Resources abound if you are looking for listings of houses for sale and rent.

Not only do many of the larger national real estate firms have webpages that span their listings across the country, but there are many independent websites as well that provide listings with so much of the data that you want to review when considering such a large investment, whether buying or renting. Some sites include realtor.com, forsalebyowner.com, remax.com, and others. While some sites provide only local listings of houses for sale and rent, many are linked into larger networks so that you can see the multiple listings of many associated real estate businesses on one site.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has important information on buying, owning, selling, and renting homes as well as listings of Homes for Sale that are available from several federal agencies. HUD also provides easy to understand consumer information to help you avoid pitfalls in these transactions. In addition to HUD, there are also additional sites on Homes for Sale by the U. S. Government which allow you to view the individual properties by locale within each state. The U.S Department of Agriculture provides listings of single and multifamily houses on USDA Properties for Sale.

The Federal Reserve provides basic information on looking for the best mortgage, including how to obtain information from several lenders, all important cost information (rates, points, fees, down payments), comparing and negotiating, fair lending, credit problems, a glossary, and a mortgage shopping worksheet.

Be sure to check the website for your state and local governments for information and statutes that may govern what is expected of you and the other party when a house is being bought, sold, rented by you, or rented to you. For example, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation maintains info on the Division of Real Estate and even provides information on how to file a complaint just in case you feel the need to. Explore the resources available to you.

Be sure to read contracts on a property very thoroughly before signing so that you'll know your full rights in what you are buying as well as any recourses that may be held against you in case you don't meet all aspects of the contract from your end.

Houses for Sale and Rent!