Do you know your current credit score?

There are lots of rumors and old wive’s tales on how to raise your credit score. Here are a few tips that will help you on your journey:

• Pay your bills on time.
• If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.
• Be aware that paying off a collection account will not remove it from your current credit report.
• If you are having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor.
• Keep balances low on credit cards and other “revolving credit.”
• Pay off debt rather than moving it around.
• Don’t close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your score.  Keep them open with zero balances.
• Don’t open a number of new credit cards that you don’t need, just to increase your available credit.
• If you have been managing credit for a short time, don’t open a lot of new accounts too rapidly.
• Do your rate shopping for a given loan within a focused period of time.
• Re-establish your credit history if you have had problems.
• It is OK to request and check your own credit report.
• Strive to use less than 30 percent of your available credit.
• Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed.
• Have credit cards, but manage them responsibly.
• Note that closing an account doesn’t make it go away

If you have any questions about your credit score, contact our preferred lender, Beverly Aleman, with Regions Bank at 972-724-1102 or Beverly.aleman@regions.com.

The housing market hit a rough patch the last two years, with a big decline in existing home sales and a record increase in foreclosures.  With the media portraying a bleak outlook, buyers have been skittish, frightened to invest in an unsure future.  The media, though, missed the bigger picture.   There are many reasons why now is a great time to invest in real estate.

Homes are more affordable than ever.  Based on the median mortgage payment as a percentage of the median household income, homes are more affordable than they’ve been in a generation.  At these lower prices, buyers can also get more for their money.  Waiting for the prices to get even lower?  Don’t.  The price indexes show that the market has hit bottom and home prices are appreciating.

Mortgage rates are at a fifty-year low.  In August, mortgage rates dropped to a national average of 4.36 percent.  The rate was 5.19 percent the same time last year.  On a $200,000 home with 10 percent down, that’s a savings of $90 a month on a 30-year loan.  With interest rates this low, now is not only the perfect time to buy a first home.  It’s also a great time to buy a vacation home or investment property.  With lenders back in the game, loans are available now to those with a job.  The professionals predict that mortgage rates will not stay at this all-time low.  Take advantage now.

Sellers are motivated.  With the current housing supply at 12.5 months, supply has exceeded demand.  And with foreclosures and short sales selling at an average 20 percent below market value, buyers now have the upper hand.  They have a lot of choices, and smart sellers are doing what it takes to compete for the business. 

Buying is now more affordable than renting.  Rental rates have decreased slightly, but home values have drastically declined, the gap wider than it’s been in 22 years.  Now is the time to stop renting and invest in your future.

The American dream is closer than ever before.  Most Americans still consider owning a home the American dream.  A home serves as more than a place to live.  It’s a savings account that leads to financial stability and wealth building.  It’s a safe haven for a family; a place for game night, barbecues, birthday parties and holiday gatherings.  It’s a place to create lasting memories.

For these, and so many other reasons, now is a great time to invest in real estate.

Call for more information and look for details for an upcoming informative buying seminar.

by: Ann McLaughlin

Source: Keller Williams Realty - Seven Reason Why Now is a Great Time to Buy

Search North Texas home listed for sale!

The housing market hit a rough patch the last two years, with a big decline in existing home sales and a record increase in foreclosures.  With the media portraying a bleak outlook, buyers have been skittish, frightened to invest in an unsure future.  The media, though, missed the bigger picture.   There are many reasons why now is a great time to invest in real estate.

Homes are more affordable than ever.  Based on the median mortgage payment as a percentage of the median household income, homes are more affordable than they’ve been in a generation.  At these lower prices, buyers can also get more for their money.  Waiting for the prices to get even lower?  Don’t.  The price indexes show that the market has hit bottom and home prices are appreciating.

Mortgage rates are at a fifty-year low.  In August, mortgage rates dropped to a national average of 4.36 percent.  The rate was 5.19 percent the same time last year.  On a $200,000 home with 10 percent down, that’s a savings of $90 a month on a 30-year loan.  With interest rates this low, now is not only the perfect time to buy a first home.  It’s also a great time to buy a vacation home or investment property.  With lenders back in the game, loans are available now to those with a job.  The professionals predict that mortgage rates will not stay at this all-time low.  Take advantage now.

Sellers are motivated.  With the current housing supply at 12.5 months, supply has exceeded demand.  And with foreclosures and short sales selling at an average 20 percent below market value, buyers now have the upper hand.  They have a lot of choices, and smart sellers are doing what it takes to compete for the business. 

Buying is now more affordable than renting.  Rental rates have decreased slightly, but home values have drastically declined, the gap wider than it’s been in 22 years.  Now is the time to stop renting and invest in your future.

The American dream is closer than ever before.  Most Americans still consider owning a home the American dream.  A home serves as more than a place to live.  It’s a savings account that leads to financial stability and wealth building.  It’s a safe haven for a family; a place for game night, barbecues, birthday parties and holiday gatherings.  It’s a place to create lasting memories.

For these, and so many other reasons, now is a great time to invest in real estate.

Call for more information and look for details for an upcoming informative buying seminar.

by: Ann McLaughlin

Source: Keller Williams Realty - Seven Reason Why Now is a Great Time to Buy

Search North Texas home listed for sale!

Did you know?

Interest Rates are at lifetime lows.  Take advantage by acting now to:

• Buy a new home
• Buy an investment property
• Refinance

Call The Minteer Team for your personal consultation today: 817-481-8890

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The Minteer Team and associates from the Keller Williams Southlake office will be at DFW Airport Friday morning July 23^rd to welcome home the troops.  Every day, more than 100 soldiers come through DFW Airport on their way home for two weeks of R&R with family and friends. After long tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, this welcome starts their time home on a high note.  Join us to show these heroes how much their commitment means to us.  It’s a simple way to say thank you.  Please call 972-574-0392 tonight for time and location.  We hope to see you there!  If you can’t make it this week, but would like to go another day, you can find more information at http://affiliates.uso.org/DFW/files/WelcomeHome.pdf

Can’t make it to the airport but still want a way to say thank you to our service men and women?  “The Gratitude Campaign” was started by Scott Truitt, who wanted an easy way for himself and others to say thank you.  You can go to http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/ to learn more about it.

Thank you for supporting our American heroes!

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The Minteer Team and Keller Williams Southlake are holding a canned food drive benefitting GRACE Food Pantry.  They are in need of food, fresh produce and hygiene items.  We are spreading the word, and hope others will help by cleaning out their pantries and delivering needed items to GRACE Food Pantry at 837 East Walnut Street, Grapevine.  Please see the needs list below.  Thank you for supporting GRACE!

GRACE Food Pantry

Current Pantry Needs List (updated 07/01/2010)

Food Items:

Sugar

Cooking Oil

Kids Cereal (Raisin Brand, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, Coca Puffs, Trix, etc.)

Canned Fruit (Peaches)

Baking Mix (pancake)

Ramen Noodles

Dry Pasta (elbow, sea shells etc.) (Out of Stock)

Oatmeal

Salt & Pepper (small table top set) (Out of Stock)

Tomato Sauce

Tomato Paste

Canned Meats (Beef Stew, Spam, etc.)

Dry Pinto Beans (2 lbs. Bags)

Mustard

Ketchup

Mayo

Fresh Produce & Fruit:

Tomatoes

Apples

Oranges

Hygiene Items:

Diapers (size 5 - Only) (Out of Stock)

Laundry Soap (Sm. Boxes)

Deodorant

Toilet Paper (4-pack or more) (Low Stock)

Toothpaste

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Preventing Frozen Pipes

Good news - the Federal Government has extended the homebuyer tax credit! First-time homebuyers can qualify for up to $8,000 and move up buyers can now qualify for up to $6,500.  See the flyer below for more details.

Want a snapshot of what is going on in a particular neighborhood?

Refer someone to The Minteer Team and be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas.

Search North Texas home listed for sale!

The Minteer Team read a great poem today and wanted to share it:

The Habit Poem

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag your down to failure.

I am completely at your command.

Half of the things you do you might as well turn over

to me and I will do them – quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed – you must be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done

and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of great people,

and alas, of all failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great.

Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine though I work with the precision

of a machine plus the intelligence of a person.

You may run me for profit or run me for ruin –

it makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me,

and I will place the world at your feet.

Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I?  I am Habit.

Want a snapshot of what is going on in a particular neighborhood?

Refer someone to The Minteer Team and be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas.

Search North Texas home listed for sale!

"Your First Home", a book by Keller Williams Realty was featured in an article in the Smart Money section of the Wall Street Journal.  The article, titled "How to Nail Down $8,000 Tax Credit on New Home", gives buyers four strategies on how to expedite a closing and receive the tax credit before the November 30th deadline.  To read the article, click here: http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/real-estate/4-ways-to-shave-time-off-buying-a-home/.

Call the Minteer Team for information on how we can help you buy a home using the $8000 tax credit!