A roundup of real-estate books

"Protect Yourself From Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud: Preserving the American Dream of Homeownership" by Ralph R. Roberts and Rachel Dollar (Kaplan Publishing, $19.95). This book serves as a thorough guide to how real-estate fraud can occur, ways to avoid it and the damage it can do to individuals and neighborhoods. Some of the schemes explained here — all described in clear terms — are mortgage-elimination schemes, predatory lending, Ponzi or pyramid schemes and phony deeds.

"Rent to Own: Use Your Rent Money to Get Started Owning Real Estate" by Robert Irwin (McGraw Hill, $16.95). A variety of methods for buying a home and enjoying the tax benefits instead of paying rent are outlined in this very pro-ownership book. Chapters explain lease options, mortgage qualification, methods for buying foreclosed properties, strategies for negotiating prices, first-time buyer programs and more.

"Mortgage Myths: 77 Secrets That Will Save You Thousands on Home Financing" by Ralph R. Roberts and Chip Cummings (Wiley, $17.95). This highly organized book corrects misinformation and tells would-be buyers how to go about getting and handling a mortgage. Prepayment, licensing and state regulation of mortgage brokers, seller financing and many more topics are carefully explained. The book includes a list of regulatory agencies and a definition of mortgage terms.

"The Fearless Home Seller: Razzi's Rules for Staying in Control of the Deal" by Elizabeth Razzi (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $16.95). For sellers worried about the state of the real-estate market, the author gives tips in six categories for easing the strain, including ways to prepare the house for sale, dealing with brokers — or not — and saying goodbye to your house once the sale is complete.