Use old cards: We were told for years to cut up or cancel old credit cards. Now, it’s better to periodically dust off those old credit cards sitting in a drawer and use them for small purchases. Pay off the balance within a month to avoid interest charges. The key is to show activity on the card, since 15 percent of your score is based on your credit history.

Increase available credit: The old 50/50 rule we used in the past is long gone. Today, creditors want to see that you are using no more than 20 percent of your available credit; less than 10 percent is even better. Since 30 percent of your FICO score is based on the percentage you owe divided by the total amount available, keeping your spending under 20 percent is a great way to increase your credit score.

Pay on time: Sounds pretty obvious, but unfortunately many people think paying a day or two late is no big deal. Thirty-five percent of your FICO score is based on credit history, so paying on time is crucial. As noted above, making one late payment can reduce your score as much as 110 points!

Avoid co-signing for others: This will show up on your credit report and could negatively affect your score if the individual goes over 20 percent of the credit limit or fails to make a payment on time. Just one incident could reduce an “Excellent” rating down to a “Poor” rating, and increase the interest you pay on loans and insurance. Caution: While the new credit card rules require a co-signer for minors under 21 who apply for a credit card, many companies are not adhering to the new rules. Be sure to warn the young adults in your life of the hazards of applying for and misusing credit cards during their early years. A couple of mistakes may prevent them from finding a place to live, purchasing a car, buying insurance at a reasonable rate, or even obtaining a job.

Limit applications for loans or credit cards: Since 10 percent of your score is determined by the number of new applications, inquiries, or credit you apply for, if you don’t need additional credit this year, avoid signing up for new cards or giving approval to anyone to look at your credit score. Just sit tight and gradually watch your score increase.

Some of the items are no-brainers but listing them out should get your creative space-making juices flowing:

Here is some of what they said:

“Check that everything is ergonomically suitable for you. It’s easy to become despondent and start making a mess when your working arrangements make you feel uncomfortable. A chair that makes your legs feel deadened or a table that just doesn’t have the space needed will soon have you wandering off and trying out other parts of the house to improve your comfort levels.

Remove the superfluous. Clutter will make it impossible for you to remain organized in a home office. Being at home, you’re at greater risk of things “migrating” into your work zone that have nothing to do with your work. Deal with this by getting rid of every object that is not useful for work. Take a close look at what you’re dealing with and define carefully what you need and what you don’t.

Manage the cables. You’ve probably found out through experience that the tangled cords under your desk are great at achieving three things: they trap dust balls, they make you look disorganized and they snag your feet, occasionally pulling over something else in the process. Don’t live with that rat’s nest of cables lurking behind your workstation; even if you’ve never thought it was possible to straighten out your office cables, give it a try.

Go wireless. Now that you’ve got that mess under your desk cleared up, think about getting rid of the cord clutter on your work surface. Wireless keyboards and computer mice are terrific gadgets that will free up both your space and your movements. Just imagine not having to tug the cord of your computer mouse free ever again.

Keep your printer off your workspace desk or table. Purchase or find a suitable printer table for it instead. If this small table or cabinet has shelves for storing printer paper and cartridges, this is even better.

Ensure adequate lighting. A home office needs good lighting to help you see properly at all hours of the day. If you’re stuck in a basement or somewhere that’s darker than normal, consider using a daylight bulb to brighten up your working space and to help you feel that the light is more natural.

Label everything. Stop squinting at the handwritten chicken-scratch on your file tabs and invest in a label maker instead. Having a label printer around will not only keep the contents of your filing cabinet looking neat and professional, it’s also very handy for organizing discs, office supplies and storage cabinets.

Sort. Sort through papers and shred the ones you don’t need. We’ve all dealt with it: the mountain of paper that comes from repeatedly putting off sorting through junk mail and paperwork. You have it in your power to keep that paper from piling up in the first place.

Straighten up at each day’s end. Before you call it a day, do a small tidy up. By taking just a few minutes to put everything back in order, you’re making a useful transition out of your workday, and ensuring that your office will be a much more pleasant place to return to the next day.

These are all good points.  So, if you need help getting some work done on your home office – give us a call!

If you’re one of the many homeowners considering a refinance, here are some important facts you need to know first. Be sure to consult with your real estate agent and/or financial advisor, as well.

1) Make sure you are in good standing on your mortgage. As the President emphasized, refinances will be considered for those homeowners who have a good payment history and are current on their mortgages.

2) Check your current credit score. Refinance candidates need to demonstrate steady income and good credit. Make sure your credit rating is up to snuff and see what immediate measures can be taken to improve it if it’s not.

3) Examine how much longer you plan to live in your home. If you are planning to put your home on the market in the near future, refinancing probably doesn’t make sense.

4) Consider the length of the loan. Where you’re at with your current mortgage can play a significant role in your decision to refinance. If you’re close to retirement, for example, and your loan is almost paid off, refinancing could result in extending the life of your loan, ultimately costing you more. Also, if you’re several years into a 30-year mortgage, your goal should be to refinance into a 15- or 20-year mortgage instead. Otherwise, you’re extending the number of years in which you’ll pay interest. Your refinancing goals should be short-term and long-term savings.

5) Find out the costs involved. Before you plunge into a refinance, find out the costs involved. Weigh these fees against the money you will save (contingent upon how long you plan to stay in your home) to make sure refinancing is the right step.

Last September we made an offer that you’ll not find anywhere else.  When you get your kitchen or basement remodeled with Home Design Elements, we’ll remodel you powder room for free.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• New floor
• New vanity, sink and faucet
• New light fixture
• New paint
• New toilet
• Fully installed and finished
• Must be within 25 miles of our showroom; main level half bath only – no full baths; must choose materials from our showroom selection.

But did you know that Home Design Elements is the contractor of choice for many area Realtors?

Realtors have special needs when it comes to partnering up with a contractor:

• Work must be fast and on schedule
• Understand the process of dealing with banks
• Know the tips and tricks to making big improvements with low cost
• Understand curb appeal and what makes the big differences
• Providing easy access to design options
• Knowing how to help a Realtor close more!

Here are seven cost-effective ways to treat your home like the investment it is meant to be:

• Curb appeal – First impressions are important, and regular maintenance shows. A well-kept lawn, tidy landscaping, a neatly painted exterior and a nice front door show pride of ownership and pride in the neighborhood.

• Fresh paint – One of the most cost-effective boosts to any home is a coat of fresh interior paint. Choose colors that appeal to you, but if selling your home is on your agenda, stick to neutral shades.

• Update kitchen – Dated counters, cabinets and floors can be a real turn-off to buyers. Investing in granite, tile and/or remodeled cabinetry will not only increase your own enjoyment, but can make a major difference in resale value.

• Update windows – Double paned windows that shut out noise and help regulate indoor temperature are an attractive and worthwhile investment that will add value to your home.

• Update baths – Attractive bathrooms are always noticed. Tubs and showers are easily replaced or resurfaced, and newer, low-flush toilets can cost as little as $100.

• Update floors and ceilings – Popcorn ceilings are a thing of the past. Scrape them away before painting. Carpeting, if used, should never look dingy or worn. Is there a real wood floor under the carpet? Think about ripping out that old carpeting and refurbishing the wood for a clean and updated look.

• Energy savings – Although not always noticeable, energy efficient additions like solar panels, insulated windows and water filtration systems will trim your own utility bills and add value when you sell.

Get Decked Out — Spend more time enjoying—rather than maintaining— your outdoor living space with materials that need only soap and water to keep a “like new” appearance for decades. Wood-alternative decking resists fading, staining, scratching and mold — even after years of heavy foot traffic and exposure to the elements.

Find the Best Seat Outside the House — Look for outdoor dining and seating options that combine livable design with worry-free durability. Find furniture that stands up to the sun, rain, wind, saltwater or snow and features all-weather fabrics that don’t need to be taken inside every time storm clouds threaten.

Brighten Up — Light up the night and extend the amount of time you can spend outside—while saving money on maintenance and energy costs—with proper lighting for the deck.

“An outdoor living space should be just as comfortable and stylish as a home’s interior, while reflecting personal tastes and interests,” says Ron Kaplan, chairman, president and CEO of Trex, a manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing.

After one of the worst winters in recent memory, a lot of folks are finding out this summer that they have some substantial roof damage as a result. For those who do, the Better Business Bureau warns that among the summer’s usual list of unscrupulous peddlers, are contractors who try to pressure homeowners into repairing or replacing their roof.

Complaints to BBB about roofers concern high-pressure sales tactics, confusion over contract terms, poor workmanship, incomplete work, disputes over warranties and overcharging on the agreed upon price. To avoid these scenarios and find a roofer you can count on, BBB recommends that homeowners:

• Recognize the red flags - Beware of any contractor that uses high pressure sales tactics or requires full payment upfront. Also, avoid contractors that require you to get the necessary permits. This is usually an indication the contractor wants to avoid answering questions at city hall.

• Get at least three bids - Beware of lowball estimates that may potentially balloon over time or foreshadow shoddy work to come. If estimates for the same work vary widely, find out why. Sometimes unscrupulous operators may use sub-standard materials or take longer to finish the job.

• Check the qualifications - Verify the business meets all requirements including required licensing and insurance, that they are bonded and registered in many states. Ask a prospective roofer for references from recent jobs.

• Make sure everything is in writing - The full scope of the work should be explained in the contract. All verbal agreements need to be included in the written agreement. Pay close attention to the payment terms, estimated price of materials and labor, and any warranties or guarantees, a payment schedule and start and completion dates. Confirm whether the roofer will be subcontracting the job or relying on established, qualified employees.

• Know what to pay and when – Negotiate the lowest possible deposit, but keep in mind it allows the contractor to purchase materials for the project. Never pay the full amount upfront or with cash. Make checks payable to a company—rather than an individual.

• Know your rights – If you have second thoughts about having the work done, the Federal Trade Commission’s “Cooling-Off Rule” gives you three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in your home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business.

Copyright© 2011 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved.

Well, we’ve come a long way, baby.  Check out our walk through from earlier this week…

Not to be outdone, what was a “cellar” is turning into a beautiful family space with extra bedroom:

One thing is certain – this is going to be a beautiful NEW home when all is said and done. We should be wrapping up in the next couple weeks!