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
Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages
(Separate Website)
With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest stays the same during the life of the loan. But with an Adjustable Rate Mortgage, the interest rate changes periodically, and your payments may go up or down. This brochure helps you to understand Adjustable Rate Mortgages.
By: Federal Reserve Board
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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: Department of Veterans' Affairs
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
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Spanish / Español
EarnBenefits Online
(Separate Website)
How to get free checking accounts, homebuying resources, repairing your credit
By: Seedco
Community Planning, Land Use, and Zoning
Housing Development On-Line Resources and Tools
(Separate Website)
Welcome to The Enterprise Foundation's Housing Developer Support System (HDSS), the comprehensive guide to affordable rental and homeownership housing development for nonprofit organizations. The Housing Developer Support System is a one-stop shop designed to equip nonprofit organizations with the appropriate information and tools to improve, or expand, their affordable housing production systems.
By: The Enterprise Foundation
Multi Family Housing Finance and Development Programs
(Separate Website)
This web page provides information about affordable rental housing development financing programs operated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Programs descibed on this page include: the HOME Rental Housing Loan Program, Housing Tax Credit Program, HOME CHDO Predevelopment Loan Program, Permanent Supportive Housing Program, and the Rural Rental Housing Development Fund.
These DCA rental housing finance programs work with for-profit, nonprofit and government partners to build or rehabilitate rental housing in Georgia. Funding is available to private sector for profit and nonprofit developers through DCA?s Office of Affordable Housing.
By: Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Discrimination in Housing
Housing Discrimination
Discrimination in Housing (Answers to Common Questions about Fair Housing Laws)
Find housing-related information for people with disabilities in this section of the DisabilityInfo.gov web site, including: Accessibility, Housing Options, Links to Laws and Policy, and Your Housing Rights.
By: DisabilityInfo.gov
Other Formats:
Separate Website
Fair Housing Law in Georgia Prohibits Discrimination in Housing
This document describes the basic fair housing laws that prohibit discrimination in housing in Georgia.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program
Federal Protections Against Discrimination Based on National Origin
(Separate Website)
Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on a person's national origin, race, gender, color, disability, religion, or familial status. This document explains your rights in more detail.
By: U.S. Department of Justice
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Georgia Fair Housing Law
(Separate Website)
The Georgia Fair Housing Law 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
How to File a Housing Discrimination Complaint with HUD
(Separate Website)
Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Your Rights
Getting Uncle Sam to Enforce Your Civil Rights
(Separate Website)
If you believe that you have been discriminated against and want to file a complaint with the Federal Government, this resource describes where and when to file your complaint.
By: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Guide to Disability Rights Laws
(Separate Website)
This document, last updated August 2001, explains each of the Federal civil rights laws protecting people with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Telecommunications Act, Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, National Voter Registration Act, Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Rehabilitation Act, and the Architectural Barriers Act. The document contains other sources of disability rights information as well.
By: U.S. Department of Justice
Housing Codes City and county housing codes are designed to keep neighborhoods in decent, safe and sanitary condition. The housing code sets the rules for basic upkeep and maintenance for decent housing. These rules are designed to prevent or correct problems that may cause unsafe or unhealthy conditions.
The code applies to all housing in your city or county. It can be very helpful to renters and homeowners. You can use the housing code to complain about bad housing conditions and other neighborhood problems.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Housing-Related Information for People with Disabilities
(Separate Website)
Find housing-related information for people with disabilities in this section of the DisabilityInfo.gov web site, including: Accessibility, Housing Options,
Links to Laws and Policy, and Your Housing Rights.
By: First Gov - Your First Click is the U.S. Government
Tenants' Rights As a tenant, you have rights, but you also have responsibilities. For your own protection, there are some things you need to do before you even sign the lease, while you are renting and when you move out. There are also things you need to know if your landlord tries to evict you.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Home Page
Intake Workers
Separate Website
(Separate Website)