Home Equity Credit Lines
(Separate Website)
Is a home equity credit line for you? How much money can you borrow on a home equity credit line? What is the interest rate on the home equity loan? What are the upfront closing costs? What are the continuing costs? What are the repayment terms during the loan?
By: Federal Trade Commission
Home Equity Loans: The Three-Day Cancellation Rule
(Separate Website)
If you?re considering applying for a personal loan and using your home to guarantee repayment, you should know that a federal credit law gives you three days to reconsider a signed credit agreement and cancel the deal without penalty.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Home Equity Scams: Borrowers Beware!
(Separate Website)
Do you own your home? If so, it's likely to be your greatest single asset. Unfortunately, if you agree to a loan that's based on the equity you have in your home, you may be putting your most valuable asset at risk.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Tips for Consumers on Reverse Mortgages
(Separate Website)
Find out: "What is a reverse mortgage?"
By: National Consumer Law Center, Inc.
What You Should Know About Refinancing
(Separate Website)
Twelve things to consider before refinancing
By: National Consumer Law Center, Inc.
When Your Home Is On the Line: What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit
(Separate Website)
Here are questions, terms, tips, a checklist, and more to find the plan that meets your needs and protects your interest.
By: Federal Reserve Board
High-Rate, High-Fee Loans (Section 32 Mortgages)
(Separate Website)
If you're refinancing your mortgage or applying for a home equity installment loan, you should know about the "Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994."
By: Federal Trade Commission
Preventing Foreclosures: Spotting Loan Scams Involving Vulnerable Homeowners
(Separate Website)
This consumer education pamphlet explores the crisis in home equity lending abuse by providing a case study in unfair lending practices and a checklist of what consumers should be on the lookout for in evaluating a loan.
By: National Consumer Law Center, Inc.
Reverse Mortgages
(Separate Website)
A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. With a reverse mortgage, you can turn the value of your home into cash and not have to make monthly repayments. The total loan must be paid back when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away.
Reverse mortgages are quite a bit different from other types of debt. These loans can be complicated, and you have a lot at stake. So be sure to investigate reverse mortgages carefully before deciding if one makes sense for you.
By: AARP Legal Services Network
Protect Your Investment: Don't Let Predatory Lenders Take Your Home
(Separate Website)
Predatory lenders are aggressive and may try to pressure you into signing for a loan you do not want.
By: National Consumer Law Center, Inc.
Student Loans
Help! I've Already Paid Off My Student Loan
(Separate Website)
What to do if the Department of Education demands payment on a loan you've paid off.
By: Nolo Plain-English Law Centers
Student Loan Collections
(Separate Website)
What might happen if you fall behind on your payments.
By: Nolo Plain-English Law Centers
Student Loans Information
(Separate Website)
If you are swamped by student loan payments -- whether you've recently left school and must start repaying soon or you've simply ignored your loan debt for many years -- resolving to deal with them may be a hard step to take. But when you make a commitment to take control of the situation, you take the first step toward financial health. This web site provides basic information about your rights and this process.
By: Nolo Plain English Law Centers
When You Can't Pay: Cancellation, Deferment and Forbearance
(Separate Website)
How to postpone payments -- and when you can cancel your loans altogether.
By: Nolo Plain-English Law Centers
Other Loans
Borrower Beware: The High Cost of Small Loans, Pawnbrokers and Rent-to-Own Stores
(Separate Website)
Sometimes you may need to borrow a few hundred dollars because of an unexpected medical bill, broken appliance, or to buy a used car to obtain or keep a job. While the amount of cash you may need is small, the amount of interest you will repay may be large.
By: National Consumer Law Center, Inc.
Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws
(Separate Website)
This handbook explains how the consumer credit laws can help you shop for credit, apply for it, maintain your credit standing, and, if need be, complain about an unfair deal.
By: Federal Reserve Board
Debt & Bankruptcy Information
(Separate Website)
Debt and bankruptcy legal information on credit repair, credit rating, getting out of debt, student loans and budgets.
By: Nolo Plain English Law Centers
Federal Reserve Board Consumer Issues
(Separate Website)
Find answers to questions: What can I do if I have a problem with a bank? Where can I get information about credit cards and credit card interest rates? ...
By: Federal Reserve Board
Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Act Provides Umbrella of Protection
(Separate Website)
If you're a reserve component service member called to active duty, you're protected by a law that can save you some legal problems and possibly some money as well.
By: American Forces Information Service
When Your Social Security Benefits Are Taken to Pay Back Money to the Federal Government
(Separate Website)
This information sheet answers some frequently asked questions about this new program.
By: National Consumer Law Center, Inc.
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(Separate Website)
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