Crystal Saves The Deal

  Is 2023 finally the year you push your credit score to Very Good? With the New Year finally, here, it’s the perfect time to set goals and improve your credit score. With a few simple changes to your spending habits and payments, you can be well on your way to a better credit score in a couple of months! Here are some resolutions to help raise your credit score.  Pay Bills on Time You probably already know late payments can hurt your credit score. And while carrying a credit card balance comes with its own financial risks, it’s essential to know that most credit card accounts will only report a late payment to a credit bureau if you fail to make the minimum payment more than 30 days from the due date. So, if you can pay your bills in full every month, keep doing so. But if you’re in a jam and can’t pay the full amount by the due date, just make sure to pay as much as you can and, at the least, the minimum. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low When your credit utilization is low, ...

  3 Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years as home prices skyrocketed and you made your monthly mortgage payments. Home equity builds over time and can help you achieve certain goals. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average borrower with a home loan has almost $300,000 in equity right now. As you weigh your options, especially in the face of inflation and talk of a recession, it’s important to understand your assets and how you can leverage them. A real estate professional is the best resource to help you understand how much home equity you have and advise you on some of the ways you can use it.  Here are a few examples. 1. Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs If you no longer have the space you need, it might be time to move into a larger home. Or it’s possible you have too much space and need something smaller. No matter the situation, consider using your equi...