Introduction...................................................................................................9

Chapter One: Know Thy Credit Score.........................................................11
What is credit…why it’s important…reviewing your credit… resources.

Chapter Two: Trigger List...........................................................................17
What a creditor trigger list is…how credit agencies sell personal information.

Chapter Three: Types of Mortgages............................................................19
Different types of mortgages…pros and cons…why knowledge helps.

Chapter Four: Knowing How Much You Can Afford....................................27
How lenders figure loan limits…borrowing less…investing for retirement.

Chapter Five: Down Payment......................................................................33
How much to put down...rate of return…how best to use your money.

Chapter Six: The 10 Percent Down-PMI Dilemma.....................................39
Purchasing with ten percent down…we compare three ways…the PMI issue. 

Chapter Seven: The 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage....................................45
A common choice…when it’s best…knowing when it’s right for your needs.

Chapter Eight: Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs)....................................51
How ARMs really work…different types…key components explained.

Chapter Nine: Interest Only Mortgages......................................................59
Why they have a bad reputation…their true advantages…how to use them well.  

Chapter Ten: Interest Rates........................................................................65
Loan programs…how to qualify…how lenders determine your interest.

Chapter Eleven: Mortgage Points................................................................73
When to pay points…questions to ask…when they enrich only the mortgage seller.

Chapter Twelve: Debt Consolidation...........................................................77
Home equity and debt consolidation…when it’s wise…sharing stories from a client.

Chapter Thirteen: Annual Percentage Rate (APR).....................................81
Government mandated interest rate disclosure…what it means to you.

Chapter Fourteen: The HELOC Life Jacket..................................................87
Using Home Equity Lines of Credit…paying debts…emergencies and opportunities.

Chapter Fifteen: After the Closing...............................................................91
Documents to keep and to toss after a home closing…and after refinancing.

Chapter Sixteen: Annual Review.................................................................93
Look annually at credit…mortgage and total financial situation…consider life changes.

Chapter Seventeen: Choosing a Mortgage Planner....................................95
Many who sell know very little…what to look for…what to ask…resources.

Appendix:         
Top 10 Mistakes You May Have Made With Your Current Mortgage.............101
Five Things You Should Do Right Away........................................................105
Mortgage Check-Up Form............................................................................106
Glossary of Key Words and Phrases used in this Book................................107
References..................................................................................................115
About the Author.........................................................................................117