Contact Resources
Whom to Contact (How to Buy)
Question: What standards do appraisers use to estimate value?
Answer: 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.
Question: Where do I get information about housing discrimination?
Answer: 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.
Question: Where do I get information about closing costs?
Answer: 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.
Question: How do I reach the IRS?
Answer: To reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040.
Question: Where do I get information about finding a real estate attorney?
Answer: 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.
Question: Where do I get information on home market stats and trends?
Answer: 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.
Question: How do I find a home inspector?
Answer: 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.
Question: Where can I get a list of home builders?
Answer: For a list of home builders, contact the National Association of Home Builders at 201 15th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20005; (202) 822-0200, or your local Building Industry Association office.
Question: Where do I get information on filing consumer complaints?
Answer: For information about filing consumer complaints, look to these sources:
* Consumer Federation of America, 1424 16th St. N.W., Suite 604, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 387-6121.
* United Homeowners Association; 1511 K St., N.W.; Washington, DC 20005; (202) 408-8842.
* Consumers Union, 1535 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103 or call (415) 431-6747.
* Consumer Action Council, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 233, San Francisco, CA 94105; (415) 777-9648.
Question: Where do I get information on co-ops?
Answer: For information on co-operative housing, contact the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, 1614 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 549-5201.
Question: Where do I get information on housing market stats?
Answer: 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.
Question: Where do I get information on manufactured housing?
Answer: For information on manufactured housing, request information from:
* "Questions and Answers on Manufactured Home Loans for Veterans," U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420.
* Manufactured Housing Institute, 2101 Wilson Blvd., #610 Arlington, VA 22201; call (703) 558-0400.
Whom to Contact (How to Invest)
Question: Where do I get information about being a landlord?
Answer: If you are a landlord and have questions, contact:
* National Multi-Housing Council, 1850 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036; call (202) 659-3381.
* National Apartment Association, 21 N. Union St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 518-6141.
Question: Where do I get information on lease options?
Answer: 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.
Question: Where do I get information about finding a real estate attorney?
Answer: 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.
Whom to Contact (Investing, Tax Considerations)
Question: Where do I get information on IRS publications?
Answer: The Internal Revenue Service publishes a number of real estate publications. They are listed by number:
* 521 "Moving Expenses"
* 523 "Selling Your Home"
* 527 "Residential Rental Property"
* 534 "Depreciation"
* 541 "Tax Information on Partnerships"
* 551 "Basis of Assets"
* 555 "Federal Tax Information on Community Property"
* 561 "Determining the Value of Donated Property"
* 590 "Individual Retirement Arrangements"
* 908 "Bankruptcy and Other Debt Cancellation"
* 936 "Home Mortgage Interest Deduction"
Order by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM.
Question: How do I reach the IRS?
Answer: To reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040.
Whom to Contact (What to Invest in)
Question: Where do I get information on homes with historic value?
Answer: For information about homes with historic value, contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D.C. at (202) 673-4000.
Question: Where do I get information on REITS?
Answer: Ask for information on real estate investment trusts, or REITs, from the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, 1129 20th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-8717.
Question: Where do I learn about HUD foreclosures?
Answer: One good source is their Web page http://www.hud.gov
Question: Where do I find about IRS properties?
Answer: Go the IRS property site at http://www.treas.gov/auctions/irs/
Copyright 1999 Inman News Features