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Real Estate

This quasi-government corporation is an important financing source for low to moderate income consumers. The Freddie Mac web site provides useful information about housing, mortgage securities, debt securities, leasing, and property ownership. This site offers a diverse collection of real estate information from a largely consumer perspective.

Ginnie Mae is a government corporation owned by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This agency assists low to moderate income home buyers in securing financing and mortgages for houses. The web site provides useful links to general buying, mortgage, insurance, and property owning issues, and also provides buy vs. rent, loan estimator, and homeownership mortgage calculators. A good starting point for consumers looking for financing options.

A clearinghouse for all kinds of property and real estate information from a largely consumer point of view. It has a good array of links to a large number of agencies that deal with housing issues. The site has a large collection of subject links for minorities, lenders, small businessman, women, and the homeless. Another good source of information for the general public.

One of the largest real estate subject directories on the web, this site provides links to real estate sites for all U.S. states and more than 115 countries. Most useful for real estate professionals.

A clearinghouse for government data on construction, sales, new housing characteristics, residential improvements, and more. Best for students and researchers. See also the Construction and Housing chapter of Statistical Abstract of the United States.

Provides housing and real estate data from several Census surveys. Useful for researchers and professionals.

NAREIT is the national trade association for REITs as well as public real estate companies. The web site provides background information, FAQs, articles, and a company directory. Useful for consumers and professionals.