Credit Help

Credit repair is a definite need in today's market and knowing and understanding how credit works is even more important. Too many people today are misinformed about their credit score and don't know how to correct it on your credit report.

Here is what I propose. Allow me to do a free credit report review and I will put together a customized report for how you could increase your credit score. I will also sign you up for my complimentary Client Appreciation Program where you'll be updated with current mortgage market information, timely tax tips, and important monthly YOU! Magazine which give you several monthly tips to choose from!

Mortgage Market Forecast 2007 by Barry Habib

Mortgage Market Forecast 2007 by Barry Habib

It’s that time of year again…and for the fifth year running, we’re ready to lay out our thoughts and forecast for the year ahead. They say “hindsight is 20/20”, and looking back, we’re quite proud of how well our past predictions have held up, especially in terms of interest rates. So crystal ball, Ouija board, and Tarot cards aside, let’s do our best to see into the future, and how 2007 might look on some specifics that could impact us. And most importantly, let’s understand how we, our clients and our referral partners can benefit from these insights.

The big picture

So we’ll start out by looking at the US economy at large. Things began to slow down in 2006, which was not only needed after its former torrid pace, but also exactly what the Fed wanted to see happen. A “soft landing” for an overheated economy is something you often hear the Fed wants, but rarely can achieve…yet so far, the cooling has indeed been gradual and orderly. We expect more of the same in 2007 – a gradual cooling, without the economy crashing.

Job growth will likely stabilize, and unemployment rates may click just very slightly higher as the economy cools. Overall, the labor market in the US remains quite strong. And this is good news for the housing market, since healthy job markets often help housing markets remain stable. The more susceptible areas for increasing unemployment and flat or declining job growth are where manufacturing plays a key role in the local job scene, since the manufacturing sector never fully recovered as strongly as other parts of the US economy.

Former Fed Governor, Dr. Edward Gramlich: “Central Bankers are paid to worry – every silver lining has a cloud.”

After nearly nineteen years in office, 2006 also saw the baton passed from former Fed Chairman Alan “The Maestro” Greenspan to the rookie, new Fed Chair Ben Bernanke. And both deserve credit for orchestrating favorable economic conditions, while reining in inflation. And that’s what the Fed is charged with doing…controlling inflation so that the economy can sustain ongoing financial health. This sometimes means short term pain, like the seventeen Fed Funds Rate hikes that both Greenspan and Bernanke oversaw. In the past, the Fed has often gone too far with hikes – and that’s easy to do, because it takes six to nine months for the effect of a hike to filter its way through the economy. But the Fed has been commendably patient, although not unanimously so, in allowing the seventeen hikes to slowly take the steam out of an overheated economy. We know the Fed wants core inflation to ride between 1 and 2% - and they are getting closer and closer to this target.

The Fed finally did pause in June of ‘06, with a Fed Funds Rate of 5.25%. This appears to be the top of the current hiking cycle – and in last years forecast, we had expected a pause slightly sooner at 5%. So what will the Fed do in 2007? The inflation-measuring Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) will need to be at 2% or less for two or three consecutive months, before the Fed starts to talk rate cuts. Always wanting to remain ahead of the curve, and fully cognizant of the delay between Fed action and economic impact – the Fed will be worrisome that the economic decline will go too far. So we anticipate a Fed rate cut cycle to start in 2007, but not until the summer or fall.

This will be some welcome news for individuals with Home Equity Lines of Credit. And while it will eventually benefit those with ARM’s, the damage has already been done for those expecting adjustments during the year. And with $1.5 Trillion dollars of mortgage loans set to adjust during 2007, to significantly higher interest rates – we have an incredible opportunity to help our clients, gain new business, and increase our own production significantly. But don’t expect to have your phone just ringing off the hook – you’ll have to be proactive in reviewing your database, personally contacting your customers to congratulate them on the interest saved by using an ARM, and determining if a different strategy may make sense for them at this time.

Also, you’d be smart to proactively reach out to consumers in your community, via doing presentations or using the media. Why? Because unlike the typical “refinance runs” we’ve seen in the past, where consumers grab at interest rates that were lower across the board, many consumers with ARM’s are embarrassed that they didn’t know what they were getting into…and perhaps embarrassed that their finances don’t look as put together as a result of unexpectedly increased mortgage payments. They also may feel skeptical of loan officers – since someone out there sold them the product they may currently be having trouble with – and they may feel somewhat distrustful. This is a place where your role as Trusted Advisor can shine, as you inform them on market conditions by using the Daily Update, and then laying out a new mortgage strategy more fitting to the current situation. A 2/1 buydown can be a great fit for a client wishing to “step” out of an ARM they have currently into a Fixed Rate mortgage, but is not quite ready to make the full Fixed Rate payment just yet. Make sure you are familiar with this product, as it is also a great fit for new buyers.

Stocks and Oil – they Rocked and Roiled

In our 2006 forecast, we thought stocks would be a bright spot…and that’s exactly how things turned out, with healthy gains in all the major averages. We also cited how earnings were very healthy, and how that trend should continue. We see more of the same for 2007, and although stocks may come in short of their 2006 performance, they will still yield a handsome return in the 8 -11% range.

A very slippery area for 2006 was the oil markets – and how the volatile swings affected what we paid at the pump, how much we had left to spend, and inflation in general, since oil is in everything. Last summer, an oil pipeline disruption in Alaska sent prices at the pump screaming up above $3 per gallon. Some felt the need for a cash out refi, just to fill up the tank! And not coincidentally, mortgage rates spiked to their highest levels of the year – near 7% – due to the threat of increased inflation. Thankfully, prices have moderated – but the lesson is how delicate and volatile this area is, as well as how wide an impact that oil can have. That makes forecasting oil prices very challenging, but we can see oil in a $55 – $65 per barrel range, keeping prices at the pump hovering a little above $2 per gallon.

“The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

Mark Twain might have coined the phrase when his death was reported while he was still alive and well…but it is also a rather fitting phrase for the housing market of 2006. Many so-called “experts” had forecast a housing bubble bursting, a crash, big doom and gloom to grab headlines…the reality was an orderly slowdown, along with some price softening, which we see continuing in ’07. Last year, the softest areas included condos, investment properties and vacation homes, and as mentioned earlier, areas with weaker job markets. These areas will continue to soften, but markets that are predominantly owner-occupied with solid employment have and should continue to hold up well.

Reasonably priced homes continue to sell, although time on the market is longer than experienced a few years back – and this pace will continue this year. But look at the bright side of this. Remember how buyers complained that they could barely pull into the driveway of a house, let alone look around and think a few minutes, before having to write up an offer that was way above list price? The cooling off of an overheated market allows buyers to make more reasonable decisions, without rushing into something that may not be right for them, their family…or their budget.

And to help listing agents move their inventory, offer the strategy of a seller-paid 2/1 buydown. This offers a great way for a homebuyer to step into their house payment affordably, with the security of a Fixed Rate…and costs the seller less than a typical price reduction. This won’t be a “turnaround year” for housing, but it won’t be too bad, and we’ll expect to see a modest continuation of the slowdown. The bottom has probably not been reached quite yet, but we feel that we’re most of the way there.

Drum roll please…

And of perhaps the most interest – no pun intended – where do we see mortgage interest rates in 2007? Last years forecast was incredibly accurate, which called for rates to be above 6% and below 7%, with an average between 6.25% and 6.625%...which is exactly how the year played out. For 2007, we actually see interest rates slightly lower, within a range of 5.75% and 6.75%, with a sweet spot between 6.00% and 6.375%.

Opportunities for 2007

When Chairman Bernanke says there is a desperate “need for greater financial literacy” among consumers and home buyers, this should tell you that it’s time to get serious about being a mortgage planner. ARM’s adjusting, negative savings rates, insufficient life insurance, little to no estate planning, lack of college or retirement planning…all point to enormous opportunities for those who are prepared. If you haven’t done it already, get your CMPS designation (www.CMPSinstitute.org), because it will give you the knowledge and skills you need, and qualify you to form your own “wealth creation team”. The wealth creation team is your powerful network of financial professionals, including a financial planner, estate attorney, CPA, insurance agent…all in a position to help create wealth and security for your client and protect their financial future. Your clients need it – and so do your referral partners. Think of the powerful difference you can make in their lives. Developing a wealth creation team should be among the most important action items in your business plan for the coming year.

And finally, most importantly, we want you to take care of yourself first. So many originators are striving to help their clients create wealth and financial security – but haven’t yet taken the time to help themselves or their families first. Before you ask one more client about their will, their life insurance, their estate planning, their retirement planning, their debt management, or their college funds…ask yourself first, and take the necessary steps to get your own will, your own retirement planning on track, your own life insurance in place. Ask for help if you need it – what a great way to develop a terrific lasting bond with new referral partners – your own wealth creation team – then to go through the planning process yourself. Both Sue Woodard and I will be focusing on this in a brand new series of presentations we’ll be doing throughout the country in 2007…and we hope to see you there.

Not only should you understand the concepts of wealth creation better, and be able to advise your clients more clearly and professionally…you will have done the right thing for yourself and your family first. And really, who could wish for a better start to the New Year than that?

Summertime Eating Tips: - How to Look & Feel Your Best

Summertime Eating Tips: - How to Look & Feel Your Best

The desire to look good during the summer months hardly requires an explanation. Simply put, the weather gets warmer and the clothes get smaller. The bulky sweater that hid your midsection so well has been retired to the back of the closet, and your summer clothes aren't nearly as forgiving.

We all know that the key to looking your best is to exercise regularly and eat right. But for many, eating right is a vague concept with no clear boundaries and countless variables. That's where YOU Magazine comes in. We're alleviating the guesswork by providing you with some... ahem, digestible tips on proper eating.

What you are about to receive is not a diet. Instead, it's a collection of sound concepts that will improve your eating habits and, in turn, snap you into swimsuit shape.

Control Your Portions
Throughout the years, the average American meal has grown in size. From frozen dinners that boast huge servings, to fast food establishments upping the portions for an extra 30 cents, the temptation to gorge is everywhere. It is important not to buy into this.

Minimally speaking, the more calories you ingest, the more calories you will need to burn. But even more crucial are the scientific findings on calorie intake. It's been shown that on average, people who consume fewer calories live both longer and healthier lives.

Summer is the perfect time to start reducing the amount of food you eat. Heat and humidity are natural appetite suppressants so allow them to work to your advantage. Start your day off with fresh fruit and juices. For lunch, you'll want to stick with salads and healthy sandwiches or wraps.

When it comes to dinner, reduce your portions by one third. One trick is to divide your dinner plate in half. Fresh vegetables should take up one side of the plate. The other half should house equal portions of a lean protein and a complex carbohydrate. Use this visual to establish reasonably-sized, well-balanced dinner portions.

Try to limit any unconscious snacking in between meals. However, if your body is telling you it needs fuel, you need to honor the request. A good trick is to stock your kitchen with healthier snacks. Pre-cut raw veggies, fresh fruit, and nuts are three great choices for bridging the gap between meals.

Pace Yourself
Consciously remind yourself to eat slowly. Doing the opposite is one of the major causes of overeating. Once you've cleaned your plate, wait 5-10 minutes before helping yourself to seconds. Chances are you'll realize that your stomach is already full.

Eat Whole Foods
Eating whole foods, as opposed to processed foods, serves two purposes for controlling weight. For starters, whole foods actually have the ability to fill you up. This is largely due to the presence of dietary fiber, the indigestible portion of plant foods that move nutrients through the digestive system. Dietary fiber not only gives you the sensation of being full, it is highly important for maintaining proper health.

Processed foods are actually designed for overeating. The exaggerated tastes of savory and sweet, along with the lack of dietary fiber, allows for mass consumption.

The second benefit to eating whole foods is their ability to aid digestion. Simply put, our bodies want to process, or digest the food we ingest. The problem occurs when we introduce food that has already been processed. The calories exist but the nutrition is gone. These are known as empty calories, and they're perfect for packing on weight.

Stick to eating foods that are fresh or, at the very least, minimally processed. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables (many are at their best during summer), meats and fish, nuts, eggs, legumes and whole grain products. If it sounds boring, read the list again. It actually includes a large variety of food. If you're at a loss for what to prepare, consult websites like www.foodnetwork.com for healthy recipes.

You Are What You Drink
While it is important to keep your body properly hydrated in warm weather, it is equally important to be mindful of the beverages you consume. Soda, bottled fruit juice, and any drinks sweetened with sugar are all loaded with calories. Drinking several 8 oz. glasses of these in one day can equal the calories one would consume in a substantial snack.

The good news is that the best beverage for properly hydrating your body is also one of the least expensive. You guessed it – water. Keeping plenty of drinking water on hand at both home and work is a great way to avoid making a bad choice when you're parched.

Fruit juices are a better choice than either sodas or sweetened drinks, but they still contain a fair amount of sugar. Limit your consumption of these and try to stick with fresh-squeezed or bottled varieties consisting of 100% juice with no sugar added. Don't be afraid to dilute your fruit juice with a little purified water.

For a refreshing twist on plain water, try adding slices of lemon and cucumber to a pitcher of cold drinking water. Allow the pitcher to sit in the refrigerator for an hour and pour into a glass filled with ice. Another idea is to brew a large pot of herbal tea and allow it to chill in the fridge. Poured over ice and flavored with a squeeze of lemon, it is a healthy alternative to sweetened and caffeinated iced tea.

Limit Eating at Restaurants
Generally speaking, restaurants serve large portions of high caloric food. If you decide to dine out, commit yourself to looking for healthier choices on the menu. Upon being served, divide your meal into two equal portions. Eat half at the restaurant, and take the rest to go.

Write It Down
One of the best practices for maintaining awareness of what you eat is to keep a food journal. The journal can be nothing more than a pad of paper. The point is to write down everything you eat during the course of the day. Before you go to bed, review your recordings. The accountability that comes with reading your journal is a powerful force in helping you to make the right choices.

As you can see, eating "healthy" in order to stay fit does not mean you have to deprive yourself of food. All it requires is taking responsibility for the food you eat. Along with responsibility comes reward. The more regularly you practice sound eating habits, the less guilty you should feel about treating yourself to something decadent every so often.

Diets that count each and every calorie or control nutrients like fat and carbohydrates will most likely result in weight loss, but they do not make great lifelong eating plans. Oftentimes they result in the eventual return of any weight that was lost. Sticking to a set of sound eating concepts, on the other hand, is much easier. It satisfies your appetite, maintains good health, and keeps you looking and feeling great when it counts the most. Have a healthy and satisfying summer!

Buying or Selling a Home This Summer? - Here's What You Need to Know

Buying or Selling a Home This Summer? - Here's What You Need to Know

The summer months are traditionally a busy time for real estate. The school year has finally come to an end, giving families a perfect opportunity to relocate and start anew. This summer, however, promises different challenges than those of the recent past. With individual markets in a state of flux, the status of interest rates in question, and a bevy of loan products to choose from, the paradigm of how to buy or sell a home has definitely changed.

Regardless of which side of the transaction you may soon be facing, the staff at YOU Magazine thought that some expert advice would be helpful. So we went out and found two top real estate agents to share their insights. Agent one is representing the interest of the buyer. Agent two is acting on behalf of the seller. Together, they will give you a clear idea of what to expect this summer, as well as a game plan to make your real estate experience a positive one.

Home Buyer's Forecast
When it came to finding an agent to represent the buyer, one name kept popping up. Several real estate experts, as well as loan originators, suggested that we contact Chris Heller. He‘s an agent with Keller Williams in San Diego, California, and an 18-year veteran of the real estate industry.

Our first question to Mr. Heller was regarding the condition of this summer's market. Heller stated that he foresees a greater number of homes to choose from than ever before. From the perspective of a buyer's agent, this excites him for one reason – leverage during negotiations. He went on to say that a common misconception among buyers is that a market based on excess inventory means lower prices for homes. Heller claims that a house generally sells for what it's worth, despite the condition of the market at the time of the sale, although there are periodic bargains out there.

When it comes to interest rates, Mr. Heller expects them to be as good as, if not better than, they are right now. He claims the potential downside of purchasing a home this summer is that it could drop slightly in price when the New Year rolls around and sales tend to slow down. He advises that much of a consumer's decision as to whether to buy should hinge on how long they plan to stay in the home. In other words, if you see yourself in the home for a few years or more, there's no need to worry about a home's value 6 months from now.

Practical Tips for Buying
A positive real estate transaction starts with finding the right agent. Heller goes one step further by saying that it's very important to find an agent with experience, not just in the real estate industry, but also in negotiating within the type of market that you're looking to buy.

Speaking of negotiations, Heller says strength in this capacity is one of the most important attributes of a good agent. When obtaining referrals, be sure to ask about this facet of the agent's performance.

Look for an agent who is not only proactive, but also has the time and resources to give you what you need. When interviewing a buyer's agent, Heller suggests asking the following four questions:

1. How do you like working with homebuyers?

2. What do you do that's different from other agents?

3. What is your philosophy on negotiating?

4. Do you have references from recent transactions?


When talking to the agent's references, Heller suggests asking two questions:

1. Did the agent do what they said they would?

2. If you were buying again, would you choose the same agent?

Once you've decided on an agent, Mr. Heller says it's important to listen to what they have to say. You've hired them for a reason, now it's time to let them do their job. In turn, it's also important to be specific, telling your agent what you liked or didn't like about a home. Both of these practices will enable an agent to help narrow your search for the right home.

Mr. Heller also advises all of his clients to get pre-approved for a loan. This allows him to act from a position of strength during negotiations. He says that if obtaining pre-approval is a problem, then there's a good chance the buyer needs to focus on improving their credit. A good agent should be able to point you in the right direction for making that happen.

As we wrapped up our interview with Chris Heller, he offered a few closing tips. Prior to negotiating on a purchase, you'll want to decide the price you're willing to pay as well as the price that would cause you to walk away from a specific home. Heller also suggests, "If there's a house you really love, don't penny pinch." He says that settling on your second choice in order to save a few bucks will only lead to regrets.

The Seller's Forecast
Taking on the role of listing agent is long-time friend of YOU Magazine, Terry Moerler. With 27 years of experience in real estate, Moerler is a recognized international speaker as well as a bona fide expert on the subject of how to get homes to sell quickly.

We began Moerler's interview with the same question we posed to Chris Heller; what could sellers expect during this summer's real estate market? Moerler agrees with Heller's claim that more homes will be available than ever before. Ms. Moerler added that many of these homes will be sold due to some type of need and, unfortunately for the sellers, they could stay on the market longer than in years past.

When asked about these longer durations, Moerler says that aside from surplus inventory, this year's buyers are more cautious than ever before. She says, "Buyers are confused," and much of the confusion comes from media inundation regarding issues such as subprime foreclosures. That angle, she claims, is being blown somewhat out of proportion.

Moerler believes that longer selling times are part of a backlash from the recent seller's market. She claims that many sellers got caught up in the hype and subsequently overpriced their homes. While the majority of these homes eventually reduced in price, the result was a longer wait to sell.

Practical Tips for Selling
When looking for a quality listing agent, Moerler says there are three areas of importance. First and foremost is the agent's ability to properly price the home. Second, and in accordance with Heller's assertion, Moerler claims that the ability to negotiate is crucial. Lastly, she says that a good agent will correctly oversee the transaction, safeguarding the client from worry as well as unprotected risk.

Moerler says if you are truly serious about selling your home, then you need to prepare accordingly. She suggests that you begin by obtaining an early home inspection. This step is normally handled during the sales transaction but, by taking a proactive approach, sellers give themselves an advantage. Decisions can be made about whether to fix any problems prior to listing the home, or the seller may choose to simply disclose them to the buyer up front. Either way, it sends a positive message to the buyer and their agent.

For any homes that Moerler lists, she creates something known as a "House Book". Kept in a 3-ring binder, it is a collection of information about the home for sale as well as its surrounding community. Inspection papers, disclosures, HOA information, samples of utility bills, details about local schools and businesses, as well as a list of local attractions are all part of the information inside. This book is made available to any prospective buyers for viewing and is eventually given to the person who buys the home.

Another technique Moerler employs is to create a special finance package for the home. One such package is known as the "2-1 Buydown". This is where the sellers agree to use a small portion of the sale proceeds from their home to reduce the interest rate on the buyer's loan. The money in question can also be used to pay the buyer's closing costs. Moerler says this is an incredible way to set your home apart from other homes that are for sale at the same time.

When it comes to making a home's appearance more attractive, Moerler has no shortage of great advice. She suggests increasing your home's curb appeal by having a well-manicured front yard. Ms. Moerler also says that a fresh coat of paint, a clean front door, and pristine walkways and driveways are super-important. As she puts it, "A buyer decides if they like your home the second they step out of their car."

Stepping inside the home, Moerler says a cost-efficient way to increase its appeal is through the practice of staging. She defines staging as a de-personalization of a home, allowing prospective buyers to see it as their own. Moerler suggests starting with a reduction in your home's clutter. Aside from removing objects from countertops, she says a good rule of thumb is to remove one quarter of the belongings inside the home and storing them somewhere else. This will automatically make the home seem more open and airy.

Once the home has been de-cluttered, Moerler advises her clients to have their home professionally cleaned, including any carpets. The home not only needs to look clean but needs to smell clean as well. She says if the carpets are in bad shape, have them replaced as opposed to offering an allowance to the buyer. The appearance of new carpet far outweighs any monetary offer.

In terms of improvements that cost a little more money but provide more bang for the buck, Moerler likes the idea of painting the home's interior. She suggests sticking to neutral colors like beige or taupe. Also at the top of her list is the removal of acoustic (popcorn) ceilings, the addition of recessed lighting, and the replacement of old windows. Moerler says that sellers underestimate the importance of windows and reminds us that they are the only view to the outside of your home.

Like Mr. Heller, Moerler advises sellers to adopt the proper mindset. Simply speaking, your home could take longer to sell than you initially thought, despite what anyone has told you. That's not to say, however, that feedback as to why it may not be selling isn't important. Moerler likes prospective buyers to fill out questionnaires as to what they liked and didn't like about a specific home. She shows the unfiltered information to the seller so that the proper adjustments, if any, can be made. Moerler also reminds her sellers not to take any negative information too personally.

Lastly, Ms. Moerler likes to revisit her selling strategy with a homeowner on a monthly basis. In between those sessions, she advises the seller to look at other homes for sale in their neighborhood and find out what people are saying. Then ask yourself one question. Are these houses more or less attractive than yours? The goal here is to make your home the most attractive one on the market.

Chris Heller has been ranked as one of the top ten Keller Williams agents (among over 77,000 agents nationally) for the last 3 years. He can be reached at Chris@HellertheHomeSeller.com.

Terry Moerler ranks in the top 1% of real estate agents in the nation. She is currently a broker and consultant, as well as the operating principal at Keller Williams in Westlake Village, California. She can be contacted at Terry@TheMoerlerTeam.com.

Read Between the Lines: - What Your Handwriting Says About You

Read Between the Lines: - What Your Handwriting Says About You

Everyone's handwriting is different. Some of us write using flowing cursive while others print in large, block letters. Where one person's handwriting may be completely legible, another's may resemble a Rorschach® ink blot. But what do these differences really tell us? According to Bart Baggett, a professional handwriting analyst and a teacher on the subject, handwriting can reveal a lot about the personality of the author.

Bart's career as a handwriting analyst began during a car trip to summer camp when he was 14 years old. At the time, Bart's father (also a handwriting analyst) was taking his first course in the subject of graphology. During the car ride, he asked Bart to provide him with a writing sample. Bart obliged, and what happened next would change his life forever.

Bart says, "It really scared me," referring to the accuracy of his father's analysis. Bart recalls that his father was able to tell him about aspects of his inner thinking that they had never discussed before. In Bart's words, "He really nailed it!"

Bart was so impressed that he asked to borrow one of his father's textbooks during his time away at summer camp. Bart not only read the book, he used the information to analyze the handwriting of his fellow campers. He says the results were nothing short of amazing.

"I found myself connecting and empathizing with fellow campers." He went on to say, "Everyone from bullies to the popular girls became my friends." He recalls how his relationships with these people changed because of the things (both positive and negative) he was able to tell them about themselves. "I won the trophy for best camper that year," Bart says proudly.

Fast-forward several decades to the present and both Bart and his father are renowned experts on the subject of graphology or handwriting analysis. Both of them speak publicly on the subject and are recognized as expert legal witnesses for authenticating signatures and handwriting. The father/son team has also gone on to start an online school for aspiring analysts as well as author several textbooks that are used in classrooms around the world.

A Little History
According to Baggett, the first teachings on the subject of handwriting analysis date back to a Spanish manuscript from 1662. He says that a lot has transpired since then, with much of the research being done by the French. To this day, France is still the biggest proponent of graphology. Baggett says, "You can't even get a job in France without submitting a handwriting sample."

The origin of the French's enthusiasm can be traced to a book written in 1912 by countryman, Paul de Sainte Colombe, titled Grapho-Therapeutics. Colombe not only believed that specific pen strokes correlated to personality traits, but also that you could change your behavior by simply changing your handwriting.

Although Baggett is commonly hired to help victims of fraud obtain justice, he is sincerely devoted to teaching others how to understand personality through handwriting analysis. He says it allows you to better relate to your spouse, your children and your business associates. When you hear Baggett speak about the science of handwriting analysis, you can hear the joy in his voice as he truly sees this as a way to connect to people. That's not to say, however, that he doesn't enjoy the attention he receives socially for having mastered this skill.

Personality Profiling
Baggett believes that handwriting analysis is the most succinct personality test available, claiming, "Handwriting sheds light on anything you would describe as a personality trait." This includes everything from whether an individual is an introvert or extrovert to whether they are generally truthful or dishonest. While he says there are 140 different pen strokes that correlate to individual personality traits, he reminds us that interpreting the data successfully depends on the skill of the analyst.

When asked if someone's handwriting has ever turned up anything truly disturbing, he relayed the following story:

Baggett was working with a star pupil in Dallas when he decided to put the student's acumen to an unbiased test. Mr. Baggett, along with his personal assistant, accompanied the student to a bar where the trio struck up a conversation with some fellow patrons on the subject of graphology.

A young couple who had just begun dating volunteered to have their handwriting analyzed. The couple gave writing samples, and what Baggett and his pupil observed was shocking. Baggett says that when he looked at the handwriting of the male, there were several indications of severe personality issues. Baggett says, "In one writing sample, he displayed tendencies of dishonesty, paranoia, ill-temper, anger towards women, and pure aggression."

Baggett says he and his pupil were somewhat at a loss as to what to do or say. The young female then excused herself to the restroom. She hadn't been gone 10 seconds when the male looked at Baggett and threatened that if he told the girl anything bad, he was going to have a big problem. Baggett says on one hand, his analysis seemed to be quite accurate. On the other hand, he was now stuck in a very awkward situation.

Luckily, Baggett was able to non-verbally communicate with his female assistant who met up with the girl before returning from the restroom, warning her of what had just happened.

Baggett says that this story is a bit of an anomaly and, for the most part, handwriting analysis is less about diagnosing psychosis than it is about helping your relationships. He says when it comes to communicating with people in a way they're receptive to, it is an incredible tool.

Legal Applications
In terms of his courtroom testimony as an expert witness, Baggett states that there are two types of cases he sees all the time. The first involve trusts that have been amended by a relative of the benefactor. Many times he is brought in to analyze the signatures of the deceased to determine whether the amendment is either legitimate or a fraud. Baggett advises anyone who is in the process of amending a trust to videotape the benefactor as they sign the document. Otherwise it could be your word against his testimony.

Another type of case he frequently sees has to do with real estate transactions where there are many documents requiring signatures from the client. He says there are times when the client will instruct the agent to sign their name on a document as opposed to coming in to the office to do it themselves. Baggett says that the problem occurs if the transaction goes bad and the client claims he or she never signed a particular document. He advises all real estate professionals to have their clients sign everything themselves.

Tips to Get You Started
Before concluding our interview, we asked Mr. Baggett if he had any specific handwriting tips he could easily share with us. Here's what he told us:

1. People who write in very large script tend to be very friendly as well as social.

2. How you cross your Ts is an indicator of self-esteem. People who cross lower on the vertical line tend to have a fear of risk and likewise underachieve. People who cross higher on the vertical line tend to be more ambitious and driven.
(View Example)

3. The length on the lower loop of Ps, Ys and Gs relates to one's physicality. People who make longer loops tend to be more physically fit. On the contrary, people with shorter loops oftentimes are physically compromised in one way or another.
(View Example 1, Example 2)

4. Os are the easiest way to tell honesty and candor. People who tend to be blunt and straightforward write perfect Os. People who are less straightforward tend to leave a loop at the top of the O. (View Example)

5. People who write in block print tend to be very masculine. Many times these people are guarded emotionally and can be hard to get to know.

6. People who write larger loops in lower-case, cursive Ds have a tendency to be defensive. These people also tend to be overly responsive to compliments and approval. (View Example)

7. People who write pointier Ms and Ns tend to make faster decisions and are less patient with those who are indecisive. People who round these letters are generally more methodical. (View Example)

To learn more about Bart Baggett, log on to www.myhandwriting.com/media. For more information about Bart's online classes log on to www.handwritinguniversity.com or www.handwritinganalysis.org. Bart can also be emailed directly at bartbaggett@sbcglobal.net.