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Four simple ways to raise your credit score

Raising your credit score can improve your life in many ways. You’ll have access to cheaper mortgage rates, you’ll pay less for insurance, and you may even have a better shot at your dream job. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Know what’s going on.
Annual credit report.com allows you a free report from all three credit bureaus once a year. (Avoid other “free credit report” sites, which are really attempts to sell you something.) You’re also entitled to a free report if you’re turned down for credit. Dispute any misinformation that negatively impacts your score. Creditors have 30 days to verify their report or they must remove the negative information.

2. Pay your bills on time.
It may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how much one late payment can hurt you. To help avoid this, have your monthly bills withdrawn from your checking account automatically. If you’re ever unable to pay, don’t just ignore the bill. Call the creditor and try to work something out. Sometimes creditors forgo a negative report if you make a good faith effort to pay what you can. Click here to read more.

 

Diversity in Design: Mix, Don’t Match, Wood Textures and Colors

Still worrying about what goes with what when you’re decorating? Design style leaders nix the matching—”too boring”—in favor of mixing colors, wood grains, stains and textures throughout a room.

“Consumers think everything has to match, but the pros mix,” says Laura Dalzell, owner and president of Cabinets & Designs, Inc. in Lexington, Kenn. She’s a firm believer in combining, —for example painted wood cabinets with cabinets in both natural wood tones and a wide range of colored stains. Mixing is the magic that brings a kitchen to life, she believes. “Different finishes create the ‘furniture look’ that’s been the trend in kitchens for the last decade or so.” Click here to read more.

More reasons to love Brookhaven.New eateries and hot spots

Brookhaven continues to grow as a destination for dining. Luckily I live in Brookhaven and don’t have far to go to enjoy a convenient and tasty client lunch or a nice dinner with my family. A few of the latest additions include Newk’s and Kaleidoscope in the Village Place Brookhaven. Okay, so Kaleidoscope recently celebrated its first year anniversary, but it feels new. With its global comfort food and fine craft beers, you’ll not only soak up good tastes, but a great atmosphere. Newk’s is known for fresh and convenient meals. You can have a salad, a sandwich, a pizza and have your cake, too. (Literally, Newks offers cakes to go.) So come to Brookhaven and check out our new restaurants, shopping and more. Then, if you decide you want to move to Brookhaven, contact me at kgordon@gordonstreetrealty.com  I can help you find a place to live, too…right around the corner from Newk’s or Kaleidoscope.

Are you really ready to make a commitment? (And buy a house in Atlanta?)

So, it’s a whole new year and interest rates still remain low. You’ve been thinking about buying a home intown. Why not? You know the general area you want to live and prices will never be this good again. Right?

But wait a minute.

There are a few things to consider before you make that commitment. How well is the home constructed? No matter how much you can visualize yourself in the beautiful crafstman you just saw, are there any structural issues you should be aware of? Do you have a home you need to sell first? How long do you think it will take to sell it? Have you seen all the inventory available in Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods? Do you really know the unique flavors of each neighborhood?

These are some things to consider before committing to a home. I’ve found that the majority of our satisfied home buyers at Gordon Street Realty take about 6 months to shop for, consider their choices and then, finally buy a home.

I think this is a smart way to go. While there is certainly plenty of inventory and great prices, it doesn’t hurt to take your time. That way, when you finally do commit to your new home in Atlanta, you’ll have the peace of mind in knowing you made the right choice.

Keith Gordon  Broker/Owner;  Realtor; A.S. R.: A.B.R.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               2011 V.P. of Finance DeKalb Association of Realtors; Board Member    

Gordon Street Realty

1384 Windsor Pkwy, Atl GA 30319

O# 404.254.4502 | C# 404.518.1580 | F# 1.800.620.7301

kgordon@gordonstreetrealty.com

www.GordonStreetRealty.com

 

  

                                                                                                             

 

 

Great decor is in the details

Sometimes the grandest design changes are in the small details—a re-covered lampshade, painted knobs for old cabinetry, a new valence above a window. Plus, small changes are manageable because they don’t cause household upheaval. Transform your home decor style by paying attention to little design details.

Replace dated hardware for a shiny new look.
Simply replacing wooden doorknobs, for instance, with gorgeous crystal knobs can add dramatic vintage appeal to bedrooms or closets. Switch nondescript drawer pulls with something sleekly modern or decidedly retro for a new look. You can find vintage hardware online; or buy stylish reproductions of old hardware in many home improvement and home decor stores. Click here to read more. 

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