So, you’ve seen on the internet or on the dailies your dream house? Well, don’t jump the gun too fast. Before you get a mortgage for that dream house of yours, you have to know first your credit score. Yes, the dreaded credit score.

The worst credit score is about 300 while the best ranges around 850 according to FICO by Fair Isaac Corporation. If you wish to obtain a mortgage for your house, and I mean a good one, you should have at least scored 600 in your score card. Now what makes your credit score low? Past loans that aren’t paid on time, existing credit card debts and the like contribute in making your credit score low.

What can you do? Obviously, pay your debts. You should pay your bills on time and by doing so, the dream house you’ve been craving for will be within reach.

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Naturally, when you buy something in the market (no, I’m not referring to the grocery store near you, but the bigger market), it’s called an investment. When you’re investing on something, it actually calls for luck since it only has two to ways to go: up or down. Just like the stocks, real estate can be unpredictable. The prices and market values five years ago may not be the same as what is today.

Nevertheless, however stumping the economy of the country is, real estate will never fall rock-bottom. Why? Well, there’s what we call government intervention. The government does its best to revive the economy, proposing different kinds of Bills and switching targets, for things to get better.

Alison Rogers, a real estate broker, implied in her published letter that, of all the types of people she hates, the fence-sitters are included in her top 10. Fence-sitters are those who wait for the market value of something to plummet 50% (or below) than its original. Sadly, these people do not know what that entails and I am pretty sure they won’t get their houses anyway since this will never happen (not in their lifetime!).

Photo taken from http://www.duplexman.com

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Many attorneys who limit their practice to estate planning are values-based, relationship-driven, client-centered and counseling-oriented. And the good ones are willing to work together with other professionals on your behalf. They understand that thorough estate planning involves more than just legal advice. The key is to find those attorneys who meet this description.

So where do you find these rare creatures? How do you know if you’re dealing with the right kind of attorney? The right kind of attorney will have an orientation toward relationship-building and counseling rather than mere document preparation. The first thing he or she will offer is the ability to listen carefully to not only your goals – but also your hopes, dreams, and aspirations for yourself and your loved ones. The attorney will carry on a sensitive dialogue that will enable you to make clear your wishes to maintain control over your affairs, to be cared for properly in the event of a disability and to provide meaningfully for your loved ones after you are gone.