In Appendix B, you'll find a variety of useful Web sites that can deepen your knowledge beyond what “great deals” mortgage lenders are offering you online. To bargain most effectively for a loan from an online or a terrestrial lender, you need to educate yourself about what's going on with the economy and with the housing or investment market before you start shopping for a loan.

Did you know that any time you apply for a mortgage loan, or respond online to a so-called “prescreened” mortgage offer, that you could be setting off a stampede of lenders who might be pulling your credit report — and possibly damaging your credit rating? There is a possibility that there might be a better deal in there somewhere, but the Federal Trade Commission offers some solutions so you can avoid these solicitations.

Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. When you call this toll-free number or visit the Web site, you will be asked to provide certain personal information, including your home telephone number, name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

The information you provide is confidential, and it will be used only to process your request to opt out. Don't enter any personal information until you have checked for indicators that the site is secure — a lock icon on your browser or a Web address that begins https. Opting out of prescreened offers won't affect your ability to apply for credit or to get it. Your opt-out request will be processed within five days, but it may take up to sixty days before the prescreened offers stop coming. If you have a joint mortgage, both parties need to opt out to stop the prescreened offers. If you want to opt back in, use the same telephone number or Web site.

Put your phone number on the federal government's National Do Not Call Registry to reduce the telemarketing calls you get at home. To register your phone number or to get information about the registry, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. You will get fewer telemarketing calls within thirty-one days of registering your number. Your number stays on the registry for five years, until it is disconnected, or until you take it off the registry. Just so you know, if you already have a business relationship with a lender, it won't restrict them from calling you.