“The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) is a consumer protection statute, first passed in 1974. The purposes of RESPA are to help consumers become better shoppers for settlement services and to eliminate kickbacks and referral fees that unnecessarily increase the costs of certain settlement services.”
“This may be the largest and most important loan you get during your lifetime. You should be aware of certain rights before you enter into any loan agreement.”
“You need to compare features of ARMs to find the one that best fits your needs. See the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet on page 2.
“This handbook explains how ARMs work and discusses some of the issues that borrowers may face. It includes ways to reduce the risks and gives some pointers about advertizing and other ways you can get information from lenders and other trusted advisors. Important ARM terms are defined in a glossary. And the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet can help you ask the right questions and figure out whether as ARM is right for you. Ask lenders to help you fill out the worksheet so you can get the information you need to compare mortgages.”
“Owning a home is part of the American dream. But high home prices may make the dream seem out of reach. To make monthly payments more affordable, many lenders offer home loans that allow you to (1) pay only the interest on the loan during the first few years of the loan term or (2) make only a specified minimum payment that could be less than the monthly interest on the loan.”
“Buying a home is an important financial decision that should be considered carefully. This booklet will help you become familiar with the various stages of the home-buying process, including deciding whether you are ready to buy a home, and providing factors to consider in determining how much you can afford to spend. You will learn about the sales agreement, how to use a Good Faith Estimate to shop for the best loan for you, required settlement services to close your loan, and the HUD-1 Settlement Statement that you will receive at closing.”
“If you are a homeowner who needs money to pay bills or for home repairs, you may think a home equity loan is the answer. But not all loans and lenders are the same
