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The CPB’s Building and Sustaining Homeownership Resources |
Owning your own home is part of the American Dream and likely the largest purchase and investment you will ever make. Recognizing that home ownership is not only a dream but also an important responsibility, the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) offers a series of resources to preserve the value in your home.
Misleading financial information, fraud and a lack of transparency in mortgage practices have contributed to a foreclosure and subprime mortgage crisis. In response, the CPB is providing assistance and resources.
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Home
Improvement Series
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Home Maintenance Series
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Recognizing that home ownership is not
only a dream but also an important responsibility, the New York State Consumer
Protection Board (CPB) is pleased to provide you with a series of informational
cards to utilize while performing the general maintenance necessary for
preserving the value and safety of your home. We have compiled this information
from a number of sources that we acknowledge.
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- HOMESTAT - Do you remember when you last changed the batteries in your smoke and
carbon monoxide detectors? When exactly did you check the water heater for
leaks? Keep track of these home maintenance measures and more with this
tool. (Printing Instructions: Print the attached PDF, then fold it in half
on the short fold and then left to right to create the card.)
- APPLIANCESTAT - Keeping track of purchases in and around the home can be
difficult, but not anymore. Use ApplianceSTAT to chart purchases for your
home.
- Sustainable Household Cleaning Solutions - Choosing nontoxic products to
clean will make your
household safer for your family while helping to preserve the environment.
Here is a list of the most common, inexpensive homemade cleaners. Follow
all safety guidelines and protect your skin and eyes while cleaning so as
not to cause irritation.
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Foreclosure Prevention
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New York State agencies are working together to help homeowners who are having
trouble paying their mortgages through a coalition known as HALT (Halt Abusive
Lending Transactions). The CPB and other members of HALT are spreading the
message that many homeowners can avoid foreclosure and not lose their homes if
they take action now.
- Free counseling is available from the Homeowners Preservation Foundation at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) and more information is available on the
Foundation's website.
- Thinking of buying a new home? Call the SONYMA Homebuyers Hotline at 1-800-382-4663 and online at
www.nyhomes.org. For help in applying for a SONYMA mortgage, click
here. Want to find out whether you qualify for a SONYMA mortgage? Click here. Do you need to talk to a qualified housing counselor for help paying your mortgage? Click
here for a list counseling agencies that offer assistance.
- The New York State Banking Department has also launched a campaign designed to encourage homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments or threatened with foreclosure to seek help from their lenders, loan servicers and nonprofit housing counselors. Information and resources for homeowners who may be behind on their mortgages or facing foreclosure can be accessed at the
Banking Department's website.
On November 16, 2009, Governor David A. Paterson and Legislative Leaders announced passage of the Governor’s Program Bill No. 46, which provides additional critical protections for New York State homeowners, tenants and neighborhoods in the wake of the ongoing foreclosure crisis. The legislation builds upon Governor Paterson’s landmark subprime lending reform law enacted last year, by assisting homeowners currently at risk of foreclosure and minimizing the negative impacts that foreclosures have on communities.
Read more about Governor Paterson's legislation here.
On August 5, 2008, Governor Paterson signed into law S.8143-A/A.10817-A, which helps to address the mortgage crisis in New York State. All provisions except those related to licensing, are effective immediately. The licensing provisions go into effect in July 2009.
On December 15, 2009,
Governor Paterson signed into law comprehensive foreclosure legislation which provides additional critical protections for New York State homeowners, tenants and neighborhoods in the wake of the ongoing foreclosure crisis. The legislation builds upon Governor Paterson’s landmark subprime lending reform law, enacted in 2008, by assisting homeowners currently at risk of foreclosure and minimizing the negative impacts that foreclosures have on communities.
Other Foreclosure Prevention Resources:
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Loan
Modification and Mortgage Scams
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| Loan modification and other mortgage scams are proliferating at a rapid pace. Scam artists prey on unsuspecting homeowners who
are facing foreclosure. Every day, consumers are lured by the promise of a loan modification that they hope will help them stay in
their homes. As a result, consumers are losing thousands of dollars and in some cases, their homes. The CPB provides the links and
resources below to help prevent consumers from falling victim to these offers and schemes.
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Other Home Ownership and
Maintenance Resources
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Home Purchasing Roadmap - Home buying can be difficult, especially if it is your first
time. That is why the CPB has developed a new tool that provides
"directions" as you travel down the road to home buying. This Home
Purchasing Roadmap can serve as your guide in many situations: from
deciding if buying is right for your current situation to closing. A
complete list of the topics to be covered is noted in this tab. Check back
soon for the full toolkit.
- Home Purchasing
Roadmap: How Much? - Steps towards buying a home, buying
versus renting, figuring out how much.
- Check Before Writing “The Check” List - Buying a home is most likely the largest purchase and investment you will ever make. Therefore, it is extremely important that you are cautious and exercise due diligence when making decisions. Make sure you have reviewed this important “checklist” before writing that Big Check
- Tips on Financial Terms for Homeownership - Confused as you apply for a loan or mortgage? Try using the CPB guide to commonly used financial lending terms
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