I am often asked, “How will my credit scores effect my home loan.”

With the new guidlines set by lenders the requirments are bringing greater demands on the home buyer. The definition of what is a good credit score has changed drastically over the past year. It is important to get your scores as high as possible. It can make a diference of thousands of dollars over the life of your home mortgage.

It is important for you to know where you stand on your credit scores. It is good to get professional help in reading your credit file. Lenders are looking for certain criteria before they will approve you for a loan. While your credit scores are very important they are also looking today at many other factors in considering your approval.

So what is a solid credit (or FICO) score? The aggressive new FICO classifications are as follows:

– 740 – 850: Excellent borrowers qualify for the best financing terms.

– 700 – 739: Very good borrowers receive favorable financing.

– 660 – 699: Good borrowers should qualify for most loans.

– 620 – 659: Fair borrowers may qualify but may pay higher interest.

– Below 620: Poor borrowers will likely not qualify for a loan.

At HOPE we help our clients improve their total financial picture so they can qualify for the best interest rates available to them. If you would like to know more please call our friendly staff at 704-503-3669.

Reasons Charlotte NC is a great place to live. Reason 1

Many of our clients are considering a move to Charlotte. I am often asked how do you like living here. We moved here 24 years ago. I had no idea we would stay so long but we have grown to love Charlotte and really enjoy living here.

This week I will list 5 reasons Charlotte, NC is a great place to live. There are many more than these five reasons but I hope to help make you more appreciate Charlotte more.

Reason #1. If you are a sports enthusiast you will love Charlotte. It will be impossible to even begin to list all of the sports activities but here are a few.

This week is “Race Week” at Lowes Motor Speedway.

Friday 5/15 is the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Qualifying http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/superspeedway/nc_education_lottery_200/

Saturday 5/16 is the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/superspeedway/nascar_sprint_allstar_race/

Thursday 5/21 is the Windstream Pole Night
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/superspeedway/windstream_pole_night/

Friday 5/22 is the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Showdown
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/the_dirt_track/rite_aid_outlaw_showdown/

Saturday 5/23 is the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/superspeedway/carquest_auto_parts_300/

Sunday 5/24 is the Coca-Cola 600
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/superspeedway/coca_cola_600/

Still not enough racing

We have Dirt Track Racing
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/the_dirt_track/

We have zMAX Dragway
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/dragway/

We also have the Bank Of America 500 in October
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/superspeedway/bank_of_america_500/

Check out the full schedule at
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/overall_schedule/

We have NFL Football with the Carolina Panthers
http://www.panthers.com/

Charlotte has NBA Basketball
http://www.nba.com/bobcats/

Quail Hollow PGA Championship
http://www.quailhollowchampionship.com/pages/0,,5258_5262,00.html

Charlotte Knights Baseball
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t494

Professional Indoor Football with Carolina Speed
http://www.carolinaspeed.com/

Charlotte Checkers Hockey

The Nascar Hall of Fame is being built here.
http://www.nascarhall.com/

We have the Olympic White Water Rafting Complex
http://www.usnwc.org/Whitewater-Rafting.html

We have great college sports with UNC Charlotte and Davidson University
http://www.charlotte49ers.com/
http://www.davidsonwildcats.com/

And a whole lot more. If you like local, college or professional sports, Charlotte, NC is the place to be.

If you have credit issues that keep you from getting the very best interest rate possible on your loan give us a call at 704-503-3669. We can help you get your credit exactly where you want it to be. Our staff is waiting on your call.

   

What is the best way for me to manage my credit cards?

There is much disagreement from credit experts about whether you have to show activity on your credit cards or not to have healthy credit scores. Showing activity on your card can be helpful, but you must be wise in how you do it if you want to keep your scores maximized. Activity and the proper balance on your credit cards will make a big difference in your credit scores.

HOPE is here to educate and guide you through the process of healthy revolving credit. If you would like to know more call us at 704-503-3669. We are waiting on your call.