Frequently Asked Questions
General Single Family

Question: How does HUD help homebuyers and homeowners?

Answer: HUD helps people by administering a variety of programs that develop and support affordable housing. Specifically, HUD plays a large role in homeownership by making loans more readily available for lower and moderate income families through its FHA mortgage insurance program and by making HUD Homes available. HUD/FHA does not make loans or grants to homeowners. All of the HUD/FHA insured mortgage loan programs are handled through HUD-Approved mortgage lenders. You may find the list of HUD-Approved Lenders at our website. You can search for lenders in your area. The mortgage lender takes the loan application and handles all the required paperwork for the loan. For additional information, visit HUD's buying a home website Here's some of the information you'll find there:

	Can you afford a home?
	Links to homes for sale by HUD and other Federal agencies
	How to purchase a HUD home
	HUD’s FHA Loans, Home improvement, Refinancing
	Housing Counseling.
	Information for senior citizens about housing options, community
	How to keep your home if facing default/foreclosure
	What to do if your house is damaged by a natural disaster.
	Search for a Refund-Are you eligible?

Another way that HUD supports affordable housing for citizens is through its housing counseling program. HUD supports a network of more than 1,200 national, regional, and local organizations that provide a variety of housing counseling and homebuyer and homeowner education and outreach activities. HUD also funds many of these agencies through its housing counseling assistance program grants. HUD-approved agencies throughout the country that can give you advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages. To find out more about HUD's housing counseling program in your state click here.

You can also call the Customer Service/Distribution Center at (800) 767-7468 between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time and ask for printed materials on becoming a homeowner. The following are some of the materials available. You might suggest one or more of them:

	Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance
	The HUD Home Buying Guide
	100 Q&As About Buying a New Home
	Rehab a Home with HUD’s 203(k)
	Suddenly Thousands of Families Who Couldn’t Buy a Home, Can (in six languages)
	You Probably Have Lots of Good Questions About Buying a House

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Question: How do I obtain information on non-profits?

Answer: Visit this URL Link. Back to Top

Question: How do I obtain information on 203(k) loans?

Answer: Visit the 203(k) website. Back to Top

Question: Please direct me to the part of your site that contains circular letters, handbooks, etc?

Answer: Visit the reading room. Back to Top

Question: I want to buy a HUD home, but I don’t know who to contact. Can you help me?

Answer: Start by finding a participating real estate agent (most are). Your real estate agent must submit your bid for you. For additional information, visit HUD's buying a home website. Back to Top

Question: How do I receive my MIP refund?

Answer: Call (800) 697-6967 for information or visit HUD's refunds webpage. Back to Top

Question: Are there any Single Family Programs available for persons with disabilities to purchase a new home?

Answer: Visit HUD persons with disabilities information on the web. Back to Top

Question: Where can I obtain a list of approved appraisers?

Answer: If you are a lender, you can access this information through the FHA Connection. For all other inquiries, check HUD's appraiser search engine. Back to Top

Question: Is there any way to be e-mailed information, updates, etc. as they are posted?

Answer: Subscribe to Single Family Housing email list. You will get frequent updates to the HOC Reference Guide, training and event announcements, mortgagee letters and notices about your Single Family business. Back to Top

Question: I haven’t been able to make my mortgage payments, and I’m about to lose my home. Can HUD help me?

Answer: You should work with your lender and a HUD approved housing counselor to find a solution. You may call the National Servicing and Loss Mitigation Center at (888) 297-8685 or the Housing Counseling Hotline at (800) 569-4287. There is an informative brochure called "How To Avoid Foreclosure" which provides a list of options available to homeowners. Call HUD’s Customer Service/Distribution Center at (800) 767-7468 for the brochure. Visit HUD's "Help Save Your Home" website for more information. Back to Top

Question: I had an FHA mortgage, and I think I may be due a refund of the mortgage premium. How can I find out?

Answer: For information on distributive shares or premium refunds, "Does HUD owe me a refund?" on the web. If your name appears you should call toll free, (800) 697-6967, for more information. Consumers should have their FHA case number, if they know it. Back to Top

Question: I recently was contacted by someone who said that HUD owes me money and he could get it for me. Is this true? Is it legal?

Answer: Tracers are legal. But, they do not represent HUD, and you do not have to use one to get your refund if you are owed one. You can read about HUD refunds right on our home page. Back to Top

Question: I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income, how can HUD help me keep my home, find low-cost housing, or assisted living?

Answer: HUD has lots of information about living choices for senior citizens on it's homepage. HUD also funds housing counseling agencies, who can help you think through your options. Contact toll free, (800) 569-4287, for the counseling agency nearest you. Back to Top

Question: I’m a senior citizen and I’ve heard about "reverse mortgages". How do they work and how can I get one?

Answer: Reverse mortgages may be a good idea for you. We have lots of information about them, including information on how to avoid scams, on HUD's website. If you decide you want to pursue a reverse mortgage, we also have a list of approved lenders who can help you. You may also wish to call for the brochure "You’ve Put a Lot Into Your Home, Maybe It’s Time Your Home Paid You Back" by calling the Customer Service/Distribution Center at (800) 767-7468. Back to Top

Question: I want to make some home improvements. Does HUD have any grants or loans that could help me?

Answer: Read our on-line home improvement section HUD's homepage. You’ll find out about the federal programs that are available as well as some tips on making home improvements. While these are not grant programs, information is available on two loan programs. Please contact our Customer Service Center for the helpful brochure "Own a Home and Home Improvements" or for information on the Title I Home Improvement Program. The number is (800) 767-7468. Back to Top

Question: I’m concerned about lead-based paint in my house. What should I be looking for and how can I keep my family safe?

Answer: HUD has some important information about healthy and safe homes including information about lead hazards and other household dangers. Call (800) 767-7468 for a free brochure. Back to Top

Question: Where can I get information on buying, installing and maintaining a manufactured home? Or if I have problems or concerns about my manufactured home?

Answer: Information on manufactured homes is available to consumers on HUD's website. Or call (800) 927-2891. Back to Top

Question: I believe that I may have experienced discrimination when I was looking for housing. How can I file a complaint?

Answer: You can file a complaint right on-line. Use HUD’s Housing Discrimination web page. Or you can call the Housing Discrimination Hotline, toll free at (800) 669-9777. Back to Top

Question: I read about a loan that enables you to both finance the purchase and rehabilitation of a home through a single mortgage. Does HUD offer such a loan and how can I get one?

Answer: FHA’s 203(k) purchase and rehabilitation loan offers home buyers a single mortgage which provides money for home purchase, repairs and improvements. Information is available on HUD's Web site. You may also ask your approved FHA lender for information. Back to Top

Question: What is RESPA?

Answer: RESPA stands for the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. RESPA covers conventional mortgage loans on one-to-four family properties, as well as government insured and guaranteed loans. It requires lenders to provide borrowers certain settlement cost and loan information throughout the loan process (i.e., the Good Faith Estimate, Settlement Cost Booklet, HUD-1). RESPA also sets forth certain requirements for loan servicing and escrow accounts. The statute further protects borrowers by prohibiting kickbacks and referral fees which may increase costs in the settlement process. Further information can be found on HUD’s web site. You may also call HUD’s Customer Service Center for a copy of the helpful brochure "Buying Your Home." The number is (800) 767-7468. Back to Top

Question: How can I find out about my credit history?

Answer: To find out about your credit standing you may wish to contact the three major credit reporting companies. Experian 1-800-682-7654 Equifax (800) 685-1111 Trans Union (800) 916-8800 A charge ranging from $5 to $20 dollars may be assessed for each copy of your report. Back to Top

Question: What is an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)?

Answer: FHA’s Energy Efficient Mortgage program allows homebuyers to build the cost of energy efficient improvements into their FHA mortgage. The Energy Efficient Mortgage is a great way for homebuyers to save money on future utility bills. Back to Top

Question: Why do I need a home inspection? Aren’t the physical deficiencies noted in the appraisal?

Answer: Appraisals are prepared for lenders; home inspections are for you, the buyer. Home inspections give you detailed information on the physical condition of your new home. For more information and a helpful brochure on home inspection call (800) 569-4287, or check out HUD's Home Buyers information on the web. Back to Top

Question: Can the mortgage insurance premium be discontinued on an FHA loan?

Answer: If you have an FHA-insured mortgage, your mortgage insurance is a legal agreement between FHA and your lender. As of January 2001, newly FHA-insured mortgages may have premium-discontinuance options that you will want to understand. Carefully read FHA Mortgagee Letters 00-38 and 00-46 so that you are aware of these options when you ask your lender to discontinue the mortgage insurance. Back to Top

Question: Who pays for the home inspection?

Answer: You, the homebuyer, pay for the inspection. FHA, however, will allow up to $300 of the cost of the inspection as part of the downpayment requirement. Back to Top

Question: What is a Title I loan? What is the difference between a Title I and a Title II loan?

Answer: A Title I loan is a FHA-insured home improvement loan which can be used for the alteration, repair, or improvement of an existing single family structure; preservation of an historic residential structure listed or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic places; or alteration, repair or improvement of an existing manufactured home and/or mobile home classified as personal property or real estate. A Title I loan can also be used to finance the purchase of a new or used manufactured home on an installment contract. Title I home improvement loans are typically offered as 2nd mortgage loans and are available up to $25,000. Loans for purchase of a manufactured home are available up to $48,600 for the home only and $64,800 for the home and lot combined. A title II loan is a FHA-insured 1st mortgage loan that a borrower can use to help purchase a home as a primary residence. Title II loans are available under a number of programs, including the popular Section 203(b) program which many first-time buyers use to buy a new or existing one-to-four-family home; the Section 203(k) program which allows borrowers to purchase or refinance and rehabilitate their residence if the home is a least one year old; and the Section 234(c) program for borrowers interested in purchasing a condominium residence. For more information contact an FHA approved lender or call the Customer Service/Distribution Center at (800) 767-7468 for written materials such as "Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance."Back to Top

Question: How do I register a complaint about the M & M contractor?

Answer: Contact the nearest Homeownership Center. Or call (888) 827-5605. Back to Top

Question: What is a "SuperNOFA"?

Answer: The "SuperNOFA" is a new streamlined way HUD notifies the public and distributes funding available through its competitive grant programs. Instead of more than 40 disparate, hard to track Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs), HUD has consolidated information on HUD’s competitive programs into three "SuperNOFAs". For more information visit HUD's website or contact your local HUD office. Back to Top

Question: How do I apply for public housing or Section 8 certificates?

Answer: To apply for public housing or Section 8 certificates or vouchers, you must go to your local housing authority. Each housing authority has a system for accepting applications. For more information on public housing and Section 8 certificates visit HUD's webpage or contact your local HUD office. Back to Top

Question: What is the "Officer Next Door" program? Can you tell me about the "Teacher Next Door" or the "Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician Next Door" initiative?

Answer: HUD wants to strengthen America’s communities. The "Officer Next Door" program offers HUD-owned, single family homes to law enforcement officers at a discount. It helps to prevent crime and promotes neighborhood safety and security by encouraging law enforcement officers to become resident homeowners in economically-distressed communities. The "Teacher Next Door" (TND) initiative offers HUD-owned, single family homes to public and private school teachers at a 5 discount. The TND program recognizes teachers for the value they bring to community and family life, and provides them with increased homeownership opportunities so that they can serve our most needy communities outside the classroom. The most recent addition, "Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician Next Door" program recognizes these professionals with a discount on a HUD home too. Back to Top

Question: What is the telephone number for HUD handbooks and forms?

Answer: The telephone number for HUD handbooks and forms is (800) 767-7468. The information may also be located on the HUDclips website. Back to Top

Question: I'm interested in renting and I don't have much money. Can HUD help me?

Answer: HUD doesn't operate and rent housing directly. But HUD does fund three kinds of local housing assistance that might help you:

• Public housing, which is low-income housing operated by your local housing authority:
• Section 8 in which the housing authority gives the tenant a certificate or voucher that says the government will subsidize your rent payments. You must find your own housing; and
• Privately owned subsidized housing, where the government provides subsidies directly to the owner who then applies those subsidies to the rents he/she charges low-income tenants. Contact your local public housing agency for more information about public housing and Section 8 certificates and vouchers and how you to apply for these programs. If you're interested in privately-owned subsidized housing, you will need to check directly with the management office of rental agencies, which can be found in the classified section of your local newspaper. For additional information visit HUD's website. Back to Top