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Showing posts from 2017

Easier to play the game

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Easier to Play the Game It’s much easier to play a game when you know the rules so you can avoid mistakes that may keep you from winning. Homeownership isn’t a game but there are some rules that will protect your investment and increase your enjoyment. Most people want a home of their own to raise their family, share with their friends and to feel safe and secure. In most cases, it is also their largest asset. These suggestions can help protect your investment and make homeownership more enjoyable. Don’t overpay for your home Maintain your home to protect its value Minimize your assessed value to lower property taxes Make extra contributions to save interest and build equity Validate the insured value of improvements and contents Be aware of current surrounding property values Make mortgage interest payments deductible Invest in capital improvements that increase market value Don’t over-improve the neighborhood comparables Keep records of capital improvement &am

Protecting your credit

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Protecting Your Credit One of the “big”  three  credit bureaus recently announced that a massive hack has exposed the personal information of up to 143 million people. To add perspective to that statement, that is about two-thirds of American credit card holders or close to half the population of the United States.  Part of protecting your credit is being vigilant and making it difficult for thieves to steal your identity. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, an initial step is to place a fraud alert on your account. Contact one credit reporting company (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion), tell them you are an identity theft victim and ask the company to put a  fraud alert  on your credit file. Confirm that the company will contact the other two companies. The initial fraud alert will make it harder for an identity thief to open accounts in your name. The alert lasts for 90-days and it can be renewed. A more severe precaution called a credit freeze restricts