| LII.org (Home) | About LII IPL.org Suggest a Site Subscribe to New This Week Contact |
|
|
 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
Buying & Selling
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Acorn Housing 
 This nonprofit with offices throughout the U.S. provides "free housing counseling to low and moderate income homebuyers." Its site features information about obtaining credit for buying a home, predatory lending practices, and options when you are behind on your mortgage. Includes a list of local offices. http://acornhousing.org/ Topics: Housing Last updated Sep 17, 2007 The Bursting of the US House Price Bubble
A July 2008 French analysis of the steep decline in U.S. home values starting in the summer of 2007. Includes data and graphs, discussion of how the "bubble was caused by easier lending conditions" and other factors, and how the return to equilibrium could continue until the end of 2009. Opens directly into a PDF document. From the French government. http://www.dgtpe.minefi.gouv.fr/TRESOR_ECO/anglais/pdf/2008-014-40en.pdf Topics: Housing Last updated Mar 23, 2009 Buying a Home
Website for homebuyers includes common questions from first-time homebuyers; rights of a homebuyer; calculating how much mortgage you can afford; dealing with a real estate agent; various homebuying programs; and information on inspections, appraisals, and homeowner's insurance. From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. http://www.hud.gov/buying/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Housing Last updated May 1, 2007 FDIC: U.S. Home Prices: Does Bust Always Follow Boom?
This 2005 FDIC analysis "examines the historical movement of home prices at the metro level to gain insight into the outlook for U.S. home prices. There is some evidence that home price booms can be followed by busts -- although we find, at least by our criteria, that this pattern may be more the exception than the rule." Includes a table showing housing booms and busts for 1978-2003. From the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). http://www.fdic.gov/bank/analytical/fyi/2005/021005fyi.html Topics: Housing Last updated Mar 23, 2009 Flip This House
Companion to a television series "that focuses on Trademark Properties, a small real estate company in South Carolina. ... [that] buys homes, quickly renovates them, and sells them for a profit." The site features an episode guide, photo galleries of the houses, and house flipping tips from the founder of Trademark Properties. Also includes a discussion forum. From A&E. http://www.aetv.com/flipthishouse/ Topics: Housing Last updated Nov 11, 2006 ForSaleByOwner.com
Database of homes for sale by owner (without a real estate agent) in the United States. Search for a home, or list your property. Also has information on local schools, price comparisons, loans, and tips on home buying. http://www.forsalebyowner.com/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Housing Last updated Aug 1, 2002 Help for Homeowners Facing the Loss of Their Home
This site discusses steps to take when you may unable to pay the mortgage on your home. Topics include contacting your lender, talking to a housing counseling agency, prioritizing debts, and exploring loan workout solutions (such as forbearance or mortgage modification). Includes comments about predatory lending schemes, and a link to a list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies by state. From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/econ/econ.cfm Topics: Housing Last updated Sep 17, 2007 Home Buyers: Beware of "Flipping" Scams
This brochure alerts potential home buyers how to watch for house "flipping" scams in which "a flipper buys a house cheap and then sells to it an unsuspecting buyer for a price that far exceeds its real value." The flipper entices the buyer into purchasing by promising to arrange a home loan. Includes a list of questions to ask the seller. Opens directly into a PDF document. From the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/flipbrochure.pdf Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Housing Last updated Apr 16, 2006 Home Loan Learning Center
This site "provides step-by-step information on how to become financially literate" with respect to home loans. Includes material about credit scores, how to qualify for a mortgage, types of mortgages (fixed-rate, balloon, adjustable-rate, convertible, and more), and foreclosure and delinquency, Also includes a mortgage calculator to help estimate payments, and information for special buyers situations, such as living together, divorced, or second home purchases. Includes list of state banking authorities. From the Mortgage Bankers Association. http://www.homeloanlearningcenter.com/ Topics: Housing Last updated May 15, 2008 IRS Speeds Lien Relief for Homeowners Trying to Refinance, Sell
This December 2008 press release from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announces "an expedited process that will make it easier for financially distressed homeowners to avoid having a federal tax lien block refinancing of mortgages or the sale of a home." Includes an audio file and links to related publications. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=201343,00.html Topics: Housing, Tax Filing Season Last updated Jan 5, 2009 Metropolitan Median Prices: Metropolitan Area Existing-Home Prices and State Existing-Home Sales
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) "releases statistics on state-by-state existing-home sales and metropolitan area median home prices each quarter. The state existing-home sales report includes single-family houses, condos and co-ops. The price report reflects sales prices of existing single-family homes by metropolitan statistical area (MSA)." Includes quarterly data for the current year and annual data for the prior three years. http://www.realtor.org/research/research/metroprice Topics: Housing, Investing, Statistics Last updated May 26, 2008 NeighborWorks America
Website for this "national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts." Features news, case studies, and reports on subjects such as aging in place, disaster preparedness, foreclosure solutions, home equity protection, manufactured housing, predatory lending, and refinancing. Also includes materials about campaigns, such as its free telephone consultation service on foreclosure solutions. Includes listings of local NeighborWorks member organizations. http://www.nw.org/ Topics: Finance, Housing Last updated Jun 7, 2008 Quicken Loans
This site "allows you to research home loans, learn about home financing, and apply and sign your application." Contains information and interactive tools on home refinance, purchasing, and equity loans. Searchable. https://www.quickenloans.com/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Housing, Investing, Money Last updated Dec 12, 2008 Realtor.com
Contains a database of over three million homes and land for sale in the United States. Searches may be limited by area, price range, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and other features. Some listings include maps. Also includes a directory of realtors, and information on mortgages, neighborhoods, moving, and finding a contractor. From the National Association of Realtors. http://www.realtor.com/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Housing, Investing Last updated Jun 8, 2007 |
|||
| Copyright © 2009, Librarians' Internet Index, LII. All rights reserved. Financial support for LII (Librarians' Internet Index) comes from the The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology and the IPL Consortium. LII is hosted by The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology. |