100 Questions and Answers About Buying a New Home
(Separate Website)
This web page from the web site of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, answers common questions about buying new homes.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Brochures for the Home Buyer/OwnHome Program of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs
(Separate Website)
Go to this web site to learn about the DCA's steps to becoming a homeowner and get brochures and workbooks (in English and Spanish) which you may download and print out in PDF format.
By: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Buying vs. Renting a Home
(Separate Website)
This web site helps you compare the advantages/disadvantages to buying a home versus renting one. You can view a Buy vs. Rent Comparison Chart, or a financial comparison of buying versus renting in the Buy vs. Rent Calculator.
By: Ginnie Mae
Common Questions of First-time Homebuyers
(Separate Website)
This document contains frequently asked questions that first-time homebuyers have about purchasing a home.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Life Skills for Homeowners and Renters
Whether you own your own home or rent a house or apartment, there are a number of things you need to know and do to protect yourself from things like eviction, foreclosure, or overpaying for services. This guide sets out a number of life skills that you need to keep in mind in your daily business.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Workbook for First-Time Homebuyers: A Home of Your Own
(Separate Website)
This workbook describes the steps to take to prepare yourself for home-ownership and walks you through the process of purchasing your own home in Georgia. The document may be downloaded in PDF format. The workbook was developed by the Consumer Credit Counselling Services of Greater Atlanta, Inc. under contract to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
By: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Federal Mortgage Programs
(Separate Website)
This document contains information about federal programs to help you purchase your own home with a low-cost mortgage.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Ginnie Mae Homeownership Center
(Separate Website)
This web site provides information about obtaining a mortgage and closing on a home.
By: Ginnie Mae
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
(Separate Website)
This website is for the HOME program which provides grants to States and localities that partnership with local nonprofit groups to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Good Neighbor Next Door Homeownership Opportunity
(Separate Website)
This document provides information on The Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) program from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Programs in the State of Georgia that make Homeownership Affordable
(Separate Website)
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Home Buyer & OwnHOME Loan Programs are available to qualified borrowers statewide who meet certain income restrictions and who are purchasing homes within certain purchase price restrictions. In addition, borrowers must have modest assets and the willingness to repay the loan. DCA's Steps to Becoming a Home Owner can help potential home buyers learn more about the home buying process.
By: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Rural Housing Service Section 502 Program
Section 502 loans are primarily used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
The Nehemiah Program
(Separate Website)
The Nehemiah Program® exists to help people become homeowners. The Nehemiah Program® provides gift funds for down payment and closing costs to qualified buyers using an eligible loan program, such as FHA. Gift funds of 1% to 6% of the contract sales price can be requested, depending on the particular needs of the buyer.
By: The Nehemiah Program
Affordability Calculator: How Much Can You Spend to Buy a House?
(Separate Website)
This web site allows you to calculate how much you can afford to spend on a home.
By: Ginnie Mae
Basics of Borrowing and Credit in Georgia
This document discusses the basic law relating to borrowing and credit.
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
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Spanish / Español
Basics of Obtaining Credit in Georgia
This document discusses the basic law relating to borrowing and credit.
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Finding a Home to Buy
(Separate Website)
This is a document of some things to consider when buying a home.
By: Ginnie Mae
Georgia Fair Housing Law
(Separate Website)
This document discusses a Georgia Fair Housing Law that prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related activities because of a person's race, color, national origin, sex, familial status (children under 18), and disability.
By: Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Home Purchase Traps: Problems to Avoid When You Buy a Home
This brochure will help you recognize and avoid common traps of the housing market when buying a new home.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Homes for Sale
(Separate Website)
This website lists several federal agencies that have properties to sell.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
HUD Homes (Answers to Common Questions)
(Separate Website)
This web page explains how to buy a HUD Home and provides links to properties that are available near you for purchase from HUD.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Making the Purchase of a Home
(Separate Website)
What happens when you've found your dream home and qualified for the loan? You will begin what is known as the closing or settlement process. The closing process is the period between the day you receive your loan approval and the day you finalize the purchase of your home. This web site tells you more about the closing process.
By: Ginnie Mae
Purchase and Sale Contract to Buy a Home
(Separate Website)
This page outlines the basics of real estate contracts in Georgia
By: Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association
Title Insurance
(Separate Website)
A title insurance policy covers or protects the owner of the policy against claims involving ownership of the property, liens against the property and marketability of the property. There are two types of policies: lender's, or mortgagee, and owner's. All lenders require title insurance for the amount of the loan to protect them against the above claims. In Georgia, unlike some states, a seller is not required to provide an owner's title policy to the purchaser.
By: Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association
Homebuyer Education Agencies
(Separate Website)
This is a link to different agencies that provide seminars, workshops, and pre-purchase counseling sessions for first time home buyers.
By: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Homeownership 101
(Separate Website)
In this section, you will learn some of the basics of buying a home, including choosing the right mortgage.
By: Ginnie Mae
Buying a Home
This document describes the basic process for buying a home.
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Buying a Home - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet
(Separate Website)
This website discusses the basics of buying a home in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia
Applying for a Loan
(Separate Website)
Once you have negotiated a final purchase offer with the seller, you are ready to finalize the loan application process. Under RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act), lenders are legally required to provide you with a good faith estimate within three days after receiving your application. The information gives you an estimate of your closing costs and monthly payments. This good faith estimate does not require lenders to provide a detailed breakdown of the closing cost items or to identify the persons responsible for the payments. Therefore, it is important for you to work with your real estate agent or attorney to understand all the closing cost fees. This will ensure that there are no significant surprises related to your final closing costs.
By: Ginnie Mae
Common Questions about Home Loans, Mortgages and Predatory Lending
This document answers common questions about loans, mortgages, and how to protect your home from predatory lenders.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages
(Separate Website)
This brochure helps you to understand Adjustable Rate Mortgages.
By: Federal Reserve Board
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Georgia Department of Banking and Finance Website
(Separate Website)
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (Department) is the state agency that regulates and examines banks, credit unions and trust companies which are chartered by the State. The Department also has regulatory and/or licensing authority over mortgage brokers and lenders, check cashers, sale of check companies, money transmitters, international banking organizations, and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia.
By: Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
Home Loan Guaranty Services for Veterans and the Military
(Separate Website)
This website contains information about: (1) the VA Home Loan program, (2) the Loan Guaranty Services, (3) Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans, (4) VA - Approved Lenders, (5) Refinancing Opportunities, and much more.
By: State Bar of Georgia Pro Bono Project
Looking for the Best Mortgage
(Separate Website)
Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage--whether it’s a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan--is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You’ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. Skip to
By: Federal Reserve Board
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
EarnBenefits Online
(Separate Website)
How to get free checking accounts, homebuying resources, repairing your credit
By: Seedco
After a Disaster: Repairing Your Home
(Separate Website)
This website from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer tips for consumers who may be facing major repairs after a disaster hits home.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
EarnBenefits Online
(Separate Website)
How to get free checking accounts, homebuying resources, repairing your credit
By: Seedco
Frequently Asked Questions about Homeowners' Insurance
(Separate Website)
This web page answers common questions about homeowners' insurance.
By: Georgia Department of Insurance
Georgia Consumer's Guide to Home Improvements
(Separate Website)
This document provides some things to consider when making improvements to your home.
By: Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Georgia State Fire Code
(Separate Website)
This document provides Georgia's Minimum Standard Code (the International Fire Code).
By: Georgia.gov
Georgia Taxpayer Bill of Rights
(Separate Website)
Basic information about your rights as a taxpayer, your rights during an audit, your rights to dispute any determinations that you owe taxes.
By: Georgia Department of Revenue
Heir Property in Georgia
(Separate Website)
This resource answers questions on heir property. Heir property is property that is passed down after a family member dies without a will. If you own real property, you should have a will.
This resource describes heir property and offers solutions to dealing with the problems created when property is passed without a will.
By: Georgia Appleseed
Home A Loan: A Quick Guide on Reverse Mortgages for Senior Advocates
(Separate Website)
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan that allows senior homeowners to convert the equity in their homes into a source of income, without having to sell the home. For many seniors, the accumulated equity in their home is their primary or only financial asset. Such seniors are on a fixed or limited income and do not have enough money saved to pay for uninsured medical expenses, home improvement, or to meet other pressing needs. For these financially strapped seniors, reverse mortgages are an attractive option. A reverse mortgage, however, must be carefully evaluated as it is more complex than most home equity loans. A senior, for example, must not only understand complicated budget projections, but also make predictions as to his or her future financial needs. To assist seniors with this assessment, counseling is a required part of the application process for most reverse mortgages.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Home and Personal Property Disaster Loans
(Separate Website)
This document addresses the requirements for eligibility for financial assistance from the US Small Business Administration if you are in a declared disaster area and are the victim of a disaster.
By: U.S. Small Business Administration
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Home Improvement Scams Alert
(Separate Website)
This document discusses how to avoid scam artists who target low-income elderly homeowners and the tactics they use.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Home Repairs - How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off
(Separate Website)
This document discusses basic issues relating to home repairs and helps you avoid getting ripped off.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Information about Property Taxes in Georgia
(Separate Website)
This section provides specific information on property taxation in the various counties in Georgia.
By: Georgia Department of Revenue
Mortgage and Foreclosure Relief: Answers for Reservists, Guardsmen and Other Military Personnel
(Separate Website)
Information for service men and women about how the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act helps with mortgage relief, lease termination and eviction issues.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Mortgage and Real Estate Loans Information from the Federal Trade Commission
(Separate Website)
This web site contains documents relating to: (1) home equity loans, home equity credit lines and common home equity scams, (2) high rate, high fee mortgages, (3) reverse mortgages, (4) payday loans, and (5) mortgage discrimination. You may view the documents on-line and print them out or print them in PDF format.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Veterans with Disabilities
Georgia law provides property tax and school tax benefits to senior citizens and to veterans with disabilities. Please be aware that this web page gives only a general description of the Georgia tax benefits. Your situation may be different enough so that the general rules will not apply.
By: Elder Law Committee of State Bar of Georgia
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