Before you can fix a credit score, you need to know what your score actually is. There are three major credit bureaus: Experian (www.experian.com), Equifax (www.equifax.com), and Transunion (www.transunion.com). Contact each bureau and request a report of you credit history. Get yourself a free report once each year and review for errors. Look for information and accounts that are not yours or are out of date. Each error must be disputed separately.

To dispute an error, first contact the creditor directly (not the credit bureau) and argue your case. If you can convince the creditor to remove that item from your credit history, get them to contact the credit bureaus and to give you a letter explaining the error. Keep all documentation (especially that letter) in case one of the credit bureaus does not remove the item or if they put it back on in a few weeks (which happens from time to time).

Of course foreclosures, deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosures, short sales, accounts paid late, accounts you owed and never paid, etc are supposed to be in your credit report. You can do your part by paying old debts or settling with the creditor (paying a smaller amount than the actual debt). If you settle, get the terms of the agreement in writing BEFORE you send them any money. Pay with a check (not a credit card or debit card) and keep the paperwork forever.

You should also make sure you are paying your monthly payments on time. Keep your balance on your credit cards at just over 25% of the limit amount. Do not max out your cards, do not pay the entire balance each month, and do not close any cards. Running a balance of just over 25% will make the most difference in improving your credit score

At any rate, you can write an explanation to any item in your credit history. You may want to explain why a certain item is there. It may be correct but there can be extenuating circumstance which you want creditors to take into consideration. The bureaus are required to send it to inquiring creditors along with your report.

SO THIS WON'T BE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE, SPEND LESS THAN YOU MAKE.

If you have been considering getting a piece of rental real estate for an investment, there has never been a better time! Here is an example showing how great a return on your money that can be. Let's make a couple of assumptions for the sake of this example:

• you are paying $100,000 for your property
• you are getting a 15 year loan at 8%
• you are paying 20% down
• you can lease the property for $1100 per month
• closing costs are $3000
• repairs and updating cost $7000
• insurance costs $900 per year
• taxes cost $600 per year
• routine maintenance is $600 per year

1. down payment $20,000
2. closing costs 3,000
3. repairs and updating 7,000

______

total invested $30,000

1. principle and interest $765
2. insurance 75
3. taxes 50
4. maintenance 50

_______

total monthly expense $890

$1100 - $890 = $110 $110 x 12 = $1320

1. appreciation on value $4,000
2. principle reduction 3,100
3. positive cash flow 1,320
4. tax incentives (ask your CPA)

______

total return first year $8,420

$8,420 / 30,000 = 28.1% return on investment your first year. This does not take into account tax incentives your CPA can help you with. This property will be paid off with no further investment.

If this doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!

Call me for more information. I would be happy to get you investment properties to look at and help you find financing.

If you are looking for a neighborhood where the average home is around $240,000 with a pretty lake and conveniently located in West Mobile, then look no farther! Still Water is just what you need. Great subdivision restrictions to protect your home value and Breland Homes quality make this a must see.

Located just a quarter mile off Dawes Road on Scott Dairy Loop, you are just a couple of miles from I10. If you work in Mississippi, Florida, downtown, or Saraland, live here and enjoy the great life of West Mobile but still be just a few minutes away.

Call me to see what you can have for your money. Don't forget to ask me how you can get thousands paid toward your closing costs and prepaids.

Welcome to the 4th best home-buying bargain market in the United States!

Mobile received national media attention in 2011 for being recognized as the fourth best city in the U.S. for homebuyers to find the deal of a lifetime. According to data from both Yahoo Real Estate and popular consumer site, Zillow, the average price per square foot fell to $57.00. Local Realtors across Mobile County hope that this national ranking will help the word get out, that the City of Mobile is hot spot for home deals on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

SEARCH HOMES FOR SALE IN MOBILE, ALABAMA UNDER $200,000

Mobile real estate values to those found in Detroit, a city that has seemed to be the pinnacle of fall-out from the national economic crisis. The average sales price for homes sold in Mobile in 2011 was $123,834, which represented a 9% decrease from 2010. Cash sales are becoming common place, as investors flock to the area to take advantage of the falling real estate prices, fueled by banks getting aggressive on distressed properties adn an abundance of inventory.

Please call our Lead Buyer Specialist in Mobile County, Karen Singleton, with additioanl questions or a private tour of your favorite home South Alabama home deals. You can reach Karen direct on her cell at 251-510-1466.

So you thought new construction was expensive? Not necessarily true. Factor in the low maintenance and better utility costs and it is quite a bargain. I have builders who will deal and rebates on closing costs from preferred lenders. The pride of ownership is something hard to put a price on. You only live once. Enjoy your home! I have homes for about $900 per month so what are you waiting for?

Call me at 251-232-3018 now!