PALawHelp.org

Housing and Homeownership

Legal Information

This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Housing and Homeownership issues in Pennsylvania.

• About Reverse Mortgages for Seniors (HECM- Home Equity Conversion Mortgages)

  If you are a homeowner age 62 or older and have paid off your mortgage or paid down a considerable amount, and are currently living in the home, you may participate in FHA's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. This is information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on HECM, FHA's reverse mortgage program that enables you to withdraw a portion of your home's equity. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

• Area Agencies on Aging

  Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is the front door for aging services in your community. Your AAA is staffed with skilled workers who can provide information about services and also assist in obtaining access to those services. Use this finder to locate the specific Area Agency on Aging that covers your county. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Department of Aging

• A Reverse Mortgage Primer: Consumer Debt Advice from NCLC

  This article focuses on reverse mortgages, including: who should consider a reverse mortgage; how reverse mortgages work; the foreclosure risks; the impact on spouses, partners, and heirs; and whether taking out a reverse mortgage is a good idea. Content Detail

  By:

  National Consumer Law Center

• Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices (Video)

  Three-part video series from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA. Avoiding Predatory Lending Practices in Pennsylvania, with Dave Pesch, Housing Counseling Programs Manager at St. Martin's Center in Erie, PA and Maggie Schuetz, Staff Attorney with Community Justice Project, Pittsburgh, PA. Recorded February 14, 2008. Read More

  By:

  Northwestern Legal Services

• Buying a Home

  Information and tips from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities on buying a home. [PDF] Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities

• Buying a Home

  Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. [PDF] Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Bar Association

• Buying a Home

  Information from Erie County Bar Association on the basic steps involved in buying a home. Content Detail

  By:

  Erie County Bar Association

• Contact Your Mortgage Company - Making Home Affordable

  Many mortgage companies have agreed to participate in the Making Home Affordable (MHA) Program. This provides a list of participating companies and the contact information for submitting an application. Content Detail

  By:

  Making Home Affordable.gov

• Deceptive Home Improvement Contractors Complaints

  Information for home owners with HUD insured loans on avoiding deceptive home improvement contractors. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• FHA Reverse Mortgages (HECMs) for Seniors

  Information about the FHA's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. The HECM is FHA's reverse mortgage program that enables you to withdraw a portion of your home's equity. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Frequently Asked Questions - Making Home Affordable Program

  FAQ on the Making Home Affordable Program which offers two different potential solutions for borrowers: (1) refinancing mortgage loans, through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), and (2) modifying mortgage loans, through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Content Detail

  By:

  Making Home Affordable.gov

• Get Answers - Mortgage Assistance from Making Home Affordable

  Information from Federal Making Homes Affordable Program about how to get mortgage assistance. Content Detail

  By:

  Making Home Affordable.gov

• Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program Counseling Agencies

  Listing of Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Counseling Agencies. Counseling agencies prepare applications and forward information to PHFA for processing. [PDF] Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

• Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)

  Information on the Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. This is a unique loan program designed to protect citizens who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

• Homeowners Energy Efficiency Loan Program (HEELP)

  The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides the Homeowners Energy Efficiency Loan Program (HEELP) that offers loans between $1,000 and $10,000 for specific energy efficiency repairs at a fixed-rate of one percent (1%) for ten years with no prepayment penalties. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency