Utopia Civic Improvement Association

Real Estate, Property Values and Homeowner Resources

Does Mortgage Aid Hurt Your Credit Score?

Homeowners seeking mortgage help through loan modification programs such as HAMP and HAFA, may face another issue—lower credit scores. Loan Modification and Credit Scores Homeowners on the verge of...

Tags: Homeowner – Credit – Mortgage – Foreclosure

FHA Streamline Refinance FAQ

This FAQ will answer your questions about the FHA Streamline Refinance program which was created by the FHA to make it quick and easy to refinance your existing FHA loan. What is the FHA Streamline Refinance...

Tags: Homeowner – FHA Loan – Mortgage

Do You Qualify for an FHA Loan?

FHA loans are the easiest type of real estate mortgage loan to qualify for. The FHA guidelines for loan qualification are the most flexible of all mortgage loans and require less than 5% down payment. FHA...

Tags: FHA Loan – Thrifty – Mortgage – Staff Pick – Homeowner

Protect Your Home's Value From The Foreclosure Next Door

Vacant homes in your neighborhood can hurt the value of your property; here are four things you can do to help prevent your neighbor’s foreclosure from hurting your home. Even if your home has been safe ...

Tags: Homeowner – Staff Pick

Owner Financing: How To Reduce Your Risk

Offering owner financing for the sale of your home can be a scary proposition, but there are ways to reduce your risk. Offering owner financing to a potential buyer of your home can provide you with an...

Tags: Homeowner – Staff Pick

Selecting a Home Improvement Contractor

Selecting a Contractor Home improvements and repairs can cost thousands of dollars and are the subject of frequent complaints. When selecting a contractor: Get recommendations and references. Talk to...

Tags: Homeowner – Consumer Information – Home-Improvement

How To Challenge Your Property Assessment

If your home value is dropping but your property taxes are not, you can appeal the assessed value of your home which may help lower your taxes. Property values are down, so why doesn’t your property tax ...

Tags: Homeowner – Staff Pick

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