Home Matters-Florida

www.insure.com
Provides well written, authoritative advice on buying home and other insurance as well as dealing with insurers. Buyers can search for firms offering specific coverage in their state and can check a company's strength. You can also link to insurance companies, quote services and agents, but any selling takes place off their website site.

See Consumer-SOS/Insurance

Legal

Legal Aid And Pro bono Help In Florida
Select your county for a directory of links and phone numbers.

Find The AARP In Florida
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

For More Help, See Lawyers, Courts & Self Help

Media & NonProfits

Call For Action
Staff of volunteers hear consumer complaints and act as mediators between the service provider and aggrieved consumer and seller. These volunteers often have the clout of a major TV or radio station behind them which often makes people much more cooperative.

Your Local Better Business Bureau

Mortgage Issues & Loan Programs

If you want to buy a house but don't think you can afford the down payment, consider this: Many lenders offer programs which allow a buyer to get a home for as little as 3 percent by using mortgage insurance. The premiums vary, depending on the size of the down payment, type of mortgage, and the amount of insurance coverage.

Many of the groups below either regulate the Mortgage industry or offer assistance for lower income first time buyers. The website offer loans for anyone who qualifies.

Department Of Agriculture
For information about rural housing loan programs.

www.quickenmortgage.com/
Provides to be homeowners with information on their credit and obtaining a mortgage.

Bankrate Monitor
Will tell you the best rates for a mortgage or home equity loan.

www.eloan.com
Licensed in at least 40 states, E-LOAN allows consumers to apply for a home loan via e-mail. On this site, consumers can search for the best rates on mortgages and home equity loans. It costs nothing to apply for a loan and your application will get a response within 24 to 48 hours.

www.hsh.com
Current and past mortgage rates and market commentary. Loan terms and conditions explained.

Federal Trade Commission-Division Of Credit Practices Bureau Of Consumer Protection (202) 326-3224
For complaints, and reporting unfair lending practices.

Federal Housing Administration (800) 225-5342
For information about FHA-insured home mortgage loans on one to four family dwellings.

HUD Customer Service Distribution Center (800) 767-7468
Can order lots of government publications on your legal rights.

HUD Counseling Clearing House (888) 466-3487
Provides a variety of contacts and information for first-time home buyers, owners, renters and people at risk of default or foreclosure.

Fannie Mae (800) 732-6643
Lender with various home ownership programs.

Moving Companies (Complaints)

Moving Companies (Florida)
Tips and the law.

Movers (Florida)
General tips on moving and finding out the local ordinances in your town.

Federal Highway Adminstration (FHWA) (202) 358-7027(to check on licensing)
For complaints, licensing and insurance status on interstate moving companies.

American Moving & Storage Association (703) 683-7410
They can tell you if the mover is licensed. For disputes, you have only 60 days after a move to request for arbitration with an interstate mover. All requests must be in writing.

Find The AARP In Florida
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

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Nuisances

Housing Help Resources (Florida)
From consumer helplines to realtor and home builder associations.

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)
Where to go when you have a problem.

How To Start Your Own Neighborhood Watch (Good For All States)
See Also Basic Tips To Follow For Stopping Crime

Health & Safety

Animals

Neighborhood Organizations
Find out about neighborhood watches and other community groups in your area or anywhere else throughout the country.

Zoning

Lighting Up for Crime Prevention (HTML)
See right hand side Table of Contents. Outlines the frameworks in which lighting is used to prevent crime, presents key questions to help assess lighting needs, presents evidence of lighting's impact, and suggests numerous resources.

Neighborhood Watch Gets Residents Prepared
See right hand side Table of Contents. Provides residents with the information they need to strengthen their communities and effectively prevent and respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, or any kind of disaster through a Neighborhood Watch Program.

Parks

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)
Where to go when you have a problem.

Also Check your city government pages in the phone book for "parks" or "recreation"

Realtors/Brokers

Florida Real Estate Commission

Real Estate Links For Most States and Big Cities

For more on who regulates them,

See Occupational Licensing Boards

RESPA

RESPA Enforcement (202) 708-4560
Regulates escrow and loan servicing accounts (the taxes and insurance on a mortgage).

FAQs On RESPA From HUD

RESPA Resource Links For Many Of The States
For more information about RESPA and where to for complaints.

Streets/Sidewalks

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)
Where to go when you have a problem.

City Code Site (All 50 States, Not DC)
Learn how your city code treats, garbage, nuisance and safety hazards.

Also check your city government pages in the phone book for "public works" or "streets and sidewalks."

Taxes

Tax Assessor Data Base (All 50 States, Not DC)
Find phone numbers and links to tax assessors throughout the US.

See Consumer-SOS-Taxes

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)
Where to go when you have a problem.

Department Of Transportation (DOTs)(50 States, Not DC)
For help with car related issues ie, car damaged caused by pavement, unsafe streets, traffic, bridges and roads, etc.

See Carpools

Trees

Housing Help Resources (Florida)
From consumer helplines to realtor and home builder associations.

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)
Where to go when you have a problem.

City Code Site (All 50 States, Not DC)
Learn how your city code treats, garbage, nuisance and safety hazards.

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Truth In Lending Problems

Mortgage Fraud (Florida)
Home Equity Scams, Choosing a Loan
Days to Cancel Home Equity,
Home Equity Dos & Don'ts
Reverse Mortgages
Home Loan Law
HOEPA Prevents

Retail Installment Sellers and Sales Finance Companies

Contains information about businesses and individuals regulated by the Office of Financial Regulation, excluding pending applications.
To search for an individual, you must enter at least the individual’s last name or the individual’s license number, and then select the Search button.
To search for a business, you must enter the business name or the license number, and then select the Search button.

Federal Reserve Board
For information on the Truth In Lending Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

Utilities

For More See Phones & Utilities

Veterans

The Department Of Veteran Affairs (800) 827-1000
For information about the various programs available to veterans.

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Zoning

Housing Help Resources (Florida)
From consumer helplines to realtor and home builder associations.

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)
Where to go when you have a problem.

City Code Site (All 50 States, Not DC)
Learn how your city code treats, garbage, nuisance and safety hazards.

Also check your phone book's city & county government pages for
you local "Zoning Enforcement Divison."