Confused Home Shoppers Can Let Fingers Do Walking

Prospective homebuyers who feel overwhelmed by the process of finding and financing a home now have another place to turn for help--their telephone.

By dialing 1 (800) 500-FIND, consumers can receive a free brochure that contains answers to 12 commonly asked questions about homebuying, a worksheet to help estimate the approximate home purchase price and mortgage they can afford, and a glossary of 33 frequently used real estate terms.

The 24-hour number was established by the American Dream Coalition, formed by the California Assn. of Realtors, major mortgage lenders and other housing industry companies and trade groups. The goal of the coalition, and the phone line, is to help educate consumers about the homebuying process, according to CAR President Walt McDonald.