1. Check your credit report for accuracy. You can get one free credit report per year from each of the three credit bureaus- TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. After you received your report, check it for accuracy. Make sure your name and social security number are correct. Incorrect information happens all too often. Make sure your account hasn't been merged with someone with a similar name or social security number. You can get your free copy at www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp 
2. If you find errors, get them corrected. If you do find something on your credit report that is incorrect, you need dispute the mistake by contacting the credit bureaus directly. The credit bureaus will have their dispute procedures on their website and they are also required by law to investigate any disputed items. These investigations should be finished within 30 days of your filing of the dispute.
3. Keep your credit card balances low. It's a good policy to keep the balances below 25% of your available credit. Even if you pay off your credit cards every month, a high average balance will affect your score. This accounts for about 30% of your credit score.
4. Keep accounts open. This accounts for about 15% of your score. Don't cancel your old credit card or get a lot of new ones in a short period of time because this can hurt your score.
5. Make sure you pay your bills on time. Payment history accounts for about 35% of your credit score so paying your bills on time is the most important thing you can do. If you are having difficulty paying your bills, contact your creditors to work out a payment plan. Communication with your creditors is crucial.
6. Be careful about new credit requests. Every time someone runs your credit, an inquiry is recorded. If you are trying to get a loan, don't apply for other new credit first. This accounts for 10% of your score.
7. Pay off debt. The best way to boost your credit score is by paying down your credit cards.
8. Paying off a past due collection account will not remove it from your credit report. These will stay on your report for seven years.
9. Be cautious of credit-repair companies. Don't pay someone to clear away the negative items in your file. This can actually hurt your credit rating.
10. Ask your mortgage lender. For more information on how your credit score will impact your loan and interest rate, please contact your mortgage lender.
Going Green, Recycle Congress in 2010!
2010 are the mid-term elections. Are you happy with the job congress is doing? Do you want someone in office who represents you and actually reads the bills before voting on them? Its time to vote them all out of office, both sides of the aisle. Our country needs to return to smaller government and actually follow the constitution.
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Team Knowles
Keller Williams Realty (417) 631-7234 betty@teamknowles.com http://www.searchspringfieldmissourirealestate.com  |
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The Christmas lights are all aglow at Silver Dollar City! Here is a small sample of the pictures we just took but there are lots more! This is one of the top locations in the country to see the lights. Every street you walk down is decorated in brilliant colors of lights. Another popular way to see the lights is to ride the steam train. We didn't get to do that this trip but we'll be back before Christmas!
The giant Christmas Tree in the center square has lights that are computerized and change colors to the music. Don't miss it!
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Specializing in Springfield Missouri Real Estate including Ozark, Nixa, and surrounding areas. When you're ready to buy or sell a home in the Ozarks, call TeamKnowles first. Spouses selling houses!
The rugged Ozarks area of SW Missouri is one of the best-kept secrets in the country. The cost of living is low, schools are excellent and the people are friendly here. There are limitless outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, biking, hunting, and boating. Don't miss the Branson music and variety shows, Silver Dollar City, sports, shopping and loads of other fun things to do.
If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in the Ozarks, you've come to the right place. TeamKnowles with Keller Williams Realty is here to help you find a home or sell your property fast. We specialize in real estate in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, and surrounding areas. We promise to show you only homes that meet your wishes; in locations you like and not waste your time showing you homes that don't meet your needs. We can show you any homes for sale listed on the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors MLS service no matter whom they are listed by! We can even set you up to automatically receive email updates when new properties that meet your needs are listed. You can use the powerful free search tools on our website to start your own search now or get in touch with us today to get started! We run our business with honesty and integrity and our #1 goal is to listen to our clients so we can find you the perfect home or sell your home quickly.
Best regards,
phone 417-631-7234
email: betty@teamknowles.com
email: john@teamknowles.com
Looking back on our summer, I'm amazed at how smoothly our transition went, thanks in large part to TeamKnowles and the Home Buyers Scouting Report website. After you gave me a tour of the city and helped me see the types of homes in various neighborhoods, I was able to view hundreds of homes on the website and narrow our search to just the few homes that you showed us. We started looking in May, closed on our home on July 31 and were settled and ready to start our new jobs on August 17. You were very professional and helpful throughout the whole process and made us feel welcome and right at home (quite literally) here in Springfield. We have a colleague applying for a position at MSU--we'll gladly recommend he get in touch with you.
Dianne Slattery
It was such a pleasure working with John & Betty Knowles who recently helped us sell our home. They came prepared with comps and marketing strategies, and positioned us well in the market by helping us set the right price. Considering today’s market, we were blessed that our home sold in just 2 months!
John & Betty have all the qualities that we feel define an excellent Realtor team: commitment, integrity, dedication, organization and professionalism. Their services were exemplary and they were very courteous, personable and easy to work with.
We would highly recommend Team Knowles’ services to anyone buying or selling a home.
Bob & Marilyn Barnum
My experience with Team Knowles has been remarkable. We listed our home for sale in July with Team Knowles and it sold in less than 10 days. Just amazing. Betty and John’s attention to detail is impeccable and made suggestions about property that we had not even considered. This shows their experience and commitment in the Ozarks area real estate market. They are most familiar with every detail a buyer or seller needs to be aware of when they enter into “the market”. I would recommend these folks to anyone looking to buy or sell property!
John Bailey
Rogersville, MO
We just wanted to thank Betty and John for all your hard work in helping us close on such short notice. I know you had to change your plans to come all the way to Willard a couple late nights to look at houses, then again during the day so we could actually see them! We are 100% satisfied with our new home and your service. You made our first home buying experience really stress-free; it’s not as bad as everyone says. Feel free to use us as a reference or if anyone has questions; I’ve already referred you to a couple of friends. Thanks again!
Jaren & Alicia
Willard, MO
Betty & John we very helpful in everything. They went out of their way to work with our daughter on purchasing our house. They helped our daughter understand and learn through the whole experience. If there is anyone looking to buy a home for their children in college I would recommend Betty & John very highly. It was very easy on us living 200 miles away.
Bud Finch
When Betty helped us find our house she made looking at a lot of different homes pleasant. She was very helpful in giving advice on what to look for. We would use Team Knowles and we tell anyone looking to call them. Thank you Team Knowles, you made our house hunting a breeze.
Kenny & Debi Newboles
Hello. My husband Jeff and I would like to take a moment to say thank you to our realtor Betty Knowles. Betty has done an outstanding job in assisting us with finding the perfect home. We are very excited about our new home. Thank you Betty and Keller Williams Realty for everything.
Jeff and Tonya Clark
Betty is completely trustworthy which is rare in our world today. She is very thorough and professional. I cannot say enough positive things about Betty. She is a true gem! :-)
Pattie Longan
I have known Betty Knowles to be a fine Christian woman, not only lovely in appearance but beautiful in her soul and her actions - trustworthy and honest, considerate and professional in her dealings with others. She has strong family ties and a solid background of support in good character. Betty would be my first choice of real estate agents when searching for a home in the Ozarks.
JoAn Cofer
Betty Knowles and her wonderful family have been personal friends with my wife and me for several years. Her Committed work ethic combined with her caring heart, honesty, and integrity makes Betty the kind of agent you are looking for. She will serve you the way she would want others to serve her. I highly recommend Betty!
Larry Jones
I have known Betty for many years and I would recommend her to anyone I know looking for a real estate agent. We have worked together, traveled together and sang together and attended church together so I would say I know her well. Betty is a woman with integrity and a wonderful character. She has very high standards and she is the type of person I would look for in a real estate agent. She will listen to you and do the best job she can for you. Your property and dreams for a home will be in good hands with Betty.
Traci Bodley
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