Moving Tip: There is no time like the present to get started on the moving process!

Moving Tip: There is no time like the present to get started on the moving process!

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 29, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other sites can help you get rid of unwanted furniture before you move

Moving Tip: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other sites can help you get rid of unwanted furniture before you move

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 27, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Make a master sheet of your new home and number each room. Then number boxes from certain rooms with the coordinated room number.

Moving Tip: Make a master sheet of your new home and number each room. Then number boxes from certain rooms with the coordinated room number.

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 26, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Prep your furniture for moving day! Make sure to dissemble pieces and keep them together in the same bag or box

Moving Tip: Prep your furniture for moving day! Make sure to dissemble pieces and keep them together in the same bag or box

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 22, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Scams: Tips to Avoid Fraud and Identity Theft When Moving https://t.co/kD7wrzF21K

Moving Scams: Tips to Avoid Fraud and Identity Theft When Moving https://t.co/kD7wrzF21K

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 22, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

School is out for Summer!!! Persuading your children to put down their phone and pick up the fun may be easier with these exciting summer activities! So tell the kiddos to move from the couch to the yard and soak up the summer sun! https://t.co/FdF7bGUFan

School is out for Summer!!! Persuading your children to put down their phone and pick up the fun may be easier with these exciting summer activities! So tell the kiddos to move from the couch to the yard and soak up the summer sun! https://t.co/FdF7bGUFan

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 22, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Make sure you get a range of box sizes and shapes for moving day! Usually liquor stores and wholesale clubs can provide them to you, as can your moving company!

Moving Tip: Make sure you get a range of box sizes and shapes for moving day! Usually liquor stores and wholesale clubs can provide them to you, as can your moving company!

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 21, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

It's time to spruce up your curb appeal. Whether you have a green thumb or you are a plant killer, these 9 easy summer plants will make you look like you should have your own HGTV show! https://t.co/ELQtrICSes

It's time to spruce up your curb appeal. Whether you have a green thumb or you are a plant killer, these 9 easy summer plants will make you look like you should have your own HGTV show! https://t.co/ELQtrICSes

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 21, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Summer is a time for relaxation, vacation and for renovating your home! Yet, between the seafood platters, endless summer reading and nights on the town, home renovations may not fit your budget. To help you out this... https://t.co/C1FpuxS835

Summer is a time for relaxation, vacation and for renovating your home! Yet, between the seafood platters, endless summer reading and nights on the town, home renovations may not fit your budget. To help you out this... https://t.co/C1FpuxS835

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 20, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Load heavier items into your moving truck first.

Moving Tip: Load heavier items into your moving truck first.

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 20, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Load boxes from the same room together.

Moving Tip: Load boxes from the same room together.

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 19, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

How to Pest Proof Your Storage Unit - The SpareFoot Blog https://t.co/rtwfhTLiGz

How to Pest Proof Your Storage Unit - The SpareFoot Blog https://t.co/rtwfhTLiGz

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 15, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: As you sift and pack your clothes, organize them into 'keep', 'sell', and 'donate' piles.

Moving Tip: As you sift and pack your clothes, organize them into 'keep', 'sell', and 'donate' piles.

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 15, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Being a parent is a hard job! Moving with a baby or toddler is even harder! Here's why we rounded up some do and don'ts when moving with a young child https://t.co/KnFKxJrbIA

Being a parent is a hard job! Moving with a baby or toddler is even harder! Here's why we rounded up some do and don'ts when moving with a young child https://t.co/KnFKxJrbIA

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 14, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Try completing one moving-related activity per day, a few weeks before your moving date

Moving Tip: Try completing one moving-related activity per day, a few weeks before your moving date

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 14, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

How to Pack for a Move in a Weekend https://t.co/kPAScYeQzf

How to Pack for a Move in a Weekend https://t.co/kPAScYeQzf

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 13, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Do your homework and research professional moving companies (like us!)

Moving Tip: Do your homework and research professional moving companies (like us!)

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 13, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Want to Buy a Home? Here’s Why You Should Establish Good Credit First

Hoping to buy a home? You’ll likely need a strong credit score first. Establishing good credit is crucial to building a solid financial foundation in your everyday life. Without it, banks likely won’t lend you the loans necessary for buying major purchases such as a car, cellphone, or (your biggest purchase of all!) a house.
If you’re wondering how do I improve my credit score, you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted by NerdWallet, only a quarter of Americans check their credit score monthly and nearly one in eight Americans have never checked their credit scores. Yikes. To make matters worse, the personal finance website also points out that roughly 40 million Americans have a FICO credit score lower than 600 (not great!). Unfortunately, many of these Americans don’t understand the negative impact that a low credit score can have on their home buying potential.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve your credit score and subsequently, increase your creditworthiness down the road. Keep reading to find out why a good credit score is so important for buying a home in today’s market.

Why is a good credit score important when buying a home?

Your credit score is a major factor in whether or not you’ll be able to qualify for a home loan. In fact, if you plan to purchase a home with credit, you’re going to need a strong credit score in order to secure a mortgage from a bank. After all, banks won’t lend money to just anyone – especially someone who has a proven history of not paying their debts. And what better way to look at a person’s financial history than by looking at their FICO credit score? In addition, those with higher credit scores are more likely to obtain better interest rates and may be able to get away with a lower down payment. Those with bad credit may not be able to secure a mortgage at all – and if they do, the mortgage rate could be higher, meaning higher interest payments each month.

What credit score do you need to buy a home?

It depends on the type of loan you’re applying for and the individual lender’s requirements. According to The Lenders Network, “FHA loans have the lowest credit requirements of any mortgage.” This type of loan requires at least a credit score of 500. However, a conventional real estate mortgage will likely require a much higher credit score. Credit Sesame notes that the minimum score required for a conventional loan is 620. In general, it’s important for your credit score to be above 600 if you wish to purchase a home. And as a rule of thumb: the higher the credit score, the more likely you are to be approved for a home loan. To avoid high interest rates, aim to get your score above 700.

How do I improve my credit score?

To get your credit score above 700, start building a strong credit history as soon as possible. According to Credit Karma, factors that affect credit score include: credit card use (credit use compared to total limits), payment history (percentage of on-time payments), derogatory marks (collections, tax liens, etc on your report), credit age (how long you’ve had accounts open), total accounts (total open and closed accounts), and hard inquiries (the number of times you’ve applied for credit). To improve your credit score, you’ll need to address all of these factors. That means requesting a higher line of credit, paying credit card minimums on time, fixing late payments, applying for more credit cards, improving your debt-to-credit ratio (keeping balances low) and reporting any errors on your credit reports.

Other tips for purchasing a home

In addition to improving your credit score, there are a number of things you can do to prepare for buying a home.

• Save money for a down payment – In order to buy a home with a loan, you’ll most likely need a good chunk of change saved away for the down payment. This down payment is an initial, upfront payment for the home that is typically required when purchasing a house with credit. Most home buyers put down anywhere from 3 to 20 percent up front, however, a 10 to 20 percent down payment is the norm. The more money you’re able to put down ahead of time, the stronger your home offer will be. For instance, if your offer includes a 20 percent down payment, but the competing offer includes a 10 percent down payment, then your offer is more likely to appeal to the sellers.
• Get pre-approved for a mortgage – Before purchasing a house, go ahead and get pre-approved for a mortgage. Not only will this help you to figure out how much house you can actually afford, but a pre-approval letter will also help strengthen your offer in the eyes of the seller. To get pre-approved for a mortgage, simply gather all credit reports and income information from tax returns, W-2s, bank account statements and pay stubs. Have your loan representative submit your application to a lender. After they’ve reviewed your assets, you’ll receive a pre-approval letter.
• Avoid moving money around – It goes without saying that when you buy a home, your bank accounts and credit history will be carefully scrutinized by the lender. So when waiting for loan approval, the last thing you want to do is make another large purchase or move money from one account to the other. Try to keep your bank accounts and credit as steady as possible until after you close on the house.
• Don’t forget about closing costs – Many first-time home buyers aren’t aware that closing costs are in addition to the price of the home. According to The Balance, these closing costs include paying for things like “title policies, recording fees, inspections, courier charges, reserves to set up an impound account and fees that a lender charges.” The personal finance website also notes that closing costs are typically anywhere from 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price.
• Find a good Realtor – Most importantly, before looking at homes, be sure to hire a trustworthy and experienced Realtor. A top-notch Realtor should know the local market like the back of their hand, and be able to handle all legalities and paperwork efficiently. If you’re a first-time home buyer, make sure to choose someone who can walk you through the home buying process, as well as provide you with a long list of home professionals (think: contractors, painters, handyman, carpenters, pool service and mortgage brokers). For more tips on finding a good Realtor, read our advice here.
• Explore the neighborhood – When house hunting, be sure to spend ample time in a neighborhood before purchasing a property. Visit local coffee shops, talk to the neighbors, walk your dog down the street and get to know the area before committing to the neighborhood.

Ready to move?

You’ve improved your credit score, snagged a loan and bought a home. Congrats! When you’re ready to move, check Moving.com’s extensive network of trustworthy movers. Our website makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!

source: https://www.moving.com/tips/want-to-buy-a-home-heres-why-you-should-establish-good-credit-first/

for more information or to get a moving quote, visit our website http://atlanticcoastmovers.com

Moving Tip: Make copies of all important documents and keep them packs and organized together.

Moving Tip: Make copies of all important documents and keep them packs and organized together.

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 12, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Make sure to thoroughly reinforce all seams on the box with packing tape!

Moving Tip: Make sure to thoroughly reinforce all seams on the box with packing tape!

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 12, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Set stuff aside to sell. Apps such as PoshMark and Wish and Facebook Marketplace are a great way to make some extra cash!

Moving Tip: Set stuff aside to sell. Apps such as PoshMark and Wish and Facebook Marketplace are a great way to make some extra cash!

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 11, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

No credit? That might be the reason you can't buy a home. Establishing good credit first is the step towards buying your dream home! https://t.co/mNDmn3ZwsA

No credit? That might be the reason you can't buy a home. Establishing good credit first is the step towards buying your dream home! https://t.co/mNDmn3ZwsA

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 8, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

How Can I Help My Child Adjust to Their New School After a Move? https://t.co/Uj1B2UFwjb

How Can I Help My Child Adjust to Their New School After a Move? https://t.co/Uj1B2UFwjb

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 8, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: When in doubt, pack it out! Always utilize bubble wrap and packing paper with fragile items.

Moving Tip: When in doubt, pack it out! Always utilize bubble wrap and packing paper with fragile items.

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 8, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Label boxes for each room with a different colored pen, marker or tape.

Moving Tip: Label boxes for each room with a different colored pen, marker or tape.

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 7, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Buy more supplies than you think you will need. You can always return unopened supplies

Moving Tip: Buy more supplies than you think you will need. You can always return unopened supplies

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 6, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Pack in all sizes

Moving Tip: Pack in all sizes

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 5, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Defrost your fridge at least one day before the move

Moving Tip: Defrost your fridge at least one day before the move

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 4, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

Moving Tip: Change your address a week before you move

Moving Tip: Change your address a week before you move

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 1, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS

5 Moving Tips for a Summer Move - https://t.co/kkHVjMdxQ9 Blog https://t.co/UsfTTNP6Ju

5 Moving Tips for a Summer Move - https://t.co/kkHVjMdxQ9 Blog https://t.co/UsfTTNP6Ju

— AtlanticCoast (@AtlanticCoastMS) June 1, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/AtlanticCoastMS