How do I find a home inspector? How do I find a home inspector? [back to top] 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.
To reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040; irs.gov.
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, appraisalinstitute.org, or contact the organization at 550 W. Van Buren St., Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60607; (312) 335-4100.
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.
For more on closing costs, ask for the "Consumers Guide to Mortgage Settlement Costs," Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009; (888) 878-3256; pueblo.gsa.gov.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contact your real estate agent (some even specialize in such transactions) or read up on lease options at the public library. If you have a real estate attorney, ask if he or she has any prepared information you can review. Most bookstores have a fairly hefty real estate book section these days. Many current real estate books have at least a section on lease options. |
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