A&M,REALTORS: HOW TO START SHOPPING FOR A HOME Q&A

How do I start Looking for a House?

Contact a local real estate agent, preferably one with a Realtor designation. In Connecticut Buyers can have a local Realtor represent them during the entire process. A Realtor can provide you with listings of available homes and sold home statistics. Often a Realtor has available contacts with local lenders, home inspectors, movers and attorneys. At A&M Realtors we provide all of these services and more at usually no cost to the Buyer.

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 about closing costs?

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.

Where do I get information on housing market stats?

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.

How do I reach the IRS?

To reach the Internal Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040.

Where do I get information about finding a real estate attorney?

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.

Where do I get information on home market stats and trends?

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 4200 Koppernick Rd #40, Canton,Mich.48187; 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.

How do I find a home inspector?

Your realty agent is one source. Inspectors are listed in the yellow pages. You can ask for referrals from friends. Ask for their credentials, such as contractor's license or engineering certificate. Also, check out their references.