Homeownership: Internet Resources

The Internet contains abundant information and resources on homeownership issues. HUD’s Web site offers numerous resources for potential homebuyers, lenders, and other housing practitioners. The resources include questions and answers on buying a home, statistics and reports on homeownership, and information specific to certain populations like minority or veteran homeowners, or faith-based organizations interested in promoting homeownership.

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation new Center for Homeownership seeks to promote homeownership through technical assistance, training workshops, summits, publications, and national partnerships. The Web site offers links to many of the publications, and training/ technical assistance resources.

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation has a Campaign for Homeownership that is a joint effort of banks, insurance companies, secondary markets, the government, the real estate community, and local community-based NeighborWorks^® organizations to bring more families of modest means into homeownership. The Web site, under the "National Initiatives" section, offers statistics, resources, and inspiring stories for potential homebuyers.

The Fannie Mae Foundation Web site has a host of resources targeted to the organization’s mission of helping families achieve homeownership. The Web site offers information and resources for homebuyers, homeowners, housing finance agencies, lenders, and other housing professionals.

The Freddie Mac Web site has a section for Homeownership Resources that includes a homeownership tutorial, real estate listings of Freddie Mac-owned properties, details on housing options for seniors, information on programs and initiatives designed to improve minority homeownership, guides to building and maintaining good credit, and mortgage guidance. Many of these resources are also offered in Spanish.

The Homeownership Alliance is an organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and expanding housing opportunities for all Americans. Its Web site includes resources for homebuyers, links to organizations promoting homeownership, and research and statistics on domestic and global homeownership.

Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies publishes working papers, research, and reports specific to homeownership. Topics range from the Federal Housing Administration to home price appreciation to the elimination of credit barriers and understanding the needs of lower-income homeowners.