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Finding Help with Housing Costs

Renting a Home

Buying a home is probably the biggest financial decision you'll ever make.

Finding the right rental home at the right price and under the right contract can save money, but it can be challenging, particularly in some markets. For tips on renting, buying vs. renting, finding a low-income rental, your rights and responsibilities as a renter, or just basic rental help and advice, visit:

• HUD: Renting
• Idaho Attorney General: Landlord & Tenant Guidelines
• Idaho Attorney General: Mortgage Servicing/Homeowner & Tenant

Buying a Home

Buying a home is probably the biggest financial decision you'll ever make. It shouldn't be taken lightly. The information below will help you through this complicated process. In addition to a very useful Home Buyer Checklist, you'll find valuable advice on deciding how much house you can afford, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of home ownership, completing a mortgage loan application, creating a housing budget, making an offer, getting a home inspection, shopping for homeowners’ insurance, and much more!

You can also enroll in and complete the Idaho Finally Home!® Homebuyer Education Classes, taught in nine Idaho locations and available online statewide (for a fee). For locations and schedules at http://www.idahohousing.com/. Through these classes, you may become eligible for down payment and closing cost assistance as well as for programs that accept higher debt ratios and for the use of "gifted funds" at closing.

• HUD: Buying a Home
• AARP Calculator: Renting vs. Buying a Home
• HUD in Idaho
• HUD: Webcasts on Buying a Home
• HUD: Homeownership Assistance Programs: Idaho
• USU Extension: A Broker, A Realtor...Who Are They? / (en español)
• USU Extension: Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Ownership and Home Types
• USU Extension: Are You Ready to Purchase a Home?
• USU Extension: Assessing Your Housing Needs
• USU Extension: Home Buyer Checklist
• USU Extension: Home Inspection / (en español)
• USU Extension: Housing Budget / (en español)
• USU Extension: How Much House Can You Afford? / (en español)
• USU Extension: Major Appliance Selection / (en español)
• USU Extension: Manufactured Homes
• USU Extension: The Real Mortgage Costs / (en español)
• USU Extension: Understanding Your Obligations as a Borrower
• USU Extension: Ways to Save on Your Home Purchase
• USU Extension: What if Your Mortgage Loan Is Rejected?
• CSU Credit Reports
• CSU Credit Scores

Owning a Home

Are you thinking about refinancing or selling your home? Or, are you considering a reverse mortgage or simply wanting to make your experience as a homeowner a little easier? Visit  HUD: Owning a Home or click on the helpful Websites below.

• Making your payments:
  • AARP: Mortgage Payoff Calculator
• Refinancing your home:
  • AARP: Mortgage Refinance Calculator
  • USU Extension: Refinancing Your Home / (en español)
• Reverse mortgages:
  • Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You?
• Selling your home:
  •  Selling Your Home: IRS Publication 523

Foreclosure

If you are currently in foreclosure or worried about it in the future, you'll find these Websites useful:

• HUD: Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
• Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

• Know Your Options

• Making Home Affordable

• Idaho Attorney General: Mortgage Loan Modification Programs
• Idaho Attorney General: Mortgage Fraud and Foreclosure

Developed by:

Lyle Hansen
University of Idaho Extension Educator-Jerome County
600 2nd Avenue West
Jerome, ID 83338
(208) 324-7578
lhansen@uidaho.edu

2014 Update  by:

Nancy M. Porter, Ph.D.
Extension Personal and Family Finance Consultant
University of Idaho
(864) 650-8289
nporter@uidaho.edu

Other credits:

Educational Communications,
University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences:
Editing: Marlene Fritz, Communications Specialist, Boise
Web Design: Jacob Peterson, Web Designer, Moscow

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