Teresa Hames REALTOR(r) for Topanga Canyon, Malibu and Pacific Palisades, California real estate, Ocean View, Canyon view, Country living, Luxury Estates, Horse ranches, Equestrian Property
Teresa Hames Realtor, Topanga, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Real Estate, GRI, e-PRO, Prudential Malibu Realty, Malibu Association of Realtors

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    Teresa Hames, Topanga Real Estate, e-PRO, GRI, Malibu Real Estate, Prudential Malibu Realty

    Teresa Hames, Topanga Real Estate, e-PRO, GRI, Malibu Real Estate, Prudential Malibu Realty

    Topanga Properties

  • 8 Ways to Improve Your Credit

    Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are a big factor in determining if you'll qualify for a loan and what loan terms you'll be able to qualify for.

    1. Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else's poor financial management.

    2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

    3. Don't charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.

    4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You're penalized less for problems after a year.

    5. Don't purchase big-ticket items for your new home on credit cards until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.

    6. Don't open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Having too much available credit can lower your score.

    7. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.

    8. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.

    This information is copyrighted by the Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. To obtain a complete copy of the publication, "Knowing and Understanding Your Credit," visit http://www.homebuyingguide.org.


    Teresa Hames, topanga canyon real estate, malibu, california real estate, horse properties, equestrian estates, ocean views, country living

    Copyright 2005-2016 Teresa Hames DRE Lic. # 01444436 - Topanga and Malibu Real Estate Agent
    REALTOR serving Topanga, CA 90290, Malibu, CA 90265, Santa Monica, CA, and beyond!