Home Equity Conversion Mortgage

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program - HUD Housing About Housing Contact us Keywords Single Family Hospitals Multifamily OAHP Reading room Online forums Work online HUD news Homes Communities Working with HUD Resources Tools Webcasts Mailing lists Contact us Help Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program Information by State Print version Email this to a friend Summary: The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program enables older homeowners to withdraw some of the equity in their home in the form of monthly payments for life or a fixed term, or in a lump sum, or through a line of credit. Purpose: The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program (HECM) can enable an older home owning family to stay in their home while using some of its built up equity. The program allows such a household to get an insured reverse mortgage-a mortgage that converts equity into income. Because older persons can be vulnerable to fraudulent practices, the program requires that persons receive free reverse mortgage housing counseling from a HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling agency before applying for a reverse mortgage. FHA insures HECM loans to protect lenders against loss if amounts withdrawn exceed equity when the property is sold. Type of Assistance: HECM can be used by homeowners who are 62 years of age and older. The total income that an owner can receive through HECM is the maximum claim amount, which is calculated with a formula including the age of the owner(s), the interest rate, and the value of the home. For example, on the basis of a loan at recent interest rates, a 65-year-old could borrow up to 26 percent of the home's value, a 75-year-old could borrow up to 39 percent, and an 85-year-old could borrow up to 56 percent. Borrowers may choose one of five payment options: (1) tenure, which gives the borrower a monthly payment from the lender for as long as the borrower lives and continues to occupy the home as a principal residence; (2) term, which gives the borrower monthly payments for a fixed period selected by the borrower; (3) line of credit, which allows the borrower to make withdrawals up to a maximum amount, at times and in amounts of the borrower's choosing; (4) modified tenure, which combines the tenure option with a line of credit; and (5) modified term, which combines the term option with a line of credit. The borrower remains the owner of the home and may sell it and move at any time, keeping the sales proceeds that exceed the mortgage balance. A borrower cannot be forced to sell the home to pay off the mortgage, even if the mortgage balance grows to exceed the value of the property. A HECM loan need not be repaid until the borrower moves, sells, or dies. When the loan must be paid, if it exceeds the value of the property, the borrower (or the heirs) will owe no more than the value of the property. FHA insurance will cover any balance due the lender. Two mortgage insurance premiums are collected to pay for HECM: an up front premium (2 percent of the home's value), which can be financed by the lender, and a monthly premium (which equals 0.5 percent per year of the mortgage balance). The lender's loan origination charge can vary, but only up to $1,800 in such charges may be financed by HECM. Borrowers may be charged appraisal and inspection fees set by HUD; these charges can also be financed. As part of the HECM program, HUD has provided for free reverse mortgage counseling (with training for the counselors) for persons considering using such an instrument, and a toll-free information line (1-888-466-3487). Eligible Grantees: Any lender authorized to make HUD-insured loans- such as banks, mortgage companies, and savings and loan associations-can participate in the HECM program. Eligible Customers: To be eligible for HECM, a homeowner must (1) be 62 years of age or older, (2) have a very low outstanding mortgage balance or own their home free and clear, and (3) have received HUD-approved reverse mortgage counseling to learn about the program. An eligible property must be a principal residence, but it can be a single-family residence, a one- to four-unit building with one unit occupied by the borrower, a manufactured home (mobile home), a unit in an FHA-approved condominium, or a unit in a planned unit development. The property must meet FHA standards, but the owner can pay for repairs using the reverse mortgage. Application: Homeowners who meet the eligibility criteria above can apply through an FHA-approved lending institution, which in turn submits the application to the local HUD Field Office for approval. Borrowers can locate FHA-approved lenders through HUD's searchable listing . Because there has been a problem of some senior citizens being charged thousands of dollars for information on HECM that is available free, HUD recently directed HECM lenders to stop doing business with companies that charge such fees. Funding Status: In FY 1996, the HECM program insured 3,604 homes with a value of $369 million. Through September 30, 1996, approximately 16,000 HECM loans had been made. Technical Guidance: TECHNICAL GUIDANCE: This program is authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, Section 417, Public Law 100-242 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-20). Program regulations are in 24 CFR 200 and 206. This program is administered by the Office of Single-Family Housing in HUD's Office of Housing-Federal Housing Administration. For More Information: Homeowners who want to learn more about this program, or who were charged for HUD approved reverse mortgage counseling should call HUD's toll-free housing counseling information line, 1-800 569-4287 or see the searchable list of HUD approved reverse mortgage housing counseling agencies or call 1-888-466-3487. Additional information is available from two nonprofit organizations: the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Home Equity Conversion Information Center (202-434-6044) and the National Center for Home Equity Conversion (NCHEC) at 7373 147th St., Room 115, Apple Valley MN 55124. Content updated April 26, 2002 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

Sell House

Preparing to sell a house quickly Geta Free Home Valuation Now Preparing To Sell Your House Quickly What makes one house go on the market, have anumber of showings in the first week and have a contract in place shortly thereafter, while an apparently similarhouse sits on the market for months? Of course, luck may have a little to do with it, but there is a good chancethat the quick selling house (and its owner) was prepared to sell while the other house and owner were not. Althoughpricing is a very important factor ( see thediscussion on that topic ) there are other issuesthat will have a great deal of effect on whether or not you have a quick sale. 5 Steps for Helping Your House to Sell Quickly Prepare yourself to sell your house . Do yourbest to see the house, no longer as your home, but as a product to be marketed. This takes some work, especiallyif you have been in the home for a number of years and have many memories there, but it is necessary if you wantto maximize your potential. Consider a professional whole house inspection .An inspection will most likely uncover any major defects before they can cause trouble with a potential buyer.It also is a signal to buyers that you are a responsible seller. Prepare the house . Stand back and look at your house as objectively as possible. Would you buy this home?Ask friends and neighbors to do the same, asking them to be totally honest. Overlooking flaws could cost you money!Get them fixed before you put the house on the market. Do what is necessary to make your house stand out from the competition . Make certain that your house is fresher, cleaner, and better maintained. Familiarizeyourself with effective marketing and advertising techniques. Remove most of the "imprint" that you have made on the house . Having a few family pictures around is fine, but if your house is a "shrine"to your family--walls full of personal pictures--you should take some steps to depersonalize it. Buyers must beable to envision themselves in the house, which is nearly impossible if everywhere they turn they stare at you! Sell Your Home on YourOwn RELATED TOPICS Preparing theHouse Pre-listing houseinspection Evaluation and Feedback HOME | Checklist | To-Do Lists | Set a Value | By Owner | With an Agent | Preparation | Showtime | Research | More Links

Investment Property There is

Investment Property About The One Minute Millionaire Enlightened Millionaire? About Bob Allen About Mark Hansen Investment Property There is no better time than now to own an investment property. The world is only so big and land is a finite resource. Therefore investing in real estate is something that often pays off in the long run. There are a lot of options out there and you need to be sure that you will make the right choice. In short, investment property is any property that you own but don't occupy-it is property you own purely to generate profit. This could include real estate and apartments or commercial, retail, and industrial buildings. There is financing available for those that are interested and this plays a big part in your purchase of investment property. What You Need to Know Financing . Depending on what type of investment you are going to make you will need to assess the different financing needs that you have. There are a lot of different commercial lenders available and you will be able to find one who can give you the money you need at a reasonable interest rate and give you personal attention along the way. This is an aspect that many people don't look into enough and it can make your investment property even more profitable. Time Horizon . The property you invest in depends on the length of time you intend to keep it. If you keep a property for only five years, you often won't have to invest as much into it in terms of maintenance and repairs. You do, however, risk trying to sell in a volatile market. Longer term (like 20 years) investments require greater expenses for maintenance but they pay themselves in that time. Decide up front which you prefer and make your decisions accordingly. Networking . You can find out about available properties in a variety of ways from searching through local newspapers or on websites. One of the best ways, however, is to develop a network of contacts from real estate agents to other property owners. Doing this will get you connected with what is going on and will keep you informed. Additional Real Estate Advice There are also many people out there who can give you many helpful tips and advice as you look more into investment property. Two such individuals are Robert Allen, New York Times best selling author of The Road to Wealth and Nothing Down , and Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series. They have teamed up to produce The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth , a book that teaches how you can be on the path to becoming a millionaire through creating wealth. One of the ways that is a great source to building true wealth is through investment property. Visit the One Minute Millionaire website to order a copy of The One Minute Millionaire , register for one of their motivational seminars , or to read about becoming an Enlightened Millionaire . Become An Affiliate | Contact Us | Privacy Policy

Buy Property

Brisbane - Buying property in Brisbane - ourbrisbane.com Search ourbrisbane.com: Skip to page content Start major navigation What's On Living In Active and Healthy Visitors’ Guide Start minor navigation Members' Area Email News & Weather Transport Maps About Brisbane Dining Guide Mostly Sunny. 23-32 °C . Currently 25.7 °C Living In Start side navigation Introduction Find a suburb Brisbane Real Estate Buying Guide Buying Property in Brisbane Statistics, Tools & Tips Legal Considerations Selling Guide Search Homes for Sale Search Homes for Rent Renting in Brisbane Renovation and investment tips Mortgage Calculator Maps Moving to Brisbane Jobs Brisbane Life Gardening in Brisbane Home Renovation Home Security Start page content Buying property in Brisbane What’s different about buying real estate in Brisbane? Well, some things stay the same no matter where you’re buying, such as finding a good agent and knowing the features you want in your new home. But there are things unique to Brisbane, such as local planning, zoning changes and flood information that influence the local property prices . The architecture of the property you buy can also impact the price. Find out the difference between a traditional Queenslander, a workers cottage and a reproduction Queenslander. If you haven’t bought property in Queensland before, we can help by connecting you to organisations and businesses that will advise you about the relevant legal processes and related laws. Plus there are a few things that can affect Brisbane’s local property prices which you need to know about. If you are new to living in the sub-tropics and in Queensland architecture, we explain some of the different housing styles and what you should look for in your new home to stay cool and comfortable. Looking to buy in Brisbane? Use our inspection checklist when you’re looking at various properties. Print out a few spares to take with you when you’re checking out potential new homes. It’s an easy way to remind yourself of the features, benefits and drawbacks of each of the properties you’ve looked at. If you’re not sure about where in Brisbane you want to live, use Brisbane Suburbs Online . It has everything you need to know, including statistics, demographics, local services and suburb profiles. back to top Legalities of buying a home in Brisbane The website for the REIQ has a wealth of information about the legalities and processes of buying a Queensland property. Read the recommended steps when buying and understand the associated costs . It is usual to get a pest and building inspection prior to buying and acceptance of the contract can be made subject to a satisfactory pest and building inspection. Termites (also called white ants) can be a very real threat and it is best to get the property checked by an expert. See the list of inspectors offering this service in Brisbane . The Office of Fair Trading publishes a helpful guide for consumers buying property. The guide is called ‘Real Estate Realities’ and it can be downloaded as a large pdf file or call 1300 658 030 for a printed copy. It outlines your rights and some common pitfalls. The guide also explains what ‘buying off the plan’ involves and your rights if buying at auction. Buying off the plan and bidding at auctions can be complex and your rights are different to those under a regular REIQ contract, so protect yourself by being well informed. See the houses available at auction from the Public Trustee and for sale . If you are considering buying a property at auction from the Public Trustee, you should read their conditions first. When you buy or sell a house you need to transfer the property title. This is called conveyancing. You’ll need to budget for the costs of conveyancing and searches when you buy. The ourbrisbane business directory has listings of local conveyancing companies to help you with the legal aspects of buying or selling your property. Some searches required for conveyancing can be lodged online through Brisbane City Council . You can also search for existing building plans and Brisbane property through Brisbane City Council. Buyer’s agents – if you would rather someone else did the househunting and tricky negotiations, think about using a buyer’s agent. They can also do research on the property and location or bid at auction on your behalf. Buyer’s agents charge a fee for their services. back to top What influences Brisbane housing prices? House prices aren’t just influenced by boom or bust real estate cycles. In Brisbane there are a number of factors that could affect house prices, including: The South East Queensland Draft Regional Plan as proposed by the Queensland Government, intends to limit development to certain areas of South East Queensland. For updates, check with the Office of Urban Management . The proposed North South Bypass Tunnel , to be built under the Brisbane River. Depending on the final location of entry and exit points, plus the impact on traffic, this project could influence property prices. Keep up-to-date with the project’s progress. The Green Bridge – between Dutton Park and St Lucia for bus and pedestrian use may affect prices in those suburbs. Flooding - Consider getting a flood report from Brisbane City Council for a small fee. It’s a worthwhile investment, particularly if you are thinking of buying in an area prone to flooding . Zoning changes – The Brisbane City Council Call Centre is probably the best place to find initial information about zoning restrictions on any property you want to buy. Call 07 3403 8888. They can tell you what area the property is in, and any building restrictions. back to top Architecture If you are buying a house in Brisbane, real estate agents classify houses using some common terms. Here are our definitions of the main styles of architecture found in Brisbane (as understood by laymen and not architecture experts!). They are: The Queenslander - a traditional home built of timber, with VJ (vertical join) or tongue and groove walls, tin roof and surrounded by verandahs. Built in this style until mid-1930s, Queenslanders are built on stumps to increase airflow around the house and the floors are of timber that can be polished. Some of the pretty features includes breezeways above the doors, moulded or plaster ceilings, leadlight windows and window hoods. A Queenslander-type house may not be able to be demolished or removed, depending upon the relevant local Council laws and if it is in a demolition control precinct . The Queensland Museum has detailed information about the different styles of Queenslander house and history. Worker’s cottage - very similar to a Queenslander home but smaller, with usually only a verandah at the front and a single hallway. May have less ornate finishes and be on a smaller parcel of land. If you are new to living in Brisbane, and you want to live in a traditional tin and timber home, consider a couple of things: they require maintenance – they need to be painted every ten years and constant attention is required to keep old windows, doors and plumbing functioning properly. can be noisy – they usually only have single-skin timber internal walls, which means that noise passes through rooms easily. Polished floorboards and lack of insulation in external walls can add to the noise factor from inside and outside. hidden renovation costs – if the house is unrenovated you may need to pay for a lot of work that won’t be seen, such as replacing old stumps, reroofing and rewiring. However, they are beautiful, have character and we love them. And compared to brick homes, Queenslanders are relatively easy to lift so you can build underneath, and removing internal walls or building additions (assuming you have a good builder) is usually fairly simple. Post-war home - a less ornate timber home built in the years following World War II. Simple lines, plaster internal walls, plain timber windows (sometimes replaced with aluminium) and timber floors. There are fewer constraints on a post-war home as it can often be removed or demolished without special permission. Brick home - common in Brisbane suburbs established in the 1970s. These areas are generally around a ten kilometer radius of the city. Features includes a tiled roof, garage, aluminium windows, fly screens and security. Lots have swimming pools and can be updated to reflect current trends Reproduction Queenslander - a newly built home designed to look like a traditional Queenslander or worker’s cottage. However they feature new conveniences such as an ensuite, better use of floorspace to suit modern lifestyles, plenty of powerpoints and cabling, insulation, large deck and sometimes airconditioning. Apartments - warehouse conversions are new to Brisbane, with many apartments being built and renovated in the old industrial areas of Teneriffe, Fortitude Valley and West End. There has also been a surge in building residential units in inner-city areas. If you haven’t lived in a sub-tropical climate before, find out what you should look for in a house so that it stays naturally cool. For example, which direction does it face and does it have awnings, blinds or gardens that help deflect the sun’s heat? The Green Home factsheets include information for home owners about sustainable living practices. back to top Advertisements Start footer Advertise | Directory | Newsletters | About Us | Legals & Privacy | Contact Us | Help | Sitemap

Florida Real Estate

Real Property for Auction JANUARY 2006 AUCTIONS CORNER LOT - ONLINE AUCTION 124 Sterling Street, Brooklyn, New York 11225 On-line Auction Starts: Monday, January 9, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. EST On-line Auction Ends: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. EST Total Site Area: 2,575 ± sq. ft. Description: 25 feet x 103 feet corner lot at the intersection of Sterling St. and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 708 Kuhlman Road, Houston, Texas 77024 Auction: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 6,291 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 3 fireplaces, and a 3-car garage. Separate unfinished guest house with kitchen, family room, 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE VACANT LAND - ONLINE AUCTION Ambrosia Street, Padre Island, No 3, Lot 4, Blk 71, Corpus Christi, Teaxas 78418 On-line Auction Starts: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. EST On-line Auction Ends: Thursday, January 19, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. EST Total Site Area: 12,379 ± sq. ft. Description: Located on Padre Island near the Gulf of Mexico. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE CONDOMINIUM 14514 Cabana East, Unit 306, Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 Auction: Friday, January 20, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 1,303 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level condominium with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and rooftop deck. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME ON 11.6 ACRES AND 7.158 ACRES OF LAND 105 L Anderson Road, Auburn, Kentucky 42206 Auction: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: (Revised 12/20/05) 2,141 ± sq. ft. Description: Log home with 3 bedrooms, 1.25 baths, 2 fireplaces, and a one-car garage on 11.6 arces. Adjoining tract of 7.158 acres of land. Properties will be sold separately, then combined for Buyers Option. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 1311 S. Monte Cristo Way, Las Vegas, Nevada 89117 Auction: Friday, January 27, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 3,583 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 3-car garage For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 736 South 153rd Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 Auction: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 2,359 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, fireplace, and a 2-car garage. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE FEBRUARY 2006 AUCTIONS SINGLE FAMILY HOME 6408 Jersey Lane, Arlington, Texas 76018 Auction: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 4,047 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 6 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE SINGLE FAMILY HOME 6611 Wagner Way, San Antonio, Texas 78256 Auction: Thursday, February 2, 2006 Auction Starts: 12:00 noon Total Living Space: 4,851 ± sq. ft. Description: Three level home with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 fireplaces, inground pool, and a 2-car garage. For complete details on this property click on the photo or CLICK HERE COMING SOON SINGLE FAMILY HOME 477 Lee Street, Strasburg, Virginia Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,016 ± sq. ft. Description: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths Further details on this property coming soon... 0.31 ACRE OF LAND 65 Circle Road, Staten Island, New York 10304 Auction: Coming soon Total Site Area: 0.31 ± Acre (13,361 ± sq. ft.) Description: Located in Todt Hill area of Staten Island. Adjacent to property being auctioned on Benedict Road. Further details on this property coming soon... 1.15 ACRES OF LAND 51 Benedict Road, Staten Island, New York 10304 Auction: Coming soon Total Site Area: 1.15 ± Acres (45,348 ± sq. ft.) Description: Located in Todt Hill area of Staten Island. Adjacent to property being auctioned on Circle Road. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME 2670 Moores Mill Road, Spencer, Virginia Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,571 ± sq. ft. Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths. Located on 9 ± acres on the North Mayo River with scenic views. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in La Habra Heights, California Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,253 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2-car garage and swimming pool Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Rio Rico, Arizona Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,425 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2-car garage Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Longwood, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,721 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, fireplace, 2-car garage, and inground pool in screened enclosure. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Hollywood, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 4,912 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2-car garage, inground pool and spa, seawall and wood dock on ocean access canal. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Heathrow, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 3,157 ± sq. ft. Description: 1.5 level home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, bonus room, 3-car garage, and inground pool in screened enclosure. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Miami, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 4,185 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2-car garage, guest house, and inground pool. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Homestead, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 2,312 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, and guest house on 2 ± acres. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Homestead, Florida Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,930 ± sq. ft. Description: Two level home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen and living area on both levels, one-car garage and carport, and 2 horse barns on 2.5 ± acres. Further details on this property coming soon... SINGLE FAMILY HOME Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Auction: Coming soon Total Living Space: 1,338 ± sq. ft. Description: One level home with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, carport, unfinished basement, and small barn on 2.9 ± acres. Further details on this property coming soon... COMMERCIAL VACANT LAND 3514 Boudinot Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 Auction: Coming soon Total Site Area: 7,012 ± sq. ft. Description: 55 ft. x 127.50 ft. commercial lot zoned B-4 General Business. The site is located along the east side of Boudinot Avenue just south of the Harrison Avenue intersection, and sits between a commercial building and a multi-family dwelling. Further details on this property coming soon... AUCTIONS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. YOU DO NOT NEED A REAL ESTATE BROKER TO BID. If you would like to receive an e-mail notification when the auction date has been scheduled for these coming soon properties, please click here to register online for the free e-mail notification service .