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Buyers: Whom to Contact
How do I find a home inspector?
Your realty agent is one source.But keeping them independent from the agent may be a good idea. 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.
How do I reach the IRS?
To reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040; www.irs.gov.
What standards do appraisers use to estimate value?
Appraisers use several factors when estimating a home's value, including the home's size and square footage, the condition of the home and neighborhood, comparable local sales, any pertinent historical information, sales performance and indices that forecast future value. For detailed information on appraisal standards, visit the Appraisal Institute website, www.appraisalinstitute.org, or contact the organization at 550 W. Van Buren St., Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60607; (312) 335-4100.
Where can I get information on buyer agents?
For information on buyer agents, contact the your area's Realtor association or National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents at 191 Clarksville Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550; (800) 786-1570; www.naeba.org.
Where do I get information about closing costs?
For more on closing costs, ask for the "Consumer’s Guide to Mortgage Settlement Costs," Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009; (888) 878-3256; pueblo.gsa.gov.
Where do I get information about finding a real estate attorney?
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.
Where do I get information about housing discrimination?
For information about housing discrimination, call the U.S. Department of Justice at (202) 514-2000, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW DC 20530, usdoj.gov; 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,131 Steurt Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105; call (415) 543-1200; or visit www.muckraker.org.
Where do I get information on filing consumer complaints?
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; www.consumerfed.org
- American Homeowners Association; PO Box 16817, Stamforc, CT 06905; (800) 470-2242; www.ahahome.com.
- Consumers Union, 1535 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103 or call (415) 431-6747; www.consumersunion.org.
- Consumer Action, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 233, San Francisco, CA 94105; (415) 777-9635; www.consumer-action.org.
Where do I get information on home market stats and trends?
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) 763-2422. 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.
Where do I get information on housing market stats?
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 (www.meyersgroup.com) regularly publishes quarterly reports on home building and home buying. Your local builders association probably gets this report. Finally, check with the U.S. Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C.; (301) 763-3199; www.census.gov. The Chicago Title company also has published a pamphlet, "Who's Buying Homes in America." Write Chicago Title 601 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204; (888) 934-3354; www.ctic.com.
Where do I get information on IRS publications?
The Internal Revenue Service publishes a number of real estate publications. They are listed by number:
These publications are available for free online or by calling (800) TAX-FORM.
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