Really Care Realty is located in Sunnyvale, CA, within the heart of Silicon Valley in Northern California, and provides residential real estate solutions, mediation, and counseling services.
Financial Advice:
To invest in property, it's necessary that a simple system is in place to buy a property which includes the practice of good money management techniques. When applying for a loan, the mortgage broker or bank will qualify an applicant with running a credit report to find out what the FICO score is. The FICO or Fair Issac score reflects the history of successful money management or NOT! Typically, the higher the score, the better interest rate is available.
The amount of the loan is reflective of the "current status." It does not include what future financial happenings such as a major health problem, or job loss, that can make the eligibility of a loan not what it once was. Buying a property is an investment, not just a place to live. To invest, there has to be a believability that the financial quality that qualified the buyer to purchase a home, will continue or improve in the future. Today's market reflects that some Buyers purchased a property with unrealistic perception of future earnings.
To buy a property there are simple standards to keep in paying bills and trying to save. Here's a suggestion to use some basics that may help a potential buyer to set up a system to make the bookkeeping task easier. The objective is to consistently use a plan, an approach, to pay off bills, reduce frivolous spending, increase the FICO score, while concurrently increase savings to qualify to buy a home. Whatever the objective! This is one approach that may help.
BOOKKEEPING BASICS:
To set-up a reliable bookkeeping system, begin by buying a large, monthly calendar. Keep this calendar updated monthly. Call each credit card company or bank and arrange to set-up Automatic Payments. The time it takes to go online to make payments can be better utilized by making money or just relaxing. The credit company is willing to set up Automatic Payments, a stronger assurance it will receive the funds when given access to the checking or savings account of the client. This is first step to avoid late fees.
Next, keep a list of names of creditors, account number, User Name and Password, and minimum monthly due amount. Try to refrain from using retail credit cards with high interest rates. When statements arrive, review each bill for accuracy. Immediately call the bank for any illegal or unintended charges applied. Keep all receipts when purchasing, and check to see that returns were credited back. Pay down or eliminate the creditor with lowest amount due. Don't unnecessarily open new accounts. Never close an account. Keep long-term accounts with good pay records. Speak in a calm voice to customer service reps as many times they are keeping notes on the conversation. Mailing in payments are riskier than online, since the post office may not deliver on time. If mailing in payment, date your payment date for 7-10 days before it is due.
Once set-up, monitor checking account or bill-pay account to confirm correct amount withdrawn.
Must Know Information:
30 DEPRESSION DAYS WAYS TO SAVE OR MAKE MONEY:
By: Patricia J. Johnson, Broker/Owner, Really Care Realty, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
PH: 408-737-1695 Residential Real Estate, Counseling and Mediation Services.
1. Don’t use the dishwasher, or use air dry, not heat dry. Best savings: Dish washing tray
2. Remove leftovers to freezer or throw away if less than 1 cup.
3. Pay bills on time. Pay with automatic withdrawal. Pay on line.
4. Return recyclables for cash
5. Don’t shop when hungry or tired (you’ll buy more, probably carbs!)
6. Turn off the pilot light on the furnace in the summer. Or tell your provider to do it.
7. Don’t loan money to anyone without charging them some type of interest or work exchange.
8. Buy a simple math book, self-study, make sure no one is cheating you. Or learn online.
9. Fill up gas tank when prices are low, and fill marginally if prices are high, wait for reduced price. Make multiple trips instead of one trip, do multiple tasks at once.
10. Have a garage sale, and mark things very reasonably. Buy at garage sales for yourself!
11. Sell off antiques, but make sure you know its value.
12. Keep your home/apt clean, it costs more to buy toxic chemicals to clean it otherwise.
13. Use discount coupons, and pay cash if possible. Negotiate at every opportunity.
14. To organize bills: Pay off lowest amount owed first, then any credit card that is the highest interest, typically, retail credit cards.
15. Take time to set up car pool if commuting. Alternately consider shared housing (commuter housing) during work week if distance is about the same in cost, do regardless if consistent driving is hazardous for you.
16. Know how to calculate # of miles to the gallon for your vehicle. (online)
17. Always use public transportation to get to/from work. Live close to your workplace.
18. Reduce amount of detergent when washing clothes. Hang dry instead of using dryer.
19. Wash clothes in the bathtub instead of using washing machine.
20. Buy food, vitamins and prescriptions at discount stores. Use “a friend’s” membership card, have your name on his card paying a fee, or realize he gets cash back at end of year for every dollar spent.
21. When buying foods marked down, look for expiration date. Be careful buying discounted meat as there is a chemical released as it ages which can be derogatory.
22. For birthday gifts, shop, don’t give cash or gift cards, you can probably buy it on sale cheaper.
23. Keep all receipts for at least 30 days in case you need to return something, not just get store credit. If you used credit card, post the receipt on the wall where you do your bookkeeping to be sure return credit was applied back.
24. Buy weekly necessities as close to home as possible. Live within walking distance of your bank and market. Buy a home with a working fireplace for heat emergencies.
25. Rent DVD’s from public library, always return on time. Buy used books from them. Don’t’ buy cable. Buy a newspaper to get updated news.
26. Use one or two fans instead of air conditioner. Always rent where there is a pool to use on really hot days. Alternately, take a few showers during the day. Make sure apt pays for water.
27. Rent an apartment downstairs to stay cooler, and reduce risk of falling down stairs.
28. Use low-watt bulbs or LED’s to reduce use of electricity.
29. Family dinners. Agree that everyone bring his own meat and one side dish, excepting major holidays.
30. Keep car in garage or carport to reduce need to wash/wax it.
Patricia Johnson is a members of National Association of Realtors, NAR; California Association of Realtors, CAR; Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, SCCAOR and MLS.
I set a goal of efficient and effective Real Estate services and resources, giving my best to home buyers or sellers.
Really Care Mediation Fees: $100. per hour. Counseling $75./hour.
Contact Patricia Johnson.at 408-737-1695 to set up an appointment.
Sunnyvale Real Estate Services Mediation and Counseling in Northern California.