Archive for the ‘HomeBuyer Education’ Category

When interest rates are lower than a homeowner’s mortgage rate, the homeowner should definitely contact multiple lending institutions for competitive home mortgage loan refinancing rates. I would start with the lender who services my loan. Some lenders have “Express” or “Streamline” refinance programs for their clients and offer reduced rates and fees. If you are ready to consider refinancing, first you need to carefully assess your ... Full story

What Are Closing Costs? After months of searching, you have finally found the house of your dreams. Now comes the closing!  Closing is the exciting but anxiety-producing day when you meet with the representatives for the seller and the lender to sign paperwork transferring the property and agreeing to the financing terms of your mortgage.  “Mortgage ... Full story

Have you read, studied, completed worksheets, and watched videos, but have not yet invested in your first property? Have you attended weekend seminars with well-known gurus in real estate investing, but think there’s still a piece missing from the puzzle? Have you been to classes, workshops, and weekend retreats and still don’t know where to ... Full story

Let’s assume you are the primary income producer or half of a dual-income situation and become a proud owner of a new home, rental property, or real estate. You’ve received a mortgage because the lender felt comfortable with your income level and financial situation. What happens if you become disabled and can’t work, or worse, what if you die? Besides the emotional trauma, a surviving ... Full story

A recently published report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows an 8% rise nationally in the number of housing discrimination complaints against persons with disabilities. The annual report, which was sent to Congress this year in April as part of National Fair Housing Month, also details HUD's handling of 9,254 housing discrimination complaints and documents significant trends in housing discrimination. In fiscal ... Full story

Housing discrimination often is not as obvious as having a racial slur directed at potential home buyers and renters, or having a door slammed in their faces. Rather, unsuspecting people may be graciously turned away from their choice of housing, even if they are qualified. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to: refuse to rent or sell ... Full story

When you decide to buy a home, how do you know which property is right for you? It helps if you know not only what you require, what you can afford, and what you want, but also what you can live with. The obvious factors that typically contribute to a buyer’s decision to purchase a home include location, type of housing (single-family home vs. condominium), architectural ... Full story

Both adults and children can suffer from the effects of lead poisoning, but childhood lead poisoning, which often results from contact with lead-based paint, is much more frequent. In 2004 the ACCESS Agency received a Lead Elimination Action Program (LEAP) Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct a new lead control, education, and abatement program in Windham and Tolland ... Full story

Ever went to a dinner party and heard this conversation? She said: “My friend who just bought her first house told me her lender never returned her calls. Then, when she finally got to the closing, she had to pay way more than she had planned.” He said: “Wow, they must not have told her about all the fees on the good-faith estimate.” She said: “I felt so ... Full story

With all of the benefits a legal will has to offer, it is one of the best bargains available. Depending upon the complexity, wills are fairly inexpensive, particularly given the comfort of having your affairs in place in the event of your death. When you are purchasing a home, you will be around attorneys who have the ability and expertise to draft or revise a ... Full story