home equity loan or

FRB: Putting Your Home on the Loan Line Is Risky Business ESPAÑOL Are you in need of cash? Do you want to consolidate your debts? Are you receiving home equity loan or refinancing offers that seem too good to be true? Does your home need repairs that contractors tell you can be easily financed? If you are a homeowner who needs money to pay bills or for home repairs, you may think a home equity loan is the answer. But not all loans and lenders are the same--you should shop around. The cost of doing business with high-cost lenders can be excessive and, sometimes, downright abusive. For example, certain lenders--often called "predatory lenders"--target homeowners who have low incomes or credit problems or who are elderly by deceiving them about loan terms or giving them loans they cannot afford to repay. Borrowing from an unscrupulous lender, especially one who offers you a high-cost loan using your home as security, is risky business. You could lose your home and your money. Before you sign on the line, Think about your options Do your homework Think twice before you sign Know that you have rights under the law Think about Your Options If you’re having money problems, consider these options before you put your home on the loan line. Talk with your creditors or with representatives of non-profit or other reputable credit or budget counseling organizations to work out a plan that reduces your bill payments to a more manageable level. Contact your local social service agency, community or religious groups, and local or state housing agencies. They may have programs that help consumers, including the elderly and those with disabilities, with energy bills, home repairs, or other emergency needs. Contact a local housing counseling agency to discuss your needs. Call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development toll-free at 800-569-4287 or visit www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm to find a center near you. Talk with someone other than the lender or broker offering the loan who is knowledgeable and you trust before making any decisions. Remember, if you decide to get a home equity loan and can’t make the payments, the lender could foreclose and you would lose your home. If you decide a loan is right for you, talk with several lenders, including at least one bank, savings and loan, or credit union in your community. Their loans may cost less than loans from finance companies. And don’t assume that if you’re on a fixed income or have credit problems, you won’t qualify for a loan from a bank, savings and loan, or credit union--they may have the loan you want! Do Your Homework Contact several lenders--and be very careful about dealing with a lender who just appears at your door, calls you, or sends you mail. Ask friends and family for recommendations of lenders. Talk with banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and other lenders. If you choose to use a mortgage broker, remember they arrange loans but most do not lend directly. Compare their offers with those of other direct lenders. Be wary of home repair contractors that offer to arrange financing. You should still talk with other lenders to make sure you get the best deal. You may want to have the loan proceeds sent directly to you, not the contractor. Comparison shop. Comparing loan plans can help you get a better deal. Whether you begin your shopping by reading ads in your local newspapers, searching on the Internet, or looking in the phone book, ask lenders to explain the best loan plans they have for you. Beware of loan terms and conditions that may mean higher costs for you. Get answers to these questions and use the worksheet to compare loan plans: Interest Rate and Payments What are the monthly payments? Ask yourself if you can afford them. What is the annual percentage rate (APR) on the loan? The APR is the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate. You can use the APR to compare one loan with another. Will the interest rate change during the life of the loan? If so, when, how often, and by how much? Term of Loan How many years will you have to repay the loan? Is this a loan or a line of credit? A loan is for a fixed amount of money for a specific period of time; a line of credit is an amount of money you can draw as you need it. Is there a balloon payment--a large single payment at the end of the loan term after a series of low monthly payments? When the balloon payment is due, you must pay the entire amount. Points and Fees What will you have to pay in points and fees? One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount (1 point on a $10,000 loan is $100). Generally, the higher the points, the lower the interest rate. If points and fees are more than 5 percent of the loan amount, ask why. Traditional financial institutions normally charge between 1 and 3 percent of the loan amount in points and fees. Are any of the application fees refundable if you don’t get the loan? How and how much will the the lender or broker be paid? Lenders and brokers may charge points or fees that you must pay at closing or add on to the cost of your loan, or both. Penalties What is the penalty for late or missed payments? What is the penalty if you pay off or refinance the loan early (that is, is there a pre-payment penalty)? Credit Insurance Does the loan package include optional credit insurance, such as credit life, disability, or unemployment insurance? Depending on the type of policy, credit insurance can cover some or all of your payments if you can't make them. Understand that you don’t have to buy optional credit insurance--that’s why it’s called “optional.” Don’t buy insurance you don’t need. Credit insurance may be a bad deal for you, especially if the premiums are collected up-front at the closing and financed as part of the loan. If you want optional credit insurance, ask if you can pay for it on a monthly basis after the loan is approved and closed. With monthly insurance premiums, you don't pay interest and you can decide to cancel if the premiums are too high or if you believe you no longer want the insurance. After you have answers to these questions, start negotiating with more than one lender. Don’t be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete for your business by letting them know you are shopping for the best deal. Ask each lender to lower the points, fees, or interest rate. And ask each to meet--or beat--the terms of the other lenders. Once You’ve Selected a Lender, Get the Following A “Good Faith Estimate” of all loan charges. The estimate must be sent within 3 days of applying. Blank copies of the forms you’ll sign at closing, when the loan is final. Study them. If you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation. Advance copies of the forms you’ll sign at closing with the terms filled in. A week or two before closing, contact the lender to find out if there have been any changes in the Good Faith Estimate. By law, you can inspect the final settlement statement (also called the HUD-1 or HUD-1A form) one day prior to closing. Study these forms. Write down any questions you want to ask. Think Twice before You Sign Have a knowledgeable friend, relative, attorney, or housing counselor review the Good Faith Estimate and other loan papers before you sign the loan contract. Be sure the terms are the same ones you agreed to. For example, a lender should not promise one APR and then--without good reason--increase it at closing. Refer to the list of questions you’ve written down. Ask where these terms are covered in the loan contract. And ask for an explanation of any dollar amount or term you don’t understand. Don’t let anyone rush you into signing the loan contract. Make sure all promises, oral and otherwise, are put in writing. It’s only what’s in writing that counts. Get a copy of the documents you signed before you leave the closing. Don’t Sign on the Dotted Line if the Lender … Tells you to falsify information on the loan application (for example, suggests that you write down more income than you really have). Pressures you into applying for a loan for more money than you need, or one that has monthly payments larger than you can afford. Promises one set of terms but gives you another with no good reason for the change. Tells you to sign blank forms or forms that aren't completely filled in. If an item is supposed to be blank, draw a line through the space and initial it. Pressures you to sign today. A good deal today should be available tomorrow. Know that You Have Rights under the Law You Have 3 Business Days to Cancel the Loan If you're using your home as security for a home equity loan (or for a second mortgage loan or a line of credit), federal law gives you 3 business days after signing the loan papers to cancel the deal--for any reason--without penalty. You must cancel in writing. The lender must return any money you have paid to date. Do You Think You've Made a Mistake? Has the 3-day period during which you may cancel passed and you're worried that you've gotten in over your head? Do you think your loan fees were too high? Do you believe you were steered into monthly payments you can't afford? Has your lender repeatedly pressured you to refinance? Is your loan covered by insurance you don't need or want? If you think you've been taken advantage of, state and federal laws may protect you. Also, the following organizations may be able to help: Your local or state bar association--sometimes listed under "Lawyers Referral Service" in the Yellow Pages of your phone book. The association may be able to refer you to low-cost or no-cost lawyers who can help. Your local consumer protection agency, state attorney general’s office, or state office on aging, listed in the Blue Pages of your phone book. Your local fair housing group or affordable housing agency, housing counseling agency, or state housing agency. You can learn more about credit and home equity loans by visiting the federal government’s web site for consumers, www.consumer.gov (see the Home and Community section). If you don’t have access to the Internet, ask a friend or relative to get the information for you. Or visit your local library or senior center, which may offer you free access to the Internet on their computers. For More Information State Banks that Are Members of the Federal Reserve System Division of Consumer and Community Affairs Mail Stop 801 Federal Reserve Board Washington, DC 20551 (202) 452-3693 www.federalreserve.gov Federally Insured State Non-Member Banks and Savings Banks Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Consumer Response Center 2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 100 Kansas City, Missouri 64108 (877) 275-3342 www.fdic.gov National Banks and National Bank-Owned Mortgage Companies Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Customer Assistance Group 1301 McKinney Street Suite 3450 Houston, TX 77010 (800) 613-6743 www.occ.treas.gov Federally Insured Savings and Loan Institutions and Federally Chartered Savings Banks Office of Thrift Supervision Consumer Programs 1700 G Street, N.W., 6th Floor Washington, DC 20552 (800) 842-6929 www.ots.treas.gov Federal Credit Unions National Credit Union Administration Office of Public and Congressional Affairs 1775 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 518-6330 www.ncua.gov For state-chartered credit unions, contact your state's regulatory agency. Mortgage Companies and Other Lenders Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20580 (877) FTC-HELP (877-382-4357, toll free) www.ftc.gov Other Information Sources U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, NWB Washington, DC 20580 (202) 514-4713 www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/index.html Federal Housing Finance Board 1777 F Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 (202) 408-2500 www.fhfb.gov Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20410 800-669-9777 (voice) 800-927-9275 (TTY) www.hud.gov Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) 1700 G Street, N.W. 4th Floor Washington, DC 20552 (202) 414-6922 www.ofheo.gov Adobe acrobat version of text for printing (119 KB PDF) is formatted for printing on two sides of a 11 x 17" sheet of paper. Fold the paper in half. The PDF contains a fillable area on the back panel for you to provide your own contact information. Worksheet for printing (58 KB PDF) Obtaining the Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web Site This information was prepared by the following federal agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Justice, 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. Home | Brochures Accessibility | Contact us Last update: March 24, 2004

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Denver Real Estate |

Colorado HomeFinder |Colorado's better way to buy or sell a home Call 800.231.9153 | Contact Us Hello. If you already have an account, sign in here . New to Colorado HomeFinder? Start Here Register | Sign In Colorado Real Estate You've found the best place to search for Colorado homes for sale. Colorado HomeFinder has over 45,000 homes for sale and real estate listings at your fingertips. Search for real estate and see listings across the entire Colorado Front Range . Sign up below to receive automatic emails when new properties hit the market and start searching for your dream home today! Receive email updates of new Colorado real estate listings. The Automated HomeAlert system searches the MLS for you...over 45,000 homes! Learn about homes for sale the day they hit the market -- before other buyers. It's easy! Just submit your search criteria to get started. » Sign-up for Automated HomeAlert Colorado HomeFinder empowers home buyers with access to real estate listings in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the same listing database used by real estate agents . Our data is updated daily - so you won't be looking at homes that sold weeks ago! Just submit your search criteria to get started. » Start Searching Homes for Sale We combine the latest TECHNOLOGY with some of the best REALTORS in the business to put you in CONTROL ! Search online at your convenience and be notified automatically when new Colorado real estate listings hit the market. When you're ready, we'll match you with the Colorado HomeFinder REALTOR who is an expert in your desired market... all at no cost to you! » What our clients are saying about us Communities we serve Denver Boulder Fort Collins Evergreen Parker Broomfield Littleton Aurora Arvada Englewood Golden Westminster Highlands Ranch Castle Rock Longmont Greeley Longmont Loveland Complete list of Colorado cities we serve Email: Password: Remember my login » Forgot Password » Not Registered? Register Now . Call 1-800-231-9153 or local (303) 543-3083 to discuss your needs with a Client Care Coordinator. What's a Client Care Coordinator? Request a Relocation Profile Loaded with valuable info: city and school data, population stats, crime rates, job info and more! » Send me a Relo Profile I'm ready to see houses Click here to arrange a private showing for any listing on the market. » Schedule a showing Colorado HomeFinder, RE/MAX Alliance 4770 Baseline Road, Suite 200 Boulder, CO 80303 Colorado HomeFinder | Buy a Colorado Home | Sell a Colorado Home | Colorado Homes for Sale | Browse Colorado Listings | Colorado Realtors | Colorado Mortgage | Colorado Relocation About Us | Site Map | Resources | Contact Us | Sign In Call toll free (800) 231-9153 or local (303) 543-3083 to be connected with a local expert Colorado RE/MAX REALTOR. New listing emails: Colorado Real Estate Denver Real Estate | Boulder Real Estate | Fort Collins Real Estate | Colorado Real Estate Broomfield Real Estate | Castle Rock Real Estate | Evergreen Real Estate | Highlands Ranch Real Estate | Littleton Real Estate We're a Colorado company with a network of hand picked RE/MAX REALTORS in 17 local offices across the state. 2005, Colorado HomeFinder , all rights reserved. Each office independently owned and operated. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Las Vegas Real Estate

In Business Las Vegas December 23 - December 29 Current Issue Special Publications Search In Business In Business on TV The List Book of Lists About InBusiness Media Kit Subscribe Contact Us Real Estate and Development Big jump expected in commercial rents By Jennifer Shubinksi / Staff Writer What does the new year have in store for the Las Vegas Valley's commercial tenants? Most likely increases in rent -- in some cases up to 15 percent. "Potentially significant rent increases are expected during 2006 as leases expire and developers attempt to catch up to inflation," said John Restrepo, principal of Restrepo Consulting Group. When adjusted for inflation, the average monthly rents for commercial properties have remained relatively flat since 2001, despite healthy demand, a local research firm reported. After adjusting for inflation, the average monthly office rent in the third quarter of 2005 was $1.91 per square foot or just below the $1.93 recorded in the first quarter of 2001, Restrepo Consulting Group LLC reported. The inflation-adjusted industrial average rent in the third quarter was 57 cents, compared with the 61 cents recorded in the first quarter of 2001, the firm reported. The inflation-adjusted average retail rents in the third quarter was $1.51, compared with $1.47 in the first quarter of 2001, Restrepo Consulting Group reported. Restrepo said absorption (demand) has remained strong, and vacancies in the third quarter in all commercial markets were relatively low. The reason rents, when adjusted for inflation, have remained flat is largely because of increases in supply during the past four years, tenant resistance to rent increases and the lease contracts, many of which have not expired yet, he said. The slow rent growth has made certain types of new development, especially in the industrial sector, more difficult, said Vic Donovan, Colliers International managing director. Increasing land prices have made it difficult for developers to justify building industrial products, while at the same time industrial land is being bought up and rezoned for other uses. "It's about time that commercial rents start increasing to encouraging additional development to allow us to be supply-competitive with other cities in the southwest," Donovan said. "We can't afford to lose our competitive edge if we are to maintain a healthy commercial real estate market." Restrepo said on average, rents will increase between 10 percent and 15 percent in 2006. He expects retail and industrial, which have the lowest vacancies, to experience rent increases of at least 15 percent. Average office rent increases will be at least 10 percent, but in some prime locations it could be more, he said. "For example, our rent going up 17 percent here (Hughes Center) because there's virtually no space left," Restrepo said. Despite a low vacancy rate there is always some vacancy in a market, he said. "A whole market doesn't go zero; there's always turnover and frictional vacancy. It may not be in a location that's best or may not be product you want to rent," Restrepo said. In other news: Land in the Las Vegas Valley during the third quarter 2005 reached an all-time high of $708,000 per acre, research firm Applied Analysis reported this week. The average price during the second quarter 2005 was $601,600 per acre, the group reported. The firm's report analyzed 362 transactions, comprising more than 1,800 acres. Values reached $16.25 per square foot for land during the third quarter, a 76 percent increase when compared with the third quarter 2004, when land prices were $402,500 per acre, or $9.24 per square foot, Applied Analysis reported. Notable transactions during the third quarter included: • The former Westward Ho, on 15.2 acres on Las Vegas Boulevard, which was purchased for $145.5 million, or $9.6 million per acre, by Centex Destination Properties, a division of Centex Homes. • An 85.5-acre assemblage of 35 parcels in the southwest portion of the Las Vegas Valley was acquired by Gameday LLC for $48.7 million, or $568,000 per acre. • Developers with projects in the southwest Las Vegas Valley have formed a partnership to create "West Village," a planned "suburban downtown" that would encompass about 700 acres. West Village is centered at Interstate 215 and the intersection of Sunset Road and Durango Drive and includes projects that have been proposed for the area. By teaming up together, the developers and land owners in West Village said they hope to bring cohesiveness to the area, as opposed to each developer acting independently. Developers hope to bring consistency to landscape design, share market ideas, coordinate mass transit and setting development standards for the partners to follow. West Village is bordered by Patrick Lane to the north, Warm Springs Road to the south, Cimarron Road to the east and the Las Vegas Beltway to the west, and by the freeway as it curves north. County zoning allows for heights up to 200 feet and up to 100 residential units per acre. The developers in the partnership include Centra, KB Home, Curve Development Co., Glen Smith & Glen Development, Sunset Durango Partners, GKT Holdings, Station Casinos Inc. and UNLV. Clark County officials also are involved in the planning. The area has the potential for 10,000 residential units, 8 million square feet of commercial space, a university research and technology park, and a possible casino complex is planned for that portion of the valley. So far, the only project in West Village is Centra's Centra Point, an 11-building, 30-acre office project totaling 450,000 square feet. Other key developments planned for the southwest valley that are now a part of the West Village concept are: The Curve -- a 45-acre community that when built will include mid-rise residential buildings and retail in an open-air design. Glen Smith & Glen Development -- a 20-acre project being planned by developer Glen Smith & Glen that will include high-end, mid-rise residential, office and retail. Project Durango -- a yet-to-be-named 65-acre development that is a joint venture between Centra and KB Home. The planned project would include residential units and up to 750,000 square feet of commercial space. Harry Reid Research and Technology Park -- a planned 120-acre research park that is being developed by the UNLV Research Foundation. Durango Station -- a 70-acre site that has been owned by Station Casinos for many years. The land, on the south side of the beltway at Durango Drive, is zoned for a casino. GKT Holdings -- residential and commercial uses are planned on 155 acres. Sunset Durango Partners -- a 10-acre site that is entitled for mid-rise residential. Jennifer Shubinski covers real estate and development for In Business Las Vegas and its sister publication, the Las Vegas Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-8832 or by e-mail at js@lasvegassun.com. IBLV Homepage Click here for problems or questions. Read our policy on privacy and cookies. Advertise on Vegas.com. Work for Vegas.com. All contents © 1998 - 2005 Vegas.com The Most Visited Place on Earth

Home Mortgage

Home Loan and VA Home Loans from Mortgage Research Center Contact | Mortgage Rates | Mortgage Calculators Mortgages Refinancing Debt Consolidation Mortgage Resources Loans FHA Loan VA Loan What Type Of Loan Are You Looking For? Please Select.... VA Home Loan Home Loan VA Home Refinance Home Refinance FHA Home Loan What Is The Approximate Value Of Your Property? Home Loan and VA Loan Information Are you looking to get prequalified for a home loan? Nearly all Americans dream of owning their own home. Once you have decided to buy a home, it is important to analyze all of your loan options. One of our mortgage specialists can explain all of your options, and help you determine which loan is the best in helping you meet your financial goals. They can explain the FHA loan, the VA Loan , and also look at conventional loans. Our mortgage specialists pride themselves not only on being the most knowledgeable in the business, but also in gaining access to the best loan rates in the country. You may call 800-930-9201 to speak with a mortgage specialist. Get a free prequalification for a home purchase Apply for a refinance or debt consolidation Get Advice from a Mortgage Specialist VA Home Loan Information There are millions of Americans that qualify for a VA Home loan. However, many people are not aware that they qualify for these Veteran Benefits. If you have been on active duty for at least 90 days, then you may qualify. Get more information on VA Loans or call 800-930-9201 . Loans Your Home Loan (mortgage) will be the biggest purchase you make in your lifetime. So make sure you do your research and find the best loan rates to help you get the best return on your investment. Another great option is a VA Refinance when you are considering refinancing your home! VA Loans will not only be able to help save you money, but they will also make it easier for you to qualify for a loan. You may contact a mortgage broker for help with this. They are generally set up with hundreds of lenders and can quickly find you the best VA Mortgage Rates . Get additional information for free: Click Here to get Prequalified for a Home Purchase Click Here to apply for a refinance or debt consolidation Click Here to get advice from a Mortgage Specialist Do you need FHA Loan information or would you like to find out about the new VA Adjustable Rate Mortgage ? Getting information regarding these loans could be a great step to helping you own a home, which will help your financial security. The Dept of Veterans Affairs has recently raised the VA Loan limit. Speak to a VA specialist to get more information and find out if the new VA loan limits can help you or you may visit the va.gov site. You may call 800-930-9201 to get additional advice about what factors you should consider when deciding whether or not to apply for a VA Home Loan. If you have questions or would like help with your mortgage, you can call us at 800-930-9201 . "Nathan, I wanted you to know that everything went very well at our closing. It was quite pleasant. Thank you for everything." -Vicki Ficklen Mcdonough, GA More Testimonials Equal Opportunity Lender License Information We can help you find the lender (mortgage bank) that can get you the best deal for your financial situation (including setting you up with the best financing rates and loan term). MRC does not originate loans in MA, NJ, NY, ND, PA, VT, NV, WV, or DC. If you are getting a mortgage in one of these states, we will help you by directing your information to a lender in your state. Get additional information about a VA Loan , Home Loan , or 1031 Exchange : Privacy Policy .