Takara's Blog

Classy Condo! Georgetown Condominums! 2470 Cranden DR SE; Grand Rapids,MI 49506

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:42:25 -0500

$75,900.00~Short Sale

3 Marketable Things Sellers Should Take Note Of

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:51:31 -0500

Basements (Consider Finishing Them):

After previewing various types of homes with buyers, I am amazed that some sellers didn’t get a chance to finish their basements prior to selling. I’ve seen plenty of magnificent homes on the market which did not have a finished basement & it sort of killed the deal for certain buyers.

I believe that finishing the basement is one of the best investments you can make, even if you have to break it up into phases in order to fit it into your budget. Sellers; if you have a great home that shows well, buyers will head down to the basement and display some disappointment when they find an unfinished basement. Also, there are buyers who won’t even look at your home if the listing says unfinished basement.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some buyers who may prefer to have an unfinished basement so they can have the ability to customize it the way they like it. However; sellers will have to price their homes to reflect the fact of not having a basement. I saw 3 comparable homes in the same neighborhood, 2 of them had an unfinished basement, & 1 of them did. They were all priced the same! Who do you think the winning seller would be?

Pets:

Listing agents, if your seller has pets such as a cat or a dog, you should advise them to put them up for scheduled showings. There are some buyers who may have allergies or simply don’t like the idea of having pets around them during showings. I love certain pets, but not everyone shares the same love; especially if they have had a bad experience associated with pets. I did a showing & this black cat jumped out of nowhere! The buyers did not like that at all.

3.5 bathrooms & only 1 tub??

Don’t be surprised if buyers want to see more than one tub; especially in 3.5 bathrooms. If it is a big family, they liked to have a tub for the kids and possibly a tub in the master suite. This hasn’t been necessarily a deal breaker; however it has been looked upon favorably particularly homes that are priced 190k and up.

Ravishing Ranch! 1805 Clearbrook ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:25:16 -0600

This lovely 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath; ranch style home comes with class, style, and grace. I was very happy to see the homeowners had obviously taken pride in their home. They will now have the privilege to pass their blessing of a beautiful home that is modestly priced at 144,900, to a lucky buyer. This house is move-in ready, even the roof is less than one year old! It's located in a nice quiet neigborhood on the borderline of Kentwood & Grand Rapids!

When I first walked inside of this home, I instantly saw a beautiful living room. It was picture perfect with a marvelous marble fireplace that serves as a great conversational piece while enjoying the great comfort of a warm welcoming feel of the room. The plush carpet felt very comfortable on my feet, I certainly felt at peace.

The dining room area is an awesome area for family meals. This intimate space has been created too enjoy a great meal with people that are near and dear you. The dining room also comes with nice updated carpeting. You can also see the kitchen, which will come with all of the appliances. It has great flooring along with updated corain countertops.

The den/family room can be used to sit & lounge while enjoying your favorite movie. It can also be a room utilized for reading or studying! Either way it is a good area to kick back & relax after a long hard day.

You can easily step out from the den onto the beautiful three-season room, a fun place to hang out & entertain guests especially during those days when it's nice and sunny! Let's not forget about the sensational swimming pool, which you have access to FREE WATER for the pool. Ask for more detail!

The main bathroom has been upgraded with a jumping, jazzy, Jacuzzi bathtub. You can come home from work, put on a soothing jazzy CD, turn on the bubbles and jump in! This beautiful bathroom also has an upgraded 2-person stand-in shower right next to the Jacuzzi tub. The bathroom has 2 doors. One door leads to the main hallway, while the other door will lead you into the master suite/bedroom.

The full, fancy, finished basement comes with a lot of space. There are 3 significant components to the basement. The main area of the basement can be used as a great entertainment site. It's decked out wet bar along with a great lounge should be the icing on the cake to seal the deal on this house. The basement also has great office space, an area for exercising, as well a laundry room. Schedule your showing today, to see what else this house can offer you and your family! This property is subject to short sale approval.

2042 Huizen SW~Wyoming,MI~Charming 2 bedroom home!

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:58:25 -0600

For Virtual Tour, please click on the following: www.realestateshows.com/show.php?mls=strict&id=364436

Takara Taylor | AUDU Real Estate | 616.791.0511

2042 Huizen SW, Wyoming, MI

Great 2 bedroom home in Wyoming,MI! 10k price reduction!

2BR/1BA Single Family House

offered at $50,000

Year Built	1927
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	4,680 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Looking for a charming,cozy, well maintained home? Let the old world charm of this home draw you in. The spacious front porch is a great space for lounge furniture or a card table. Perfect for relaxing in summer & fall. The living room entrance is framed by a custom arch which divides the living area from the large formal dining room. Both living areas feature nicely burnished hardwood floors. Included in this deal are newer appliances in the kitchen and ample storage and counter space, PLUS central air conditioning, a newer hot water heater and large shed. The cul de sac ends at a bike trail which leads to Pinery Park. What's not to love! Great Value & Price.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Living room
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Basement	Washer	Dryer
Laundry area - inside

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Property is subject to short sale

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Contact info:

Takara Taylor

AUDU Real Estate

616.791.0511

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 21, 2009, 7:45pm PST

Rent That House!

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:14:44 -0600

"Rent That House in 2009" by Takara Taylor, AUDU Real Estate

As people are beginning to re-think their approach on how to be successful as an active participant in the real estate arena, it's sort of a no-brainer to discover the "Flip That House" error is slowly depleting during these economical times. That is my way of putting it mildly. Being here in Michigan, I feel it is depleting rather quickly, but there is always room for great positivity to take over by crafting a constructive niche during this transition in the market.

Now is the time to seriously think about establishing the old-fashion niche in the "Rental Market." It is time to start creating a "Rent that House" movement until we begin to see a bright light at the end of this tunnel. I know this concept may seem to be the least desirable for some people, especially to those who never really like the idea of being a Landlord, but instead of focusing on real estate as a short-term investment, let's look at it from a long-term stand point.

Buying and Holding a property is actually a great idea for those who are not looking to instantly obtain huge returns. When done properly, one should be able to purchase an investment property and receive cash flow on a monthly basis. In an appreciating area/or region, some may be ok with breaking even every month or having some overhead in the beginning , with the goal to eventually see an increased return over time.

In reality, here in Michigan, we are not in an appreciating market. The great thing is, you can certainly purchase an investment property way below value, so in actuality, your chances of receiving monthly cash flow can be very high in this market. Just make sure you are keeping up with the current "rental market" in the area you wish to invest in, to make sure your bottom makes sense and also cents!

Before one decides to get into the business of renting out property to tenants, it's important to understand the need to run the orchestration as a business. A lot of people get into the land lording business and don't understand that the goal is to be profitable. Some people are entranced by the idea of "owning a property" and not "running" it. If you are a new investor it is best that you do your homework and develop a system or a business plan. Here are some of the things you will need to ask yourself:

How much monthly cash flow do you intend to make?
What type of system will you use to qualify tenants? Will you accept Section 8 or no? Did you know that if you intend on being a Section 8 Landlord, you will need to have your property inspected and up to code before you can accept Section 8. Check your local government or state's website for guidelines. You can also check with your local housing commission.
If you need to begin an eviction process, do you know where to go or what documents to file?
Who's going to look after your property? Will you use a property management team or do you intend to manage your property on your own?
Do you have emergency cash reserves for those sudden things that could go wrong with the property? THIS IS HUGE!

Land of the Tenants

When you finally make the decision to invest in real estate, and you join the Land of the Landlords & Tenants, there are few basic things that I would like to share with you as you embark on your journey. I would like to discuss the different types of tenants you should be aware of.

One of the basic things I have learned when coming across tenants is that some of them will either be headed towards a life storm, living in a storm, or maybe just coming out of one. That's just how life works for some people, no matter how much money they have or don't have. The role of a landlord is to first do research towards figuring out what point in life did you and your potential tenant connect! Remember, you are to treat this business as a business; there is little room for sad stories. The tenant will either fit YOUR criteria or not. If they don't qualify, don't try to make a miracle happen. Trust me I've been there.

Scenerio: Tenant comes to you ready and willing to move in with cash in hand. This particular tenant will present as if they currently have everything in there life together. You may have a vague understanding of why they are moving from where they were before. If you are a desperate landlord needing to occupy the place; they will convince you they have it together with little information about them. They move in; they pay the first two months, you're happy. And here it comes...you go to the mailbox and no rent money.(True Story) They call you and say..."I lost my job, because my employer found out about my criminal record, from a domestic dispute between my boyfriend and I" You can pretty much figure out what happened from there...led to eviction and LOSING even more money; along with having to cover the mortgage. Do your homework on every single tenant, it will save you money.

It is best to try to catch good tenants who are out of the storm; especially a financial storm. Their storm will affect you and your business. It is quite understood that people get in a temporary bind; but you should always start the eviction process sooner than later. The tenant will still have some time to get it together. I would say it is ok to be more lenient towards a tenant who has rented your property for 2 years versus someone who has been there only 3 months and already having problems paying rent.

Always keep in mind that when you're assessing tenants; it's about their past history and their current status. Everything may seem great but who knows what the future may hold. Have a system in place so you're not losing time and money on those unforeseen circumstances. Once you're close to the finalization of getting a tenant out of the home; start advertising for a new tenant right away.

Landlording can be a lucrative business but don't make the mistake by investing blindly. Make sure the home you are purchasing comes with equity. Know your rental market. Don't obtain a $900 a month mortgage on a home that rents out for $800. That means you are already behind in the game.

In closing; property holders can make a nice amount of money over a period of time. It's about buying at the right time, which is now. It's also about finding the right tenant to support your financial plan and knowing how to aggressively deal with the issues that may come up along the way! I would recommend reading books by Robert Kiyosaki and I definitely recommend the ABC's of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy.

Lastly, keep in mind that once you own your rental properties free and clear, the money comes to you directly as great passive income! If you can buy home cash, while still having a nice savings account; your plan could work out even better. So Investors, IT'S TIME RENT THAT HOUSE!

For Investors looking to invest in the Grand Rapids area and you don't have a Realtor, don't hesitate to email me at tksellshouses@gmail.com call 800-541-3378 for more information. There are houses available under 30k if you are looking for inexpensive homes!

Open House in Bailey's Grove Sunday 9/7/08 2pm Check it Out!

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:31:41 -0500

Open House on Sunday September 7, 2008 from 2pm-5pm.

5497 W.Heathwood, Kentwood, MI 49512

Visit http://www.realestateshows.com/show.php?mls=basic&id=322686 for a tour!

"Going Green" in Grand Rapids

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:06:19 -0500

The applied concept of going green in Grand Rapids seems to be gaining a lot of publicity these days. Much awareness has been developed around "Going Green" as a way to enhance the way we live. What does it mean to go green? Well, from what I gathered after reading several articles and watching the news, it is basically a way to address the issues surrounding around our global climate which has been a growing concern.

The City of Grand Rapids has been working really hard to promote an eco-friendly environment. According to a recent article written in the Grand Rapids Press; the author Deborah Cook mentioned that the city has been" tied with fourth in the nation of citied with total LEED Buildings.

What is LEED? LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It was initiated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Many "Green "building projects involve a certification process provided by LEED. According to the USGBC, LEED "promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality."

Many houses, condos, schools, municipal, and commercial buildings have been made eco-friendly. Places such as The Rapid (transportation company, first LEED certification in Michigan), the Grand Rapids Water/Environmental Services, and the New Grand Rapids Art Museum to name a few have "gone green"!

Grand Rapids currently has 8 schools that have been green built and 5 of them are seeking LEED certification, and Sibley Elementary has already been certified.

This trend is expected to grow in years to come, which makes Grand Rapids an even more attractive place to live! "Let's Go Green Grand Rapids" More home builders are incorporating building green houses into their business. In my opinion, it will not be very long before real estate agents will be able to market more and more of this type of home as it appears to be a good asset for buyers to have.

Also, side note, If you don't recycle, please consider it as a part of your life as a way to show that your truly care about your environment. Here in Kentwood, MI, we have recycle days twice a month which is great. My husband went out and got 2 containers for recyclables and we now make a conscious effort to use the service! If your trash removal service doesn't have a recycle program, start one!

Beautiful Home in Kentwood Just Listed (Bailey's Grove)

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:01:28 -0500

Takara Taylor | 616-541-2312

5497 W Heathwood DR SE, Kentwood, MI

Don't Dream a Dream...Buy One! You will love this Delightful eyeful of a home located in popular Bailey's Grove. One of the largest homes on the block

6BR/3.5BA Single Family House

offered at $269,900

Year Built	1998
Sq Footage	3,000
Bedrooms	6
Bathrooms	3 full, 1 partial
Floors	3
Parking	3 Car garage
Lot Size	9,100 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This house is priced way below it's value. In a seller's market this home would be priced around 300k. The home is move in ready. No repairs are needed. This house looks almost brand new.
One of the largest homes on the block with 6 Bedrooms, and 3 full baths, this home has all the finer touches for Added Value! The imposing columnar entrance opens up to 18' foot soaring ceilings in the Great Room and solid wood floors in the entryway. Quality touches abound throughout with classic French doors which create an expansive flow. Extra plush carpeting, solid surface counter tops, custom built-in bookshelves, a large Bay window and a 6-8 person hot tub on the deck make this home a must see. The exterior landscaping features many lovely perennials in full bloom. The walkout level downstairs is great for teenagers, but could also be a nice in-law apartment as there are 4 very nice sized bedrooms upstairs. The 3 car attached garage and downstairs custom cedar closet provide a variety of storage options. Bailey's Grove is one of Kentwood's premier lifestyle communities with a community pool, private park, community center and walking/bike trails.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Living room	Bonus/Rec room
Office/Den	Dining room	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Granite countertop
Basement	Washer	Dryer
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Clubhouse

Swimming pool(s)

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Takara Taylor

616-541-2312

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Aug 14, 2008, 6:05pm PDT

Embracing Diverse Neighborhoods

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:54:06 -0500

I really enjoy the neighborhood I live in. It's a cute well kept subdivision located in the Greater Grand Rapids Area. If you were to take a nice walk around my neighborhood, you may see people of many different races or cultural backgrounds. For the most part I have seen some Asian-American, Caucasian, Hispanics, African-American, and people from India. It's absolutely great! Every year my neighbors across the street will have a picnic/potluck and invite everyone on the street to chit chat and let the kids play. Next year I'll take pictures! I feel it's important for my son to grow up this way, and it's the same way that I grew up. It can make us more well-rounded people. You'd be surprised how much you may have in common with your neighbors who may be a different race. That's just my 2 cents.

101 Tips for a Smoother Home-Buying Process

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:10:29 -0500

Preliminary Considerations

1. Learn the home buying process in advance. You'll make much better decisions with a better understanding of the process.

2. Learn the lingo while you're at it (especially all the mortgage terms). You'll have a smoother home buying experience if you "speak the language."

3. Obtain your credit report. To get copies from all three credit bureaus at once, visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

4. Review your credit report. Make sure there are no errors. Check everything from the administrative information to the credit history.

5. Fix errors quickly. If you find an error on your credit report, go to the company's website where the report came from (TransUnion, Equifax or Experian) to contest it. Don't delay.

6. Run the numbers. Use an online mortgage calculator to get an idea how various mortgage amounts translate into monthly payments.

7. Check your debt-to-income ratio. Mortgage lenders prefer your overall debt to be no more than 20% of your net monthly income. If your debt is more, pay it down as quickly as possible.

8. Start saving your cash. Mortgage lenders like to see that you have some cash reserves on hand, and you'll need them for any unexpected fees or costs that might arise.

9. Get pre-qualified. Pre-qualification is an informal review of your finances by a mortgage lender to see what amount you might qualify for.

10. Avoid new lines of credit. Don't sign up for new credit cards or make any large credit purchases while you're "under review" by a mortgage lender.

11. Add HomeBuyingInstitute.com to your Internet favorites or bookmarks. Few websites contain as much helpful home buying information for first-time buyers.

Finding a Real Estate Agent

12. Ask friends or family. People who know you well are in the best position to recommend an agent who is right for you.

13. Talk to multiple agents. Don't think you have to sign on with the first agent you meet.

14. Ask how they search. Make sure your agents is going to use every means possible to find the right home for you. That means using the MLS in addition to their preferred listings.

15. Ask how they network. An experienced agent will often be part of a vast network of real estate professionals. This can sometimes help you find a home before it's even listed.

16. Ask about mortgage connections. It will save you time and headache if your agent can point you toward a good mortgage company.

17. Read paperwork carefully. At some point, your chosen agent will ask you to sign an agency agreement. It's usually a boilerplate document, but be sure to read it carefully all the same.

18. Consider the "vibe" factor. You might be working with this person anywhere from 2 to 12 months, so it certainly helps if you like them on a personal level.

19. Exchange cell phone numbers. You should have your agents cell number in your wallet, and vice versa. You don't want to miss an opportunity simply because you couldn't be reached.

House Hunting

20. Create a "need vs. want" list. Make a spreadsheet or checklist of the things you need in a home, versus the things you want. Print a copy for each house you visit and check items off.

21. Practice self-reliance. Don't over-rely on your agent when it comes to finding a home. Get out there and do some hunting yourself. It's a necessity, but it's also exciting!

22. Use multiple channels. The more channels you use to search for a home, the better. Read the newspaper, cruise the neighborhoods, and surf the web.

23. Use the Internet to your full advantage. Bookmark the real estate listing sites you find most helpful. Visit them once a day and write down new homes that meet your criteria.

24. Create a Google Alert. Visit Google's home page, click on "More" and find the Google Alerts. Enter real estate phrases for your area, and you'll get daily updates with news and info.

25. Feel free to snoop (sort of). When house hunting, it's okay to peek into dark corners, basements, storage sheds and the like. Respect the owner's privacy, but see the whole house.

26. Ask plenty of questions. Don't be shy about asking the sellers questions, if they're home.

27. Validate the asking price. It's called an "asking price" for a reason. Compare it to recent sales in the area. Your agent should be expert at this.

28. Consider shopping, dining and the like. Is the home near the places you frequent, or will it be a long drive?

29. Consider the commute. If you're a daily commuter, distance is a big consideration.

30. Visit during rush hour. Is the home hard to access or exit during rush hour? Is there a lot of traffic noise?

31. Check out the zoning. Are you surrounded by residential areas, or is there a soon-to-be-used commercial zone right across the street?

32. Research the neighborhood, not just the house. Neighborhoods impact property value as well as your own happiness.

33. Research taxes. Sometimes, two neighborhoods right across the street from one another will have different tax situations. Don't make assumptions.

34. Research future development. Will that nice meadow down the street be a highway extension or shopping mall in two years?

35. Bring a "disinterested witness." A level-headed friend or family member will help you judge the pros and cons of each home.

36. Avoid "The One" syndrome. Don't pull up to a home and say, "This is the one!" It might be, but you need to be cool-headed and open-minded during your first visit.

37. Bring a digital camera. It's a great way to record the details of each home for later review.

38. Bring a notepad. Jot down some notes about each home, and label each page by address.

39. Ask about ghosts, poltergeists or other forms of haunting. Just kidding.

40. Think five years ahead. Will the home still suit your needs if your family grows?

41. Play home inspector, casually. The full inspection will come later, but you should at least give the "big ticket" items (roof, heating system, etc.) a glance when visiting.

42. Keep an eye out for mold, standing water and other symptoms of disrepair.

43. Research schools. This is important whether or not you have school-aged children. Schools affect property values.

Making an Offer

44. Base your offer on evidence, not emotion. Remember, the lender will appraise the home later on. If it appraises for less than you've agreed to pay, you'll have problems.

45. Use your agent's experience. It might be your first offer, but your agent has probably seen dozens.

46. Discuss contingencies. Will your offer be contingent upon something, like the sale of your current home?

47. Prepare for all possible responses. What will you do if the seller makes a counteroffer or rejects your offer outright? Conduct "rehearsals" for each scenario.

48. Move quickly (but cautiously) in seller's market. Delays can cause a home to slip through your fingers.

49. Plan the closing date. This will normally be agreed upon during the offer process.

Choosing a Mortgage

50. Study the different types of mortgages, especially the pros and cons of each.

51. Consider your staying time. How long you plan to stay in a home will often determine which type of home loan is best for you.

52. Learn about new mortgage packages. A variety of "creative financing" loans have emerged in recent years. Learn about them.

53. Shop for the best interest rate. Mortgage lenders will offer different rates based on how comfortable they are lending to you. So shop around.

54. Read up on RESPA. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act protects you from unethical lenders. Familiarize yourself with it.

55. Consider paying points. A point is one percent of the loan amount. Paying points can lower your interest rate. Look into whether or not it's a good idea for your situation.

56. Don't go it alone. Ask your agent for advice. Talk to friends and family who've been through the home buying / mortgage process before.

57. Factor in PMI. If your down payment is less than 20% of the loan amount, you'll probably have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI).

58. Visit the mortgage section of HomeBuyingInstitute.com. You can learn about everything mentioned above, in much greater detail.

59. Watch out for unethical lenders. Talk to your agent or real estate attorney is something seems strange or too good to be true.

The Mortgage Application

60. Be honest. Don't let anyone talk you into falsifying information on your mortgage application. You'll be the only one held accountable.

61. Ask questions. And ask them again, until you're comfortable that you understand each part of the application.

62. Read the fine print. Often, the most important parts of an application are in the fine print. Don't let these details go unnoticed.

63. Don't sign blank areas. If a section of the mortgage application is blank, either 'X' it out or leave it unsigned.

64. Keep a copy for yourself. This applies to all documents during the home buying process. Start a folder with copies of everything.

65. Get a truth-in-lending statement. After you apply for the loan, the lender is required to give you an estimate of the total costs associated with the loan.

66. Plan for more than truth-in-lending statement. Unfortunately, it's common for the actual costs of a loan to be more than the lender's estimate. So plan for more.

The Home Inspection

67. Get a home inspection! At around $500, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

68. Hire a certified inspector. Anyone can claim to be an inspector. So make sure yours is certified by a professional organization.

69. Tag along if possible. You'll learn a lot about the inner workings of the home.

70. Categorize discrepancies, based on whether or not you want the seller to fix them.

71. Be realistic with repair requests. In a seller's market, you may not get all the repairs you want. So be realistic with what you're asking.

72. Get a termite inspection. Make the offer contingent upon a termite-free inspection.

The Home Appraisal

73. Understand the appraisal process. It's for the lender's protection, but it will also tell you if you're overpaying for the home.

74. Have a plan for under-appraisal. You can pay the difference, the seller can lower the price, or you can walk.

Pre-Closing / Pre-Settlement

75. Read up on closing procedures. Start with a refresher on RESPA.

76. Talk to friends and family who've been through a closing process. Learn from them.

77. Stay in touch with your lender, your agent, and the escrow company. Make sure they have all the paperwork they need to avoid delays.

78. Keep saving your money. Real estate closings often come with unexpected costs.

79. Be on the lookout for your HUD-1 statement. You should get one several days before closing. It will list the total amount due at closing.

80. Transfer utilities. Now might be a good time to start putting the utilities into your name.

81. Get hazard insurance. Most lenders require it, but it's mainly for your own protection.

82. Conduct your final walk-through. Make sure all requested repairs have been made.

83. Get a certified check for the amount due on the HUD-1 statement.

84. Confirm the time and location of the closing.

The Closing / Settlement Process

85. Bring your ID. The escrow company will probably want to verify it.

86. Don't forget the check!

87. Bring some blank checks, just in case unexpected costs or fees arise.

88. Don't feel rushed. Escrow companies do it for a living, but it's probably you're first time.

89. Read thoroughly. People make mistakes, so read each document carefully (especially the bottom-line amounts).

90. Ask questions. You're not being a pest for asking a lot of questions. You're simply looking out for your finances.

91. Don't make assumptions. For example, just because you agreed to buy mortgage points for a lower interest rate, don't assume it has been processed that way. Check the paperwork.

After Closing

92. Follow-up on your utility transfer.

93. Complete a change of address form for the postal service.

94. Notify friends and family of your new address. Postcards and emails work well.

95. Get a safe deposit box for your important documents, like your homeowner's insurance policy.

96. Set up auto-pay for your mortgage payments. It will be one less hassle to worry about each month, and it will also help you avoid missing payments.

97. Go meet the neighbors. If your neighbors don't come and introduce themselves, go say hello. Remember, these are the people who will keep an eye on your home when you're away.

98. Ease into your mortgage payment. Before filling the house with new furniture or electronics, give yourself a few months to adjust to the new mortgage payment.

99. Do the happy dance (whatever your version might be). Just remember to stretch first.

100. Break out the champagne, or your preferred non-alcoholic beverage.

101. Exhale.

* You may republish this article if you retain the author's note with active hyperlinks below.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett publishes the popular Mortgage Refi Blog and several other real estate websites. Visit the author online at http://www.mortgage-refinance-advice.com/blog/

22 Tips on LEGALLY Boosting your Credit Score

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:50:40 -0500

The Basics

Before you start boosting your credit score, you need to know the basics. You need to know what a credit score is, how it is developed, and why it is important to you in your everyday life.

Lenders certainly know what sort of information they can get from a credit score, but knowing this information yourself can help you better see how your everyday financial decisions impact the financial picture lenders get of you through your credit score. A few simple tips are all you need to know to understand the basic principles:

Tip #1: Understand where credit scores come from.

If you are going to improve your credit score, then logic has it that you must understand what your credit score is and how it works. Without this information, you won't be able to very effectively improve your score because you won't understand how the things you do in daily life affect your score.

If you don't understand how your credit score works, you will also be at the mercy of any company that tries to tell you how you can improve your score - on their terms and at their price.

In general, your credit score is a number that lets lenders know how much of a credit risk you are. The credit score is a number, usually between 300 and 850, that lets lenders know how well you are paying off your debts and how much of a credit risk you are.

In general, the higher your credit score, the better credit risk you make and the more likely you are to be given credit at great rates. Scores in the low 600s and below will often give you trouble in finding credit, while scores of 720 and above will generally give you the best interest rates out there. However, credit scores are a lot like GPAs or SAT scores from college days - while they give others a quick snapshot of how you are doing, they are interpreted by people in different ways. Some lenders put more emphasis on credit scores than others.

Some lenders will work with you if you have credit scores in the 600s, while others offer their best rates only to those creditors with very high scores indeed. Some lenders will look at your entire credit report while others will accept or reject your loan application based solely on your credit score.

The credit score is based on your credit report, which contains a history of your past debts and repayments. Credit bureaus use computers and mathematical calculations to arrive at a credit score from the information contained in your credit report.

Each credit bureau uses different methods to do this (which is why you will have different scores with different companies) but most credit bureaus use the FICO system. FICO is an acronym for the credit score calculating software offered by Fair Isaac Corporation company. This is by far the most used software since the Fair Isaac Corporation developed the credit score model used by many in the financial industry and is still considered one of the leaders in the field.

In fact, credit scores are sometimes called FICO scores or FICO ratings, although it is important to understand that your score may be tabulated using different software.

One other thing you may want to understand about the software and mathematics that goes into your credit score is the fact that the math used by the software is based on research and comparative mathematics. This is an important and simple concept that can help you understand how to boost your credit score. In simple terms, what this means is that your credit score is in a way calculated on the same principles as your insurance premiums. Insurance company likely asks you questions about your health, your lifestyle choices (such as whether you are a smoker) because these bits of information can tell the insurance company how much of a risk you are and how likely you are to make large claims later on. This is based on research. Studies have shown, for example, that smokers tend to be more prone to serious illnesses and so require more medical attention. If you are a smoker, you may face higher insurance premiums because of this.

Similarly, credit bureaus and lenders often look at general patterns. Since people with too many debts tend not to have great rates of repayment, your credit score may suffer if you have too many debts, for example. Understanding this can help you in two ways:

1) It will let you see that your credit score is not a personal reflection of how "good" or "bad" you are with money. Rather, it is a reflection of how well lenders and companies think you will repay your bills - based on information gathered from studying other people.

2) It will let you see that if you want to improve your credit score, you need to work on becoming the sort of debtor that studies have shown tends to repay their bills. You do not have to work hard to reinvent yourself financially and you do not have to start making much more money. You just need to be a reliable lender. This realization alone should help make credit repair far less stressful!

Credit reports are put together by credit bureaus, which use information from client companies. It works like this: credit bureaus have clients - such as credit card companies and utility companies, to name just two - who provide them with information.

Once a file is begun on you (i.e. once you open a bank account or have bills to pay) then information about you is stored on the record. If you are late paying a bill, the clients call the credit bureaus and note this. Any unpaid bills, overdue bills or other problems with credit count as "dings" on your credit report and affect your score.

Information such as what type of debt you have, how much debt you have, how regularly you pay your bills on time, and your credit accounts are all information that is used to calculate your credit score.

Your age, sex, and income do not count towards your credit score. The actual formula used by credit bureaus to calculate credit scores is a well-kept secret, but it is known that recent account activity, debts, length of credit, unpaid accounts, and types of credit are among the things that count the most in tabulating credit scores from a credit report.

Tip #2: Keep the contact information for credit bureaus handy.

The three major credit bureaus are important to contact if you are going to be repairing your credit score. The major three credit agencies can help you by sending you your credit report. If you find an error on your credit report, these are also the companies you must contact in order to correct the problem. You can easily contact these organizations by mail, telephone, or through the Internet:

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc

Address: P.O. Box 740241

Atlanta, GA 30374

Telephone: 1_888_766_0008

Online: www.equifax.com

TransUnion LLC Consumer Disclosure Center

Address: P.O. Box 1000

Chester, PA 19022

Telephone: 1_800_888_4213

Online: www.tuc.com

Experian National Consumer Assistance Center

Address: PO Box 2002

Allen, TX 75013

Telephone: 1_888_397_3742

Online: www.experian.com

You may want to note this information wherever most of your financial information is kept so that you can easily contact the bureaus whenever you need to. Your local yellow pages should also have the contact information of these credit agencies as well.

Tip #3: Develop an action plan for dealing with your credit score.

Once you have your credit report and your credit score, you will be able to tell where you stand and where many of your problems lie. If you have a poor score, try to see in your credit report what could be causing the problem:

-Do you have too much debt?

-Too many unpaid bills?

-Have you recently faced a major financial upset such as a bankruptcy?

-Have you simply not had credit long enough to establish good credit?

-Have you defaulted on a loan, failed to pay taxes, or recently been reported to a collection agency?

The problems that contribute to your credit problems should dictate how you decide to boost your credit score. As you read through this ebook, highlight or jot down those tips that apply to you and from them develop a checklist of things you can do that would help your credit situation improve.

When you seek professional credit counseling or credit help, counselors will generally work with you to help you develop a personalized strategy that expressly addresses your credit problems and financial history. Now, with this ebook, you can develop a similar strategy on your own - in your own time and at your own cost.

When developing your action plan, know where most of your credit score is coming from:

1) Your credit history (accounts for more than a third of your credit score in some cases). Whether or not you have been a good credit risk in the past is considered the best indicator of how you will react to debt in the future. For this reason, late payment, loan defaults, unpaid taxes, bankruptcies, and other unmet debt responsibilities will count against you the most. You can't do much about your financial past now, but starting to pay your bills on time - starting today - can help boost your credit score in the future.

2) Your current debts (accounts for approximately a third of your credit score in some cases). If you have lots of current debt, it may indicate that you are stretching yourself financially thin and so will have trouble paying back debts in the future. If you have a lot of money owing right now - and especially if you have borrowed a great deal recently - this fact will bring down your credit score. You an boost your credit score by paying down your debts as far as you can.

3) How long you have had credit (accounts for up to 15% of your credit score in some cases). If you have not had credit accounts for very long, you may not have enough of a history to let lenders know whether you make a good credit risk. Not having had credit for a long time can affect your credit score. You can counter this by keeping your accounts open rather than closing them off as you pay them off.

4) The types of credit you have (accounts for about one tenth of your credit score, in most cases). Lenders like to see a mix of financial responsibilities that you handle well. Having bills that you pay as well as one or two types of loans can actually improve your credit score. Having at least one credit card that you manage well can also help your credit score.

As you can see, it is possible to only estimate how much a specific area of your credit report affects your credit score. Nevertheless, keeping these five areas in mind and making sure that each is addressed in your personalized plan will go a long way in making sure that your personalized credit repair plan is comprehensive enough to boost your credit effectively.

The Best Ways to Boost Your Credit Score

Because of the way credit scores are calculated, some actions you take will affect your credit score better than others. In general, paying your bills on time and meeting your financial responsibilities will boost your score the most. Owing a reasonable amount of money and being able to repay it will show lenders that you take your finances seriously and pose little threat of lost money. There are a few tips that, more than any other, will boost your credit score the most:

Tip # 4: Pay your bills on time.

One of the best ways to improve your credit score is simply to pay your bills on time. This is absurdly simple but it works very well, because nothing shows lenders that you take debts seriously as much as a history of paying promptly. Every lender wants to be paid in full and on time.

If you pay all your bills on time then the odds are good that you will make the payments on a new debt on time, too, and that is certainly something every lender wants to see. Experts think that up to 35% of your credit score is based on your paying of bills on time, so this simple step is one of the easiest ways to boost your credit score.

Paying your bills on time also ensures that you don't get hit with late fees and other financial penalties that make paying your bills off harder. Paying your bills in a timely way makes it easier to keep making payments on time.

Of course, if you have had problems making your payments on time in the past, your current credit score will reflect this. It will take a number of months of repaying your bills on time to improve your credit score again, but the effort will be well worth it when your credit risk rating rebounds!

Tip #5: Avoid excessive credit.

If you have many lines of credit or several huge debts, you make a worse credit risk because you are close to "overextending your credit." This simply means that you may be taking on more credit than you can comfortably pay off. Even if you are making payments regularly now on existing bills, lenders know that you will have a harder time paying off your bills if your debt load grows too much.

The higher your debts the greater your monthly debt payments and so the higher the risk that you will eventually be able to repay your debts. Plus, statistical studies have shown that those with high debt loads have the hardest time financially when faced with a crisis such as a divorce, unemployment, or sudden illness.

Lenders (and credit bureaus who calculate your credit score) know that the more debt you have the greater problems you will have in case you do run into a life crisis.

In order to have a great credit score, avoid taking out excessive credit. You should stick to one or two credit cards and one or two other major debts (car loan, mortgage) in order to have the best credit rating. Do not apply for every new credit line or credit card "just in case." Borrow only when you need it and make sure to make payments on your debts on time.

You should also know that taking out lots of new credit accounts in a relatively short period of time will cause your credit score to nosedive because it will look as though you are being financially irresponsible.

Tip #6: Pay Down Your Debts

If you have a lot of debt, your credit score will suffer. Paying down your debts to a minimum will help elevate your credit score. For example, if you have a $1000 limit on your credit card and you regularly carry a balance of $900, you will be a less attractive credit risk to lenders than someone who has the same credit card but carries a smaller balance of $100 or so. If you are serious about improving your credit score, then start with the largest debt you have and start paying it down so that you are using a less large percentage of your credit total.

In general, try to make sure that you use no more than 50% of your credit. That means that if your credit card has a limit of $5000, make sure that you pay it down to at least $2500 and work at carrying no larger balance. If possible, reduce the debt even more. If you can pay off your credit card in full each month, that is even better. What counts here is what percentage of your total credit limit you are using - the lower the better.

Tip #7: Have a range of credit types.

The types of credit you have are a factor in calculating your credit score. In general, lenders like to see that you are able to handle a range of credit types well. Having some form of personal credit - such as credit cards - and some larger types of credit - such as a mortgage or auto loan - and paying them off regularly is better than having only one type of credit.

Keep Your Credit Score Safe:If you have a lower credit score that you would like, odds are that the score is caused by some small financial mistake or oversight you have made in the past. Not every person with bad credit has a low credit score caused by something they did, though. Sometimes, other people's criminal activity can affect your credit score. There are a few tips that can keep you and your credit safe form online and financial predators:

Tip #8: Look out for identity theft.

Many people who are careful about paying bills on time and having minimal debts are shocked each year to find that they have low credit scores. In many cases, this happens as a result of identity theft. Identity theft is a type of crime in which people take your personal information and steal that information to pose as you in order to get access to your accounts or identity.

For example, someone with your PIN numbers can remove small amounts of money from your bank account each month or someone can use your name and personal information to get credit cards in your name and use those credit cards with no intention of paying back the money. You are stuck with the large debts and the poor credit score.

To prevent identity theft, always check your account statements carefully each month. Report any suspicious activity or any charges you don't recognize at once. Also check your credit report regularly and immediately investigate any new credit accounts you do not recognize - this is the best way of detecting and acting on identity theft.

If you have been the victim of identity theft, report to the police at once and get a police statement. Send copies of this to your bank and credit bureaus. Better yet, get the credit bureaus to attach the report to your credit report, if you can. Close all your accounts and reopen new ones. You should not have to pay for someone else's illegal activity.

Tip #9: Practice safe banking, safe computing, and safe business practices.

To stay safe from identity theft, always follow safe banking and financial practices:

1) Keep account numbers and PIN numbers safe. Cover your account and PIN numbers when using debit at the store and refuse to give your PIN number to anyone. Avoid writing down your PIN and account numbers - you never know when this information could fall into the wrong hands.

2) Only do business with businesses you trust.

3)If you get applications for credit cards in the mail that are "pre-approved" rip up the applications and enclosed letters before discarding them. No, this is not paranoid. Identity thieves sometimes go through garbage in order to find these forms so that they can fill them out and steal your identity.

4) If you use a computer, install good firewall and antivirus protection system and update it religiously. Better yet, take a course in safe computing at your local college or community center. You will learn many good tips for keeping all your information safe while you are online.

5) Never buy anything online from a company you do not trust of from a company that does not have encryption technology and a good privacy policy.

6) Even with all computer precautions, avoid providing private information through email or your computer. Be especially cautious if you get an email from your bank asking you to verify your information by clicking on a link - this is a popular scam that comes not from your bank but from criminals posing as your bank. Ignore the email and phone your bank about the message.

7) Be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or mail advertisements. Most are from legitimate companies but there are companies who promise you a credit card over the telephone only to charge your existing credit card without sending you anything.

Similarly, letters will sometimes promise you specific items or services. Once you send in your credit card information (usually to a post office box) you hear no more from the company. If you need or want to buy something from a company, be sure to check the company's standing with the Better Business Bureau first.

Send a money order instead of a check (which had your account number) or your credit card information. If you do use a credit card, report any unusual charges or any payments you made for a product that did not arrive to the credit card company.

In some cases, they can stop payment or refund your money as well as take steps to keep your credit card number safe.

8) Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If you get an offer for a ten million dollar check - for which you need to put down $5000 as a "sign if good faith"...if you get an offer for a free state-of-the art computer - if only you provide your account information... take a deep breath and consider before sending in your money and your information.

Offers that are too good to be true always are. Scam artists often rely on your belief in others and your trust to make money. They depend on the fact that you will be so excited about a product or service that you will throw good judgment out the window. Prove them wrong.

When faced with an offer that seems too good to be true, do some research on the web, through the Better Business Bureau, or ask the person making the offer some questions. Never take someone up on an offer that you have been given unsolicited unless the company and the offer both check out.

9) Read the fine print. Some services or companies will have tiny print in their contract or agreement that allows them to charge you extra hidden fees or that allows them to retract certain offers. If you get an offer through email or the mail, make it a habit to read the fine print.

10) Be alert for a sudden disruption in your mail service. If you do not get mail for some time, contact your post office and ask whether your address was recently submitted for a "change of address" service. It sounds strange, but it's true.

One way that criminals steal identities is to change your address at the local post office. They redirect your mail to a post office box number and steal your mail looking for personal information such as bank statements, pre-approved credit card applications, and other pieces of mail they can use to steal your identity.

They use this information to pose as you with lenders and run up huge charges in your name. Simply keeping an eye out on your mail can help you keep your credit score safe.

Tip #10: Check your credit score regularly

You are more likely to notice problems and inconsistencies if you check your credit score on a regular basis - at least once a year and preferably three times a year. Be sure to check your credit rating with each credit bureau, too. If you notice anything odd or anything you don't recognize (such as a charge account you did not open) report it immediately.

Sometimes, these errors are caused by mistakes made at the credit bureau, but they could be an indication that someone is using your identity. In either case, such mistakes could hurt your credit score. Fixing such errors improves your credit score.

If you think you have been the victim of identity theft, take action at once:

1) Contact the three major credit bureaus and ask to speak to the fraud department. Explain that you have been the victim of identity theft (or believe you may have been) and ask that an "alert" be placed on your file. This will let anyone looking at your report know that you may have been the victim of fraud. It will also mean that you will be alerted any time a lender asks to look at your file - each time a lender does look at your file, it may be an indication that the identity thieves are trying to open a new account in your name.

When the lender sees that the person applying is not you, they will deny the thieves credit and in most cases the criminals will stop trying to access your identity. Most alerts on your file last 90 or 180 days but you can extend this period to several years by asking the credit agencies for an extension of the "fraud alert" in writing.

In some states, you can even ask for a freeze to be placed on your credit score and credit report which will prevent anyone but yourself and those creditors you already have from accessing your file. Any lenders the thieves contact to set up a new account will be refused access and the thieves will not be able to get any more money in your name.

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report if you have been the victim of identity theft. Be sure to take advantage of this offer so that you can check exactly how your credit has been affected. Dispute those items that are not yours.

2) Call the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-438-4338. This is the special hotline that the FTC has set up to help customers deal with fraud and identity theft. You will be able to get up-to-date information about your rights and advice as to what you can do to improve your credit score and keep in safe in the future.

3) Contact the police. Identity theft is a crime and you need to file a police report (be sure to keep a copy of this report) so that you can help the police potentially catch the criminals responsible. Contacting the police will also give you a paper trail and proof that a crime has been committed. Keeping a paper trail of the crime and your response will make it easier for you to repair your credit if it has been damaged by identity thieves.

4) Contact your creditors or any creditors that the identity thieves have opened an account with. Ask to speak to the security department and explain your predicament. You may need to have your accounts closed or at least your passwords changed to protect yourself.

You may also need to fill out a fraud affidavit to state that a crime has been committed - be sure to keep a copy of this form for your records. The security team of the creditors should be able to advise you as to what you can do. Be sure to note down who you contacted and when so that you have records of the steps you have taken to deal with the crime.

If you have been the victim of identity theft and you are deeply in debt to creditors you never contacted, you will not be held responsible for the charges - but you will have to prove that you have been the victim of identity theft, which is tricky since the thieves are using your name and claiming to be you.

It is a frustrating experience because lenders will want to be paid and you will want to avoid paying for charges you did not run up. Being persistent and keeping good proof that you have been the victim of a crime will help to clear your credit score. In the meantime, however, you will be faced with a much lower credit rating than you deserve and you may have to put off larger purchases that may require a loan.

Avoid Common Credit Score Mistakes

There are a few things that people do without realizing it that have a bad effect on their credit score. Follow these tips to avoid the common traps that can sink your credit risk rating:

Tip #11: Beware of debts and credit you don't use.

It is easy today to apply for a store credit card that you forget all about in three years - but that account will remain on your credit report and affect your credit score as long as it is open. Having credit lines and credit cards you don't need makes you seem like a worse credit risk because you run the risk of "overextending" your credit.

Also, having lots of accounts you don't use increases the odds that you will forget about an old account and stop making payments on it - resulting in a lowered credit score. Keep only your used accounts and make sure that all other accounts are closed. Having fewer accounts will make it easier for you to keep track of your debts and will increase the chances of you having a good credit score.

However, realize that when you close an account, the record of the closed account remains on your credit report and can affect your credit score for a while. In fact, closing unused credit accounts may actually cause your credit score to drop in the short term, as you will have higher credit balances spread out over a smaller overall credit account base.

For example, if your unused accounts amounted to $2000 and you owe $1000 on accounts that you have now (let's say on two credit cards that total $2000) you have gone from using one fourth of your credit ($1000 owed on a possible $4000 you could have borrowed) to using one half of your credit (you owe $1000 from a possible $2000). This will actually cause your credit risk rating to drop. In the long term, though, not having extra temptation to charge and not having credit you don't need can work for you.

Tip #12: Be careful of inquiries on your credit report.

Every time that someone looks at your credit report, the inquiry is noted. If you have lots of inquiries on your report, it may appear that you are shopping for several loans at once - or that you have been rejected by lenders. Both make you appear a poor credit risk and may affect your credit score. This means that you should be careful about who looks at your credit report. If you are shopping for a loan, shop around within a short period of time, since inquiries made within a few days of each other will generally be lumped together and counted as one inquiry.

You can also cut down on the number of inquiries on your account by approaching lenders you have already researched and may be interest in doing business with - by researching first and approaching second you will likely have only a few lenders accessing your credit report at the same time, which can help save your credit score.

Tip #13: Be careful of online loan rate comparisons.

Online loan rate quotes are easy to get - type in some personal information and you can get a quote on your car loan, personal loan, student loan, or mortgage in seconds. This is free and convenient, leading many people to compare several companies at once in order to make sure that they get the best deal possible.

The problem is that since online quotes are a fairly recent phenomenon, credit bureaus count each such quote estimate as an "inquiry." This means that if you compare too many companies online by asking for quotes, your credit score will fall due to too many "inquiries."

This does not mean that you shouldn't seek online quotes for loans - not at all. In fact, online loan quotes are a great resource that can help you get the very best rates on your next loan. What this information does mean, however, is that you should research companies and narrow down possible lenders to just a few before making inquiries. This will help ensure that the number of inquires on your credit report is small - and your credit rating will stay in good shape.

Tip #14: Don't make the mistake of thinking that you only have one credit report.

Most people speak of having a "credit score" when in fact most people have at least three or more scores and these scores can vary widely. There are three major credit bureaus in the country that develop credit reports and calculate credit scores. There are also a number of smaller credit bureau companies.

Plus, some larger lenders calculate their own credit risk scores based on information in your credit report. When repairing your credit score, then, you should not focus on one number - at the very least, you need to contact the three major credit bureaus and work on repairing the three credit scores separately.

Tip #15: Don't make the mistake of closing lots of credit accounts just to improve your score.

This seems like a contradiction, but it really is not. Many people think that to improve their credit score, they just have to pay off some debts and close their accounts. This is not exactly accurate. There are several reasons to think carefully before closing your accounts.

First, if you close an account you need (for example, if you close all your credit card accounts) then you will have to reapply for credit, and all those inquiries from lenders will cause your credit score to actually drop.

Secondly, most credit bureaus give high favorable points to those who have a good long-term credit history. That means that closing the credit card account you have had since college may actually hurt you in the long run. If you have credit accounts that you don't use or if you have too many credit lines, then by all means pay off some and close them. Doing so may help your credit score - but only if you don't close long-term accounts you need. In general, close the most recent accounts first and only when you are sure you will not need that credit in the near future. Closing your accounts is a bad idea if:

1) You will be applying for a loan soon. The closing of your accounts will make your credit score drop in the short term and will not allow you to qualify for good loan rates.

2) Closing your accounts will make your overall debt balance too high. If you owe $10 000 now and closing some accounts would leave you with only $1000 of possible credit, you are close to maxing out your credit - which gives you a bad credit rating.

In the short term, closing accounts will lower your credit score, but in the long run it can be beneficial.

Tip #16: Don't assume that one thing will boost your credit score a specific number of points.

Some debtors are lead to believe that paying off a credit card bill will boost their credit score by 50 points while closing an unused credit account will result in 20 more points. Credit scores are certainly not this clear-cut or simple.

How much any one action will affect your credit score is impossible to gauge. It will depend on several factors, including your current credit score and the credit bureau calculating your credit score.

In general, though, the higher your credit score, the more small factors - such as one unpaid bill - can affect you. However, when repairing your credit score, you should not be equating specific credit repair tasks with numbers. The idea is to do as many things as you can to get your credit score as close to 800 as you are able. Even if you can improve your credit score by 100 points or so, you will qualify for better interest rates.

Tip #17: Don't think that having no loans or debts will improve your credit score.

Some people believe that owing no money, having no credit cards, and in fact avoiding the whole world of credit will help improve their credit score. The opposite is true - lenders want to see that you can handle credit, and the only way they can tell is if you have credit that you handle responsibly. Having no credit at all can actually be worse for your credit score than having a few credit accounts that you pay off scrupulously. If you currently have no credit accounts at all, opening a low balance credit card can actually boost your credit score.

Tip #18: Never do anything illegal to help boost your credit score.

It seems pretty obvious, but plenty of people try to lie about their credit scores or even falsify their loan applications because they are ashamed of a bad score. Not only is this illegal, but it is also completely ineffective. Your credit score is easy to check and not only will you not fool lenders by lying but you may actually find yourself facing legal action as a result of your dishonesty.

Dealing With Your Credit Report to Deal With Your Credit Score

If you want to improve your credit score, you need to go right to the source - your credit report. Your credit report contains the information and data on which your credit score is based. If you can alter or update the information in your credit report, your credit score will change to reflect the alterations. For this reason, getting and checking you credit report is one of the first things you should do when you attempt to repair your credit score. There are a few tips that can help you deal with your credit report so that you can give your credit score a boost:

Tip #19: Dispute errors on your credit report

Contact each of the three major credit bureaus - TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian - and get copies of your credit reports and credit scores. Carefully read over the reports and note any errors. In writing, contact the credit bureaus and ask that mistakes be removed or investigated.

This is called a dispute letter and once it is received, credit bureaus have to investigate your dispute within thirty days of receiving your letter. It is important to keep a copy of your letter and it is important to note the date the letter was sent. You should not be accusatory or abusive in your letter - calmly and clearly state the problem and request an investigation.

Note that you are aware the agency is required to investigate the claim within thirty days and note that you will follow up. Be sure that you do follow up with the issues you raised in your letter - just because the agency investigates does not always mean that your credit report will end up error-free.

Many credit bureaus now make it possible for you to correct errors on your credit report online - and many have information on their web sites that tells you exactly how disputes must be handled to be effectively removed. It is important that you follow this information exactly so that the inaccuracies on your credit report are removed promptly and your credit score is updated as soon as possible.

Tip #20: Add a note to your credit report if there is a problem you can't resolve

Sometimes, there are legitimate reasons why you didn't pay a bill. If a contractor refused to finish a job or did a poor job, then you may have refused payment, but the non-payment may still count against you on your credit report. If there are any unusual circumstances surrounding your credit report that may affect your credit rating - such as a case of identity theft - you can ask that a note be attached to your credit report to explain the problem.

Some lenders will pay attention to this and some will not, but it is a better solution than nothing at all. Such a note will not affect your credit score but will affect your credit report. More importantly, it leaves a paper trail of the problem that lenders can look at if they choose.

Tip #21: Make sure you know who is looking at your credit report and why

Many inquiries look bad on your credit report, but more than that you likely want to know who can see your personal financial information, now that you know that your personal information is stored in a credit report. If you sign a document with a lender or apply for credit online, you can be sure that someone is looking at your credit report.

However, you may want to look over other documents in order to see who is taking a peek. Insurance agents will often look at your credit report, for example. Some landlords and potential employers will, too. You need to be careful about online sources, too. In general, when you provide someone with your social insurance number, you may be giving permission to look at your credit report. You shouldn't bar people from looking, but knowing who is looking is good financial practice.

Tip #22: Know the difference between soft and hard inquiries

When you pull your credit report to look at it, it is counted as a "soft inquiry." Only "hard inquiries" from lenders will affect your credit score dramatically. Although checking your credit score too often is an expensive habit, you should not avoid checking your credit report because you fear it will make your credit rating worse.

This are more tips available. You can email me at tkellshouses@gmail.com for more FREE information!

www.myfico.com and www.creditreport.com are my 2 favorite credit report sites

www.realestateinvestor.com

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:13:31 -0500

Some people find this website useful, and some don't. You be the judge! www.realestateinvestor.com Sometimes there are investors on there wanting to put something on the market, or in need of financing.

Is it too abrasive to knock on a FSBO's door?? Any suggestions?

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:10:46 -0500

I have a few FSBOs in my neighborhood and I have been debating which approach I should take with them. Part of me wants to knock on the door and offer services, but I don't want to be too abrasive about it. Of course I could just leave some information near their mailbox, but I feel it would be a better impression if I just took a deep breath and try to have some face to face contact. Does any one have any effective suggestions that helps FSBOs buy into what a Realtor has to offer. Any winning scripts you can offer me?

The Grand Rapids, Michigan Tastefest 2008 was Awesome!

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:54:14 -0500

Today was a beautiful sunny day, and my family and I attended Grand Rapids, MI 10th annual Tastefest and Barbeque Competition. What a great turn out this year! It just demonstrated another reason why this is a great city to invest in. There were a couple of good bands that performed also but I wasn't able to catch the names of all of them. I did take a picture of one of the bands.

Some of the Participating Resturaunts were the following!

Buffalo Wild Wings
Rockwell's/Republic
Chez Bayou
The Tap House
Cafe San Juan
Culver's
Famous Dave's
John Ball Park Zoo Concessions
Red Robin
Schondelmayer Bar-B-Q
Spinnaker
Uncle Jim's Jerky
Marble Slab Creamery
Chinatown
Johnny Carino's
Bella Mia Pizzeria
LongHorn Steakhouse
Macaroni Grill
BD's Mongolian Barbecue
Koeze Nut Company
GoJo Ethiopian Cuisine
Biggby Coffee
Rockford Corner Bar
Mediterranean Grills
Backyard Grill Masters

My family and I absolutely loved Backyard Grill Masters Barbeque. It was juicy and tender! and the sauce was absolutely fantastic! You can see my husband chowing down!

Let's hear it for Grand Rapids, Michigan!!

FREE Straight Talk Real Estate Seminars for Grand Rapids, Mi Neighborhoods (Consumers)

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:09:43 -0500

If you're like most people, you can't help but wonder what's going on in the real estate market these days. With all the talk of Sub-Prime Mortgages tanking and real estate home prices falling, it can be a little confusing to sort out truth from fiction.

Audu Real Estate is offering a New Service to Home Owners or Groups of interested Real Estate Buyers who would like frank, straight talk about the State of the Market in their Specific Neighborhoods.

You can choose from a variety of topics:

1. What's Selling Right Now in My Grand Rapids, Mi Neighborhood?

2. How Can I Stage My home to Sell Quickly?

3. What Types of Financing Options Should I consider?

4. What's the Foreclosure Situation in my community?

5. How Can I hold a Safe Open House?

6. What Should I know about Choosing a Real Estate Agent?

7. Open House Success Tips

8. The Pros & Cons of Discount Brokers

9. Where's the Real Estate Market Heading?

If you would like to schedule a FREE Straight Talk Neighborhood Seminar for one or more of these topics, please contact me at Takara@grar.com or call 616-541-2312.

The engaging 30 minute presentation will give you insights about real estate that are normally only available to professionals. In addition you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

All classes must be registered and booked in advance. Classes are available between 10:30 ~ 5:30 on most week days. Call to request information regarding evening and weekend appointments.

In order to schedule a Neighborhood seminar without cost, a minimum of 5-10 individuals must be present.

You can also visit www.auduhomes.com to learn more about the company and it's dedication to provide memorable grace-filled transactions for their clients!

List of Fastest Growing Real Estate Markets including Grand Rapids, MI

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:52:01 -0500

Article dated June 17, 2008!

1. McAllen, Texas

2. Rochester, N.Y.

3. Birmingham, Ala

4. Syracuse, N.Y.

5. Buffalo/Niagra Falls, N.Y.

6. New Orleans, La.

7. Scranton, Pa.

8. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (YES!)

9. Baton Rouge, La

10. El Paso, Texas

Source: Money Magazine

Free Information On Improving Credit Score~101 Tips

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:16:31 -0500

Hello everyone! As we all know there is a credit crunch going on! I'm offering free information on improving your credit score. I will give you 100 Tips on Understanding your credit and improving your score. It is too much overwhelming information to put into a Blog but I will email it to you. Please email me at tksellshouses@gmail.com for more information. Down below is an Introduction of what the information is all about!

There are many misconceptions about credit scores out there. There are customers who believe that they don't have a credit score and many customers who think that their credit scores just don't really matter. These sorts of misconceptions can hurt your chances at some jobs, at good interest rates, and even your chances of getting some apartments.

The truth is, of you have a bank account and bills, then you have a credit score, and your credit score matters more than you might think. Your credit score may be called many things, including a credit risk rating, a FICO score, a credit rating, a FICO rating, or a credit risk score. All these terms refer to the same thing: the three-digit number that lets lenders get an idea of how likely you are to repay your bills.

Every time you apply for credit, apply for a job that requires you to handle money, or even apply for some more exclusive types of apartment living, your credit score is checked.

In fact, your credit score can be checked by anyone with a legitimate business need to do so. Your credit score is based on your past financial responsibilities and past payments and credit, and it provides potential lenders with a quick snapshot of your current financial state and past repayment habits.

In other words, your credit score lets lenders know quickly how much of a credit risk you are. Based on this credit score, lenders decide whether to trust you financially - and give you better rates when you apply for a loan. Apartment managers can use your credit score to decide whether you can be trusted to pay your rent on time. Employers can use your credit score to decide whether you can be trusted in a high-responsibility job that requires you to handle money.

The problem with credit scores is that there is quite a bit of misinformation circulated about, especially through some less than scrupulous companies who claim they can help you with your credit report and credit score - for a cost, of course.

From advertisements and suspect claims, customers sometimes come away with the idea that in order to boost their credit score, they have to pay money to a company or leave credit repair in the hands of so-called "experts." Nothing could be further from the truth. It is perfectly possible to pay down debts and boost your credit on your own, with no expensive help whatsoever.

With the 100 tips I give you you will be able to do the following

•Define a credit score, a credit report, and other key financial terms

•Develop a personalized credit repair plan that addresses your unique financial situation

•Find the resources and people who can help you repair your credit score

•Repair your credit effectively using the very techniques used by credit repair experts

Email me and get your FREE Tips today!

Hello Everyone!

Takara Taylor (Audu Real Estate) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:38:15 -0500

I'm so glad I found out about this website! I look forward to meeting alot of wonderful people.

Anyhow, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Takara Taylor and I am a Real Estate Saleperson for AUDU Real Estate located in Comstock Park, MI located near Grand Rapids, MI. I plan on doing alot of business in the years to come and I'm so happy to have this opportunity. We all know, success is what you make of it in this business, but I hope the goals I set are reachable because that is what I strive for everyday when I get up in the morning. Please come back and visit my blog as I intend on adding more articles and pertinent information.