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Whom to Contact (How to Buy) - Q
& A
| Q: |
What
standards do appraisers use to estimate value? |
| A: |
Appraisers
use several factors when estimating value including historical records,
property performance, condition of the home and indices that forecast
future value. For detailed information on appraisal standards, contact
the Appraisal Institute at 875 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL
60611-1980; (312) 335-4458. |
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| Q: |
Where do I
get information about housing discrimination? |
| A: |
For
information about housing discrimination, call the U.S. Department of
Justice at (202) 514-2000, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW DC 20530 or your
local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development office.
For detailed information, the booklet, "Your Loan is Denied,
Defending Yourself Against Mortgage Lending Discrimination," is
available from the Center for Investigative Reporting, 500 Howard
Street, Suite 206, San Francisco, CA 94105-3008 or call (415) 543-1200.
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|
| Q: |
Where do I
get information about closing costs? |
| A: |
For
more on closing costs, ask for the "Consumer?s Guide to Mortgage
Settlement Costs," Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Public
Information Department, P.O. Box 7702, San Francisco, CA 94120 or call
(415) 974-2163. |
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| Q: |
Where do I
get information on housing market stats? |
| A: |
A
real estate agent is a good source for finding out the status of the
local housing market. So is your statewide association of Realtors, most
of which are continuously compiling such statistics from local real
estate boards.
For overall housing statistics, U.S. Housing Markets regularly
publishes quarterly reports on home building and home buying. Your local
builders association probably gets this report. If not, the housing
research firm is located in Canton, Mich.; call (800) 755-6269 for
information; the firm also maintains an Internet site. Finally, check
with the U.S. Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C.; (301) 495-4700.
The census bureau also maintains a site on the Internet. The Chicago
Title company also has published a pamphlet, "Who's Buying Homes in
America." Write Chicago Title and Trust Family of Title Insurers,
171 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60601-3294.
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|
| Q: |
How do I
reach the IRS? |
| A: |
To
reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040. |
|
| Q: |
Where do I
get information on lease options? |
| A: |
For
information on lease options, "How Lease Options Benefit Realty
Buyers, Sellers, Agents and Investors" is available for from
Tribune Media Services, 435 N Michigan #1500, Chicago IL 60611.
1-800-245-6536,or "Publication House", Burlingram CA.
1-800-736-1736 |
|
| Q: |
Where do I
get information about finding a real estate attorney? |
| A: |
To
find a real estate attorney, contact your local bar association, which
may offer local referral services. You may also ask friends or your real
estate agent for their recommendations. When you have several names,
call each to find out about fees and their level of experience. |
|
| Q: |
Where do I
get information on home market stats and trends? |
| A: |
A
real estate agent is a good source for finding out the status of the
local housing market. So is your statewide association of Realtors, most
of which are continuously compiling such statistics from local real
estate boards.
For overall housing statistics, U.S. Housing Markets regularly
publishes quarterly reports on home building and home buying. Your local
builders association probably gets this report. If not, the housing
research firm is located in 4200 Koppernick Rd #40, Canton,Mich.48187;
call (800) 755-6269 for information; the firm also maintains an Internet
site. Finally, check with the U.S. Bureau of the Census in Washington,
D.C.; (301) 495-4700. The census bureau also maintains a site on the
Internet. The Chicago Title company also has published a pamphlet,
"Who's Buying Homes in America." Write Chicago Title and Trust
Family of Title Insurers, 171 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60601-3294.
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|
| Q: |
How do I
find a home inspector? |
| A: |
Your
realty agent is one source. Inspectors are listed in the yellow pages.
You can ask for referrals from friends. Ask for their credentials, such
as contractor's license or engineering certificate. Also, check out
their references. |
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Copyright 1999 Inman News Features
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