The Frugal HomeOwner™ is a how-to series for home buyers and sellers from Julie Garton-Good. As a syndicated newspaper columnist and international speaker, Julie specializes in the fields of home affordability and consumer-centric real estate services. Latest Home Buying Questions The Many Faces of Consumer Mortgage Fraud The Pros and Cons of Working with a Real Estate Agent How to Avoid Lock Problems in a Precarious Market Ready to buy a home? Take the Test Three Red Flags Too Many for Buyers The Number of International Buyers Nearly Double in 2010 Don't Jump Just Because Low Rates Entice You New Rules Punish "Strategic Foreclosures" Rental Owner Must Comply with New Lead-Based Paint Rules Fannie Mae's Property Rules Second Credit Check Prior to Closing Now Routine Get Creative on What You Negotiate Before You Add a Pool, Test the Waters Special FHA Loan Can Finance Residence/Business Combo Latest Home Selling Questions Moving Cross Country? Buy Your Own Moving Van Financial Reform Good News for Real Estate Appraisals Design a Triage Plan When Showing Your House What Every Seller Should Know About Counteroffers Home Buyer Tips Roadblocks to closing the sale Deciding on the bells and whistles Location, location, location FSBOs don't sell for a number of reasons It pays to check out a neighborhood Does moving up makes dollars and sense? Is it dangerous to pay too much for a home? Approving appraisers--why lenders require it Bait and switch--or just good business? If you want to back out of the sale Is the 125 percent mortgage for you? Can credit-damaged buyers get home loans? Can I negotiate that? How to negotiate the best price Buyer beware -- of other buyers Should you use an adjustable rate mortgage to finance your home? Little-known facts about adjustable rate mortgages Is an adjustable rate mortgage right for you? Is an FHA mortgage in your future? Financing your second home Keep your home-buying emotions in check The ins and outs of applying for a mortgage Ready to buy a home? Take our test to find out Potholes to avoid on the information superhighway The buyer's walk through: protection for the seller Three innocent mistakes home buyers make--and how to prevent them! Three more innocent mistakes home buyers make The final four errors that home buyers make Deciding to work with a REALTOR® Quick list for loan applications What to do when the lender says no Tips for comparing mortgage loans Lease purchases for creative sales Get the credit and the loan you deserve! Reasons to buy a home -- today! Choosing the best location Finding the down payment Home Seller Tips Have switch covers, will travel? Wedding bell blues could affect sale We changed our minds about selling. Now what? Is a CMA confidential? Relationship disclosure: What to expect Is your price right? Why should I contact a real estate professional? Selling homes on the information superhighway Offers we want to refuse Before you back out of a sale, read this Yard sign tricks of the trade Quick cures for seller's remorse Getting the most out of a real estate professional Safety issues when marketing your home What sellers can expect in a seller's market How home sellers benefit under the new tax law Should you carry the financing for a buyer? Will listing a little high hurt your chances for a sale? A seller's nightmare: keeping your home clean, tidy and ready to show Sprucing up before the sale -- but which rooms? Counteroffers: What sellers need to know Selling a one-of-a-kind house Sell at a profit? Read this before you put a downpayment on your next home What to do with a demanding buyer Negotiating Gambits: Part I Negotiating Gambits: Part II Should you purchase again when you relocate? Choosing a Realtor when you sell Assist the Buyer with 75-10-15 financing Should you prepay your mortgage? Should you refinance your mortgage loan? Tips for a successful move "Castle Keeper" Tips What to do if your mortgage is sold The ins and outs of paying down a mortgage When it comes to mortgages, anything's negotiable Lenders have the final say about appraisers, insurers Getting rid of private mortgage insurance isn't always easy Refinancing? Consider a shorter loan term Safety issues for homeowners The home of the future: What will it look like? How safe is your swimming pool? Water, water everywhere Should you refinance your mortgage online? If your mortgage payments fall behind Don't mail your mortgage payment until you are sure Thinking of refinancing? Let's do the math Should you carry flood insurance? How big of a splash will a pool make on your home's value? Trash it! Recycling strategies for your home Can you remove the PMI from your mortgage How do Americans really feel about homeownership? Master the three Cs of homeownership Refinancing your FHA loan Refinancing your VA loan Your rights if your loan is sold Thinking about refinancing? Take our need/greed test Let's do the numbers: Comparing interest rates Before you leave home, protect your home! Low-cost/no-cost homeowner booklets Should you tap into your equity? Home Energy Checklist Be on the lookout for homeowner scams Add value to your home or sell? To read more of Julie Garton-Good's Frugal HomeOwnerŽ questions, visit http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/JulieGartonGood.htm