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Plan on applying for a home mortgage, car loan or new credit card? Lenders will be looking at your credit score to determine if youre a responsible borrower. The higher your credit score, the more likely a lender will qualify you and offer the best terms.

Although boosting your score requires time and discipline, here are five simple steps to take:

1. Pay Bills on Time
When lenders review your credit report, theyre very interested in how reliably you pay your bills. That’s because past payment performance is usually considered a good predictor of future performance.

You can help this credit-scoring factor by paying all your bills on time. That includes not just credit card and loan bills, but also bills for rent, utilities, cellphones and so on. Similarly, paying late or less than the minimum amount can hurt your score. Use automatic payments or calendar reminders to help ensure you pay on time every month.

If youre behind on payments, bring them current ASAP. Although late or missed payments appear as negative information on your credit report for seven years, their impact on your score declines over time: Older late payments have less effect than recent ones.

2. Pay Off Debt
The credit utilization ratio is another important number in credit score calculations. Its calculated by adding all your credit card balances at any given time and dividing that amount by your total credit limit. For example, if you typically charge about $2,000 each month and your total credit limit across all your cards is $10,000, your utilization ratio is 20 percent.

Lenders prefer ratios of 30 percent or less, and people with the best credit scores often have very low ratios. A low ratio shows lenders you haven’t maxed out your credit cards and can manage credit well. You can improve your ratio by paying off debt and keeping credit card balances low.

3. Don’t Close Unused Credit Cards
Keeping unused credit cards open”as long as they’re not costing you money in annual fees”is a smart strategy, because closing an account may increase your credit utilization ratio. Owing the same amount but having fewer open accounts may lower your credit score.

4. Don’t Apply for Too Much New Credit
Opening a new credit card can increase your overall credit limit, but the act of applying for credit creates a hard inquiry on your credit report. Too many hard inquiries can hurt your credit score, though this effect will fade over time. (Hard inquiries remain on credit reports for two years.) Unnecessary credit can also tempt you to overspend and accumulate debt, so apply for new credit accounts only as needed.

5. Dispute Credit Report Inaccuracies
You should check your credit reports at all three major reporting bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) for any inaccuracies. Incorrect information on credit reports could drag scores down. Verify that the accounts listed on your reports are correct. If you see errors, dispute the information and get it corrected right away.

Source: Experian

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Theres no getting around it…moving is stressful!

Here are four types of moving specialists who can help deliver peace of mind when transporting your most prized possessions.

Art Handlers

Top-tier companies will often build custom crates for each piece, transport them in climate-controlled containers and even install the art in your new home.

Jewelry Couriers

If youre moving a considerable distance, or have a large collection, then a secure courier service is the way to go.

Wine Shippers

Its always worth hiring a professional wine shipping service to carefully move your collection in specialized boxes and temperature-controlled containers.

Car Transporters

Professional car transporting services are ideal because theyre experienced in safely loading and unloading fine automobiles and will have enclosed carriers that protect them from the elements along the way.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Your homes gutters play a crucial role in protecting your property from costly water damage and other dangers. Depending on where you live, the types of trees you have on your property and weather events common to your area, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year to ensure they dont get clogged.

Even with regular maintenance, though, your gutters will eventually need to be repaired or replaced to keep your house protected. To help you determine whether that time has come, Home Depot offers five signs to look out for:

Cracks or splits. Even small cracks will grow, allowing water to seep into the fascia boards behind the gutters, the shingles above the gutter and the foundation below. Replace any split or cracked sections of gutter.

Paint damage and rust. The paint on your gutters is weather resistant. Peeling paint or rust indicates that water is present on the surface on a continuous basis. Look for clogs and remove debris to get the water flowing. Replace or touch up the paint on the damaged section of the gutter.

Pools of water and mold. If you see standing water or mildew near the foundation, it can indicate one of two things: the gutters are clogged, or there could be a defect in the gutter system. Remove the clog. If the problem persists, replace that section of gutter and downspout.

Water damage or water marks. Inspect directly beneath the gutters on a dry, sunny day for any evidence of water damage. Water damage underneath gutters can indicate that theyre leaking or overflowing with water. Look for possible blockages in the area. If there are none, this indicates that the section has a crack or leak thatll need to be repaired or replaced.

Gutter sag. This is a definite sign that its time to replace gutters. Gutters should never sag or pull away from the house. Sagging gutters means that theyre no longer draining properly and need to be replaced. This may be a good time to look into upgrading your old ones with gutter guards, screens or seamless gutters.

If youre uncomfortable on a ladder or cant perform gutter cleaning and inspections on your own for any reason, consider hiring a pro to do the job for you.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If your home has a driveway, you may have encountered a common problem: cracks. Driveway cracks often start out small and go unnoticed, but they can eventually become so serious that the entire driveway needs to be repaved. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of problems.

How Water Can Damage Your Driveway
Concrete is a porous material. Water from rain or melted snow can make its way into a concrete driveway, freeze and expand when the temperature drops, then contract when the weather turns warmer. This process, if repeated several times over the course of the fall and winter, can cause concrete to crack.

An asphalt driveway can be damaged by frost heave. If the soil under the asphalt gets moist, it can freeze, swell and cause the driveway to crack.

How to Prevent Cracks Caused by Water
Clogged gutters or downspouts can overflow, which can cause water to wind up in places where it doesnt belong. If water flows toward your driveway and the temperature drops, the water can freeze and cause the driveway to expand and crack. Cleaning your gutters twice a year is a simple way to prevent this scenario.

If your driveway doesnt have enough of a slope, water may not drain properly. Puddles can form, and water can be absorbed by the driveway material and eventually cause cracks. If your driveway doesnt drain well, you may need to have it repaired.

Applying a sealant to your driveway can repel water and help you prevent cracks. A sealant can be rolled or sprayed on your driveway every few years. Use a sealant appropriate for your driveways paving material.

How to Keep Plants From Cracking Your Driveway
Roots of bushes and trees near the driveway can grow underground, put pressure on the driveway, and eventually cause it to crack. Homeowners often dont realize how far roots extend since theyre hidden from view.

If any trees or bushes are growing near your driveway, remove them. This may be expensive if you have one or more large trees or several bushes, but itll be a lot cheaper and much less of a hassle than repaving your entire driveway later.

Edging your driveway is another way to prevent cracks. Keep a few inches along the edge of the driveway free of sod and weeds to allow water to run away from the driveway and prevent it from freezing and causing cracks.

Do What You Can to Prevent Driveway Cracks
A cracked driveway can detract from your homes curb appeal and be a safety hazard. In many cases, cracks may be prevented if you understand what causes them and take steps to avoid problems. If you notice any cracks in your driveway, deal with them right away, before they have an opportunity to get worse. If you have questions or need help, consult a professional.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.