Appraisal

Appraisal Institute  Find an appraiser, check a list of courses and seminars, or do research in the Lum Library (under "Resources"). The library's online catalog provides citations to The Appraisal Journal, The Real Estate Appraiser and Analyst, Valuation Insights and Perspectives, and major articles from Appraisal News. Free software may be downloaded to use in the library.

Los Angeles County Residential Assessment Information and Appeals The Los Angeles County Assessor's page explains the assessment process and how to file an appeal. The page includes information on various types of exemptions, exclusions, and tax relief. Statewide information may be found on the California Board of Equalization page and on the Board's listing of County Tax Assessors.

American Homeowners Association   "The AHA Web Site Network is a collection of useful, consumer-friendly web sites sponsored by AHA in partnership with numerous prestigious network partners from the mortgage, utility, publishing, real estate, and consumer financial services industries. Our mission is to provide you with convenient, easy-to-use information and services for homeowners to help you enjoy greater financial security and an improved quality of life." Use most of the site free. Members get additional services and discounts and may take advantage of special offers. Topics include real estate, working from home, home improvement, garden and landscape, home health and safety, online magazines, and Web resources.

American Society of Home Inspectors   The American Society of Home Inspectors® is the national professional organization of home inspectors with members throughout the United States and Canada. For home buyers there are: FAQ's for buyers on aluminum wiring, oil tanks, septic systems; finding an ASHI member; general information about ASHI; links to home and building information; what a home inspection is; and what to expect from a qualified home inspector.

Associated Builders and Contractors   Associated Builders and Contractors is a national trade association representing over 21,000 contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and related firms from across the country and from all specialties in the construction industry. Provides information on how to find a quality contractor, a listing of accredited quality contractors, news, best construction projects, and how to find your local ABC chapter.

California Association of Realtors   The California Association of Realtors® is a trade association representing some 92,000 realtors® statewide. The Consumer Information section has a good selection of links to sites such as California school profiles, FHA and HUD lenders online, and California Real Estate Inspection Association.

Institute of Real Estate Management   "The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM® ) is your source for education and professional recognition for real estate managers and management organizations." Information is directed at professional managers but much is useful to consumers as well. Online issues of the Journal of Property Management, listing of "available" real estate professionals, IREM Code of Ethics, and links to chapters in the U.S.

International Real Estate Digest   Lots of information here. The consumer section has tips for buyers, sellers, and investors; over 1,000 floor plans online; a real estate advisor who will answer questions, and even how to set up your own Web page to advertise your property. Also of interest to consumers: Buy Myself, Ask the Builder, Ask the Lawyer, Real Advisor, Financing, Find an Agent,For Sale by Owner, New Construction, Buyers Services, and Forums. Includes directories of agents and brokers for the U.S. and the world listed geographically.

LoopNet   Commercial real estate for sale or lease nationwide with listing information provided under the listing agent's logo. Free but you must register if you want to see property listings less than a week old. Those who do not register will see only listings over a week old.

Realtor.com   Lists over a million homes (300 local multiple listing services) for sale throughout the U.S. The Consumer section offers Find a Home, Find a Realtor, Resource Center ( automotive information, changing your address, credit reports, furniture, child and elder care, insurance, and moving and finance tools), news, and mortgage rates. 

California Association of Realtors  News and stories on California's real estate market; also includes property listings, an education center, and an economics section with reports on the latest trends and forecasts in California's real estate market.

The Cooperator  Magazine that serves the co-op and condo community. Provides information co-op and condo ownership issues, including buying and selling, financing, building maintenance, law and legislation, building management, insurance and interior design. Forum of information for co-op and condo buyers, owners, board members and managers.

HousingFinance.com  Provides headline news, features, and resources from two magazines:  "Affordable Housing Finance" and "Apartment Finance Today."

Real Estate Professional  Lead articles from recent issues of the print magazine.

• Barron's Real Estate Handbook  
  An A to Z guide to real estate topics and terms useful to the student, the professional, or the layperson. Covers such topics as appraisal, brokerage, contracts, development, economics, finance, government, housing, investment, and other aspects of buying, selling, financing, and owning real property. Includes financial tables, typical contract forms, diagrams, illustrations.
   
• California Real Estate Law 
  Primer to the vast body of law regarding real estate transactions in California. Includes case studies, contracts, duties and responsibilities of licensees, regulations, and much more.
   
• Condominium Bluebook 
  Detailed guide covering California condominium law, CC&R's (these describe the rights and obligations of the home owner association and each owner), and homeowner associations. 
   
• Dictionary of Real Estate Terms 
  Concise definitions of over 1,400 terms. Includes illustrations, diagrams, site plans, graphs, tables, charts, and formulas. Appendixes list common real estate–related abbreviations, measurement conversion tables, and mortgage principal and interest tables.
   
• Leases and Rental Agreements by Marsha Stewart and Ralph Warner 
  This self help guide by Nolo Press includes step-by-step instructions and forms for landlords needing key legal documents.
   
• National Real Estate Investor 
  This magazine features articles, interviews, business profiles, city/area reviews, financial news, legislation, lease transactions, sales and purchases and news of note aimed at professionals in commercial and industrial real estate.
   
• National Survey of State Laws 
  A survey of the laws of homestead, leases and rental agreements, and adverse possession in the 50 states.

The Library also has how-to books including:

• California real estate principles by Sherry Shindler Price
• 100 questions every first-time home buyer should ask: with answers from top brokers from around the country by Ilyce R. Glink
• The home buyer's advisor: a handbook for first-time buyers and second-home investors by Andrew James McLean
• Home buying advisor by H & R Block
• All about mortgages: insider tips to finance or refinance your home by Julie Garton-Good

Some subject headings to check in the Library's online catalog: Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Appraisers, Real Estate Business, Real Estate Law, Real Estate Investment, Real Property. 

Go to the Library catalog

Federal Reserve System  The Fed provides three excellent booklets online to help consumers understand mortgages and find the right one:  "Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending"; "Looking for the Best Mortgage"; "Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages"; and "When your Home is on the Line: What You Should Know about Home Equity Lines of Credit."

Freddie Mac  Freddie Mac is second to Fannie Mae as a mortgage provider. The site provides information for lenders and home buyers, investors, shareholders, and general news.

HomeScout  An online mortgage broker that allows the user to shop for homes and/or loans and gives advice on mortgages, home buying, and property valuation. Online prequalification and preapproval available. HomeScout also provides a page of testimonials from satisfied customers and realtors.

HSH Financial Publishers  HSH claims to maintain the nation's largest database of residential mortgage information. The site is crowded with information and hard to read but does have a lot to offer:  Lender Showcase (current mortgage rates from regional lenders); averages by state and city; trends and forecasts; financial calculators; consumer information; articles and advice, and much more. 

Mortgage Market Information Services Inc.  Mortgage rates and lenders by state; "special" mortgage needs; learn about mortgages; mortgage news; mortgage discussion areas by state; guide to refinancing; articles; government loan center with explanation of government loans and how to find them; and a "Smart Stats" section with information on home values, neighborhood demographics, and crime area reports.

Mortgage–Net  Locate a mortgage company, check interest rates and trends, use mortgage calculators and tools. The Mortgage Reference Desk provides information on loan programs (e.g. fixed vs. adjustable rates, conforming, jumbo, FHA, VA); shopping for a mortgage (e.g. mortgage brokers vs. direct lenders, locking interest rates); a mortgage and read estate dictionary, and mortgage related articles. There is also an online mortgage and real estate book store.

Quicken Mortgage  The makers of Quicken software provide useful information directed to the average buyer. Interactive tools help the prospective buyer figure out how much house he can afford, give information on the advantages and disadvantages of refinancing, and instruct on how to identify local loan rates and types of loans. Users may take advantage of a loan–origination service with links to several large lenders. News and articles are also available.

Mortgage resources in the Library:

• Barron's Financial Tables for Better Money Management 
  This series includes 3 mortgage rate booklets with tables: Comprehensive Annuities, Adjustable Rate Mortgages, and Mortgage Payments. Comprehensive Annuities includes monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual compounding. Adjustable Rate Mortgages includes monthly mortgage payments, payment adjustments, worst case monthly payment rates, value of below-market initial rates, and annual loan balance reduction. Mortgage Payments include monthly mortgage payment tables and annual amortization schedules. 
   
• Black's Guide (Los Angeles/Orange County/Inland Empire edition)
  This commercial real estate guide (published semi-annually) has a feature article plus a few shorter articles on the real estate market and forecasts, a professional directory of services, and an office directory divided geographically by area for Los Angeles and Orange Counties (e.g. West Side, Downtown, North Orange County, etc.) and by county for the Inland Empire. Information includes a map of the area and buildings listed alphabetically by building name with address, contact, year built, type of space, number of floors, rent per square foot, etc.
   
• California Real Estate 
  Though aimed primarily at real estate professionals, this magazine has articles of interest to anyone interested in real estate.
   
• Daily Commerce 
  Daily newspaper that surveys the commercial real estate scene for Los Angeles city and county. 
   
• Los Angeles Business Journal 
  Provides an interest rate survey in each issue that included fixed and adjustable rate mortgages, prime rate, 11th District cost of funds, and the national cost of funds. There are often articles dealing with the current real estate market in the Los Angeles area.
   
• Los Angeles Times 
  Also posts current rates and features a real estate section in its Sunday edition.

Use subject headings like "Mortgage Loans" or "House Buying" in the online catalog to retrieve additional books like: Keys to Buying Foreclosed and Bargain Homes by Jack Friedman and Jack Harris; How to buy your first home by Diana Brodman Summers; Tips and Traps when Mortgage Hunting by Robert Irwin. 

Go to the Library catalog  

On the Library network  

Additional real estate search terms: "lease with option to purchase," "easements," "title insurance," or "fair housing law." If searching for mortgage information, try these subject searches: Mortgages, Adjustable Rate Mortgages, Wraparound Mortgages, Reverse Annuity Mortgages. Or use the keyword function to search mortgage rates, reverse mortgages, prime rate, 11th District cost of funds, etc.