Keeping Your Credit Clean

Many homebuyers frequently wonder, "If I am shopping for a home loan will my credit be affected each time a credit report inquiry is made?"

It's a logical and intelligent question to ask; the answer is: not significantly, if the credit checks are done in a short period of time.

When a credit check is made by a potential lender it is called a hard inquiry. When a hard inquiry occurs it does have an impact on your credit score. However, when you're shopping for a mortgage or a car loan, credit bureaus typically cluster the hard inquiries together because the credit reporting bureaus understand that the consumer is shopping for the best loan.

"So for example, if you're shopping for a new mortgage and three potential lenders pull your credit score within three weeks, that is looked at as one inquiry for that purpose," says Steven Katz a spokesperson for TransUnion's TrueCredit.com. Keeping your credit clean is critical. Katz offers the following advice to help ensure healthy credit.

"If at all possible, people should have a locking mailbox," says Katz. Katz says mailboxes with locking devices are becoming more popular at hardware stores because identity theft is spreading. Taking precaution to protect your personal information can save you months of agony.

Shred your documents: Katz says if you don't shred your personal documents and criminals access the information, the result can be devastating to your credit.

Keep an eye on your credit card: Katz says while it is difficult, people should not let their credit card out of their sight or else they run the risk of becoming a victim of skimming. Skimming has become prevalent at some restaurants and gas stations where a clerk might have a small device that scans the consumer's credit card. "It's a very small scanner that captures all the information that is on the magnetic strip, and then the card's information can be cloned," explains Katz.

Be sure to keep all credit card receipts, and Check your credit history:
Consumers can check their credit history for free once a year at http://annualcreditreport.com. Katz says that the free reports will not contain an actual credit score, but you can get the scores for a fee.

Another good credit-checking resource is found at http://truecredit.com. The website offers access to tools to manage a consumer's credit health by receiving credit reports, credit scores, credit monitoring, and informational materials.

Edited by Dianne Dunn, from original writing by Phoebe Chongchua

Seller's Home Appeal for Today's Market

After years of hearing from successful sellers that they didn't have to do a thing to sell, they now need to understand how they can stand out from their competition. Here is a handy list to help sellers determine if some features in their home might need some attention.

Test all door and cabinet knobs. Replace mismatched or inexpensive hardware for a quick update. Buyers rarely can get beyond a knob that comes off in their hand as they attempt to use a door.

Take the time to paint walls, trim and ceilings. Keep adjoining rooms in one color palette, which will make your home appear larger. Clean up spills from messy painters. Hire professionals to paint mullions on windows and staircase spindles.

Slipcover mismatched furniture in a room that requires visual unification.
Discover ways to organize day-to-day room needs. Substantial wicker baskets or square stainless steel or brass containers can organize magazines, remote controls and toys. Books provide a good look, but vary them by laying some down and standing some up.

Wallpaper is considered fill-in-the-blank decorating. No two people have the same taste in this instant decorator wannabee. If it's more than three years old, take it down and paint in a neutral color. And wallpaper borders are out.

Simple furniture rearrangement can bring new life to a tired space. Float sofas and coffee tables away from walls for a designer look. Use area rugs to anchor furniture groupings on bare tile and wood floors. Place groupings of candles and clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri, fresh fruit or glass crystals on side and coffee tables.

Make sure there is balanced lighting in every room for dusk and evening showings. Dimmers help set the right tone.

Polish and wax hardwood floors to brighten and blend an old finish.

Clean every surface until it shimmers and shines. Clean can seal a deal. Don't forget the windows.

Purchase the best quality carpet pad which can make any new carpeting "cushy," and home buyers love cushy. Stay away from shag styles; buyers know it won't be around long in style cycles.

Streamline window fashions. Heavy drapes are in the minority. Think "let the light shine in" when placing blinds and shades. Light and bright can overcome other issues with a home.
Freshen-up closets with closet organizers to maximize storage space and paint a neutral, washable color. Thinning closets, cabinets, basements, attics and garages will also help your storage spaces look larger. If you can't part with items, rent a storage locker to hold items for decision making later.

Don't forget the basement; dark, dirty and musty basements are a turn-off to buyers. Add extra lighting, paint the floor and vacuum out all the cobwebs. Organize storage areas and take the time to clean the washing machine and dryer. To spruce up the hot water heater and furnace, wipe down with a strong cleaner. Scrub the laundry tub and sweep left-over leaves out of exterior stairs and window wells. Run a dehumidifier to reduce basement moisture.

Take a good look from the street or road at the front of your home. Look for shrubs that are overgrown or dead and remove and replace them with shrubs or plants that are to scaled to your home. Small inexpensive bushes send the wrong message.

Limit yard ornaments to a favored few. Excess ornaments can make yards look busy and buyers might want them included in a purchase contract.

Paint and refresh yard lights, flagpoles, mailboxes, window boxes, fences and trellis. Don't forget the swing set or play equipment.

Replace broken bricks on terraces, cracked concrete patios and steps.

Restore screens on porches and lanai's. Dirty, rusty and ripped screens limit functionality to homebuyers.

Don't leave pets unattended for property showings, especially if you think they could be aggressive or territorial around strangers.

Have carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't see your pet will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong allergy issues.

A barking dog or overly-friendly cats can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for showings. Hire a dog walker to occupy pets if you can't be home.

Written by Mark NashBullet

Local New Bern News

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! ddunn@dunn.com

HOMES SOLD (Closed), October 1 through October 31. (From NB Board of Realtors MLS System)

Under $100K = 14
$100K-$159,999 = 55
$160K-$199,999 = 24
$200K-$239,999 = 16
$240K-$299,999 = 15
$300K-$399,999 = 13
$400K - $499,999 = 3
Over $500,000 = 4

Total = 144

TABERNA HOMES SOLD (Pending)

Total: 2
Resale Homes Total: 2
$200K-$239,999 = 1
$350K-$399,999 = 1

Builder Spec Homes Total: 0
Resale LOTS Sold (Pending) = 0

TRENT WOODS SOLD (Pending)

Total: 4
$140K-$199,999 = 1
$200K-$299,999 = 1
$300K-$399,999 = 1
$400K-$459,999 = 1

GREENBRIER HOMES SOLD (Pending)

Total: 5
$200K-$299,999 = 1
$300K-$399,999 = 2
$400K-$429,999 = 2

TABERNA HOMES FOR SALE

Total: 30
Resale Homes Total: 20
$200K-$249,999 = 6
$250K-$299,999 = 4
$300K-$349,999 = 2
$350K-$399,999 = 3
$400K-$499,999 = 2
Over $500,000 = 3

Builder Spec Homes Total: 10
$300K-$399,999 = 4
$400K-$499,999 = 6

Resale LOTS For Sale Total: 6

TRENT WOODS HOMES FOR SALE

Total: 48
$140K-$199,999 = 12
$200K-$299,999 = 11
$300K-$399,999 = 7
$400K-$499,999 = 13
Over $500,000 = 5

GREENBRIER HOMES FOR SALE

Total: 13
$200K-$299,999 = 9
$300K-$399,999 = 4


For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in

New Bern, Contact DIANNE!ddunn@dunn.com

(252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800