The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD for short, is a government agency set up to help Americans in home ownership.

HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships--particularly with faith-based and community organizations--that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level. -HUDs mission statement

Most people think of HUD as nothing more than the subsidized housing arm of the government. If you are on welfare, and need a place to live, go to HUD. While this is true, through the FHA, they are also the largest mortgage issuer in the world. Shocked? Most people are.

While their site is certainly a good starting point, like many government organizations, finding the information your really need can be exhausting, confusing, and often times depressing. Most of the information you need to find a great house, and get the financing for it, is buried so deep in this website, a vast majority of those looking never find it.

An internet search will turn up several free websites that can help a potential home owner understand how to use HUD's resources to their advantage. To purchase a HUD owned home, you will need to use a realtor. To obtain a zero down home loan (80/20) or a more traditional home loan through the FHA, you will need to contact an approved lender.

Using the resources of HUD, combined with the lending power of the FHA is where many professional investors make their money.