HOME BUYER EXPERTS

RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) is a consumer protection statute that is designed to aid homebuyers during the home buying process and help them become better shoppers while protecting them at the same time. It outlaws things like “kickbacks” that would increase the overall cost in buying a home.

The revamped act will take effect Jan 1st, 2010 and is supposed to make it easier for home buyers to understand what is going on at closing. In my opinion more regulation and paperwork is not going to fix the already overcomplicated process. What is needed is for the Professionals that are involved in the transaction to take their time and make sure the consumer has a clear understanding of the process.

To read more about HUD and RESPA click here.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has just released its latest version of “Shopping for Your Home Loan – HUD’s Settlement Cost Booklet.”

While I think there are some things in this booklet that should be revised even further to better protect the consumer, what I find significant about this latest version is that on page 6, it discusses the role of the real estate broker or agent and now includes a bolded reference to exclusive buyer’s agents.  Here is what it says,

“It is your responsibility to search for an agent who will represent your interests in the real estate transaction. If you want someone to represent only your interests, consider hiring an “exclusive buyer’s agent”, who will be working for you.”

Click here to read more and for a PDF copy of “Shopping for Your Home Loan” by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

I just got done reading this article and thought I would post about it hopefully you find it interesting.

It has been almost 10 years since we had to answer the questions of the Census Bureau. The thing that I wanted to make everyone aware of with this post is that you are required by Article 1 Section 2 of The Constitution to participate in the census. However it is my feeling that in todays day and age you should be very cautious on how much and to whom you give personal info. So please take some time to familirize yourself with the 2010 Census and what to expect.

Below is an experpt from an article that CNN ran, as well as a direct link to the Census Bureau’s web site.

The 2010 Census is nearly under way, but don’t expect an e-mail from the U.S. Census Bureau asking you personal questions in its head count of America. If you do get one, it’s a scam.

The Census Bureau stresses that it will not request personal information from you via e-mail, such as PIN codes, passwords, Social Security numbers, credit-card numbers or other financial account information.

• Cybercriminals have data on many people but can use it only against a finite number
• Most businesses don’t really need your Social Security number

Read the full article

U.S. Census Bureau Web Site

An interesting take on the American Community Survey from Rep. Ron Paul in 2004.

If you or someone you know is in the market for a home in the next 90 days and have excellent credit please contact us for your free Informational Consultation Session.