HUD Highlights E-Newsletter
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Region X – Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
June 2008 Volume 4, Number 6

Get Back to Basics with FHA

June is National Homeownership Month, and our partners all across the Northwest are celebrating with groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings and other special events. Thousands of homebuyers and homeowners are also celebrating by going "Back to Basics", financing their homes with FHA-insured mortgages. FHA - it's the safest, smartest, soundest way to homeownership.

Read about the increase in FHA-insured mortgages in:

	Alaska
	Idaho
	Oregon
	Washington

If you are shopping for a new home, or want to refinance your existing mortgage, we can help you get started:

Learn about buying a home

FHA Mortgage Limits

Have you checked the FHA mortgage limits in your neighborhood lately? The higher the limits, the larger the loan FHA can insure. This means that homebuyers have more choices, since more homes now qualify for FHA financing.

	Check FHA mortgage limits in your area
	Refinance with FHA

What is Predatory Lending?

Predatory lending is a term used to describe a wide range of unfair financial practices. It's turned the dream of homeownership into a nightmare for thousands of families. Here are some resources in your state that can help you avoid predatory lenders:

	Alaska
	Idaho
	Oregon
	Washington

RESPA

If you're in the homebuying market, be smart, and learn about the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). RESPA is the law that ensures homebuyers are fully-informed about such things as settlement costs and "good faith estimates" when they purchase a home.

Common questions & answers about RESPA

New HUD Secretary Confirmed

Steve Preston was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development on June 5, 2008.

"Steve is a strong leader whose understanding of our financial markets and strong management skills make him highly qualified to serve in this important position", said President Bush. "He will aggressively work to ensure that the Department remains focused on its mission of making housing more affordable and helping Americans keep their homes. Steve is also a consensus builder who will build on our efforts to work with Congress on responsible legislation addressing our Nation's housing policies."

Please join us in welcoming our new Secretary.

King County, WA, Housing Project Wins National Award

King County's Greenbridge Public Housing Transformation Project at White Center wins this year's Community-Informed Design Award for excellence in residential housing design. This honor is awarded jointly by HUD and the American Institute of Architects.

Read the press release

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