A service that allows Realtors® to check their own FICO® score and overall credit health at a discount is available through Fair, Isaac and Company, a new REALTOR VIPSM Alliance Program partner of the National Association of Realtors®.

Fair, Isaac invented the FICO® score, the credit risk score used by most mortgage lenders to help decide who gets new loans and at what terms.

Through this new partnership, NAR members will receive discounts on several Fair, Isaac products that deliver actionable credit information online. In addition, Realtors® will be able to recommend Fair, Isaac products to their customers and educate them on the important role that credit scoring plays in obtaining a home loan. Fair, Isaac will also offer online educational seminars for Realtors® to increase their knowledge of credit scoring. Realtors can receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of Score PowerTM, the score explanation product developed jointly by Fair, Isaac and

Equifax that delivers their current FICO® score, a personalized score explanation and analysis, and the Equifax credit report, on which the score was based.

A second product available to Realtors® at a 5 percent discount is myFICOSM Credit Advantage. It provides six Score Power reports over the next 12 months as well as quarterly e-mail reminders to consumers to check their Score Power report for possible changes.

"Being able to instruct homebuying prospects early about the importance of FICO® scores in the mortgage origi nation process will allow Realtors® to better assist their customers," said Bob Goldberg, NAR senior vice president of marketing and business development who heads the REALTOR VIPSM Program.

"Realtors® can earn a high level of trust and satisfaction from clients and help guide them through a confusing and sensitive part of the homebuying process. By encouraging the use of Fair, Isaac products, NAR members can also help their clients avoid unpleasant surprises caused by credit problems," Goldberg said.

"Realtors® will personally benefit from discounted access to their FICO® scores and credit information," said Sue Simon, vice president of myFICO for Fair, Isaac. "In addition, by learning more about credit scoring, they also will be in a great position to help their clients improve their own credit outlook and qualify for better loans. Since our consumer products use the same FICO® scores that lenders use on more than 75 percent of mortgage originations, Realtors® and clients alike will get proven guidance they can put to use immediately."

To educate Realtors® about credit scoring and how to help their homebuying clientele get into the best credit shape possible, Fair, Isaac is providing a series of Web cast seminars titled "Credit Scoring 101" through its Web site, http://www.myfico.com/NAR. The company will also provide Realtors® with a package of Web content for consumers on credit scoring and credit management to integrate into their consumer Web sites. Members will be able to download and use this material at their discretion free of charge.

NAR members enjoy the benefits of NAR's REALTOR VIPSM Program, which is designed to help Realtors gain the advantages of group buying power, plan for the future, and expand their professional knowledge through its more than 50 publications and educational offerings. The more than 30 REALTOR VIPSM strategic alliance partners, which make up the program, are leaders in their industries and committed to providing NAR members with special offerings tailored to their needs.