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Q:
How
do you find out the value of a troubled property?
A:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Copyright
1999 Inman News Features
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