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Cracks in ceilings can be a sign of a larger problem, or they may be nothing but a cosmetic issue. But when selling a home, all flaws in the ceiling require attention.

Most ceilings will develop a few cracks over the years that are harmless and not indicative of some bigger issue. Repairing these is a fairly simple process.

Start by removing loose paint and drywall with a utility knife. Next, cover the crack with mesh tape, centering the crack within the tape. Spread drywall joint compound over the tape, using the putty knife to make the compound flat. Dont be afraid to use too much compound, because the next step is to sand down any ridges after the compound has dried. Be sure not to sand the tape away.

The final steps are to prime and paint. Painting the entire ceiling is best so that it looks uniform.

Larger cracks are more serious and require professional attention. So-called spider web cracks can stretch from a ceiling to walls and floors. These large cracks can be a sign of structural damage and should be repaired quickly. When a crack runs across the ceiling and continues down a wall, it is commonly a sign of structural damage caused by a weak wall stud.

Cracks combined with a so-called bow, or dip in the ceiling can be a serious challenge. If the support provided by joists weakens, a ceiling will sag”a professional should be contacted right away if this is happening.

Another thing to look at is the coloring of a crack. If yellow or brown stains are around the crack, its a sign of a water leak. Be sure you find the cause of the leak and have it repaired before you fix the crack in the ceiling.

Even if your ceiling is free of cracks, its well worth your time to take a close look when selling the home. Simply dusting or vacuuming your ceiling, particularly in the corners, can make a difference to buyers. Also, be sure to clean away any scuffs. If your ceiling needs a new paint job, consider painting it white, which can make the ceiling appear higher. And while youre up on that ladder, dust ceiling fans and vacuum vents that are high on walls.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Bringing a historic home into the 21^st century is a balancing act of the highest degree. You want the latest luxuries without having to get rid of the charming period details of yesteryear. Whether youre in the market for a home that exudes Old World craftsmanship or youre ready to breathe new life into your historic residence, here are a few tips to get you started on the right track.

Find a Specialist

The first order of business is to find a contractor or consultant who specializes in the restoration of historic homes. An expert will be able to guide you through the process, knowing exactly what needs to be preserved and what needs to be updated. The last thing you want is someone whos ready to rip it down to the studs without respecting the residences history, so do your due diligence.

Kitchens & Bathrooms

With all due respect to kitchens and bathrooms of the past, these are living spaces that we generally want to equip with top-of-the-line features. Dont hold back when it comes to modern shower systems and cutting-edge appliances. While you can certainly choose to maintain a timeless aesthetic, it can also be fun to contrast contemporary with traditional.

Preserve the Period Details

What was it that drew you to the home in the first place? Often, its the original details, like antique floors, door casings, or stonework. Whenever its possible to salvage or reclaim these elements, it goes a long way toward maintaining the houses character and sense of authenticity.

Integrate Technology

Wireless smart home systems allow you to discreetly outfit a historic property with the latest technology. Rather than installing a touchscreen to control your home automation system, you can take the reins on your smartphone to manage lights, thermostat, and more, often times without even requiring additional wiring.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Kitchen countertops are some of the most frequently used surfaces in a house. They are made to withstand years of wear and tear, but certain common mistakes can damage them. Since kitchen counters are expensive to replace, you should avoid behaviors that could shorten their lifespan.

How to Prevent Cracks and Scratches
Even though countertops are hard, they can still crack from too much pressure. Heavy objects are more likely to cause damage if theyre placed near edges and joints.

Changes in temperature can also cause countertops to crack. Hot appliances, such as slow cookers and toaster ovens, may generate enough heat to damage kitchen counters. Hot pots and pans placed directly on a counter, even for a short time, can cause cracks. If something is extremely hot or if youre unsure whether it could damage the counter, place a cutting board, trivet or pot holder under it to be on the safe side.

Kitchen countertops are not designed to be used for cutting directly on the surface. Small scratches can damage the sealant thats added to protect counters from water. A scratched countertop will need to be buffed or resealed to prevent further problems. Cutting directly on a countertop can also damage knives. Always use a cutting board.

Moving pots and pans around on the counter, even if they arent hot, can cause scratches if theres any dirt or food stuck to the bottom of the pan. Rust on the bottom of appliances can also damage countertops.

How to Avoid Stains
Acidic foods, such as lemon juice, vinegar and tomato sauce, can dull countertops because stone is porous and can absorb the spilled substance. If you spill anything acidic on a kitchen countertop, immediately clean it up and sprinkle baking soda on the area to neutralize the acid. If you place a glass containing a beverage on a countertop, use a coaster to prevent stains.

How to Clean Your Kitchen Countertops
When cleaning countertops, use a soft cloth or sponge. Never use a scrubbing sponge or steel wool. Some common household cleaning products that contain bleach or ammonia can cause granite and stone countertops to fade. Glass cleaners and degreasers can cause stains, and gritty cleaners, such as those designed for bathtubs, can cause scratches. Use mild soap and water to clean your kitchen counters.

Protect Your Countertops
Kitchen counters are durable, but they can become damaged and may be expensive to repair or replace. Knowing the most common causes of damage to countertops can help you avoid making costly mistakes. Be careful when working in your kitchen, and understand how to keep your countertops clean and in good condition.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Buying a home on two incomes can be difficult enough, but it can be even more demanding if one spouse has poor credit.

A poor credit score can make it difficult to qualify for a mortgage, leading to a higher interest rate on a home loan. A spouse with poor credit could be left off the loan application entirely, requiring the other person to have a high credit score and a high enough income to afford the loan on their own.

If a spouse with poor credit does qualify for a loan, the lender could require a bigger down payment on the house.

FHA loans, for example, which are backed by the federal government, require a 10 percent down payment with a FICO credit score lower than 580, while a credit score above 580 only requires a 3.5 percent down payment.

A credit score is just part of the financial background a lender looks into. Income and a debt-to-income ratio are also considered, though a high income by itself wont overcome a poor credit score.

Credit scores range from 500 to 850. A low score of 650 can be a predictor of making late loan payments, while a 550 score means youre not likely to pay at all.

A couples credit scores arent averaged together in a home loan application. Lenders will use the lower of the two credit scores. If a husband has a 620 score and the wife has 700, then the lower score will be used in the mortgage application and an interest rate of three-eighths to half a point higher will be charged.

Options for Those With Poor Credit

There are ways to get around one spouse having a low credit score. In the above example, the wife with the 700 credit score can get a home loan if she qualifies on her own.

Both spouses should be listed on the homes title or deed, but only she would be listed as the borrower. The husbands name could be added to the deed later when his credit score improves.

Buying a home on one income, however, can be difficult. The best solution is to improve the lower credit score, something that should be done months before applying for a loan.

In fact, a 10-point credit score improvement can be achieved quickly by paying down credit cards, which could be enough to get a better interest rate.

Even minor credit improvements such as closing all but one credit card can take 30 days or more to fix. Most fixes can take three to four months to show up on a credit report, so repairs should be made before applying for a loan.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be surprised by them.

Here are five things that don’t affect a credit score, which is something you want to continue improving so that you’ll have access to the best mortgage rates and terms:

Income
Creditors and lenders obviously want you to have an income, and information about your employer may be listed on your credit report, but your actual income isn’t reported as part of a credit score.

Your income will be used to decide how much you can afford to borrow, but a high salary won’t boost your credit score, and a low salary won’t hurt it.

Overdrafts
Overdrawing your bank accounts can be costly, but they won’t hurt your credit score as long as you clear them before they go to collections.

If your account remains overdrawn for weeks and the bank sends it to a collections agency, you can expect your credit score to be dinged. It’s not the overdraft account that’s causing the credit score to drop, but the fact that it went to a debt collection agency.

Missed Insurance Payments
A credit score can be used by an insurance company to calculate your insurance premium, but your insurer won’t report your insurance premium payments”whether on time or late”to credit bureaus.

If you miss just one insurance payment, your insurance company could cancel the policy entirely or until payment is made. But it’s unlikely they’ll send it to a collections agency.

Checking Your Own Credit
You can check your credit report or score as much as you want without being penalized for it. Start at AnnualCreditReport.com for a free report each year from three of the major credit reporting agencies.

If a lender checks your credit score, such as when applying for new credit, that will likely hurt a credit score, though only a little and not for long. Too many queries in a short time could drop it a little more.

Credit Counseling
If you’ve sought help from a credit counselor to help manage your credit card payments, it may show up on your credit report. It won’t, however, hurt your credit score.

As long as your creditor is getting your payments on time”either through you or the credit counselor”the fact that you’re getting credit counseling won’t hurt your score. But if the payments arrive late, expect to see your credit score drop.

Published with permission from RISMedia.