Whom to Contact - Q & A
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Q: |
What standards do
appraisers use to estimate value? |
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A: |
Appraisers use
several factors when estimating value including
historical records, property performance, condition of
the home and indices that forecast future value. For
detailed information on appraisal standards, contact the
Appraisal Institute at 875 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2400,
Chicago, IL 60611-1980; (312) 335-4458. |
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Q: |
Where do I get
information about closing costs? |
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A: |
For more on
closing costs, ask for the "Consumer's Guide to Mortgage
Settlement Costs," Federal Reserve Bank of San
Francisco, Public Information Department, P.O. Box 7702,
San Francisco, CA 94120, or call (415) 974-2163.
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Q: |
Where do I get
information on filing consumer complaints? |
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A: |
For information about filing
consumer complaints, look to these sources:
* Consumer Federation of America,
1424 16th St. N.W., Suite 604, Washington, DC 20036;
(202) 387-6121.
* United Homeowners Association;
1511 K St., N.W.; Washington, DC 20005; (202) 408-8842.
* Consumers Union, 1535 Mission
St., San Francisco, CA 94103 or call (415) 431-6747.
* Consumer Action Council, 116 New
Montgomery St., Suite 233, San Francisco, CA 94105;
(415) 777-9648 |
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Q: |
Where do I get
information on housing market stats? |
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A: |
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.
For overall housing statistics, U.S.
Housing Markets regularly publishes quarterly reports on
home building and home buying. Your local builders
association probably gets this report. If not, the
housing research firm is located in Canton, Mich.; call
(800) 755-6269 for information; the firm also maintains
an Internet site. Finally, check with the U.S. Bureau of
the Census in Washington, D.C.; (301) 495-4700. The
census bureau also maintains a site on the Internet. The
Chicago Title company also has published a pamphlet,
"Who's Buying Homes in America." Write Chicago Title and
Trust Family of Title Insurers, 171 North Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60601-3294.
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Q: |
Where do I get
information on IRS publications? |
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A: |
The Internal Revenue Service
publishes a number of real estate publications. They are
listed by number:
* 521 "Moving Expenses"
* 523 "Selling Your Home"
* 527 "Residential Rental
Property"
* 534 "Depreciation"
* 541 "Tax Information on
Partnerships"
* 551 "Basis of Assets"
* 555 "Federal Tax Information on
Community Property"
* 561 "Determining the Value of
Donated Property"
* 590 "Individual Retirement
Arrangements"
* 908 "Bankruptcy and Other Debt
Cancellation"
* 936 "Home Mortgage Interest
Deduction"
Order by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM.
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Q: |
How do I reach
the IRS? |
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A: |
To reach the
Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040.
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Q: |
Where do I get
information about finding a real estate attorney?
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A: |
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.
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Copyright 1999 Inman News Features
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