use when and how you please, at an interest rate that is relatively low. Furthermore, under the tax law--depending on your specific situation--you may be allowed to deduct the interest because the debt is secured by your home. If you are in the market for credit, a home equity plan may be right for you. Or perhaps another form of credit would be better. Before making a decision, you should weigh carefully the costs of a home equity line against the benefits. Shop for the credit terms that best meet your borrowing needs without posing undue financial risk. And remember, failure to repay the amounts you've borrowed, plus interest, could mean the loss of your home. What is a home equity line? What should you look for? How will you repay your home equity plan? Lines of credit vs. traditional second mortgage loans Disclosures from lenders What is a home equity line of credit? A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. Because the home is likely to be a consumer's largest asset, many homeowners use their credit lines only for major items such as education, home improvements, or medical bills and not for day-to-day expenses. With a home equity line, you will be approved for a specific amount of credit--your credit limit , the maximum amount you may borrow at any one time under the plan. Many lenders set the credit limit on a home equity line by taking a percentage (say, 75 percent) of the home's appraised value and subtracting from that the balance owed on the existing mortgage. For example, [D] In determining your actual credit limit, the lender will also consider your ability to repay, by looking at your income, debts, and other financial obligations as well as your credit history. Many home equity plans set a fixed period during which you can borrow money, such as 10 years. At the end of this "draw period," you may be allowed to renew the credit line. If your plan does not allow renewals, you will not be able to borrow additional money once the period has ended. Some plans may call for payment in full of any outstanding balance at the end of the period. Others may allow repayment over a fixed period (the "repayment period"), for example, 10 years. Once approved for a home equity line of credit, you will most likely be able to borrow up to your credit limit whenever you want. Typically, you will use special checks to draw on your line. Under some plans, borrowers can use a credit card or other means to draw on the line. There may be limitations on how you use the line. Some plans may require you to borrow a minimum amount each time you draw on the line (for example, $300) and to keep a minimum amount outstanding. Some plans may also require that you take an initial advance when the line is set up. What should you look for when shopping for a plan? If you decide to apply for a home equity line of credit, look for the plan that best meets your particular needs. Read the credit agreement carefully, and examine the terms and conditions of various plans, including the annual percentage rate (APR) and the costs of establishing the plan. The APR for a home equity line is based on the interest rate alone and will not reflect the closing costs and other fees and charges, so you'll need to compare these costs, as well as the APRs, among lenders. Interest rate charges and related plan features Home equity lines of credit typically involve variable rather than fixed interest rates. The variable rate must be based on a publicly available index (such as the prime rate published in some major daily newspapers or a U.S. Treasury bill rate); the interest rate for borrowing under the home equity line changes, mirroring fluctuations in the value of the index. Most lenders cite the interest rate you will pay as the value of the index at a particular time plus a " margin ," such as 2 percentage points. Because the cost of borrowing is tied directly to the value of the index, it is important to find out which index is used, how often the value of the index changes, and how high it has risen in the past as well as the amount of the margin. Lenders sometimes offer a temporarily discounted interest rate for home equitylines--a rate that is unusually low and may last for only an introductory period, such as 6 months. Variable-rate plans secured by a dwelling must, by law, have a ceiling (or cap ) on how much your interest rate may increase over the life of the plan. Some variable-rate plans limit how much your payment may increase and how low your interest rate may fall if interest rates drop. Some lenders allow you to convert from a variable interest rate to a fixed rate during the life of the plan, or to convert all or a portion of your line to a fixed-term installment loan. Plans generally permit the lender to freeze or reduce your credit line under certain circumstances. For example, some variable-rate plans may not allow you to draw additional funds during a period in which the interest rate reaches the cap. Costs of establishing and maintaining a home equity line Many of the costs of setting up a home equity line of credit are similar to those you pay when you buy a home. For example, A fee for a property appraisal to estimate the value of your home An application fee , which may not be refunded if you are turned down for credit Up-front charges, such as one or more points (one point equals 1 percent of the credit limit) Closing costs, including fees for attorneys, title search, and mortgage preparation and filing; property and title insurance; and taxes. In addition, you may be subject to certain fees during the plan period, such as annual membership or maintenance fees and a transaction fee every time you draw on the credit line. You could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars to establish the plan. If you were to draw only a small amount against your credit line, those initial charges would substantially increase the cost of the funds borrowed. On the other hand, because the lender's risk is lower than for other forms of credit, as your home serves as collateral, annual percentage rates for home equity lines are generally lower than rates for other types of credit. The interest you save could offset the costs of establishing and maintaining the line. Moreover, some lenders waive some or all of the closing costs. How will you repay your home equity plan? Before entering into a plan, consider how you will pay back the money you borrow. Some plans set minimum payments that cover a portion of the principal (the amount you borrow) plus accrued interest. But (unlike with the typical installment loan) the portion that goes toward principal may not be enough to repay the principal by the end of the term. Other plans may allow payment of interest alone during the life of the plan, which means that you pay nothing toward the principal. If you borrow $10,000, you will owe that amount when the plan ends. Regardless of the minimum required payment, you may choose to pay more, and many lenders offer a choice of payment options. Many consumers choose to pay down the principal regularly as they do with other loans. For example, if you use your line to buy a boat, you may want to pay it off as you would a typical boat loan. Whatever your payment arrangements during the life of the plan--whether youpay some, a little, or none of the principal amount of the loan--when the plan ends you may have to pay the entire balance owed, all at once. You must be prepared to make this " balloon payment " by refinancing it with the lender, by obtaining a loan from another lender, or by some other means. If you are unable to make the balloon payment, you could lose your home. If your plan has a variable interest rate, your monthly payments may change. Assume, for example, that you borrow $10,000 under a plan that calls for interest-only payments. At a 10 percent interest rate, your monthly payments would be $83. If the rate rises over time to 15 percent, your monthly payments will increase to $125. Similarly, if you are making payments that cover interest plus some portion of the principal, your monthly payments may increase, unless your agreement calls for keeping payments the same throughout the plan period. If you sell your home, you will probably be required to pay off your homeequity line in full immediately. If you are likely to sell your home in the near future, consider whether it makes sense to pay the up-front costs of setting up a line of credit. Also keep in mind that renting your home may be prohibited under the terms of your agreement. Lines of credit vs. traditional second mortgage loans If you are thinking about a home equity line of credit, you might also want to consider a traditional second mortgage loan. A second mortgage provides you with a fixed amount of money repayable over a fixed period. In most cases the payment schedule calls for equal payments that will pay off the entire loan within the loan period. You might consider a second mortgage instead of a home equity line if, for example, you need a set amount for a specific purpose, such as an addition to your home. In deciding which type of loan best suits your needs, consider the costs under the two alternatives. Look at both the APR and other charges. Do not, however, simply compare the APRs, because the APRs on the two types of loans are figured differently: The APR for a traditional second mortgage loan takes into account the interest rate charged plus points and other finance charges. The APR for a home equity line of credit is based on the periodic interest rate alone. It does not include points or other charges. Disclosures from lenders The federal Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to disclose the important terms and costs of their home equity plans, including the APR, miscellaneous charges, the payment terms, and information about any variable-rate feature. And in general, neither the lender nor anyone else may charge a fee until after you have received this information. You usually get these disclosures when you receive an application form, and you will get additional disclosures before the plan is opened. If any term (other than a variable-rate feature) changes before the plan is opened, the lender must return all fees if you decide not to enter into the plan because of the change. When you open a home equity line, the transaction puts your home at risk. If the home involved is your principal dwelling, the Truth in Lending Act gives you 3 days from the day the account was opened to cancel the credit line. This right allows you to change your mind for any reason. You simply inform the lender in writing within the 3-day period. The lender must then cancel its security interest in your home and return all fees--including any application and appraisal fees--paid to open the account. The material on this site is adapted from the brochure "When Your Home Is on the Line." Single or multiple copies of the brochure are available without charge. Order the brochure by telephone, mail, or fax . Order on line . Glossary | Where to go for help | Checklist Home | Consumer information | Publications | Brochures Accessibility To comment on this site, please fill out our feedback form. Last update: July 25, 2001

Florida Real Estate

OrlandoSentinel.com: Real Estate : Orlando and Central Florida Real Estate, Homes For Sale, Condos For Sale, Vacation Rentals, Land For Sale, and More Real Estate JOBS CARS REAL ESTATE SHOPPING PLACE AN AD 7-DAY SEARCH: OUR SITE WEB ENHANCED BY RSS NEWS FEED: HOME PAGE NEWS SPORTS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIFESTYLE WEATHER OPINION TRAVEL MULTIMEDIA MARKETPLACE SITE INDEX PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD JOBS Print & Online FlexAd: Individual Advertisers Agencies & Contract Accounts Print and Online | Online Only REAL ESTATE Print & Online Rental Online Only CARS Print & Online Online Only GENERAL CLASSIFIEDS Merchandise, Financial, Announcements, Training & Education, Pets By phone: 407-420-5757 or online: Print & Online OBITUARIES By phone: 407-420-6006 By fax: 407-420-5145 or Email a notice NOTICES/CELEBRATIONS Notices: By phone: 407-420-5757 or online: Print & Online Celebrations: By phone: 407-420-5696 or online: Print & Online For more information on placing a Classified ad, please contact our qualified representatives for personalized attention: 407-420-5757 1-800-669-5757 (toll-free) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ATTENTION REALTORS Click here for information about advertising in the new Weekend Home Preview section of the Orlando Sentinel newspaper. Find a Home: Search listings from brokers, builders and classifieds. All Homes New Construction Resale Homes City, Neighborhood, or ZIP: State: Choose from a list AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA GU HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY Price Range: No minimum $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $950,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 to No maximum $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $950,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 Property Type: Any Single Family Home Building Unit Co-Op Unit Condominium Unit Duplex Farm Houseboat Mobile Home Raw Land Row House Townhouse/Townhome Bedrooms: Bathrooms: Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Advanced Search Click on the map to search by location: Or search by location from the list: Brevard County Lake County Marion County Orange County Osceola County Polk County Seminole County Volusia County Find a Builder by Name: Select One Del Webb Pringle Development Choose a County/Area: Select One Brevard County-- Lake County Marion County Orange County Osceola County Polk County-- Seminole County-- Volusia County Enter your home search criteria once, and get home matches directly in your inbox. Get the latest listings first! Set up an Alert >> Search by Web# or MLS# Advanced | National | Apartments | School Scores | Email Alerts SELL YOUR PROPERTY Reach motivated buyers! Online-only packages starting at $99 - click here Print and online packages starting at $124.99 - click here RESOURCES Mortgage Guide Virtual Tours Home Sale Prices Community Information Find a Realtor Orlando New Homes Apartments / Rentals What's Selling Gallery Orlando Schools Relocation Package New Home Specials Storage Finder -- FLORIDA LIFESTYLE ACTIVE ADULTS Year-round golf, social activities and recreation - the good life in one place. Click Here COASTAL LIVING Beaches, breezes, sunsets, sun - life built around a relaxing coastal setting. Click Here MASTERPLAN Work, school, golf, recreation, shopping - all within a single community. Click Here URBAN LIVING Condos, townhomes, cosmopolitan & downtown living have arrived in Orlando. Click Here COMMUNITY INFORMATION NEW! Population, financial, environment, and crime information on Central Florida communities HOME AND LIFESTYLE Check out the latest issue of From House to Home , a home and lifestyle magazine from the Orlando Sentinel. Tools for Buying and Selling Find a Realtor Find a Mortgage Search the Orlando & Central Florida area to find a Realtor who can assist you with your real estate needs. Search by county. Pick a County Lake County Orange County Osceola County Seminole County Volusia County Select purpose of Loan: Refinance Purchase Select a loan type: Fixed 40 yr Fixed 30 yr Fixed 20 yr Fixed 15 yr Fixed 10 yr Fixed balloon 5/25 Fixed balloon 7/23 Adj 1 yr Treasury index Adj 1 mo LIBOR Adj 1 yr COFI Adj 3/1 yr Adj 5/1 yr Adj 7/1 yr Adj 10/1 yr VA fixed 30 yr VA fixed 15 yr VA adj 3/1 yr VA adj 5/1 yr VA adj 7/1 yr FHA fixed 30 yr FHA fixed 15 yr FHA adj 1 yr FHA adj 3/1 yr FHA adj 5/1 yr FHA adj 7/1 yr Discount point range: 0 points 0.125-1 1.125-2 2.125 + All Estimated loan amount: Homes & Real Estate Features Is Tiger moving to South Florida? After a decade in Orlando, Tiger Woods may be headed to greener pastures. Or more watery ones, anyway. 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Texas Land

Texas General Land Office Welcome to the oldest state agency in Texas! Our web site tells the story of how the Texas General Land Office is balancing economic development with preservation of our state's natural resources. Need information on Boards for Lease ? Need information on purchasing state land ? Need information or applications for leasing state land? Looking for information on your early Texas ancestors ? Looking for exciting career opportunities ? Is your business interested in becoming a mentor or protg ? When is the next Adopt-A-Beach cleanup ? Looking for low interest loans for Texas veterans ? Newest benefit for veterans is skilled care in the Texas State Veterans Homes . School Land Board meetings Veterans Land Board meetings Texas State Veterans Cemeteries Committee meetings View Upcoming Events What's New Coastal Coordination Council Meeting December 14, 2005 10:00 am --- Give the gift of Texas History Sealed Bid Land Sale February 7, 2006 Get the details on the recent US-Mexico Border Energy Forum XII , learn more about regional energy cooperation May 19, 2005 Sealed Bid Sale [Sale Results] --- Save Texas History! General Land Office Historic Preservation Program [Buy Historic Maps] Read more about our RFP for Real Estate Brokerage Services -- Read more about GLO water development on state lands Technological change comes to the archives! We now have our Searchable Land Grant Database online! Want to learn more about GLO fight against coastal erosion? Visit the Coastal Texas 2020 site Current Oil and Gas Lease Sale information is available . If you have an active TVLB land loan, you can now access secure information online about your account balance, payment amount, and/or terms of loan Whether it's history, information relating to state lands or employment opportunities, this web site delivers! Privacy Policy Public Information Act Policy Links/Accessibility Policy Texas Homeland Security Compact With Texans State of Texas Home Page Statewide Search from the Texas State Library Western States Land Commissioners Association (WSLCA) For our customers who are hearing impaired: The GLO TDD number is (512) 463-5330 or contact any of our program areas through Relay Texas at 1-800-735-2988. For more information, contact us .

Sell House

Tips for Selling Your Home Getting Your House Ready To Sell | Home Page | Search Our Listings | Tips for Selling | Why Advertise | List Your Home | Links | Enter Keyword Here These are tips that won't cost a lot but can make a big difference on the appearance of your home. It is amazing how just a little attention to the details will add that special appeal that the buyer is looking for! Pre-listing Inspection. Having your home inspected by a professional home inspector before you list is a recommendation from Dennis DiVito of Apex Home Inspections, LLC . Eventually your buyers are going to conduct a home inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways: It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party. It helps you to price your home realistically. It permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that ... Defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later. You have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs yourself, if you are qualified. It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency. It may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation (not all inspectors offer these extra services, you can check for radon yourself). It may relieve buying prospect's concerns and suspicions. It reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement. Alerting you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home. Copies of the inspection report along with receipts for any repairs should be made available to potential buyers. Be sure the inspector you use is insured and licensed or certified (if your state requires) or at least belongs to a professional organization such as NACHI, ASHI, NIBI. You can find an inspector nationwide at FindanInspector.us Clean up the outside. Curb appeal is the first impression of your house. Keeping the grass cut and the area tidy will help make a great first impression. Paint or wash the exterior of the house (including window casings, shutters, and doors). Wash the windows inside and out. Check the gutters and chimney. Touch up the interior. Put a fresh coat of paint in the most used areas of the home. This will clean as well as brighten up the rooms. Wash the walls where paint is not appropriate (i.e. wall paper, paneling). Wash all floors and bathroom tiles. Shampoo dirty carpets. Get rid of clutter. Clean out your closets, garage, basement and attic. Use self storage if necessary. Replacing air filters will help keep the dust down. Replace bathroom and kitchen fixtures that are worn or leaking. People will notice a leaking or worn-out faucet. By replacing these items, you will give a new look to the room. Clean under the sinks. If there is any leaks fix them. Then clean up the damage using contact paper or paint. Get rid of any bad smells in your home. Pay attention to pet or cigarette odors. Place scented potpourri around the house. On the day you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls or home-made bread into the oven for a great aroma. Use a title company to handle the closing. A title company can handle the title search and paper work for a very small fee. It is well worth the cost. Other Great Resources FSBO How-To is a complete do-it-yourself home selling guide. Sell without an agent and save thousands. Click Here for the "FSBO How-To" eBook! Becoming A Fsbo-For Sale By Owner - A guide for the preparation and sale of your home. The Bowen Family Homes commitment to the American family is unprecedented in the building industry, from our architectural designs and choice of community locations to our exceptional home warranties. Having a new house built? Get involved in the building process of your home! - HOMEBUYER FRIENDLY system provides you with a step by step guide to self-inspection of your new home or addition. Electronic Appraiser's Online Article: Our first article is geared towards sellers who are listing their home with an agent . The article focuses on why its important for a home owner to know the value of their property prior to letting the selling agent set the asking price. Electronic Appraiser's Online Article: The next article was written for consumers who are taking the FSBO Challenge and are trying to sell their homes on their own. It highlights how an automated valuation report can provide them with valuable information they need when putting their home on the market. Electronic Appraiser's Online Article: The third article is geared towards home buyers. No one likes to pay too much for a property and the article explains how home buyers can have added negotiating power when they bring our product to the negotiation table. Home Loan Refinancing from Mortgage Research Center Local Rate Source - Get up to 4 quotes from local lenders! Get a Low Interest Home Loan Free Home Equity Loan Quotes Download quality real estate forms designed by attorneys. Click here! Home Sales Packages - Legal Forms for Home Sales and Contract of Sales Downloadable Legal and Business Forms Buying or Selling? Find Out Whats Worth! ElectronicAppraisers online Home Valuation reports, give instant accurate results. Get Your Home's Value Plan To Sell A Home? Compare REALTORs first! REALTORS- More leads = more $$$$. Get leads now! Save on REALTOR Fees. Let listing agents compete for your business! Review REALTORS Anonymously Guaranteed lowest cost Home Equity Loans Improvements Catalog Improvements Newsletter We have found a great web site that provides insider's information to help you avoid the many potential pitfalls of having a new home built. Click here to visit Home Building Pitfalls Search for homes from $10,000 at Bargain.com ! New members search FREE! Click here for Bargain.com ! House n Home Building Cost Guide - House n home building provides a guide to build your home, house construction cost guide, new residential and will save your thousands. Post Your FREE Resume Today to attract top employers! Save $50.00 and fill a job fast on Monster.com! Saving for College with Upromise is Easy! Square Footage: Bedrooms: Bathrooms: min: 0 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4500 5000 6000 7500 1 2 3 4 5+ 1 1-2 2-3 3+ max: 0 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4500 5000 6000 7500 7500+ | Home Page | Search Our Listings | Tips for Selling | Why Advertise | List Your Home | Links | Visitors to This Page Since December 16, 2001: Free counters provided by Andale . For comments on this page please contact the Webmaster for Sold By Owner. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: Sold By Owner does NOT sell real estate. Sold By Owner only provides space for advertising homes that are being sold by the property owner. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.