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  Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
There are 32 resources  
   Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms - (2)
   Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network - (7)
   Information from Other Legal Aid Providers - (4)
   Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations - (1)
   Information from Government Agencies - (17)
   Information from Private Organizations - (1)
  Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
 
   GovBenefits.gov (Separate Website)
GovBenefits.gov is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
By: GovBenefits.gov, a partnership of many Federal agencies and organizations

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   Quiet Title Packet (Fraudulent Conveyance) This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Information and Forms to bring a Quiet Title action in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. This type of action establishs a party's title to real property against anyone and everyone, and thus "quiets" any challenges or claims to the title.
By: Court of Common Pleas - Philadelphia
  
   
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  Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
 
   Ejectment (Separate Website)
Information on what ejectment is and when it may be used.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
 
  
   
   Articles of Agreement (Separate Website)
Infromation on installment sale agreements.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
 
  
   
   Home Improvement Finance Act (Separate Website)
Information on the when the Home Improvement Finance Act applies to contracts and your rights under the Act.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
 
  
   
   Predatory Lending Practices, Part 1 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.

2/14/2008- 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.

Part I - What is predatory lending, what help is available, details on over-appraisals, property flipping, avoiding variable rate, and details on the newly structured Western PA Mortgage Fraud Task Force.

Click on the title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   Predatory Lending Practices, Part 2 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.

2/14/2008- 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.

Part 2 - Identifying poor lending practices, Tips on what to avoid.

Click on the title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   Predatory Lending Practices, Part 3 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.

2/14/2008- 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.

Part 3 - How to protect yourself from predatory lending, recommended proactive steps, housing counseling is available, where to get help.

Click on the title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
 
  
   
   Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes (Separate Website)
Information on issues related to Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes.
By: Community Legal Services
  
   
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  Information from Other Legal Aid Providers
 
   The Deed to Your Home This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
What you need to know about your deed.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
  
   
   The Home Repair Contract This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
A Senior Citizen's Guid to Home Repair.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
  
   
   Protecting Yourself From Financial Exploitation This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Information on how to prevent financial exploitation.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
  
   
   Homeowner Resource List This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
This Homeowner Resource List is a list of agencies offering grants and low-interest loans for home repairs, and other resources, to those who qualify in the Philadelphia area.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
  
   
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  Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
 
   Buying a Home This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
  
   
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  Information from Government Agencies
 
   REfinance to an Affordable Loan (REAL) Program (Separate Website)
Is your adjustable rate or interest-only mortgage about to explode? Are you at risk of losing your home unless you can refinance to more affordable terms? If so, the REAL program may be your answer!
By: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
  
   
   PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program (Separate Website)
Program overview on property tax relief, rebate estimate calculator, commonly asked questions, as well as downloadable forms and instruction booklet. Claimants or spouses 65 years of age or older; widows or widowers 50 years of age or older; and permanently disabled 18 years of age or older may qualify.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
  
   
   "Homeownership for All" Video Webcasts (Separate Website)
This series of webcasts gives you some brief, basic, easy-to-understand guidance about the homebuying process. Watch all five or select ones that best fit your current needs.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   Buying your Home: Settlement Costs and Information (Separate Website)
Information for consumers on buying a home, as well as settlement costs, terms of sale, shopping for a loan, selecting an attorney, disclosures, processing the loan application, etc.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   Your Rights and the Responsibilities of the Mortgage Servicer (Separate Website)
Information for home buyers concerning your rights and the responsibility of your loan servicer.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   High Cost Predatory Home Loans: How to Avoid the Traps (Separate Website)
Information on how to protect yourself by knowing the warning signs of predatory loan practices.
By: Federal Citizen Information Center
  
   
   Predatory Lending (Separate Website)
Information from HUD on predatory lending and what you can do to protect yourself.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  
   
   How to Manage Your Mortgage If Your Lender Closes or Files for Bankruptcy This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (Separate Website)
Fact sheet for consumers describing what to do if their mortgage company or mortgage servicing company closes or files for bankruptcy.
By: Federal Trade Commission
  
   
   Reverse Mortgages for Seniors (Separate Website)
Information about Reverse Mortgages, what they are, how they can give older Americans greater financial security, and also information on being aware of scam artists.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   HOPE for Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions for Consumers (Separate Website)
Information on a new program, created by Congress, that is intended to help borrowers at risk of default and foreclosure refinance into more affordable loans.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   Basic Consumer Facts about the HOPE for Homeowners Program (Separate Website)
Basic fact about this new program to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   About Reverse Mortgages for Seniors - Section 255 - Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) (Separate Website)
This insured reverse mortgage can be used by senior homeowners age 62 and older to convert the equity in their home into monthly streams of income and/or a line of credit to be repaid when they no longer occupy the home. The loan, commonly known as HECM, is funded by a lending institution such as a mortgage lender, bank, credit union or savings and loan association.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   It's Your Home: Reverse Mortgage Public Service Announcement (Separate Website)
Video public service announcment giving information on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Reverse Mortgage program. Requires free REAL Player available at real.com. Time: 0:32
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  
   
   Land Sale Complaints (Separate Website)
Information for consumers regarding fraud and abuse when buying or leasing land from developers.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   Deceptive Home Improvement Contractors Complaints (Separate Website)
Information for home owners with HUD insured loans on avoiding deceptive home improvement contractors.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol
  
   
   Does HUD Owe You a Refund? (Separate Website)
Information and Fact Sheet regarding insured mortgages and whether you may be eligible for a HUD refund or share of any excess earnings from the FHA's Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. Fact Sheet also available in PDF
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Read this in: Spanish / Espaņol