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Question: How
do I reach the IRS?
Answer:
To reach the Internal
Revenue Service, call (800) TAX-1040; irs.gov.
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Question: What
standards do appraisers use to estimate value?
Answer:
Appraisers use several
factors when estimating a home's value, including the home's
size and square footage, the condition of the home and
neighborhood, comparable local sales, any pertinent
historical information, sales performance and indices that
forecast future value. For detailed information on appraisal
standards, visit the
Appraisal Institute website, appraisalinstitute.org, or
contact the organization at 550 W. Van Buren St., Suite
1000, Chicago, IL 60607; (312) 335-4100.
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Question: Where
do I get information about closing costs?
Answer:
For more on closing costs,
ask for the "Consumers Guide to Mortgage Settlement
Costs," Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, CO
81009; (888) 878-3256; pueblo.gsa.gov.
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Question: Where
do I get information about finding a real estate attorney?
Answer:
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.
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Question: Where
do I get information on filing consumer complaints?
Answer:
For information about
filing consumer complaints, look to these sources:
* Consumer Federation of America, 1424 16th St. N.W., Suite
604, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 387-6121; consumerfed.org
* American Homeowners Association; PO Box 16817, Stamforc,
CT 06905; (800) 470-2242; ahahome.com.
* Consumers Union, 1535 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103
or call (415) 431-6747; consumersunion.org.
* Consumer Action, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 233, San
Francisco, CA 94105; (415) 777-9635; consumer-action.org.
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Question: Where
do I get information on housing market stats?
Answer:
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 (meyersgroup.com) regularly publishes
quarterly reports on home building and home buying. Your
local builders association probably gets this report.
Finally, check with the U.S.
Bureau of the Census in Washington, D.C.; (301)
763-3199; census.gov.
The Chicago Title company also has published a pamphlet,
"Who's Buying Homes in America." Write Chicago
Title 601 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204; (888)
934-3354; ctic.com.
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Question: Where
do I get information on IRS publications?
Answer:
The Internal Revenue
Service publishes a number of real estate publications. They
are listed by number:
* 521
"Moving Expenses"
* 523
"Selling Your Home"
* 527
"Residential Rental Property"
* 534
"Depreciation"
* 541
"Tax Information on Partnerships"
* 551
"Basis of Assets"
* 555
"Federal Tax Information on Community Property"
* 561
"Determining the Value of Donated Property"
* 590
"Individual Retirement Arrangements"
* 908
"Bankruptcy and Other Debt Cancellation"
* 936
"Home Mortgage Interest Deduction"
These publications are available for free online or by
calling (800) TAX-FORM.
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