Be the Strength for Someone

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It’s October and that means it is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I don’t normally have a quote for this month but I thought that maybe this month needs a little something extra this year.

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.  Some come from ahead  and some come from behind.  But I’ve bought a BIG BAT.  I’m all ready you see.  Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me.”  –Dr. Seuss

I think this quote from Dr. Seuss, even though it’s an odd source, sums up the courage and power we all need especially during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

My mother died due to complications with her breast cancer so this month weighs heavy on me.

So my message to you is: Be Someones Strength  Be Your Own Strength.  Give thanks for your strength and Live Life to the Fullest EVERY day,

If you would like information about buying, selling or renting real estate Email me at: SCOTT@SCOTTCULBERSON.com. I look forward to helping you to… LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST Scott Culberson, Broker Associate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene

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Sometimes You Need to Play Soccer

Here is our quote for September:

“Right here, right now, God has placed you to do what you do best.  Go all the way.”   —Coach Eric Taylor

          A great quote indeed.  This past year has been tough in the greater Houston area with so many people being affected by Hurricane Harvey.  With this tragedy came many opportunities for our community to help and support one another.

Traditional soccer ball on soccer field

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day (we will call him C.W.) and it reminded me of the work he did after Hurricane Harvey.  His work was closed many days after Hurricane Harvey hit and he like a lot of us helped neighbors and total strangers with clean up.  C.W. is a HUGE soccer fan; he took that love of soccer and started an impromptu soccer game with some of the neighborhood children where he was volunteering.  No goals, no cleats, just a soccer ball from the trunk of C.W.’s car, a patch of grass and a group of children.  This type of kindness was felt all over the Houston area in the past year.  A soccer game, so simple and fun, was just what those children needed…they needed to be children, they needed a break from the stress that they were feeling.

There is no doubt in my mind that C.W. was placed at that place and at that time to help those children remember what it is to have fun with other children.   In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives sometimes we miss opportunities to be the best that we can be.  A kind word, a positive smile, a nod, paying it forward at Starbucks, or stopping for a pedestrian when it’s raining.  There are opportunities all around us we just have to make sure to take time to read the subtle cues and respond to them with the love in our hearts.  Make sure that you do what you do best today and maybe you can help someone else to…

Live Life to the Fullest!!!

If you would like information about buying, selling or renting real estate Email me at: SCOTT@SCOTTCULBERSON.com. I look forward to helping you to… LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST Scott Culberson, Broker Associate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene

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How credit scores are calculated

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Today we have guest content provided Michael Timmons, NMLS# 894265, Mortgage Officer with Gibraltar Mortgage Services.

When you check your credit score, you get a number, usually between 500 and 800. But what does that number mean? What is weighed to come up with that number? Here are some facts about how your credit score is calculated.

  • There are 5 factors that are used to come up with the number you know as your credit score. 35%-Payment History, 30%-How Much you Owe, 15%-Length of Credit History, 10%-New Credit, 10%- Credit Mix.
  • Payment history is a heavy hitter here! Demonstrating on time payments is critical for good and above average credit scores. Multiple late payments especially in reference to a mortgage loan, can be extremely hard to fix down the line. That is why on time payments are so important.
  • The amount you owe is also a heavy hitter. Did you know: when it comes to revolving credit (aka credit cards), your balance to limit ratio shouldn’t be more than 30%. When you allow the balance to go over that 30%, your score will be affected! Low balances=better credit scores.
  • Length of credit history is sometimes something you cannot help, so it is weighed less than the first two. Young credit isn’t necessarily bad, it’s just young! Someone who is older and has lots of history can be approved quickly. Whereas younger credit, may require a co-signer or guarantor.
  • When it comes to new credit, the amount of new accounts opened is being referenced. Sometimes, multiple new accounts in a short period of time could be viewed as a risk! That is why it comes into play here.
  • Credit mix means just that. Having a well-rounded credit report means having a bit of everything. Revolving credit, installment loans, a mortgage, line of credit, all of these would be a part of a well-rounded credit report. Showing creditors that you are able to handle all kinds of credit is important to proving that you will present minimal risk.

In conclusion, your credit score is important in 2018! And building good credit is a lot easier and faster than fixing bad credit. Understanding why this number matters and what goes into creating your credit score is the key to making sure you are able to borrow what you want (and sometimes need) without issue.

A big thank you to our guest contributor Michael Timmons, NMLS# 894265 Mortgage Officer, Gibraltar Mortgage Services.  Give Michael a call  if you have Mortgage questions at 281-364-7879 or email him at MTimmons@Gibraltarlending.com.

I look forward to helping you to… LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST, Scott Culberson, Broker Associate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene, SCOTT@SCOTTCULBERSON.com, 281-467-4691

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