1.  Credit for Buying Real Estate is Different than Credit for Buying Cars

Common Credit Myths

Credit Requirements for Mortgages

2.  Establishing Good Credit

Opening the Right Types of Accounts

Establishing Credit as a Non-US Citizen

Special Information for Married Couples

Perfect Balance of Credit

New Credit Advice: Don’t Pay off Credit Cards!

15 Common Credit Mistakes

3.  How to Get Credit Reports for Free

Credit Reporting Agencies

Sample Letter for Free Credit Reports

4.  Credit Repair?

Credit Repair Companies and Credit Counseling

Be Careful With Credit Repair Scams

Battling the Big Three

5.  Understanding Credit Scores

What Your Credit Score Means

How Real Estate Lenders Rate You

What Does Not Count In a Credit Score?

Sorting Your Credit Score

6.  How to Improve Your Credit Score

Update Your Credit Report

How to Avoid Derogatory Remarks

How to Close Credit Accounts

Raising Credit Scores Quickly

The Secrets of "Rapid Rescores"

Temporary Credit Boosts

Credit Help: Payment Plans

How to Get the Magic Credit Score Over 700

7.  Help with Credit Problems

Collections to Ignore

How to Pay Collections and not Ruin Your Credit

Collection Agencies and Promises

Handling Collections for Real Estate Financing

Budgeting to Improve Credit Scores:

Doesn’t Mean What the Experts Say!

Help With Late Mortgage Payments

What to Do If Your Home Is In Foreclosure

Buying a Home after a Mortgage Foreclosure

8.  How to Get Credit Reporting Agencies to Help You Instead of Causing Misery

Double-D Line of Attack

Three Key "V" Words You Need

Sample Dispute Letter to Credit Bureau

Making Credit Dispute Telephone Calls

Sample Dispute Letter to Creditors

Ten Step Credit Repair Guide

If You Cannot Resolve a Disputed Item

9.  Bankruptcy Help

How to Get Financing after Filing Bankruptcy

10. Finance Help

Seven Loan Types and Finance Terms

"Pre-Approved" or "Pre-Qualified?"

What Real Estate Lenders Look For

How to Choose a Real Estate Lender

A New Choice for Home Financing

What is a "Predatory Lender?"

Are Biweekly Mortgages Really Worthwhile?

11. Investor Tips

Financing Multiple Properties

Retain Your Equity: 1031 Tax Exchange

Financing Options: Keeping Rental Houses

How to Finance Fixers

Buy More with Business Lines of Credit

Appendix

HUD-1 Settlement Statement Fee Descriptions

State Statute of Limitations on Debts

Additional Resources

Glossary

Index