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.

http://www.11581norwichct.com

Better than new  4BR/2.5BA hm on cul-de-sac in sought after  Estates of Meadowbrook!  The pride of ownership shines thru as you explore the open flr plan.  Main level features a private off/LR,  for DR, cozy GR w/gas frplc & gourmet kit w/stnlss applcs, brkfst bar & area.   Upper level highlighted by a luxurious mstr ste, spac bonus rm/5th BR, 3 addt’l BR’s & hall bth.  The unfnshd bsmt is plumbed for a wet bar & bth, has daylite windows & awaits your finishing touches.  You’ll want to stay!

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 

www.8839greenbranchlane.com

Offer accepted the first weekend!

Rare opportunity to own a stunning contemporary in a suburban setting.  As you enter, you will witness the appeal of clean lines & open spaces w/GR, DR, FR & kit flowing into one cohesive space. GR feat: a bluestone frplc & coffered ceiling, FR hilited by maple wall unit that compliments maple kit w/stainlss gas cooktop, DW, blt-in oven & microwave. Mstr ste w/updtd bth & WIC, w/2 addt’l BR’s & updtd bth complete upstairs.  Entertain outdoors on the paver patio ovrlking private fenced yard.

www.8613quarterhorsedrive.com

Looking for a 3BR/2BA low maintenance/well maintained home on a serene lake lot?  Look no further.  As you enter, you will be drawn in by the vaulted ceilings, open floor plan & natural light! Home features a GR w/fireplace that flows to the DR, Kit & sunroom/deck overlooking the lake.  The split BR’s allow for privacy in the mstr ste w/WIC & spac bath.  All appliances included, even the washer & dryer.  Neighbrhd w/clubhouse, pool, tennis & exercise room.  What more could you ask for?

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

http://www.8485mollyct.com

This meticulously maintained 3BR/2BA home located in the heart of Fishers is your dream come true. Looking for convenience, you have come to the right place.  Within walking distance to the Fisher’s city center & restaurants, you can enjoy dinner or even a free summer concert. Easy interstate access too!  The open floor plan is very inviting w/vaulted GR which opens to the kit, to the spac mstr ste & addt’l roomy BR’s, you will not want for anything.  Great outdoor entertaining space too!

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!