| Mortgage Bankers Association of America Consumer Information |
| The Mortgage Bankers Association of America is the preeminent association representing the real estate finance industry. Their consumer information site contains several tools and guides to aid in purchasing or refinancing a home. |
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| Federal Reserve Board Consumer Information |
| The Federal Reserve Board maintains a web page with consumer information, including a section on home mortgages. The section covers topics such as finding the best mortgage and understanding ARMs. |
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| Homebuyer Education by Freddie Mac |
| Freddie Mac is a publicly held corporation chartered by Congress to increase the supply of funds that mortgage lenders, such as commercial banks, mortgage bankers, savings institutions and credit unions, can make available to homebuyers and multifamily investors. This Freddie Mac site offers a step-by-step tutorial on the home buying decision process and the mortgage application process. |
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| US Dept of Housing and Urban Development |
| HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships--particularly with faith-based and community organizations--that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level. |
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| United States Postal Service Official Movers Guide |
| What happens after you complete the purchase process? This U.S. Postal Service site provides all kinds of tools and tips to help make the moving process easier. |
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| Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) Home Loans Page |
| The VA Loan Guaranty Service is the organization within the Veterans Benefits Administration charged with the responsibility of administering the home loan program. |
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| California Department of Corporations |
| The California Department of Corporations is California’s Investment and Financing Authority. The Department licenses and regulates a variety of businesses that affect your life, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers and financial planners, and certain fiduciaries and lenders. They also regulate the offer and sale of securities, franchises and off-exchange commodities. Here you can check the license status of your broker or lender. Some California Brokers/Lenders are licensed by the California Department of Real Estate. See their link below. |
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| California Department of Real Estate (DRE) |
| Providing for the licensing and regulation of real estate licensees and facilitate the administration and enforcement of the Real Estate Law and the Subdivided Lands Law.
Many lenders and mortgage brokers are licensed by the DRE. Their site provides a quick link to check the status of those licensees to determine their standing with the DRE. Other California brokers/lenders are licensed by the California Department of Corporations. See their link above. |
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| CA Office of Real Estate Appraisers |
| OREA is responsible for the accreditation of educational courses and providers for real estate appraisers. OREA has reviewed and approved over 1,800 pre-licensing and continuing education courses. In addition to the real estate appraisal related courses offered by California's community colleges and universities, over 90 proprietary schools provide appraiser education. |
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