Barry G. Shapiro, Camarillo Real Estate Expert, SRES®, REALTOR®

*There is only one official site where you can get your credit report for free. The site is annualcreditreport.com. There are many other phony sites out there that claim they offer free reports, but it is not true. Instead they charge you a fee for various services. One of these phony sites - freecreditreport.com - is actually owned by Experian, one of the credit bureaus. Some states, including Florida, are so fed up with the deception that they are suing the bogus site. None of the advertisements you see are legitimate. Barry knows this because the only real site doesn’t advertise. So, remember, annualcreditreport.com is the only site you need.

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MORE VALUABLE INFO:

Home Buying:

Real Estate Advisor: Rent or Buy? - This question usually turns on how long you plan to stay in the home and your stomach for risk, says Steve McLinden.

You Should Be on the Deed - Dr. Don advises a woman whose husband wants the mortgage and deed on a house they are purchasing to be only in his name.

Homes for Sale $1 - They're out there and they're for real. But there are often strings the size of tow ropes attached.

Avoid Seller's Agent on 'Must Have' House - If you can't have your own agent, get a "dual agency" agreement in writing and hire a real estate attorney to protect your interests, advises Steve McLinden.

The Art of the Low Ball Offer - As housing sales slow, home buyers are in a better position to offer substantially less than the seller's asking.

On the Bubble? Heed these Do's and Dont's - If you really think you may get hurt in a real estate bubble burst, following this advice could minimize the damage.

Want Lower Rent? Think Like a Landlord - Study the market so you'll know how strong your negotiating position is.

Home Warranties: Good, or Good for Nothing? - It all depends on the fine print and who's standing behind it.

Single Women Pour into Real Estate - They now make up more than one-fifth of all home buyers.

Save Cash and Eat Well - Buy into a Farm - Buying a share in cooperative farm can mean big savings. And there's one near you!

Home Loans and Mortgages:

How to Finance a Second Home - You have pretty much the same options as for your primary residence, says Dr. Don.

Mortgage Limit Soars to $417,000 - Reflecting a national increase in housing values, mortgage financiers sharply raised the dividing line between conforming and more-expensive jumbo mortgages.

20 Signs of a Bad Loan - Even if you're desperate, avoid loans that offer these kinds of deals.

Basic Mortgage and Loan Quiz - Think you have a grasp of what it takes to get a mortgage or other loan? Our quick five-question quiz will let you know.

Smart Equity Moves as Rates Rise - With the prime rate at 7.25 percent, home equity loan and line of credit strategies are much different than a year ago, experts say.

50 Year Mortgage Debuts in California - The Methuselah of mortgages has arrived: the 50-year home loan.

30 Year Mortgage Rises Fifth Week in a Row - Americans feel confident about their futures - more bullish than bond traders had expected. High spirits translate into higher mortgage rates.

Paying Mortgage Points A Primer - How do you decide whether it makes sense to do so? Should you pay points on an adjustable mortgage in today's rate environment?

A Home Equity Line of Credit Plan of Attack - As interest rates rise, people with a home equity line of credit wonder what to do: Keep it, and risk more rate hikes, or pay it off by refinancing.

Do You Need a Mortgage Fixer? - The title guy and the lender are supposed to do their jobs so your closing is on time. But what if they don't?

Mortgage Mess Nixes Retirement Mess - You should get that second mortgage paid off as quickly as possible, says Dr. Don.

Where to Find Sub Prime Lenders - You've been turned down for a mortgage by all the corner banks. Where do you go from here?

Study Reveals Closing Cost Differences - When you're getting a mortgage and you want to pay the lowest fees possible, Wyoming is the place to live, and you should stay away from New York, according to a Bankrate.com study of closing costs nationwide.

Feds Ask: Is that Mortgage Good for You? - Consumers too often get home loans that are too risky, and federal regulators are wrestling with the question of who should say "no" to misguided mortgage-hunters.

Credit:

Five Ways to Improve Your Credit - So you've made mistakes. These steps will help you restore the luster to your credit rating.

10 Bad Habits that Lead to Debt Disaster - If you're up to your eyeballs in debt, reviewing your money missteps can help prevent you from repeating them and show you the way out.

Three Approaches to Paying Off Debt- You can go for maximum effect, for maximum satisfaction, or for the credit-score boost, says the Debt Adviser.

Hidden Credit Score Guages Bankruptcy Risk - There's a number that might determine your available credit, but you aren't allowed to see it.

Where to Find Sub Prime Lenders - You've been turned down for a mortgage by all the corner banks. Where do you go from here?

Is Your Bank Spying on You? - A government program aimed at nabbing terrorists and money launderers is also flooding the government with reports on ordinary citizens' banking activities.

Thank you! Please contact me anytime for further assistance...