Di Lewis, Greenwich Connecticut Realtor: Homes, Land, Condos

INFORMATION RESOURCES

Where do I get information on mortgages?
For information on mortgages, check out the following sources for information:
* American Bankers Association; (202) 663-5000.
* Mortgage Bankers Association of America, 1125 15th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20005; (202) 861-6500.

Where do I get information on VA loans?
For information on VA loans, call the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs directly at (800) 827-1000. Also refer to:
* "To the Home-Buying Veteran," Department of Veterans Affairs; 810 Vermont Ave., N.W.; Washington, DC 20420.
* "VA Home Loans," Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20420.

Where can I get a list of mortgage brokers?
For information on mortgage brokers, contact the National Association of Mortgage Brokers at (703) 610-9009.

Where do I get information on correcting loan payments?
The following auditing services can do a thorough review of residential mortgages for lender calculation errors:
* Mortgage Monitor; 1372 Summer Street, Stamford, 06905; (800) AUDIT-USA.
* Loantech, (301) 762-7700. But keep in mind that these services come with a fee, and your lender should be able to work with you to make your own accurate calculation.

Where do I get information on the secondary market?
Two major secondary-market sources are Fannie Mae, 1-800-732-6643, and Freddie Mac, 1-800-FREDDIE.

Where do I get information on lease options?
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.

If you are considering a lease option, be sure you do your homework first. And have an attorney or financial advisor on hand to review any paperwork before you sign.

Where do I get information on PMI?
Look for tips in "A Mortgage Insurance Guidebook," or "How to Buy a Home with a Low Down Payment," published by the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America, 805 15th St., N.W., Suite 1110, Washington, DC 20005; call (202) 393-5566 to order.

How do I monitor my ARM loan?
Consumer Loan Advocates publishes a book with form letters and worksheets to help people who want to check mortgage payments or adjustments on their own. It costs $19.95 plus $4 shipping and handling. For a copy, write or call Consumer Loan Advocates, 655 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff, IL 60044; (847) 615-0024.

Where do I get information on finding the best loan?
For information on how to find the best home loan for you, check out this booklet:
* "How to Shop for a Mortgage," by the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, 1125 15th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20005; call (202) 861-6500.

Where do I get information on lock-ins?
For information on lock-in mortgage rates, check out this brochure:
* "Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins" from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Public Information Department, P.O. Box 7702, San Francisco, CA 94120; or call (415) 974-2163 to order

But keep in mind that these services come with a fee, and your lender should be able to work with you to make your own accurate calculation.

Where do I get information on refinancing?
For information on refinancing, the following booklet may be helpful:
* "A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancings;" Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Public Information Department, P.O. Box 77

Where do I get information about housing discrimination?
For information about housing discrimination, call the U.S. Department of Justice at (202) 514-2000, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW DC 20530 or your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development office.

For detailed information, the booklet, "Your Loan is Denied, Defending Yourself Against Mortgage Lending Discrimination," is available from the Center for Investigative Reporting, 500 Howard Street, Suite 206, San Francisco, CA 94105-3008 or call (415) 543-1200.

Where do I get information on consumer credit laws?
For information on consumer credit laws, contact the National Foundation for Consumer Credit, 8701 Georgia Ave., Suite 507, Silver Springs, MD 20910; call (301) 589-5600.

Where do I get a copy of my credit report?
For a copy of your own credit report, call one of the three main national credit reporting agencies: Equifax, (800) 685-1111; Experian, (800) 311-4769 or Trans Union, (312) 408-1050. The bureaus also should provide instructions on how to read their report and dispute any inaccuracies it contains.

Where do I get information on who regulates lenders?
The following regulatory bodies oversee lenders:
* Comptroller of the Currency, Compliance Division, Washington, D.C., (800) 613-6743.
* Office of Thrift Supervision, Consumer Affairs, Washington, D.C., (202) 906-6237.
* Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Consumer Affairs, Washington, D.C., (800) 934-3342.

Your state departments of real estate or commerce also may regulate the lenders in your area.