Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
Your Rights and the Responsibilities of the Mortgage Servicer
(Separate Website)
Information for home buyers concerning your rights and the responsibility of your loan servicer.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
High Cost Predatory Home Loans: How to Avoid the Traps
(Separate Website)
Information on how to protect yourself by knowing the warning signs of predatory loan practices.
By: Federal Citizen Information Center
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Information from HUD on predatory lending and what you can do to protect yourself.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
How to Manage Your Mortgage If Your Lender Closes or Files for Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Fact sheet for consumers describing what to do if their mortgage company or mortgage servicing company closes or files for bankruptcy.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Reverse Mortgages for Seniors
(Separate Website)
Information about Reverse Mortgages, what they are, how they can give older Americans greater financial security, and also information on being aware of scam artists.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
About Reverse Mortgages for Seniors - Section 255 - Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM)
(Separate Website)
This insured reverse mortgage can be used by senior homeowners age 62 and older to convert the equity in their home into monthly streams of income and/or a line of credit to be repaid when they no longer occupy the home. The loan, commonly known as HECM, is funded by a lending institution such as a mortgage lender, bank, credit union or savings and loan association.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Reverse Mortgages: Are They for You?
(Separate Website)
This Consumer Advisory, issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, is designed to help you better understand reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are complex loans and are secured by your home. It is important to understand the terms, risks, and costs before you sign a reverse mortgage contract. Make sure to consider alternatives to reverse mortgages.
By: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Homeowners Insurance
(Separate Website)
List of publications and resources to help answer your questions and help you understand your options regarding Homeowners Insurance.
By: Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Land Sale Complaints
(Separate Website)
Information for consumers regarding fraud and abuse when buying or leasing land from developers.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Deceptive Home Improvement Contractors Complaints
(Separate Website)
Information for home owners with HUD insured loans on avoiding deceptive home improvement contractors.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Does HUD Owe You a Refund?
(Separate Website)
Information and Fact Sheet regarding insured mortgages and whether you may be eligible for a HUD refund or share of any excess earnings from the FHA's Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. Fact Sheet also available in PDF By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Disaster Housing Assistance Program (Video)
Information on the the Transitional Housing Closeout Program, the sucessor to the Disaster Housing Assistance Program. Video with captions.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Housing Counseling Agencies in Philadelphia
(Separate Website)
List of more than 30 housing counseling agencies that offer free counseling services to home owneres and buyers of homes in the City of Philadelphia. Eligibility requirements apply.
By: Philadelphia Office of Housing and Community Development
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Buying a Home
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Buying a Home
(Separate Website)
Information on the basic steps involved in buying a home.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Land Contracts
(Separate Website)
Information on land contracts - installment sale agreements for the sale of real estate.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Selling a Home
(Separate Website)
Information you should know when planning to sell your home.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Land Disputes with Neighbors
(Separate Website)
Information on common land disputes between neighbors.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Zoning
(Separate Website)
Information on zoning laws that might affect your home or neighborhood.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Considering a Home
(Separate Website)
Information for you to consider as you consider whether to own or rent your home.
By: Freddie Mac
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Additional Foreclosure Prevention Information
(Separate Website)
Advice from the PA Housing Finance Agency on dealing with a pending foreclosure.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Avoid Foreclosure: Know Your Options (Video)
Video outlining opitions that might help you avoid foreclosure.
By: Making Home Affordable
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Avoid Foreclosure: Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Listing of resources for Pennsylvanians facing foreclosure.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Tips and information on how you can avoid having your home foreclosed.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Banking
Avoiding Foreclosure: How to Reduce the Risk of Losing Your Home Brochure from Regional Housing Legal Services explaining the operation of the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Help Center.
By: Regional Housing Legal Services
Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA. 3/13/08 - Information on avoiding mortgage foreclosure in Pennsylvania, alternative approaches, Applications to HEMAP (Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program) and details on the Act 91 Notice. Host - Vince Brocki, NWLS Resource Developer; Guests Angela Amicangelo, Esq., NWLS Staff Attorney.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Don't Be A Victim Of Loan Fraud - Protect Yourself from Predatory Lenders
(Separate Website)
Informational brochure on loan fraud and the danger of predatory lendors.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Initiative
(Separate Website)
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has established this program to help interested homeowners to save their homes. Free counseling sessions are offered involving a reasonable analysis of the borrower's financial situation, an evaluation of the current value of the property involved, and/or counseling regarding the possible purchase of the mortgage in question.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Foreclosure Rescue Scams: How to Avoid Becoming a Victim
(Separate Website)
Information on how to avoid foreclosure rescue scams that target homeowners facing foreclosure. These scams cost consumers thousands of dollars and often, their most valuable asset - their homes.
By: Office of Thrift Supervison
Foreclosure Resource Center
(Separate Website)
Links to information focused on Philadelphia regarding mortgage foreclosures. Includes sections on Consumer Information; Community Resources; Research and Publications; Poicy and Regulation; and Events and News.
By: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Frequently Asked Questions about the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Loan Program
(Separate Website)
Questions and answers about the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Loan Program from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
This website is designed to educate individuals on the many ways HUD can assist them in trying to hold on to their homes.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)
(Separate Website)
Information on the Homeowners? Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). This is a unique loan program designed to protect citizens who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Counseling Agencies
(Separate Website)
Listing of Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Counseling Agencies. Counseling agencies prepare applications and forward information to PHFA for processing.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
How to Avoid Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
This booklet explains how property owners can avoid losing their homes because of delinquent payments.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues, and reverse mortgages. A list of agencies in Pennsylvania is provided here.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD's Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program (EHLP)
(Separate Website)
Information on the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program.
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Legal Briefs: Facing Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Information presented in the March 10, 2009 episode of Legal Briefs, on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. Whitney Hughes, of the Allegheny County Bar Assocation, presented tips on how to stop foreclosures and how to obtain help through a new government program.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Money Matters - Your Home
(Separate Website)
Special FTC website focusing on Mortgage Foreclosure and foreclosure rescue scams.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Mortgage Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights in a mortgage foreclosure.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
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PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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