Understand Your Credit Report

What is Your Credit Score?

Credit card companies and lenders rely on credit scores, which determine someone's chances to borrow money - and how favorable the terms will be. Scores range from 200 to above 800. Scores below 620 are considered risky; 720 and over are excellent.

There are five categories of scoring:

• payment history (35%); 
• amount owed (30%); 
• length of credit history (15%); 
• new credit (10%); 
• and types of credit (10%). 

Lenders receive your score and "reason codes," which are the keys to improving your score.

It is a good idea to check your own score yearly by ordering reports from the three major credit scoring companies: Equifax (www.equifax.com), Experian (www.experian.com), and TransUnion (www.tuc.com).

And be sure to notify the credit bureau of any inaccuracies you find on your report, along with copies of documents that dispute incorrect entries. Close accounts not in use and request that late payments older than seven years be removed. Verify and update accounts and account numbers as well as your address and Social Security number.

To improve your score:

• Pay your bills on time. 
• Reduce outstanding debt. 
• Build up your savings. 
• Don't fall for illegal schemes that help create a new credit identity.

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Wondering if it is the right time for you to buy that new home?  I would be glad to discuss your options with you.  Give me a call today to learn more about the current market in Shreveport / Bossier City or visit my website for more information.

Picture Perfect

Picture Perfect

Preparing for a Virtual Tour

Getting your home ready for photographing is very important when choosing to market property online. Remember that a 360 interactive virtual tour will be like an open house 24/7, so a little time spent preparing now will certainly pay off in the end.

A virtual tour will make your property look amazing online with a little advance preparation from you.

Here are some tips to get your property ready and looking its best:

Outdoors

• Spruce up your lawn and garden. Trim shrubbery and replace or remove dead plants if necessary.
• Yard and patio/porch should be neat and tidy. Outdoor furniture should be clean and neat.
• Mow the lawn and water if it has turned brown in the summertime.
• Clear clutter - toys, bikes, brooms, etc.
• Winter - keep the pool clear and clean.

Living Areas

Stuff under the bed is bad

• Remove clutter and tidy up tables, furniture and shelves
• Move excess furniture out of the room (pet crates, tray tables, etc.). A clean, open, clutter free space is best.
• Replace burnt out light bulbs! These really stick out in the photos.
• Don't tuck things behind doors or under furniture. The camera catches it every time!

Kitchen

• Clear any clutter from the counters. Move the basket of mail, meds, brown bananas, etc.
• Make sure dishes are put away. Don't leave them in the sink or on the drainboard.
• Empty or put away the garbage can.
• Clear the magnets, artwork, photos, etc from the refrigerator.

Bathrooms

• Put essential toiletries in a small box that can be tucked away.
• Close the toilet lid and empty the garbage can.
• Clean the mirror and glass surfaces. The flash really highlights those smudges and water marks.
• Hang towels neatly from the towel rack. Remove clothing from hooks or the back of the door.

General

Remove clutter

• Check both indoors and out for clutter. Make sure everything is neat and tidy.
• Try not to be in the room where the photographer is photographing so you don't end up in the photo.
• Do not schedule other workers to be in the home at the same time. We just end up in each other's way and it makes it difficult for everyone to do their job appropriately.
• Make arrangements for pets. They should be kenneled or at doggie day care, so the photographer can access all areas of the home for photographing.

The photographer will NOT

• Move furniture
• Clean or dust
• Pick up clutter (toys, dishes, pet beds etc.)
• Wait for areas to be cleaned.

The photographer will

• Make small adjustments for a better photo composition
• Work with you to find a time that is convenient for photographing

If you have questions feel free to visit my web site: www.ComeHometoShreveport.com or feel free to contact me.

Shreveport Real Estate Market Tops Charts

A recent article from Realtor.com sites Shreveport / Bossier as the best real estate market for first time home buyers.  In a national market where housing inventories are feeling the crunch, Shreveport / Bossier is booming.  Check out their article below.

Top Five Easiest Real Estate Markets To Crack

Real Estate News 

  |  

Apr 24, 2013 

  |  

By: Scott Garner

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Though recent signs have pointed to a lessening of the  housing inventory crunch,  many markets are still experiencing shortages of homes for sale, with inventory overall declining 15.22% in March year over year. Still, there are some bright spots across the nation where the number of listings are growing, enabling first-time home buyers in particular to enter the market more easily than in cities where inventory remains low.

By looking at realtor.com site listing data, we were able to identify the top five markets in inventory growth – and the five easiest markets to crack – over the past year:

5) Ocala, FL
This Florida city experienced the fifth-highest growth in listings since 2012, with an increase of 3.09% year over year. Median listing prices have remained relatively stable at $129,900, with a slight 1.01% increase in the past 12 months.

4) Huntsville, AL
Listings in the fourth-largest city in Alabama increased 3.94% year or year, while median listing prices actually declined 2.66% to $179,964, making Huntsville a good entry market for first time buyers.

3) El Paso, TX
Inventory in this West Texas city grew 4.79% over the last 12 months while prices declined by 1.34% to their current median level of $149,950, landing El Paso the number three slot in our list.

2) Springfield, IL
With listings climbing 5.67% since last year and median prices falling by 7.69% to $119,900, the capital of Illinois is a prime entry market for first time buyers looking for affordable starter homes.

1) Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
Coming in at number one on our list of top easiest markets to crack is tourism, energy, and film production hub Shreveport, Louisiana. Listings shot up over 17% year over year, by far the highest increase on our list. Prices have eased up 4% to a median of $182,000, making this city on the Red River our top easiest market to crack.

Way to go Shreveport / Bossier!  

If you have been considering purchasing a home, now may be the right time.  The market is going strong and interest rates are still low.  Visit www.ShreveportRealEstate.biz to learn more or give me a call if you have questions about finding a new home.