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If you want to buy a house and youll need to take out a mortgage, getting your credit score as high as possible should be a top priority before you begin searching for a home. Your credit score will be used to set your interest rate, so be sure to stay on top of it.

Check Your Credit Reports for Errors
Start by requesting copies of your credit reports from the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Check them for inaccurate information and dispute any errors. Its important to check all three credit reports since the bureaus may have different information.

Pay Down Debt
Your credit utilization ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of your credit card balances by the sum of your credit limits to arrive at a percentage. A lower utilization ratio will translate into a higher credit score.

If youre using a lot of your available credit, work on paying down your debt. You can do that by cutting expenses, looking for a second job or side gig, applying gifts or income tax refunds to your credit card bills, selling some of your belongings or consolidating high-interest credit card balances into one loan with a lower interest rate.

Pay Bills on Time
Your payment history is another important piece of your credit score. Late payments, accounts in collection, bankruptcies and other derogatory marks can stay on your credit report and affect your score for different periods of time. Pay your bills on time each month. If you have any past-due bills, pay them off or contact the companies and work out repayment plans.

Keep Old Accounts Open
Credit bureaus consider the length of your credit history when calculating your score. If you have old credit cards that you dont use often, dont close the accounts. That would shorten the length of your credit history and would also reduce your available credit and increase your credit utilization ratio. Keep old accounts in good standing by making occasional purchases.

Be Careful With New Credit
Applying for a new credit card could be helpful, especially if it would allow you to transfer high-interest balances to take advantage of a lower rate. Just dont apply for too many new accounts in a short period of time. That could hurt your credit score since lenders might think you were struggling financially or couldnt handle credit responsibly.

Give Yourself Time to Work on Your Credit
The length of time it will take to raise your credit score and how much you will be able to increase it will depend on your current score, your payment history, your debt level, your income and how much you can afford to apply toward existing debts each month. Think of boosting your credit score as a medium- to long-term endeavor. Create a plan to address any problems so you can achieve your goal of owning a home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre thinking about painting, consider the mood you want the room to promote. Whether its your kitchen, bathroom or home office, the color you choose will affect how you and others will feel.

So, if youre searching for the perfect color for your living room, bedroom or a general color scheme for throughout your home, look no further. Here are seven colors to consider adding to your home”and how they can affect your mood.

Blue
If youre looking for a color that will promote relaxation and rest, go for blue. As a calming color, blue is often used in bathrooms and bedrooms. Anywhere in your home that you expect to wind down and clear your mind, especially when theres lots of natural light, would be a great room for this color choice. Blue can also be a generally neutral color, matching with most furnishings, materials and styles. Just be sure to pick the right hue, as a pastel or icy blue can come off cold and unwelcoming and darker blues can promote sadness. Use these shades as accent colors instead.

Yellow
Its no surprise that choosing yellow will evoke happiness, similar to sunshine. As an energizing color, yellow is a great choice for a kitchen or home office, and again, where there is plenty of natural light. A bright shade can open up a smaller room, however, you may want to opt for a lighter shade if you plan on using it in your main color scheme. If there is too much bright yellow throughout your home, it can get overwhelming. As a color that stimulates your nerves”and can sometimes overstimulate”you want to avoid too much yellow in nurseries or young childrens rooms.

Red
Similar to yellow, red is an energizing color. Unlike blue, however, red promotes feelings of excitement and adrenaline. Some homeowners have chosen this color for bedrooms, while others have used it in more social areas, as its a color thats great for entertaining and stimulating conversations. Red is a great color for an accent wall, avoiding overstimulation while still making a bold statement.

Green
For a fresh, natural color that exudes happiness and relaxation, green is a great paint choice that can be used throughout the entire home. Mixing the moods of blue and yellow encourages people to unwind and converse in an anxiety-free area. From your home office, where youll feel encouraged, to a kitchen or living room, where you can feel connected to nature while spending time with loved ones, green can be a great starting point for your homes main color scheme.

Purple
For those looking for a romantic color, but dont want to make as bold of a statement as red, purple is a luxurious option. Known historically as a royal tone, this deep, dramatic color choice gives off a creative and mysterious feeling, perfect for a den or bedroom. Though, with lighter hues, such as lavender, purple can also be a unique choice for a childs room or a bathroom, promoting a sense of calm and rest. Purple tones can also be brought into a color scheme as accent walls or decor to create a sophisticated depth to any design.

Orange
Another interesting mix, similar to red and yellow, orange provokes energy and excitement. Because this is such a unique color choice, you often only see it in decor and accent tones. But that doesnt mean you cant paint a wall or room with orange. In fact, orange is a great color for a home gym or playroom, exuding light and vitality, perfect for exercise and creativity. Orange is also known to stimulate appetite, which can make it an interesting choice in a kitchen or dining area.

White
Though white is a very basic color, and many shades from eggshell to cream to bright white fall under this category, it exudes cleanliness and free, open space, which is a classic look in any home. White ceilings, especially when you have other colors or patterns on your walls, can give off the impression that its higher and the room is larger. Because whites are the most neutral color you can paint, its always a safe choice no matter the style youre going for. White can be easily paired with any color, as well as endless patterns and design schemes, while promoting a happy medium of whatever color and mood you choose.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Refinancing your mortgage and switching to a shorter term might help you save money, but it doesnt work that way in all circumstances. For some homeowners, paying off a mortgage early can cost more or make it harder to achieve other financial goals.

Reasons to Consider Switching to a Shorter Term
A mortgage with a shorter term has a lower interest rate than a longer-term loan. Shortening the term of your mortgage would help you spend less on interest over the life of the loan and pay off the mortgage sooner.

Why Refinancing Might Not Be the Right Move
Shortening your loan term would increase your mortgage payments significantly. That could be a financial stretch, especially if your job isnt secure, your income varies or you are raising a family. Refinancing would also require you to pay closing costs.

If you need to save for retirement or for your childrens college education, it might be better to focus on those goals first. When it comes to saving for retirement and education, the earlier you start investing, the more you can benefit from compounded interest.

High-interest credit cards can eat up a large chunk of your monthly income and can take a long time to pay off. You might be better off tackling your credit card bills before refinancing your home loan.

Paying off your mortgage earlier could help you build equity, but those funds would be harder to access than money in a savings account. If making higher monthly mortgage payments would leave you without a readily accessible source of cash, refinancing might not be a good idea.

At the beginning of a mortgage repayment period, a large portion of each payment goes toward interest. Later, more money is used to reduce the principal. If youve been paying off your mortgage for several years and most of your payments now go toward principal, refinancing would set you back to the stage where most of your payments went toward interest. Depending on your specific circumstances, you might lose money overall.

Other Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster
If your current mortgage doesnt have a prepayment penalty, you could pay a little extra each month or make extra payments with money from a bonus, income tax refund or gift. Just be sure to instruct your loan servicer to apply the additional payments to your principal.

Should You Refinance?
Shortening the payback period and reducing the total amount of interest you will have to pay can be appealing, but those shouldnt necessarily be your top priorities. Depending on where you are in your repayment period, refinancing might not save you much money, or any at all. Increasing your monthly payments could also make it difficult to reach your other financial objectives. Think about all your goals and your overall financial situation to decide whether refinancing to a shorter loan term is the best move.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Trees and bushes can beautify your yard, but they can cause problems if theyre too close to the house. Some species carry greater risks than others, but you should consider potential problems no matter which species youre thinking about planting.

Falling Debris
If trees are located next to the house, leaves, twigs and acorns can fall into the gutters, where they can cause clogs. Fallen branches can wind up on the roof and damage shingles or cause gutters to come loose or fall down. A storm can cause large branches to fall, which can result in broken windows, a partial or complete roof collapse, and injuries to the homes occupants.

Roots
The length of tree roots varies by species, but in many cases the spread of the roots is much greater than the height of the tree. Since the roots are underground, homeowners often have no idea how far they extend.

Roots can damage the foundation, which can result in cracked walls and uneven floors inside the house. Tree roots can also cause a sidewalk or driveway to heave, damage the septic system, and cause pipes to crack or burst, which can lead to major plumbing issues and leaks that can affect the foundation.

Moisture
Trees cause the amount of water in the soil to fluctuate, which can cause the soil to expand and contract. That can create pressure that can crack the foundation or cause it to shift.

Bushes and shrubs retain moisture. If theyre located too close to the house, moisture can cause the exterior of the home to deteriorate, whether its made of wood or vinyl siding or another material.

Insects
Moisture can attract insects, including termites. Even though termites usually feast on dead wood or building materials, they sometimes eat the roots of living trees and shrubs. If they find tasty plants near your house, when theyre done with them, theyll most likely move on to your home. In addition, trees that touch the roof of your house can provide an easy avenue for insects to enter the building.

Think Carefully About Where to Plant Trees and Bushes
Homeowners are often surprised by how much trees and shrubs grow and how they impact the house and other structures. If youre thinking about planting trees or bushes in your yard, consult an expert to find out how tall they may grow and how far their roots may extend so you can put them in places where theyll be unlikely to cause damage.

If you already have trees or shrubs near your house, have them trimmed regularly and be on the lookout for signs of plant-related problems. If you notice any of these issues, schedule a professional inspection.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Maintaining your home requires more than your seasonal large maintenance projects. It also requires small day-to-day fixes to keep your home looking its best. Keep these handy items nearby for a quick fix whenever your home is in need.

Extra Paint
Whether you opt to have paint samples or just save your current wall paint, its always a good idea to keep extra paint around. Scuffs, small scratches and holes can be quickly repaired or covered with a small bit of matching paint. While yes, your paint will never dry exactly the same as your first application, it will still be the perfect solution for minor issues.

E6000 Glue
No mere super glue, E6000 is specifically formulated to handle your most intense gluing projects. With its praises sung by crafters and hardware stores alike, there is no doubt that this glue will come in handy. Said to be able to handle heavy materials like wood, metal and concrete. As well as an array of craft mediums, you will be grateful to have this at the ready the next time something chips or breaks and requires a hardy-but-simple fix.

Spackle and Putty Knife
For obvious reasons, this is a must-have for home repairs. Dont wait until you need it to buy it, however. Its a small item that can be easily stored for later. Small holes from furniture, nails and other issues can be easily repaired with a little spackling compound and a little extra paint. To save time and hassle, look for a spackle with primer already in the compound.

Everyday Tool Set
If you dont already have a set of tools, there are basic items you need to have for everyday repairs. A simple toolset can be purchased at nearly any store, but will do wonders for your home the next time a small issue arises.

Published with permission from RISMedia.