How To Obtain A Mortgage With Better Terms

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• Credit issues: Many consumers may have bad credit and not even realize it due to errors on their credit report. It's vital to get a copy of your credit report and to go over it carefully, ensuring that any errors found are reported and fixed. If your credit report does not contain any errors but your score is low, it's a good idea to work to improve your credit score before applying for a loan.
• Debt: Even with a good credit score, lenders see excessive debt as a red flag. If you have high credit card balances, pay those down before applying for a loan. It would also be beneficial to pay down car loans and student loans as well before going through the mortgage process. The less debt a consumer has, the better they look to a lender.
• Credit cards: In order to maintain good credit, experts recommend using less than 20% of your available credit. When possible, use cash for large purchases instead of relying on your credit cards.
• Be truthful on applications: Don't be tempted to factor in bonuses or overtime compensation you have not gotten yet into your annual income on applications. Lenders will ask for documentation of any additional income, as well as bonuses, so do not list anything that you have not received. 
• Be upfront: Financial issues from the past will be discovered by the bank, so it is best to be truthful from the start and disclose your financial history.
• Make a large down payment: If possible, put down a substantial amount towards your home purchase. This act will be looked upon favorably by the bank and you will also have a lower monthly payment and will save on interest fees.

Helpful Hints For Small Spaces

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• Too much stuff: Don't use too many furnishings or decor pieces in a small space; this can overwhelm the space and make it too busy. Instead, be sure to use furniture that counts and place it carefully. Large furniture isn't completely out of the question; if a small room has a tall ceiling, a tall dresser or other piece placed appropriately can draw the eye upwards creating the illusion of more space than there is. 
• Have a strategy: When working with a small space with multiple functions, divide the space in terms of task zones, such as sleeping, relaxing, dining, etc, can make arranging the room much easier.
• Think light: Choosing light colors for walls and flooring does automatically open up the space and make the room appear larger.
• Create a little gem: Often times, small spaces are overlooked and are seen as unusable. Instead of ignoring this  hidden gem, make it a unique and cozy place to relax. Create a reading room, a craft room, or a play room for your child. 
• Don't use over-sized sofas and chairs: Super-sized furniture may be comfortable and appealing for movie watching but try to avoid it for small spaces. Instead, try to choose furniture pieces that are smaller in scale and more size appropriate for the space.

6 Repairs To Do After A Winter Storm

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We all know that along with winter comes snow and ice and those two elements can do a lot of damage to our homes. It's important to do some repair work after these storms both to repair any damage that is already done as well as to prevent further damage from taking place.

• Roof and gutters: Snow and ice can cause shingles to fall off or be damaged and ice and snow can build up in gutters, creating an ice dam. Ice dams don't allow water to drain properly and that can cause moisture to get under the roof. It's important to inspect your roof and gutters and to make any necessary repairs. Roof repairs usually run homeowners between $720 and $1,070.
• Pipes: Due to the below zero temperatures we experience during winter (all too often), pipes can freeze and prevent water from flowing through them, which means no water supply in your home. A plumber can try to fix this issue and get the water going again.
• Trees: Heavy snow, high winds, and ice can weigh branches down and cause a tree to collapse, sometimes on to homes and power lines. If you suspect a tree may fall and you want it removed, call a tree removal service or simply cut some branches to alleviate the problem.
• Siding: Strong winter winds can cause siding to come loose or blow off and this can cause moisture to get into the inner layers of the siding which invites mold and other pests to live there. If you need to repair or replace your siding, the cost varies depending on the material and size of the job. Residents in Chicago reportedly spend an average of $600-$920.
• Structural problems and leaks: Leaks in windows, siding, doors, or the roof can cause a number of problems, namely mold issues as well as decreased energy efficiency. 
• Furnaces and Heaters: These colder months force our heaters and furnaces to work harder in order to keep our homes warm. Many times this burden causes furnaces and heaters to completely go out or not work as well. If you think there is a problem, call a professional heating and ventilation contractor.

Things That Don't Factor Into Your Credit Score (That you thought did)

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• Location: The place that you live doesn't have any bearing on your credit score. Even if your hometown statistically has bad credit, all that matters if how you handle your finances.
• Employment: On some occasions, information about your employment may be on your report depending on what is reported to each bureau. Although employment information may be present on your report, it is not used in calculating your score. Even if you are unemployed, that will not reflect on your credit score unless you start to miss payments.
• Income: This isn't used in determining your credit score, although lenders may ask you for your income when applying for a loan. Lenders may also be able to estimate your income using clues found on your report such as the size of your mortgage.
• Age: Although age itself doesn't officially factor into your score, the length of your credit history does. 
• Marital status: You and your spouse have separate credit scores, unless you apply for a joint line of credit. Also, if you add your spouse as an authorized user on a credit card or if you co-sign on a loan for them, that will affect your credit.

Selling Your Home In The Winter

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Tips For Selling In The Winter

• Be sure to clear driveways and walkways of ice and snow
• Carpet should be well taken care of-make sure it's vacuumed and in good condition
• Fresh exterior paint will go a long way to make your home pop 
• When showing the home during the day, open blinds and draperies to allow pleasant sunlight to filter in
• During evening showings, use soft lighting to make your home warm and inviting
• Winter is a great time to emphasize certain amenities of your home including an attached garage, new water heater, a fireplace, and energy efficient appliances and upgrades

Happy Friday

10 Things You Didn't Know About The Flu

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1. The term influenza is the Italian word for "influence":  This refers to the cause of the disease; people used to think that the planets, stars, and moon influenced the flu. 
2. Every year, an average of 5%-20% of the US population contracts the virus
3. Hippocrates first reported a flu-like disease in 412 B.C.: The first documented flu pandemic was in 1580 and it affected more than 90% of the population.
4. It's smart to get vaccinated before October: Although January is a big month for the flu, some outbreaks happen as early as October. Since the antibodies in the vaccine take up to two weeks to develop, doctors recommend getting vaccinated early.
5. There have been 4 major flu epidemics in the last century: The Spanish flu, Asian flu, Hong-Kong flu, and the most recent Swine-flu, which caused over 12,000 deaths worldwide. The Spanish Flu caused the most flu-related deaths ever-about 20 million world-wide in 1918.
6. The flu virus can live on surfaces from 2-8 hours: They live the longest on hard surfaces. Hand sanitizer anyone?!
7. There are 3 different flu viruses-Influenza A, B and C: Influenza A is the most severe, affecting both humans and birds-it was the cause of H1N1 and more. Influenza B is only found in humans and mutates at a slower rate. Influenza C affects humans, pigs, and dogs and is less common than the other two types.
8. There are an unknown number of strains: The flu is always mutating; every year there are 3 or 4 strains identified before vaccine development starts. 
9. During the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918, doctors prescribed either shots of whiskey or no alcohol at all: Some doctors recommended drinking half a bottle of wine a day or a glass of port wine after taking a very hot bath. Many people during that time relied on folk remedies, including eating and bathing in onions. In order to prevent the flu, the Colgate company recommended not wearing tight clothes and shoes as well as chewing food carefully. 
10. You can get your flu diagnosis in as little as 15 minutes: A lot of hospitals and doctor's offices are already using Alere i, which is a device capable of diagnosing the flu in just 15 minutes with a nasal swab. Getting a quick flu diagnosis means that treatment can begin in the first 24-48 hours after infection which is when you need it most.