Real Estate Roundup

Investors group meets Monday

The Southeast Tennessee Real Estate Investors Association's monthly meeting will be Monday from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Karen Bovell of Title Insurance Co. will be the speaker. The meeting will be at Finley Stadium, 1206 Carter St. The cost for those who do not pre-register and pre-pay is $12 per person or $18 per couple. Call 894-6259 for more information.

Income-restricted apartments open

The Vista Ridge Apartments held its grand opening last Thursday.

The complex, at 10450 Card Road in Soddy-Daisy, is income-restricted. Apartments are priced from $400 to $675 per month. Sunbelt Management Co. is the manager. Call 332-0568 for more information.

Realtors accepting harvest donations

The Chattanooga Association of Realtors' community outreach committee is collecting items such as low-sodium foods, toiletries, sweets and cash donations for the Widow's Harvest Thanksgiving.

The deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. Drop items off at CAR's office at 2963 Amnicola Highway.

HUD requires good faith estimate form

For the first time in more than 30 years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued mortgage reforms to help consumers to shop for the lowest-cost mortgage and avoid costly and potentially harmful loan offers.

HUD will require, for the first time ever, that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate, which is available at www.hud.gov/content/releases/goodfaithestimate.pdf. The form discloses key loan terms and closing costs. HUD estimates its new regulation will save consumers nearly $700 at the closing table.

"Consumers need and deserve to know what they're getting themselves into before they sign on the dotted line," HUD Secretary Steve Preston said in a statement.

Last March, HUD proposed reforms to the long-standing regulatory requirements of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act by improving disclosure of the loan terms and closing costs consumers pay when they buy or refinance their home.