Whom to Contact - Q & A
| Q: |
What standards do appraisers use
to estimate value? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| 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? |
| 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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