46156 Woodward Avenue Pontiac, Michigan 48342 lighthouseoakland.org CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to become a new home owner! Thank you for selecting Lighthouse of Oakland County to assist with the process. We are a NeighborWorks Chartered and HUD Certified organization. Our caring and professional counselors are NeighborWorks certified. If you have taken our live homebuyer education seminar, or if you have taken our online education training, you are invited to contact our agency for additional one-on-one counseling to explore your homeownership readiness and plan a course of action to help you reach your goals. Throughout the home buying process you will be asked to complete lots of paperwork, which may seem redundant, but it is necessary to ensure that your file is complete and compliant. You will be provided with the following required documents for our agency: Intake Form Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector (Keep for your records) For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection (Keep for your records) Disclosure Statement Grievance Policy Vendor and Speaker Disclosure Lender Document Release Information Request The required fields are highlighted on each form. Please complete each document in its entirety and then sign and date each form. If you have co-borrower(s), they will need to sign and date each form as well. Each form must include all of the required information in order for us to provide you with your certificate of completion. Your certificate will be emailed and/or mailed to you within one week after the completion of the course and after all paperwork has been completed. If you have any questions about the program, you may contact Sheila Lincoln at [email protected]or (248) 920-6060 ext. 2225, Emailing or mailing your documentation is best, but if you would like to fax your documentation, you may fax it to (248) 335-1099. If you would like to mail your documentation, please address your envelope to Sheila Lincoln at: Lighthouse Emergency Services PO Box 430508 Pontiac, MI 48343-0508
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CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to become a new home owner! Thank you for selecting Lighthouse of Oakland County to assist with the process. We are a NeighborWorks Chartered and HUD Certified organization. Our caring and professional counselors are NeighborWorks certified. If you have taken our live homebuyer education seminar, or if you have taken our online education training, you are invited to contact our agency for additional one-on-one counseling to explore your homeownership readiness and plan a course of action to help you reach your goals. Throughout the home buying process you will be asked to complete lots of paperwork, which may seem redundant, but it is necessary to ensure that your file is complete and compliant. You will be provided with the following required documents for our agency:
Intake Form
Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector (Keep for your records)
For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection (Keep for your records)
Disclosure Statement
Grievance Policy
Vendor and Speaker Disclosure
Lender Document Release
Information Request The required fields are highlighted on each form. Please complete each document in its entirety and then sign and date each form. If you have co-borrower(s), they will need to sign and date each form as well. Each form must include all of the required information in order for us to provide you with your certificate of completion. Your certificate will be emailed and/or mailed to you within one week after the completion of the course and after all paperwork has been completed. If you have any questions about the program, you may contact Sheila Lincoln at [email protected] or (248) 920-6060 ext. 2225, Emailing or mailing your documentation is best, but if you would like to fax your documentation, you may fax it to (248) 335-1099. If you would like to mail your documentation, please address your envelope to Sheila Lincoln at: Lighthouse Emergency Services PO Box 430508 Pontiac, MI 48343-0508
___________________________________ ________________________________ ____________________ CO-APPLICANT PRINTED NAME CO-APPLICANT SIGNATURE DATE
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HOUSEHOLD (Please print clearly)
LIGHTHOUSE EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNSELING AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION
Updated 1/2016
In signing this agreement and release, I am agreeing to actively participate in the Lighthouse Emergency Services Homeownership Education Program. Participation in this program is voluntary and requires me to develop an Action Plan in cooperation with the Counselor, and understand that I will receive a copy of the Action Plan.
1. I may be referred to other housing services of the organization or another agency as appropriate that may be able to assist with particular concerns that have been identified. I understand that I am not obligated to use any of the services offered to me.
2. I understand that this Agency receives funds through HUD, NeighborWorks, and other grantors and as such, is required to share some of my personal information with program administrators or their agents for purposes of program monitoring, compliance and evaluation.
3. I understand that a counselor may answer questions and provide information, but cannot give legal advice. If I want legal advice, I will be referred to an attorney for appropriate assistance.
4. I understand that this Agency provides pre-purchase counseling services and I will receive a written Action Plan consisting of recommendations for handling my finances, possibly including referrals to other housing agencies or organizations as appropriate.
5. I understand that this Agency provides information and education on numerous housing programs and loan products and I further understand that the housing counseling I received from this Agency in no way obligates me to choose any of these particular housing programs or loan products.
Failure to sign the consent form may result in denial of program assistance or termination of counseling program benefits
CONSENT: I/We hereby allow this Agency, its agents, employees, or its affiliates to request and obtain income and asset information, mortgage, credit bureau and personal information pertinent to Lighthouse Emergency Services’ Homebuyer Education Program. I/We allow contact to be made on my/our behalf with representatives from mortgage, attorney, collection and credit bureau companies.
I/We acknowledge the agency provided me with both HUD Inspection Documents: “Ten Important Questions to Ask a Home Inspector” and “For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection.” NOTE: If you feel you have been unfairly steered or pressured into a certain mortgage loan, real estate, or other housing related services, please contact the Lighthouse Emergency Services Executive Director at (248) 920-6000. ________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________ Client’s Printed Name Client’s Signature Date ________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________ Client’s Printed Name Client’s Signature Date ________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________ Counselor’s Printed Name Counselor’s Signature Date
US Department of Housing
And Urban Development (HUD)
Federal Housing Administration
Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
1. What does your inspection cover?
The inspector should ensure that their inspection and inspection report will meet all applicable
requirements in your state if applicable and will comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and
code of ethics. You should be able to request and see a copy of these items ahead of time and ask any
questions you may have. If there are any areas you want to make sure are inspected, be sure to identify
them upfront.
2. How long have you been practicing in the home inspection profession and how many inspections have
you completed?
The inspector should be able to provide his or her history in the profession and perhaps even a few names
as referrals. Newer inspectors can be very qualified, and many work with a partner or have access to more
experienced inspectors to assist them in the inspection.
3. Are you specifically experienced in residential inspection?
Related experience in construction or engineering is helpful, but is no substitute for training and experience
in the unique discipline of home inspection. If the inspection is for a commercial property, then this should
be asked about as well.
4. Do you offer to do repairs or improvements based on the inspection?
Some inspector associations and state regulations allow the inspector to perform repair work on problems
uncovered in the inspection. Other associations and regulations strictly forbid this as a conflict of interest.
5. How long will the inspection take?
The average on-site inspection time for a single inspector is two to three hours for a typical single-family
house; anything significantly less may not be enough time to perform a thorough inspection. Additional
inspectors may be brought in for very large properties and buildings.
6. How much will it cost?
Costs vary dramatically, depending on the region, size and age of the house, scope of services and other
factors. A typical range might be $300-$500, but consider the value of the home inspection in terms of the
investment being made. Cost does not necessarily reflect quality. HUD Does not regulate home inspection
fees.
7. What type of inspection report do you provide and how long will it take to receive the report?
Ask to see samples and determine whether or not you can understand the inspector's reporting style and if
the time parameters fulfill your needs. Most inspectors provide their full report within 24 hours of the
inspection.
8. Will I be able to attend the inspection?
This is a valuable educational opportunity, and an inspector's refusal to allow this should raise a red flag.
Never pass up this opportunity to see your prospective home through the eyes of an expert.
9. Do you maintain membership in a professional home inspector association?
There are many state and national associations for home inspectors. Request to see their membership ID,
and perform whatever due diligence you deem appropriate.
10. Do you participate in continuing education programs to keep your expertise up to date?
One can never know it all, and the inspector's commitment to continuing education is a good measure of his
or her professionalism and service to the consumer. This is especially important in cases where the home is
much older or includes unique elements requiring additional or updated training.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentFederal Housing Administration (FHA)
HUD-92564-CN (6/06)
Why a Buyer Needs a Home Inspection A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:
a a Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems;aa Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; andaa Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes.
Appraisals are Different from Home Inspections
An appraisal is different from a home inspection. Appraisals are for lenders; home inspections are for buyers. An appraisal is required to:
aa Estimate the market value of a house;aa Make sure that the house meets FHA minimum property standards/requirements; andaa Make sure that the property is marketable.
FHA Does Not Guarantee the Value or Condition of your Potential New Home
If you find problems with your new home after closing, FHA can not give or lend you money for repairs, and FHA can not buy the home back from you. That is why it is so important for you, the buyer, to get an independent home inspection. Ask a qualified home inspector to inspect your potential new home and give you the information you need to make a wise decision.
Radon Gas Testing
The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General of the United States have recommended that all houses should be tested for radon. For more information on radon testing, call the toll-free National Radon Information Line at 1-800-SOS-Radon or 1-800-767-7236. As with a home inspection, if you decide to test for radon, you may do so before signing your contract, or you may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states the sale of the home depends on your satisfaction with the results of the radon test.
Be an Informed Buyer
It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. Be sure that what you buy is satisfactory in every respect. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector. You may arrange to do so before signing your contract, or may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states that the sale of the home depends on the inspection.
1. Where are you in the home buying process? (Check all that apply) I/We am/are thinking about buying a home. I/We have started looking for a home. I/We have been pre-approved for a mortgage loan. I/We are applying for/have been approved for an NSP home in the city of ______________. I/We have applied for/have been approved for a Habitat for Humanity Home. I/We have found a house. I/We are waiting for a closing date. I have a closing date. It is ________________________________. I/We are applying for/receiving down payment assistance funds from __________________.
2. We recommend scheduling additional 1-on-1 homebuyer education sessions. Are you
interested in additional counseling?
Yes Maybe No Thanks
3. What type of loan product are you seeking? (Conventional, FHA, VA, etc.) ________________.
4. I am working with a Lender Broker. Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________________________________________ Email Address: _____________________________________________________________
5. I am working with a Realtor. Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________________________________________ Email Address: _____________________________________________________________
6. I/We are interested in Lighthouse Center for Working Families Coaching Services.
Financial Employment Financial & Employment Maybe No Thanks