I am not affiliated with the club in any way, but I wanted to give it a little plug on the site because it is easily the best REI club I have ever attended.

The Post had an expose on this over the winter... these firms are farming the legal work to affiliated layers who were charging ridiculous legal fees, I presume for a kick-back.

(Note: I have no affiliation to and not promoting this firm - just like the article :)http://www.goldentax.com/4838/A-Twist-For-Home-Sal...

@Rhonda Dietz I'm not an affiliate and don't have a referral code, Rhonda, but thanks for thinking of me.

(I have no affiliation with Veterans United or military.com, and I am not promoting them, but they have some good general info about VA loans at the links above)

Make sure to find one that has no commitment monthly membership options and an affiliate referral program :) 

below is right from the Fannie Mae selling guideNon-Arm's Length Transactions Non-arm's length transactions are purchase transactions in which there is a relationship or business affiliation between the seller and the buyer of the property.

[POST REMOVED BY ADMIN - USER IS AFFILIATED WITH THE COMPANY THEY WERE PROMOTING AND POSTED AS THOUGH THEY WERE NOT]

No matter what I do, I'm told I must be affiliated with California because of state law here, and I cannot get out of the California Franchise Tax Board fee (~$850/year).  

It works out well for me since my only cost is for the license itself and a small fee to the agency I am affiliated with.