Making Home Afforable – The Home Affordable Refinance Program gives up to 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac an opportunity to refinance into more affordable monthly payments.
Home Sweet Home Improvement – Steps to finding a competent and reliable contractor
for your home improvement project. Lists tip-offs to potential rip-offs.
Foreclosure Rescue Scams Ad – View a 30-second ad from the Federal Reserve Board directing consumers to free foreclusure prevention resources on the agency web site
Consumer Handbook to Adjustable Rate Mortgages – Find out about the risks and advantages of an adjustable rate mortgage. Use the Mortgage Checklist to help with your decision. Handbook is designed to help consumers understand an important and complex mortgage option available to homebuyers.
Mortgage Discrimination. – Explains your rights under Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), and what to do if your loan is rejected.
Mortgage Servicing: Making Sure Your Payments Count – Explains mortgage servicers' responsibilities, in particular under the RESPA enforced by HUD; urges consumers to keep records of their payments, insurance coverage, and other information; explains how consumers can file disputes with their loan servicer; and includes sample letters that consumers may use when filing a dispute with their lender/servicer or with a credit bureau.
Private Mortgage Insurance – If you are a homeowner, you will want to be aware of a law that establishes rights for homeowners and rules for lenders regarding private mortgage insurance (PMI) cancellation
Publications – Home ownership & mortgage publications available
from the Federal Reserve.
Reverse Mortgages: Get the Facts Before Cashing in on Your Home's Equity– Explains how reverse mortgages (RMs)
can help older homeowners who are “house-rich but cash-poor” remain
in their homes and still meet their financial obligations. Explains how the three
types of RMs work: single-purpose, federally-insured, and proprietary; and how
to get a good deal, and where to complain.
Home Equity Credit Lines – Lenders offer home equity credit lines in a variety of ways. The questions and answers listed may help you decide if a home equity line of credit is right for you.
Putting Your Home on the Loan Line is Risky Business – Alerts consumers to potential borrowing pitfalls and provides tips for getting the best financing deal possible. Warns consumers that regardless of whether a home equity loan is for home repair, bill consolidation, or some other purpose, it's important to shop around.
Home Buying Calculators – Buy vs. rent. Can you afford to buy a home? What size loan might you qualify for?
Mortgage Comparison Calculator – Compare monthly mortgage payments and the amount of equity you'll build for up to six types of fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages.