Is Your Home Redy to Show?

So you put your house on the market, you're ready to get that thing sold!  You just sit back and wait for the hoardes of buyers to come through and one will buy, just like that?  No.

A good test is to get a friend to come over, one who doesn't come over often, and give you their opinion.  Would they buy your home?  Doesn't it look appealing?  Clean?  Inviting?  And then ACT on their advice.

 One of the most common complaints is that homes have too much clutter.  Most buyers don't have the ability to see past the "stuff" and just look at the house.  So, you, the home owner must present your home in the best possible light.  You need to get rid of the "stuff".  Less is more. 

The best way to get rid of the clutter is to throw out, give away, or sell what you don't need.  If that is not possible, get a temporary storage unit and put as much as you can in there, just keeping minimal furniture and personal items in the house.  What personal items you do keep in the house (i.e. jewelry, toiletries, figurines) should be kept in cabinets, drawers, closets, etc. 

And most importantly, keep your home clean.

Credit Score Myth Busters!

There are many misconceptions about what effects a credit score. Here are a few myths about what effects your credit score:


1. Bouncing a check. A returned check for insufficient funds in your checking account will not reduce your credit score. Information from your bank accounts is not reported to any of the credit bureaus, thus it has no effect on your credit score.

2. Checking your credit report. Checking your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com once a year from each of the three credit bureaus will not only not effect your credit score, but it is a wise idea. This credit check will not be a ding on your credit and it will help you keep an eye on what is on your report and what shape your credit is in. Do not buy into any of the scams that make you sign up for a service and spend money. AnnualCreditReport.com is all you need to know.

3. You need to get rid of all of your debt. Wrong! You need to show that you have some ongoing, current credit. It is wise to have at least one credit card and use it once a month and pay it off or make on time payments each month, to show that you have active credit.

4. Pay off your mortgage. Again… wrong. It’s good to have a mortgage; it shows you have assets and equity. It provides a lot of leverage in the credit world.

There are many more myths and tips. It is wise to speak with a credit specialist such as a banker or mortgage broker if you have concerns or questions on your credit. Your best offense is to find out your credit score and consult a financial expert with questions.