Making Connections

Considering buying a home now that interest rates are incredibly low? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Administration hotline can help. It offers a free home-buyer brochure with 100 questions on home buying and FHA-insured loans.

The hotline also has a “Healthy Home” brochure on potential health and safety hazards, in addition to information about product recalls, indoor air quality, safe drinking water and the hazards of lead poisoning. Callers can also make a report about an unsafe product.

To reach the hotline in English or Spanish, call (800) HUDS-FHA or (800) 483-7342.