The larger your bank balance, the better. And when it comes to your credit score, you need to think big, too.

According to the Financial Planning Association (FPA) based in Denver, CO, your healthy credit score is not just a factor in determining whether you get a loan or a line of credit, it often determines how much you will pay for credit.

Remember, the better your credit score, the lower your interest rate—so having a healthy score can save you money.

The FPA says credit scores are calculated from data in five categories.

Payment history on bills, loans, etc. and amounts owed – or credit balances – account for about two-thirds of the score. Then, length of credit history, new credit and types of credit used comprise the rest.

Credit scores range from 300 to 850. A score of 750 or higher is considered “excellent;” 720 to 749, “very good;” 660 to 719, “good;” 620 to 659, “fair;” and 619 or lower, “poor.”

Here are some tips from the FPA towards maintaining a healthy score:

1. Pay bills on time. Nothing impacts a credit score more than your bill-paying history and habits. And no bill is too small to overlook.

1. Automate. If you struggle to pay bills on time, set up your online banking to make automatic bill payments or provide payment reminders.

1. Instead of skipping a payment altogether, make a late or short payment.

1. After a late or missed payment, get—and stay—current. Positive payment patterns going forward can overshadow a past payment problem.

1. Keep credit card balances low and avoid maxing out cards. Carrying a high level of debt likely will hurt your credit score. Maxing out your available credit surely will.

1. Pay down your debt over time.

1. Think twice before closing the accounts of credit cards you do not use. Closing credit accounts may actually lower your credit score. If you plan to close an account, start with one you opened recently, and for the sake of credit history, leave your oldest credit card account open.

1. Do not open multiple new credit accounts at once. It can lower your credit score.

1. Protect your personal information, like social security, credit card and bank account numbers. Identity theft is a real and growing threat to much more than your credit score.

Tthe Indianapolis Home Show will combine with its companion show, the Indianapolis Home & Flower Show, for attendees to visit two great shows at one price.  Showcase home be Fischer Homes!

Where:  Indiana State Fairgrounds

When:  January 20th – 29th

Ticket prices:   Adults $13.00  Discount tickets available at Marsh Supermarkets

Adults Online $10.00  Click here to order online

Children Ages 6-12 $3.00

Children Ages 5 and Under FREE

Search exhibitor list

Celebrity Guests 

1.    Check your credit. Contact a lender, have them check your credit and work towards correcting any issues now, so you will be qualified to purchase a home when you are ready.

2.    Do your research.  Contact a real estate agent and do some online research on the following:
·    Target states, cities and neighborhoods.  Whether you are relocating, downsizing or upsizing, now is the time to do your research on tax rates, school districts, neighborhoods and even prices.

Once you narrow things down and start speaking to a local agent, ask them to brief you on the local market dynamics, including how long homes typically stay on the market and whether they generally go for more or less than the asking price, so you can be smart about how you search.

·    Real estate and mortgage pros. If you don’t already have your pros picked out, now is the time to get on the horn or drop an email or Facebook message to your circle of contacts, asking them for a referral to an agent and lender they love.  Check their recommendations and testimonials.

·    Short sales and REOs.  Get educated about short sale or foreclosed properties.  If you are short on time, a short sale property may not be what you need as they can take as much as 6 months to complete the transaction.  Bank or foreclosed properties can be easier to get closed.
·    What you get for the money.  Once you have narrowed your search, you need to physically view some properties to see what your money can buy and also point out amenities that are important to you.
·    Mortgage musts.  Speak to your lender, ask for advice, you may need to pay down a bill or pay one off or provide some additional documentation to your lender.

3.    Fluff up your cash cushion. So, you’ve saved up your 3.5 percent down payment. Perhaps you saved a little extra for closing costs.  Or maybe you’re even one of those uber-aggressive 20-percent-down-ers.  No matter how much you’ve saved, you’ll find that you could use more once you activate your home buying action plan. Mark my words – after closing, you’ll crave extra cash to do some repairs, upgrade a couple of things, buy appliances or even just to hold onto in order to minimize your anxiety about depleting your savings!

So, if homebuying is on your personal 2012 action plan, watch your spending, DON”T make any large purchases after applying for your mortgage, wait to buy that new furniture until after you have closed on your dream home.  Don’t change jobs, you will a solid job history in order to qualify for a mortgage.

Start your home search on my website, give me a call and let’s get you on the road to owning your dream home!

Post Holiday Recycling Event

Don’t forget to save your styrofoam, wrapping, boxes and more for the Post Holiday Recycling Event brought to you by SustainIndy and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful!

KIB will partner again this year with the City’s Office of Sustainability for the 6th Annual Post Holiday Recycling Event, scheduled for Saturday, January 14th, from 10am until 2pm.

As in previous years, these materials will be accepted for recycling:

• Live holiday trees (all lights, ornaments and decorations removed please!)
• Electronics (‘anything with a cord’)
• Cardboard
• White molded foam packaging (previously called styrofoam)

NEW THIS YEAR:  Free paper shredding!  Shred Monkey will be onsite to accept your residential paper for shredding and recycling.  Five box maximum per vehicle, please!

The collection sites:

• Broad Ripple Park – Main entrance
• Ellenberger Park – Irvington, pool parking lot
• Krannert Park – 605 S. High School Road

Deductions work by reducing the amount of assessed value a taxpayer pays on a given parcel of property. Application for deductions must be completed and dated not later than December 31 annually. Taxpayers do not need to reapply for deductions annually. Reapplication should only occur if the property is sold, the title is changed or the home is refinanced (mortgage deduction only).

Deductions applied for prior to the annual deadlines will be applied to the next year’s tax bill. For example, a homeowner who completes and dates an application for a deduction by December 31, 2011 and files the application on or before January 5, 2012 will see the deduction applied to his 2011pay2012 tax bill.

The deadline for filing these exemptions are 12/31/11!

To file your exemptions you will need to take all of your closing paperwork with you to your local assessor’s office:

 Marion County   http://www.indy.gov/eGov/County/Assessor/Marion/Pages/AssessorOfficelocations.aspx

Hamilton County  http://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/departments.asp?id=4179

Hendricks County  http://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/departments.asp?id=4179

Hancock County  http://hancockcoingov.org/index.php/hancock-county-assessor.html

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to email me or give me a call at 317-509-4000

Home prices and mortgage rates have fallen so far that the monthly cost of owning a home is more affordable than at any point in the past 15 years and is less expensive than renting in a growing number of cities.

The Wall Street Journal’s third-quarter survey of housing-market conditions in 28 of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas found that home values declined in all but five markets compared with the second quarter, according to data from Zillow Inc. Meanwhile, rent levels have risen briskly across the country and mortgage rates, hovering around 4%, are the lowest in six decades.

As a result, monthly mortgage payments on the median priced home—including taxes and insurance—are lower than the average rent levels in 12 metro areas, according to data compiled for The Wall Street Journal by Marcus & Millichap, a real-estate brokerage that tracked 27 metro areas. It remains less expensive to rent than to buy in 15 cities. But affordability hasn’t done much to lift the sagging housing sector because many would-be buyers are unwilling to purchase a home or unable to qualify for a mortgage.

So are you ready to buy? Contact me and let’s see if you can qualify, then we will set out to search for your new home!

The event will take place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church at 100 W. 86th Street.

As RTV6′s stories on identity theft have shown, electronics and paper with sensitive data should be properly disposed of to help cut down the risk of becoming a victim.

The free Shredder Day event gives you an opportunity to safely get rid of old files, computers and other recyclable equipment for free.You can simply drive through and drop off your items.

The following is a list of acceptable items:

Plastics
Gift Cards
Packing Peanut (Reuse)
Plastic #1 (PETE)
Plastic #2 (Clear HDPE)
Plastic #2 (Color HDPE)
Plastic #3
Plastic #4 (LDPE)
Plastic #5 (Polypropylene)
Plastic #6 (Polystyrene)
Plastic #7
Plastic Shopping Bags
Styrofoam
Plastics (Other)
Paper
Book Recycling
Brown Paper-Bags
Cardboard
Milk Cartons
Newspapers
Office Paper
Paper (Mixed)
Paperboard
Phone books
Electronics
Batteries (Rechargeable)
Vehicle Batteries
CD’s
Computer Disks
Computer Monitor (CRT)
Computer Recycling
Computers
Electronics
Inkjet Printer Cartridge Refilling
Inkjet Printer Cartridges
Laser Toner Cartridges
Laser Toner Refilling
Mobile Phones
Ni-Cad Batteries
Office Equipment
Printers
Stereo Systems
Telephones
Televisions
VHS Cassette Tapes
Video Game Console (Reuse)
Glass
Blue Glass
Glass (Brown)
Glass (Clear)
Glass (Green)
Glass (Other)
Metal
Aerosol Spray Cans
Aluminum Cans
Aluminum Foil
Clothes Hangers (Metal)
Ferrous Metals (Steel or Iron)
Large Household Appliances
Non-ferrous Metal
Tin or Steel Cans
Household
Bed Mattresses
Bikes
Clothes Hangers (Metal)
Household Goods
Small Household Appliances
Large Household Appliances
Miscellaneous Tools
Musical Instruments
Packing Materials
Other
Oil

Lets all do our part to curb identity theft!

I love my job!!

Beginning Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, December 2, up to 40 bags of leaves per household will be picked up each week free of charge. To ensure a successful collection effort, Indianapolis residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines:

• Place leaves in plastic or large paper lawn-waste bags.
• Place leaf bags out by 7 a.m. on your regular trash day.
• Clearly identify and separate bags of leaves from regular trash. Place them on opposite sides of the driveway, in different colored bags or use different color tie wraps.

In 96-gallon cart collection areas, all leaves must be bagged and placed at least three feet away from the cart to allow DPW trucks to service the cart. Additionally, all trash must fit inside the cart. Trash outside the cart will not be taken during leaf collection season. Residents also should ensure that sewer inlets and drainage pipes are kept clear of leaves and debris to avoid drainage and flooding problems.

DPW reuses collected leaves as compost and makes it available to Marion County residents, free of charge year round. Compost can be used as a soil conditioner, potting soil or mulch. Using compost improves soil aeration, drainage and nutrient exchange to improve the health of lawns and help gardens grow.

Last year, more than 6,000 tons of leaves were collected during the City’s annual leaf collection program.

As a reminder, it is illegal to burn leaves in Marion County. Smoke from burning leaves pollutes the air with harmful particles and is hazardous to young children and people with heart and lung disease.

For more information please contact the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622 or visit www.indy.gov/dpw.

Looking for a safe trick or treating experience?  Join us at Century 21 Scheetz for our Client Appreciation Spooktacular!

Local Trick or Treat times:

Anderson 5:30-8pm Monday, October 31

Avon 6-9pm, Monday, October 31

Beech Grove 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Bloomington 5:30-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Brownsburg 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Carmel 5-8pm Monday, October 31

Cicero 6-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Columbus 5-8pm Monday, October 31

Crawfordsville 5-8pm Monday, October 31

Cumberland 5-9pm Monday, October 31

Danville 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Decatur 5:30-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Delphi 6-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Fishers 6-8pm Monday, October 31

Franklin 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Greencastle 5-8pm Monday, October 31

Greenfield 5:30-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Greenwood 6-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Indianapolis 6-8pm Monday, October 31

Kokomo 6-8pm Monday, October 31

Lapel 6-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Lawrence 5:30-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Lebanon 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Martinsville 6-8:30pm Monday, October 31

McCordsville 5:30-8:30pm Monday, October 31

Monrovia 5-8pm Monday, October 31

Mooresville 6:30-8pm Monday, October 31

Muncie 5-8pm Monday, October 31

New Castle 5-8pm Monday, October 31

New Palestine 6-8:30pm Monday, October 31

New Whiteland 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Nobelsville 5-8pm Monday, October 31

Pittsburo 6-8pm Monday, October 31

Plainfield 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Shelbyville 6-8pm Monday, October 31

Sherdan 6-9pm Monday, October 31

Westfield 6-8pm Monday, October 31

Whitestown 6-8pm Monday, October 31

Zionsville 5-8pm Monday, October 31

Haunted Houses and Places in Indiana

	Avon Haunted Bridge: Cross this spooky bridge at night and you will hear the moans of the mournful ghosts of the people who died there long ago.
	Cullbertson Mansion (Literally, a Haunted House): This dark and lonely mansion harbors the twisted secrets of a deranged doctor from the 18th century–as well as the souls of his doomed patients.
	Hoosier Hauntings: The picturesque landscape of Indiana can’t mask the sinister tales of murder and chaos that lie beneath the rocky roads and little-traveled bridges.
	The Historic Hannah House: Once an integral stop on the famed Underground Railroad, this house became the final resting place of the slaves whose lives went up in flames one tragic evening.
	Fright Manor: A sight to behold on a dark October night, Fright Manor hails itself as the “Scariest Haunt in Indianapolis.” Complete with an insane asylum echoing with the screams of the tortured souls trapped inside, this Indianapolis attraction lives up to its promise.
	Chamber of Carnage: Twisted hallways and deviant souls await your visit to the Chamber of Carnage. Be mindful of the dead bodies as you weave through the destruction. Take care not to go into the Laboratory–you just might never come out.
	100 Step Cemetery: Let the suffering soul of a tormented undertaker reveal your fate at midnight when you visit this centuries-old burial ground. Located in Brazil, Indiana, this graveyard is anything but peaceful.
	Halloween ZooBoo: The Indianapolis Zoo always provides family fun for all. But each year at Halloween, visitors get an extra-special treat when their favorite furry friends dress up for the occasion. Make sure to take a spin on the Halloween Train, check out the Elephant Pumpkin Smash, and take advantage of the sugary treats along the way.
	Highland High School/Mounds State Park: In Anderson, Indiana, lie two seemingly innocent and wholesome hidden traps of terror. At Highland High School, you can catch a glimpse of the tortured soul of a boy who lost his life during a routine gym class. And Mounds State Park is home to a centries-old tribe of blue-robed dwarfs, seeking revenge for the Native Americans whose land was stolen from them so many years ago.
	Devil’s Hollow: This desolate stretch of land harbors the dark legend of a 1900s family. The mother’s, father’s, and son’s lives were forever altered by the chaos and devastation of World War II. If you approach the deserted area on a moonless night, you can see a lantern burning in the window that pays tribute to the doomed family.
	The Children’s Museum Haunted House: At this popular Halloween attraction, your kids of all ages can get their fill of eerie entertainment and Halloween hauntings. There are Friendly Hours and Frightening Hours, so even the littlest guest can enjoy the spooky chills and thrills that await each Halloween season. And don’t miss out on dinner with the witches–it’ll be a fun-filled night to remember.
	The Governor’s Mansion: This stunning structure was labored over for years to achieve a level of perfection suitable for the governor of the Hoosier state. But the mansion holds a much more ominous title now: it’s known as the first haunted house in Indianapolis. This tale of a dark November evening unlocks the deadly secrets of the ancient mansion.
	Conner Prairie’s Headless Horseman: Relieve the legend of Sleepy Hollow as the Headless Horseman rides again through Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. Enjoy a roaring campfire and Halloween goodies, and be on the lookout for spooks and goblins–and the Headless Horseman himself.
	The Willard Haunted Hotel: Located in Franklin, just south of Indianapolis, now The Willard Restaurant in Franklin was once a hotel, but first a home rumored to have been haunted since one fateful October day in the early 1900s.
	Edna Collins Bridge: This covered bridge in Putnam County holds the secrets of a young, lonely female spirit, with two different versions of her life and death circulating each Halloween. The only way to find out which is true is to visit Edna Collins Bridge yourself.
	Dark Carnival: A tribute to the best of Hollywood horror, this indie film fest celebrates the dark side of moviemaking. Come celebrate the bloody spirit of Halloween with guts, gore, and plenty of special effects. Set in Bloomington, Indiana, this festival is a must-visit for any horror film lover.
	Moooo Boo at Thistleberry Farm: This Halloween, you won’t want to miss this annual celebration of the season complete with hay rides, corn mazes, and plenty of tricks and treats. Costumes are encouraged, so bring your little ghosts and goblins for a down-home good time.
	House of Blue Lights: This story begins with an eccentric millionaire who couldn’t bear to let go of his dead wife–literally. Visit this site in Central Indiana, and you’ll likely see an eerie blue glow eminating from the ground that pays tribute to this tragic tale of lost love.
	The Praying Nun: This ghostly apparition drifts among the tombstones of two different cemeteries with a halo top her head and a crying baby in her arms. She can be seen late into the night, praying for the child whose life she saved one dark, cold evening.
	Cedar Rock Haunted Trail: A twisted trail that takes you deep into the thick forest of Jackson County and promises a frighteningly fun time for all. Come prepared to be terrified.
	Baby Alice: The tragic spirit of this “lady of the night” is said to haunt the town of Lafayette after her mysterious death. This Halloween, come to the street corner where she lived and died and find out the truth for yourself.
	The White Wolf: This powerful tale recounts the life and death of a Native American who never found peace. Head to Lafayette, Indiana to see if he still wanders the grounds where his mortal body lies.
	Lovers Lane: What began as a romantic spot for local teens to park and gaze at the stars transformed into a grisly murder scene one dark night in 1951. The screams of those who lost their lives at Lovers Lane can still be heard today.
	Haunted Hotel 13th Floor: Hungtington, Indiana is home to one of the most horrifying haunted houses you’ll find in the Midwest. This attraction pays tribute to the historic Warwick Hotel and the more than 300 victims whose lives were consumed there by a tragic fire. If you don’t believe in superstition–or if you do–head to The 13th Floor and find out the truth behind the legend.
	Justus Cemetery: This burial ground in Oxford has a reputation of being haunted by a restless spirit who resides in the old water tower. But is it really a ghost, or just a long-running youthful prank? Find out for yourself this Halloween.
	Trails of Terror: This Halloween, plenty of chills and thrills await your visit to the deadly Trails of Terror in Marklesville, Indiana. The Widowmaker, Camp Blood, and the Coven are only a few of the spine-chilling destinations along this 3o-minute path of destruction. So what are you waiting for? This October, prepare to have the fright of your life at the Trails of Terror.

• Motorists—please do not exceed 20 MPH in neighborhoods this Halloween, regardless of the posted speed limit.
• Trick or Treaters—always walk in-groups; parents should accompany young children. Older children should give their parents a predetermined route and return time. Try to finish trick-or-treating before dark—if not, carry a flashlight. Only visit homes that are decorated or that have outside lights on—never enter a strange home or get in the car with a stranger. Always use sidewalks where available—if not, walk facing on-coming traffic.
• Costumes—make sure your costumes are made of flame-retardant materials and are not so long as to trip you walking up and down steps. Use light colors or carry a glow stick or some type of reflective material. If you choose to wear a mask, make sure that your vision is not obstructed or walk with someone who can watch your step for you.

• Treats—don’t eat your treats until you get home! Parents check out all treats in a well-lighted area and throw away any treat that has torn or damaged packaging. Fruit and homemade treats should be inspected very carefully, even to the point of cutting them up for a closer look.