A series of monthly newsletters on current topics of interest.  Check back every month to see what's new!
NOTE: FYI newsletters are in PDF format & can be accessed with the free Acrobat Reader

• Twelve Month Financial Almanac
.

• The Equal Credit Opportunity Act
.
• The Homeownership Counseling Act
.
• Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
.
• The Fair Credit Reporting Act

• What Is A Homeowner Association?
.
• CC&Rs
.
• Governing Documents
.
• A Corporate Democracy

• What Is Subprime?
.
• Development of Subprime Mortgages
.
• Recent Challenges
.
• What Should Distressed Borrowers Do?
.
• What Happens Now?
.
• The Big Picture

• An Overview
.
• The Community Reinvestment Act
.
• The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
.
• The Home Ownership Equity Protection Act
.
• The Truth in Lending Act

• What Is It?
.
• The Board of Governors
.
• The Federal Reserve Banks
.
• The Fed’s Regional Structure
.
• The Federal Open Market Committee

• Interest Rates and Inflation
.
• Monetary Policy
.
• Supervising and Regulating Banks
.
• Consumer Protection
.
• Providing Financial Services

• Don’t Get “Locked Out” of Your Home
.
• Who are the Real Victims?
.
• Foreclosure Scam Task Force Report
.
• Detecting Foreclosure Scams
.
• Foreclosure Scam Remedies
.
• Reporting Foreclosure Fraud

• An Overview
.
• It Starts At Home
.
• Blowing Hot and Cold
.
• See the Light
.
• Plugged In
.
• Energy Efficient Home Design

• An Overview
.
• Mortgage & Lender Related - Part 1
.
• Mortgage & Lender Related - Part 2
.
• Miscellaneous Fees
.
• Establishing/Transferring Ownership
.
• State and Local Governments
.
• Estimates

• What is a Real Estate Appraiser?
.
• How Are Appraisers Licensed?
.
• What Do Appraisers Look For?
.
• Hiring an Appraiser

• What Is It?
.
• Urban Sprawl
.
• Growth Pattern Challenges
.
• Benefits and Incentives
.
• The Role of REALTORS®

• Educated Professional
.
• Marketing Expert
.
• Skilled Negotiator
.
• Knowledgeable Counselor

• Before You Start Home Shopping
.
• House Hunting
.
• Before You Place An Offer
.
• Purchasing Your Home and Insurance
.
• After Your Home Purchase

• Best Return On Investment
.
• Renovating The Great Outdoors
.
• Renovation Pitfalls
.
• Hiring A Renovation Contractor

• What Does A REALTOR® Do?
.
• Why Your Home Won't Sell
.
• Outshine The Competition
.
• Common Mistakes Home Sellers Make

• Full Value Protection
.
• Released Value Protection
.
• Things to Keep In Mind
.
• Red Flags for Spotting Rogue Movers

• An Overview
.
• Health Effects of Lead
.
• Where Lead is Found
.
• Where Lead is Likely to be a Hazard
.
• Checking Your Family and Home for Lead
.
• Protecting Your Family
.
• Remodeling A Home with Lead-Based Paint

• June is National Safety Month
.
• Preventing Falls, Poisoning and Choking
.
• Fire and Water
.
• 20 Essential Safety Items

• Rewards of Home Ownership
.
• How Are Low Down Payments Possible?
.
• Comparison Shopping
.
• Qualifying For A Low Down Payment Loan
.
• How Much of a Mortgage Can You Afford?
.
• Your First Meeting With a Lender
.
• Two Key Factors in Qualifying for a Loan

• An Overview
.
• Paying Off Credit Cards
.
• Borrowers Beware - Part I
.
• Borrowers Beware - Part II
.
• The Three-Day Cancellation Rule
.
• Protecting Yourself

• What Is It?
.
• How To Identify A Mold Problem
.
• Cleanup Guidelines
.
• Prevention and Control

• An Overview
.
• Guidelines and Information
.
• How Does It Work?
.
• What Numbers Can Be Registered?
.
• When Does A Registration Expire?
.
• Will All Telemarketing Calls Stop?
.
• Filing A Do Not Call Complaint

• An Overview
.
• The Fair Housing Acts
.
• Presidential Executive Orders
.
• Fair Lending
.
• National Training Academy
.
• A Fair Housing Quiz

• The Nature of Fire
.
• Holiday Fire Prevention
.
• Electrical Fire Safety
.
• Check Your Hotspots
.
• Smoke Alarms
.
• Escape Planning

• Why Do Your Scores Matter?
.
• What is a Good Score?
.
• Learn Your Scores Soon
.
• Not Just One Score
.
• Five Parts of FICO Credit Scores
.
• Negative or Missing Information
.
• Improving Your Credit Report

• What Is It?
.
• Required Disclosures
.
• Disclosures Before Closing
.
• Disclosures At & After Settlement
.
• Explanation of Statutes
.
• Enforcement

• Reviewing The Options
.
• The 40 Year Mortgage
.
• The Interest Only Mortgage
.
• The Reverse Mortgage
.
• Mortgage Brokers
.
• Applying Online for Mortgages

• An Overview
.
• Steps Of The Process
.
• "Keep Your Home" Alternatives
.
• "Keep Your Credit" Alternatives
.
• Foreclosure Scams
.
• Points To Remember

• What Are They?
.
• Who Benefits?
.
• Which Homes & Buyers Qualify?
.
• What Is A HERS Report?
.
• Government Insured Loans
.
• Conventional Loans

• Natural Alternatives
.
• Blocking The Heat
.
• Landscaping
.
• Walls and Windows
.
• Removing Built-Up Heat
.
• Reduce Heat Generating Sources

• What Are They?
.
• Selecting An Inspector
.
• During The Inspection
.
• Other Inspections To Consider
.
• Questions To Help REALTORS® And Their Clients

• It's Energy Efficient
.
• Building Principles
.
• Passive Solar Heating & Lighting
.
• The Building Envelope
.
• Construction Waste Facts
.
• Energy Efficient Mortgages

• When Will They Be Available?
.
• How To Order Yours
.
• Reviewing Your Report
.
• How To Handle An Unresolved Dispute
.
• Additional Situations

• What Is A Flood?
.
• What Should You Do Before A Flood?
.
• What Should You Do During A Flood?
.
• What Should You Do After A Flood?
.
• Tips For Filing Your Insurance Claim

• Their Responsibilities To You
.
• Transfer of Servicing
.
• Payments and Fees
.
• Your Credit Report
.
• If You Have A Complaint

• What Is An Energy Efficient House?
.
• The Thermal Envelope
.
• Energy Efficient Heating & Ventilation
.
• Heater and Fireplace Safety
.
• Detecting Air Leaks
.
• Caulking and Weatherstripping

• Remember The IRS
.
• Packing It Up
.
• Finding A Reputable Mover
.
• Hiring An Interstate Mover
.
• Filing a Complaint against a Mover
.
• Changing Your Address & Services

• What Is It?
.
• Who Are The Targets?
.
• Tips On Being A Smart Consumer
.
• Be Cautious
.
• Steps To Getting A Good Loan
.
• Avoid Entrapment

• Who's Spamming Who - Could it be You?
.
• Requirements for Commercial Emailers
.
• Penalties for CAN-SPAM Act Violations
.
• Is Someone "Phishing" for Your Info?
.
• Pop Up Spam
.
• The Lowdown on Chain Letters

• An Introduction
.
• Checking Accounts
.
• Special Types of Checks
.
• Processing and Collection
.
• Limiting Risks From Checks

• What Is PMI?
.
• The Homeowner's Protection Act
.
• How Do You Cancel PMI?
.
• What Does HPA Require After 07/29/99?
.
• What Does HPA Require Before 07/29/99?
.
• What If Your Home Value Has Increased?

• Why Some Investments Make Money
.
• Mutual Funds
.
• Do You Need An Investment Professional?
.
• Ask Questions!
.
• How To Monitor Your Investments
.
• How Can You Avoid Problems?
.
• What If You Have a Problem?

• It's Easier Than You Think
.
• Know Your Income and Expenses
.
• Making Money Grow
.
• The Differences Between Them
.
• Stocks and Bonds
.
• What are the Best Choices?

• An Introduction
.
• Privacy Notices You May Receive
.
• More Info About Privacy Laws
.
• Your Right To Opt Out
.
• What You Can and Can't Stop
.
• Where Else To Turn For Help

• Comparison Shopping
.
• Deciphering Application Information
.
• Understanding Interest Rates
.
• How Much Will You Pay?
.
• How Much Could You Save?
.
• Cracking the Code

• How It Happens
.
• Protect Your Identity
.
• If You're A Victim
.
• Additional Resources

• Finding A Contractor 
.
• Hiring A Contractor
.
• Get A Written Contract
.
• Understanding Your Payment Options 
.
• Completing The Job 

• The First Steps 
.
• Selecting A Real Estate Agent 
.
• Pricing To Sell
.
• Looking Your Best 
.
• A Buyer's Viewpoint