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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.

While no one wants to deal with a leak in their roof, many homeowners will face a problematic roofing situation at some point.

Here are the steps to take if you find a leak in your roof.

Contain the Damage

If you notice an area in your home that is leaking, address that spot immediately. Wipe up any excess water, move furniture or appliances out of the way and contain the leak with pots or pans to prevent a lot of excess damage.

Assess the Leak Location

Even a minor leak can cause serious damage to the building itself. If you are unable to make or schedule an immediate repair due to inclement weather, assess where the leak is located and temporarily seal it.

Call a Professional

While many areas of your home are easy to DIY, your roof is an important investment that is far better to opt for a professional. A skilled roofer can assess the initial damage and most cost-effective steps to prevent damage in the future.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Blending rustic charm with modern style is one of those design trends that continues to impress. Whether you have a historic home in need of an updated aesthetic or, conversely, youre looking to introduce some countryside appeal to your contemporary abode, its a versatile look that lends itself to a variety of settings.

Here are a few of the key characteristics to design the modern-rustic home of your dreams.

Organic Textures

Organic textures are at the center of homes that fuse these two styles, especially raw wood. You can get creative juxtaposing different materials, like concrete walls and reclaimed wooden ceilings, that are effortlessly stylish when paired together. Stone is also commonly incorporated.

Open it Up

As is the case in most modern homes, large windows and an open floorplan are essential components that allow sunlight to fill the living space. It creates a sense of flow throughout the home while also bringing the earthy textures to life. Going a step further, the rustic look is all about keeping things exposed, so dont cover up those beautiful brick walls or wood beams”keep it open!

Natural Tones

Stick to a color palette thats simple with warm and natural tones when picking out dcor. Shades of tan or brown serve well to complement the materials. That doesnt mean it has to be boring, as a few carefully chosen pops of color, like orange or turquoise, can make the perfect accent and tie it all together.

Modern Furniture

As the name of the style suggests, youre going to want to go modern with the furniture. Chic leather chairs and metallic pendant lights maintain the ideal balance without compromising style or comfort.

By combining timeless materials with cutting-edge design, its to understand all the hype surrounding the modern-rustic movement.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

For the hottest new trend in luxury home design, look no further than your ceiling. Interior designers are turning to the fifth wall to transform living spaces and create stunning visual appeal above each room. For those looking to deviate from the traditional white ceiling, here are a few stand-out ways to add a statement ceiling to your home!

Pop of Color
Once you warm up to the idea that color can be introduced to the ceiling, the possibilities are endless. Whether you want to add a simple splash from the rooms existing color scheme or go bold with a hand-painted pattern, youll have a surprising design element thats far from the ordinary. Keep in mind that darker colors can make a room feel smaller and cozier, while brighter shades will feel light and airy.

Get Creative With Textures
From exposed wood to custom plaster ceiling treatments, textures can add a whole new layer of depth to every room. Dont be afraid to incorporate unexpected materials, like fabric or tile, for a wholly original look. If you already have coffered ceilings, you can spruce them up with a fresh new color that brings out the detail.

Unique Lighting
Of course, lighting plays a big part in how the ceiling will appear. If youre going for a real showstopper, dramatic chandeliers or pendants will take it to the next level while illuminating the colors and textures even more vividly. Depending on the desired ambiance, lighting can create a soft romantic glow or command attention to the new focal point in your living room.

Wallpaper
Dont be deterred by the name”wallpaper can absolutely go on the ceiling! After seeing a surge in popularity, artisans all over the world are making exquisite hand-painted wallpaper that can elevate the fifth wall above your dining table. Tranquil landscapes, traditional patterns and custom-made designs are all in the realm of possibility.

Published with permission from RISMedia.