Mobile AL Real Estate | Daphne Alabama Area Homes For Sale | Gulf Coast Area MLS Listings » Finances

Good Credit Goes Hand in Hand with Acquiring a Daphne, Fairhope or Mobile Mortgage

Barbara Reeves — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 02:42:29 +0000

Good credit goes hand in hand with acquiring a mortgage to buy a Daphne, Fairhope, Mobile or Spanish Fort, Al property these days, especially a loan with a reasonable interest rate. That being said, examining your credit rating should be the first step you take before applying for a home loan. A free credit report is accessible from AnnualCreditReport.com, which will give you access to your credit rating from the three main credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. What these reports will not give you is your FICO score, something that can be purchased for roughly $15.

The FICO score is what lenders go on when determining whether to lend money and under what terms. The FICO score is achieved by weighing out your payment history (whether you pay your creditors on time) and your debt history, this is achieved by weighing credit reports from the different agencies and is updated as credit reports change. The FICO score ranges from 350 to 850, with 850 being the best score possible.

The free credit reports are a great place to start to clean up your credit. You can start with the first discrepancy on the list and go from there. Contacting entities that have posted against you is possible. A little time spent on the phone can often help repair and improve your credit. You can do yourself what can cost lots of $’s. Call Barbara and ask her how.

The old adage “money makes the world go round” is obsolete for those who cannot have access to it due to poor credit. Knowing what your credit score is and fixing the issues that exist within it can only help you in the long run.

Click here to read a recent article from the New York Times, “Healing a Wounded Credit Score”.

Sourced from: Kinetic Content Library

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 254. See more Fairhope/Ptclear community real estate.
(all data current as of 5/17/2012)

$395,000 : 17360 Polo Ridge Blvd, Fairhope

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,103 sq ft

Lot size: 25,300 sqft

Year built: 2005

Days on market: 0

Walk Score®: 12
$419,900 : 15846 Keeney Dr, Fairhope

3 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 2,650 sq ft

Lot size: 5,750 sqft

Year built: 2003

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 0

Walk Score®: 2
$285,000 : 19730 Hunters Loop, Fairhope

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 2,503 sq ft

Lot size: 15,750 sqft

Year built: 1993

Days on market: 0

Walk Score®: 11
$885,000 : 6360 Beaver Creek Dr, Fairhope

3 beds, 3 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 3,687 sq ft

Lot size: 34,200 sqft

Year built: 1988

Days on market: 0

Walk Score®: 5
$287,400 : 451 Ivy Cir, Fairhope

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,272 sq ft

Lot size: 12,360 sqft

Year built: 1970

Days on market: 1

Walk Score®: 48
$625,000 : 17747 Burwick Loop, Fairhope

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,310 sq ft

Lot size: 13,320 sqft

Year built: 2009

Days on market: 1
$324,500 : 250 Burgundy Ln, Fairhope

3 beds, 2 full baths

Days on market: 1

Walk Score®: 52
$214,900 : 208 North Ingleside St, Fairhope

3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 1,789 sq ft

Lot size: 16,660 sqft

Year built: 1957

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 2

Walk Score®: 57
$209,900 : 417 Azalea St, Fairhope

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,370 sq ft

Lot size: 8,712 sqft

Days on market: 5

Walk Score®: 43
$449,500 : 15992 Bird Watch Ln, Fairhope

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,350 sq ft

Lot size: 20,000 sqft

Year built: 2008

Days on market: 7
$206,900 : 206 Margaret Dr, Fairhope

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,825 sq ft

Lot size: 10,500 sqft

Year built: 2004

Days on market: 7

Walk Score®: 34
$675,000 : 19096 Scenic Highway 98, Fairhope

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,020 sq ft

Lot size: 4,250 sqft

Year built: 2006

Days on market: 7

Walk Score®: 35
$625,000 : 306 Cumberland Rd, Fairhope

4 beds, 4 full baths

Home size: 4,200 sq ft

Lot size: 19,550 sqft

Year built: 2004

Days on market: 8

Walk Score®: 22
$400,000 : 172 Clubhouse Cir, Daphne

4 beds, 4 full baths

Home size: 3,590 sq ft

Lot size: 11,229 sqft

Year built: 1993

Days on market: 8

Walk Score®: 31
$995,000 : 903 Sea Cliff Dr, Fairhope

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 1,500 sq ft

Lot size: 1.31 ac

Year built: 1905

Days on market: 8

Walk Score®: 28

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Remodeling Dos and Don’ts for your Daphne, Fairhope or Mobile, Alabama Home!

Barbara Reeves — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:36:25 +0000

There are many remodeling Dos and Don’ts to examine before undertaking a project with regards to your real estate investment in Daphne, Fairhope and Mobile, Al. Underscoring any remodel is a homeowner’s financial position and commitment to the home. If a remodel is being conducted to create a livable space to be enjoyed for some time and money is no object then remodel choices are not necessarily subject to an analyzing of the return on investment. If money and value are important and the home will be sold after a remodel takes place then paying attention to current trends and cost vs. value reports is important.

Don’t go over the top. No matter what the remodel, whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, or addition, going over the top with finishes, appliances or accessories will automatically reduce the return on your investment. It is important to keep in tune with your neighborhood. If you are in a gated luxury community then your finishes do need to be high end. You don’t want to have the most luxurious house in Daphne, Fairhope and Mobile, Alabama because you simply won’t get the return on your investment.

Do go green. Improving your home’s efficiency and impact on the environment can reduce monthly bills and make a home more appealing to potential buyers. It is important to remember that green is in.

Remodeling a home is carried out for one of two reasons: to add value or to make a home more livable. Knowing your reason for a remodel will factor into your choices. In the end, however, most people want to add value not reduce value in a home. Knowing what is going on in Daphne, Fairhope and Mobile, Al real estate will help you get the result you are looking for.

Click here to read the most recent remodeling cost vs. value report, and click here to read an article from Financially Fit titled “4 Renovations That Will Devalue Your Home”.

Sourced from: Kinetic Content Library

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 74. See more West Mobile community real estate.
(all data current as of 5/17/2012)

$259,000 : 7560 Cumberland Ct, Mobile

4 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,643 sq ft

Lot size: 12,136 sqft

Year built: 1996

Days on market: 0

Walk Score®: 46
$200,000 : 1655 Stonebridge Ct, Mobile

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,545 sq ft

Year built: 2008

Days on market: 2

Walk Score®: 12
$266,900 : 3915 Pierson Dr, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,009 sq ft

Lot size: 12,600 sqft

Year built: 2013

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 2

Walk Score®: 2
$489,000 : 7575 South Stone Hedge Dr, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,800 sq ft

Year built: 2002

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 8

Walk Score®: 28
$205,900 : 7180 North Ashmoor Dr, Mobile

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,216 sq ft

Lot size: 10,400 sqft

Year built: 1997

Days on market: 14

Walk Score®: 15
$299,900 : 7289 Morse Loop, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,329 sq ft

Lot size: 12,600 sqft

Year built: 2012

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 15
$369,000 : 2830 Bennington Dr, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,525 sq ft

Year built: 2006

Days on market: 16

Walk Score®: 22
$289,900 : 7406 Mallard Dr, Mobile

5 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,050 sq ft

Lot size: 18,600 sqft

Year built: 2004

Days on market: 16

Walk Score®: 32
$256,000 : 4127 Fenwick Loop, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,000 sq ft

Year built: 2007

Days on market: 16

Walk Score®: 0
$975,000 : 7265 Sable Palms Dr, Mobile

7 beds, 6 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 8,355 sq ft

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 16

Walk Score®: 14
$210,230 : 7569 Mallard Dr, Mobile

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,825 sq ft

Year built: 1995

Days on market: 21

Walk Score®: 25
$259,900 : 2327 Chapel Hill Dr, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,400 sq ft

Year built: 2000

Days on market: 29

Walk Score®: 25
$214,000 : 2071 Second Creek Dr, Mobile

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,000 sq ft

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 29

Walk Score®: 31
$229,000 : 7154 Smithfield Rd, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,252 sq ft

Year built: 1983

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 29

Walk Score®: 23
$324,000 : 7280 Morse Loop, Mobile

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,349 sq ft

Lot size: 19,499 sqft

Year built: 2010

Days on market: 30

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Identity Theft: Part III Keep Your Computer Safe

lheraty — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:19:14 +0000

Many people are afraid thieves will somehow get their information off of the computer. This is possible for them to do, but there are ways to protect yourself. Some people find that installing anti-virus, anti-spy ware, firewall protection and hardware firewalls is over-kill. In reality, when protecting your personal information you should always err on the side of caution.

When setting up wireless Internet access, educate yourself on wireless security.
Store your backed-up data away from your computer.
Never open an e-mail from someone you don’t know.
Never open attachments unless you know where it is coming from. Make sure you set up Windows to show all file extensions.
Make sure you set up your browser to block pop-ups.
Never use your credit card on a website that does not direct you to a secure page with a URL starting with https://.
Use different passwords for every single site you use that asks for one. Always mix letters and numbers to make up that password.
Never keep financial information on your hard drive.

For more information on Computer Safety go to Internet Safety Solutions.

Identity Theft Part II: Ways To Make Sure It Never Happens To You

lheraty — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:37:15 +0000

Statistics show that around 5% of reported identity theft case victims are children. The reason your child is a target is because the crime will very likely go undetected for years. Most do not realize it until they are in college and apply for their first credit card, and find then that they have been victimized. Take heart, there are many ways to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. Here are some of them:

Create a list of every credit card number and bank card that you keep in your wallet.
Never keep your social security card or any information with your social security number on it in your wallet.
Never give out any private information on your e-mail.
Cease all bank and credit card mailings.
Always reconcile your bank statements and go over your credit card statements. Some thieves start small, to find out who pays attention.
Keep your car registration and car insurance together in a closed envelope, hidden away in your car. Be sure to always lock your car.
Try never to use a public computer for business use or to make a purchase.
Memorize your ATM pin, and make sure no one is standing nearby when you use your ATM card.
Never save financial information on your cell phone.
Never apply for a job on-line, unless the employer has a verifiable address.

For more information about safer online banking go to going paperless.

Identity Theft Part I: Learn All Of The Ways That Thieves Can Steal Your Personal Information

lheraty — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:06:43 +0000

Identity theft has become a very serious problem in the United States. Thieves are not only stealing your personal information for themselves, but many simply sell it on the black market to another thief. They are using this personal information not only to obtain cash and credit cards, but high-cost medical procedures as well. There are a myriad of ways that thieves can steal your private information. Be aware of the following threats:

Phishing: This is an e-mail in your Inbox that claims to be from either your bank, Paypal or Ebay, or other online service. They then ask you to click on a link and enter your personal information.
Spoofing and Pharming: Thieves can actually redirect legitimate website traffic to an imposter site, where they will ask you to enter your personal information.
Spyware: It is very common for people to mistakenly download illicit software and find themselves accidentally clicking on a pop-up. This opens the door for thieves to steal your credit card numbers and passwords by accessing information on your hard drive.
Vishing: This is “voice phishing”, which is when a thief sends you a phone message asking you to key in your personal information.
Bank card skimming: Thieves actually add a fake ATM slot and camera to a legitimate cash machine so they can copy your account information. Servers at restaurants can also be armed with a portable card reader.
Thieves try to steal your wallet and can also go through your garbage for personal information.

If you are concerned that you are an Identity theft victim go to the Federal Trade Comission website for more information.