Sunday, January 29, 2017

10 Credit Tips to Improve your Life in 2017

10 Credit Tips to Improve your Life in 2017

Carrying a Balance Will Hurt You More
Until a year ago, Federal Reserve rates were at zero for more than half a decade. A rate hike in December of 2015 and another hike in December of 2016 has changed the trend. Expect three more rate hikes in 2017. Creditors and credit card companies are likely to raise rates to match the Fed's rate hikes. The cost of carrying a balance will be higher in 2017.
Replace your Debit Card with a Credit Card
Trying to be a responsible consumer? Don't want to spend money you don't have? Those are great goals, but don't hurt your credit rating in that pursuit. Creditors don't report Debit Card usage to the credit bureaus. 30% of a credit score is based on utilization. Get a credit card and use it, but don't spend money that you don't have and pay it off 100% each month. You won't pay interest and you'll increase your credit score substantially.
Eliminate Nuisance Balances
One of the items your score considers is how many of your cards have balances. It is better to pay off some credit cards and keep a higher balance on the others versus paying them all down equally. Pay off those with lower balances if possible and it will help your credit score.
Avoid Paying Double for Auto Insurance
According to a new report by InsuranceQuotes, credit has a significant impact on what you pay for car insurance. The study found that if you have poor credit, your premium increases by 104% on average. Most U.S. Insurance companies use credit to set auto premiums, except those states where the practice is not allowed (California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts). Improve your credit score so you don't waste money on car insurance premiums.
Avoid Paying Double for Home Insurance
"In most states, insurers are putting more emphasis on credit scores this year," says Laura Adams, a senior analyst with InsuranceQuotes.com.   According to a new report, homeowners with poor credit pay twice as much for homeowner's insurance as people with excellent credit. Improving your credit scores will lower your home insurance premiums.
Request Credit Limit Increase
If you only have one credit card and you typically use much of the credit limit, call the credit card company and ask for an increase in your credit line. Remember, you want to have more credit available and then not use it. Improving your utilization can come from paying down balances or increasing Credit Limits.
Don't Try to Remove Old Debt
35% of a credit score is based on credit history. Don't attempt to close old credit cards or remove old accounts that have a good payment history. Credit expert, John Ulzheimer says, "Trying to get rid of old debt "is like making straight A's in high school and trying to expunge the record 20 years later. You never want that stuff to come off your history".
Don't Obsess - Do Strategize
Pay your bills on time and use credit responsibly. When you know you will be applying for credit, do this. Call your credit card company and find out when they report to the bureaus. It is likely to be the day they send your statement. Pay your bill down or pay it off prior to the reporting date and your utilization will be much stronger and your score higher.
Don't Dawdle on Credit Applications
10% of a credit score is based on new credit. Credit inquiries and applications lower your credit score. If you are shopping for a home, a car, or a student loan, it pays to do your rate shopping within a short period. Depending on the scoring software, you have 14 to 45 days to rate shop and have it count as just one inquiry.
Know what is in Your Credit Report
According to an American Bankers Association survey, only about 60% of Americans have checked their credit report in the last year. It is imperative to know what is in your report prior to applying for credit and not be surprised by what you find. You might be torn between paying an unnecessary higher rate or waiting for months to get your credit back to where you want it. AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to access your free credit report. Don't google "free credit report" and get duped by those trying to get you to pay for more than what you need.


Erik  Partridge
1st Choice Lending

Friday, January 20, 2017

Best Spots to Watch the Super bowl Sacramento



Downtown Sacramento is considered the heart of the city and the generous amount of bars and sports bars reflect this fact. Venture out on Super Bowl Sunday and cheer for your team at the city’s hottest sports bars. Bring your friends and enjoy great specials and entertainment at these outstanding Sacramento establishments.  Read the full story at the link below

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/01/26/best-spots-to-watch-the-super-bowl-in-sacramento/

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Percentage of homeownership with Millennials (Look at Elk Grove)

These millennials aren’t afraid of commitment.
Just over 35% of people ages 18 to 35 own a home, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau, compared to nearly four in 10 who did just six years ago. That’s a big reason the homeownership rate for all ages hit its lowest level since 1965 last year, and has only ticked up slightly since.
But in four cities in America, the majority of millennials are bucking that trend, according to a study released Tuesday by financial firm SmartAsset. Using Census Bureau data, the firm looked at homeownership rates in households headed by someone under 35 in the 200 largest cities in America.
The 4 cities where more than half of millennials own a home
1. Elk Grove, Calif. 61%
2. Gilbert, Ariz. 57%
3. Frisco, Texas 55%
4. Port St. Lucie, Fla. 54%
Also see: 5 charts that prove that today’s 30-year-olds are NOT adults
The No. 1 city for under-35 homeownership: Elk Grove, Calif. You’ve probably never heard of it -- for many decades it was a small agricultural city -- but in the past 15 years, its population has grown for two reasons: (i) homes there cost around $350,000, compared to nearly $1 million in San Francisco and (ii) it’s well located, says Asees Singh, a spokesperson for the site. Elk Grove is only about 20 minutes to the state capital of Sacramento, which has a lot of technology jobs, and under two hours to San Francisco. Indeed, millennials who do buy homes are often looking for a combination of affordability and well-paid jobs, among other lifestyle factors, says Cheryl Young, the senior economist at real estate site Trulia.
The other three cities in which more than half of millennials own homes: Gilbert, Ariz., Frisco, Texas and Port St. Lucie. Similar to Elk Grove, millennials like both Gilbert and Frisco because they are short (roughly 45 mintues) drives to major cities with jobs — Phoenix and Dallas, respectively — says Singh. And in Port St. Lucie, low home prices are likely the draw: The median home is under $180,000 versus about $190,000 nationwide.
By
CATEY
HILL
EDITOR

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Millennials, and money
Millennials’ Money, Just 38 percent of the millennial generation (those born from the early 1980s to the early 2000s) have ever used a physical bank facility other than an ATM, according to the website BusinessInsider.com. And in the past five years, 42 percent of millennials have used such questionable financial services as payday loans, pawnshops, auto title loans, tax refund advances and rent-to-own products, says CBS MoneyWatch. We have got to get them better educated of the pitfalls of poor money management. This is a well educated group of young people who are learning the hard way that they loose a ton of hard earned cash by using payday loans, tax advance advances, etc. If you have any millennials in your life I encourage you to get them tuned into the pitfalls of all these easy money places that pray on their age group.

Monday, January 9, 2017

FHA Reduces Mortgage Insurance .25%

FHA Reduces Mortgage Insurance .25%
on most loans.

Great news, FHA just announced that they are reducing the monthly mortgage 25 basis on most loans and here are the specifics.

Reduction occurs for loans closing on January 27, 2017
 so if you have FHA buyer in contract you may want to call them about the good news


Thursday, January 5, 2017

10 Things Sellers Can Do to Protect Their Property Wen Selling

DECEMBER 2016 | BY TRACEY HAWKINS
After Christmas, many people put the empty boxes their expensive gifts came in out on the curb. What do you think that says to potential burglars? It screams, “I just got a brand-new TV! Come and rob me!”
National Snapshot of Burglaries
A burglary is committed every 20 seconds, with nearly 1.6 million such crimes nationwide annually, according to the FBI’s 2015 Crime in the United States report. That’s down 7.8 percent from 2014. Total property crime, which includes arson, larceny theft, and motor vehicle theft, reached nearly 8 million instances in 2015, down 2.6 percent from 2014.
1. Maintain your property. Especially in the wintertime, many people stay indoors and neglect issues such as peeling trim or an overgrown yard. But if the home looks unkempt, thieves may think it’s abandoned and, therefore, an easy target. Shoveling your walkways to clear them of snow and debris and removing holiday decorations and fallen tree branches in a timely manner will signal that the home is occupied.
2. Know your neighbors. Many people don’t really know their neighbors; it’s more than just saying hi and being friendly. Invite them over to see your home before it goes on the market, and introduce them to the people they may see regularly stopping by during this time (especially your agent). Then they’ll know who is and isn’t supposed to be at your home and can better assess when there may be a threat while you’re gone.
3. Assess your home’s vulnerability. Walk to the curb and face your house. Ask yourself, “How would I get in if I were locked out?” The first thing you think of, whether it’s the window with a broken lock or the door that won’t shut all the way, is exactly how a thief will get in. Think like a burglar, and then address the issues that come to mind.
4. Respect the power of lighting. Criminals are cowards, and they don’t want to be seen. The house that is well-lit at night provides a deterrent because thieves don’t want the attention and the potential to be caught by witnesses. It’s wise to invest in tools that make nighttime light automation easy. That includes dusk-to-dawn adapters that go into existing light fixtures and motion detectors. But beware of leaving your exterior lights on at all times, which signifies the occupant is gone for an extended period of time.
5. Use technology to make your home look occupied. In addition to lighting, smart-home technology has made it easier to make it appear like people are home, even when they’re not. Systems that remotely control lighting, music, and appliances such as a thermostat can help you achieve this. Though not considered smart-home tech, simple lamp timing devices available at hardware stores are also good for this purpose.
6. Yes, it has to be said: Lock your doors. It’s amazing how many people think they live in a safe-enough neighborhood not to have to lock their doors when they leave. Some facts sellers should know: In 30 percent of burglaries, the criminals access the home through an unlocked door or window; 34 percent of burglars use the front door to get inside; and 22 percent use the back door, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Report.
7. Reinforce your locks. A good door lock is nothing without a solid frame. Invest in a solid door jam and strike plate first, and then invest in good locks. Know the difference between a single-cylinder and a double-cylinder deadbolt. Double-cylinder deadbolts are recommended because they require a key to get in and out. For safety and emergency escape purposes, you must leave the key in when you are home. But double-cylinder locks are against regulations in some places, so check with your local police department’s crime prevention office.
8. Blare the sirens. Burglars are usually in and out in less than five minutes, and they know police can’t respond to an alarm that quickly. Their bigger concern is witnesses to their crime. For that reason, an external siren is invaluable, whether as part of a monitored security system or a DIY alarm. Even if you don’t have an alarm, it’s not a bad idea to invest in fake security signs and post them near doors.
9. Consider surveillance cameras. The Los Angeles Police Department started a program encouraging homeowners to install a device called Ring, a doorbell with video surveillance capability that allows homeowners to view what’s outside their door on their smartphone, in a neighborhood that was a target for burglaries. After Ring was installed in hundreds of homes, the burglary rate dropped by 55 percent, according to reports. Most state and local regulations require posting a warning that people are being recorded. (But again, this can be effective even if you don’t actually have the cameras installed!)
10. Mark your valuables and record details. Use invisible-ink pens or engravers to mark identifying information (driver’s license or state ID numbers) on items. Log serial numbers and take photos of your belongings. Check to see if your police department participates in the Operation Identification program. They will have stickers for you to place on doors or windows warning would-be thieves that your items are marked. These steps may prevent them from pawning or selling stolen items and can help you reclaim recovered belongings

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Make a Differance

We are beginning a new year, and it is in each of our power to make a difference this year. It starts with you in your own home, , in your own heart, and the changes you choose to make. Lyon Real Estate is increasing it's giving power this year and though it's hard working agents donations through the Lyon Cares program and Lyon matching each donation they are able to increase the amount of money each office can give to charities in their own area's. As an individual each of us can give back to our community through so many ways. You don't need money to do that, you need a giving heart and the desire to help other people. Start by caring about each and every living thing on this planet. People of all nationalities, life choices, religious choices, animals, the environment, and the list goes on. Get out and volunteer in some non-profit organization, take on a family in need, volunteer at a local school, help an elderly person who can't do for their selves, volunteer at an animal shelter, etc. Ask yourself,who am I? And what am I doing to make this world a better place? Then go out and do something. I challenge all of you to make a difference this year in the life of someone else who needs a helping hand to make their life a little better.
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