RESOURCES AND TOOLS
About APR - great blog post about what costs are included in your APR
FDIC website on “Reg Z” regulations for APR (if you want to see why APR varies among lenders)
Tax Credit Extension flier with summary
IRS info on Homebuyers Tax Credit 2009/2010
Shopping For Your Home Loan, HUD’s NEW Consumer Booklet, revised to include the new Good Faith Estimate for 2010.
Free Annual Credit Report FTC site
National Flood Insurance Program
Worksheets for Buyers for Budgeting and Selecting Homes. VHDA worksheets useful for all buyers.
VHDA Homeownership Education Online class useful to all buyers. English and Spanish.
Dynamic Map of Bank Card and Mortgage Delinquencies Compare our financial health to other areas.
LOAN PROGRAMS
HomePath, locate homes eligible for special financing for FNMA REO properties
USDA 100% Loans in Rural Areas Search eligibility by income and property location
FHA’s loan maximum, lookup by area
FHA’s Online Knowledge Base, searchable by keyword
FHA Homewnership Resource Guide Handbooks on underwriting and appraisal guidelines
VA’s loan maximum, 2010 limits
CALCULATORS
Blended Rate Calculator To use if you have 2 mortgages on your property.
HSH Amortization Calculator
Mortgage Calculators This site has a variety of useful calculators.
United Guaranty Mortgage Insurance Calculator
REFINANCING
Does Fannie Mae Own Your Loan?
Does Freddie Mac Own Your Loan?
FHA
Virginia Housing Development Authority Virginia’s mortgage finance agency for affordable housing.
My CAAR Property for sale
Albemarle County Tax Records and GIS Mapping
Charlottesville Special Financing Assistance
Charlottesville City Tax Records
realcentralva.com Jim Duncan’s blog on local real estate market conditions
Abrahamse & Co. “Health House” builder
Artisan Construction ”Green” builder
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Charlottesville Tomorrow Blog on City and County issues
Charlottesville City Official City website, with information for visitors and residents
Charlottesville Community Design Center
HOME
Nature Neutral Local business offering “environmentally preferable” products
Charlottesville Interior Design Blog
The Green Home Guide thanks to Marilyn Moedinger
Edible Landscaping Afton, VA plant nursery
Lost on the Garden Path? 4 Design Rules to Go By Joel Lerner in Washington Post 10.11.07
Design Public Shopping source for the home; includes sustainable design products
BOOKS
“The First-Time Homeowner’s Handbook: A Complete Guide and Workbook for the First-Time Home Buyer” by Joe Adamaitas. (Recommended by Anna Berkes.)
OTHER
TED Series on Green Design
Design For Behavior
Design: e2 - Green for All
FRIENDS
Lloyd Goad’s Photography of (mostly) Shenandoah Valley Landscapes
