Ron Martin Team

1. Pay your bills on time.
This is the best way to improve your score, and it's never too late to start. Even if you've had serious delinquencies in the past, those will count less over time if you keep paying your bills on time.

2. Keep credit card balances low.
High outstanding debt can pull down your score. Don't go maxing out your credit cards all the time. Only put 20% of the total amount you can put on the card also this helps raise your score.

3. Check your credit report for accuracy.
It's possible that there may be inaccurate information on your credit report that can be easily cleared up .

4. Pay off debt rather than moving it around.
Consolidating your credit card debt onto one card or spreading it over multiple cards will not improve your score in the long run. The most effective way to improve your score is by simply paying down the amount you owe. The reason is most of the time its a revolving debt.

5. Keep your credit cards - but manage them responsibly.
In general, having credit cards and installment loans that you pay on time will raise your score. Someone who has no credit cards tends to have a lower score than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly. Pay them off and destroy the card but leave about four accounts open this will raise your score.

6. Opt out of receiving credit cards

Try it, It's delicious

1/3 cup butter

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 15-ounce can pumpkin

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 eggs

1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Pecan halves (optional)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. For Pecan-Praline Pieces and Powder,* line a large baking sheet with foil; set aside. In a heavy skillet place the 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, shaking skillet occasionally until sugar begins to melt. Do not stir. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the chopped pecans; cook about 3 minutes more or until sugar is golden brown and pecans are toasted, stirring occasionally. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading with a wooden spoon as thin as possible. Cool. Break or chop the cooled praline into 1/4-inch pieces. Set half of it aside. For Pecan-Praline Powder, place remaining broken pieces in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until ground. Store in separate containers in refrigerator or freezer up to 1 week.

2. For crust, in a medium mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or until softened. Add the 1/4 cup brown sugar and beat until fluffy. Add the 1 cup flour. Beat on low to medium speed just until combined.

3. Pat dough onto bottom and 1-1/2 inches up the side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake in a 375 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool crust on a wire rack while preparing filling.

4. For filling, in a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, the 3/4 cup brown sugar, and the 2 tablespoons flour with an electric mixer on a medium to high speed until combined. Add the pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Beat until combined. Add eggs all at once. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the coarsely broken pecan-praline pieces, reserving the powder for the topping.

5. Pour filling into the crust-lined springform pan. Place the springform pan in a shallow baking pan on the oven rack. Bake in a 375 degree F. oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until center appears nearly set when shaken.

6. In a small bowl combine sour cream and granulated sugar. Spread over top of cheesecake.

7. Remove springform pan from baking pan. Cool cheesecake in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Use a small metal spatula to loosen crust from sides of pan. Cool 30 minutes more. Remove side of the springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

8. Just before serving, sprinkle the Pecan-Praline Powder over sour cream topping in center of cheesecake and garnish with pecan halves, if desired. Makes 12 to 16 servings.

You're nearing the end of a soothing hot shower, a roast is browning in the oven, potatoes are boiling on the cook-top, the last load of laundry is in the dryer, the water heater just kicked on to provide some more hot water for your shower and the heater is keeping your home at just the right temperature.

Each one of those activities creates moisture inside a home and hopefully the house is properly ventilated to provide enough fresh air circulation to sufficiently dissipate that moisture and transfer it to outside the building.

In older homes, the construction methods left air leaking through and around windows, doors, walls, floors and ceilings. Plus, once upon a time ceiling vents were commonly installed in closets, kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Since the gas crisis of the 1970's, the concept of energy conservation has been driving architectural design, construction materials and building codes toward tighter more energy efficient living spaces. The concepts are sound and well-founded in good logic except to a large degree they fail to factor in the sharp reduction or even the elimination of fresh air circulation in most areas.

1: Generally Improve Your Home's "Curb Appeal"

Mow the front lawn, water and fertilize if necessary, pick up any trash, sweep your driveway and walks and make sure your home looks good from the street.

2: Make The Front Door And Porch Attractive

You only get one chance so make sure their first impression is the best. Sweep the porch, touch up any paint in this area, wash windows and wipe down the front door.

3: Fix Cracks In The Driveway And Remove Any Oil Stains

Resealing your driveway can dramatically improved the appearance of your home from the street and really make a great impression to potential buyers.

4: Replace Warped Roofing Shingles

This can potentially save you thousands if your roof in near needing replacement. It makes the buyers feel more comfortable making an offer. Don't get caught with a bad roof by the home inspector and have to spend money you were not planning on.

5: Paint Siding, Trim, Shutters and Doors

If your home is needing a little extra maintenance on the outside definitely do it. Buyers will see the exterior and judge the interior. If it looks good on the outside they will want to see the inside.

6: Straighten Any Gutters

Ice and snow can take its toll on Alaskan homes. Take a few minutes and make the lines of your home stand out, in a good way.

7: Stage The Entry

Replace your worn out doorbell button. Replace your old doormat or place one in front if you don't currently have one. These things will say you care about your home and the doormat will help protect floors and carpets.

8: Clean Your Kitchen

Clean the kitchen especially well. Include the oven, exhaust hood, the inside of the refrigerator and dishwasher. Remove clutter from your counters and cabinets. Some buyers will judge the maintenance of the entire home by the cleanliness of the kitchen.

9: Freshen The Paint

You might need just a touch up or maybe a full repaint. Few things increase the marketability and give you a better cost return than new paint. All walls should be painted light, neutral colors and be welcoming. Fix any holes and touch up any cracks or major blemishes before painting.

10: Polish All Wood or Vinyl Floors

Make sure they are not only clean but shine and look like new.

11: Steam Clean or Replace Worn Carpeting

Your house may not be new but the more it looks that way the more comfortable buyers will be to make an offer on it. Many time replacing worn carpet can get you more out of your home than it cost to have done.

12: Repair Any Dripping Faucets

This quick fix makes a big difference to the buyers and will probably be asked for once the home inspection is completed anyhow.

13: Fix Crooked Drawers & Cabinets

Make sure your kitchen and bathroom cabinets look straight and operate properly.

14: Fix Any Doors That Stick

Make sure all your doors in the home operate properly and do not sick when being opened or closed.

15: Tighten Your Hardware

Make sure that all knobs and handles on cabinets and doors are tightened so that the do not slip or wobble. These minor type repairs in your home suggest neglect to potential buyers.

16: Replace Worn Appliances

Make sure all the appliance that come with the home are in good condition, look nice, and work properly. If not the buyers will already be deducting from your price the cost to replace these.

17: Clean All Windows Inside & Out

Remove the dirt and grime. Make sure to open any blinds or window covering prior to the house being shown. More light makes the home feel larger and more inviting.

18: Scrub Counters, Bathroom Fixtures and Tiles

Make the bathrooms shine and make sure to remove any lingering stains, water deposits or mildew. If your grout needs attention make sure to re-grout.

19: Clean Off The Exterior Of The Water Heater & Furnace

Clean the front surface where prospects will be inspecting. Also drain a bucket of water from the hot water heater to remove any rust particles.

20: Finally, Stage Your Garage!

The ideal two-car garage holds two cars. Make sure that you remove any clutter and make the garage look clean and as though the appropriate number of cars will fit without any problem.

1: Not Having Proper Representation

In today's market it is important to have qualified representation. When you select a Realtor to work with be sure to ask questions about there qualifications and even sales history.

2: The Right Loan

There are many different loan types available. Depending on how long you plan to live in your home there are some great options to purchase and keep you payments low or get you into a larger home for the same amount of money.

3: The Right Location

Figure out what location you would like to live in and stay as close to that area as possible. Sometimes buyers will jump into a home that may look great but is not really located where they want to be.

4: Make Your Offer ASAP

Making an offer in a timely manner once you find a home you like is advisable. Two common problem buyers face when buying are other buyers making offers on the same property and waiting too long.

5: Get The Home Your Purchasing Inspected

Make sure you have the home you are purchasing inspected. The inspection could easily change your mind about the deal you thought you were getting.

6: Stay In Contract

Stay within your contract dates. Many times if you do not stay within your contract dates the contract can be cancelled and you run the risk of losing not only the home you were purchasing but your earnest money.