'VMM3FOPWBUJPOTt,JUDIFOTt#BUITt/FX$POTUSVDUJPO real estate » How To Make Your Dream Home A Reality 248.408.3333 The Boutique Builder www.AWoodwardHome.com FIND YOUR PERFECT FLORIDA HOME AND GET OUT OF MICHIGAN’S WINTERS! KEYES REAL ESTATE © Monkey Business - Fotolia.com THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA, INCLUDING BOCA, BOYNTON, DELRAY, BROWARD AND MIAMI – DADE COUNTIES LET AN OLD FRIEND BE YOUR MICHIGAN-FLORIDA CONNECTION… NINA S. SPINNER-SANDS 954-290-8293 NINASPINNER-SANDS@KEYES.COM Nina Spinner-Sands REALTOR )<@ ‹ :,33 ‹ 05=,:; 2038630 Magnificent and Elegant 25445 Franklin Park, Franklin Village | $1,425,000 This home exemplifies the epitome of elegance while being perfectly nestled on a lush 3 acre lot with a tranquil private pond. A true oasis and an experience to behold. Understated Luxury | Exquisitely Designed | Gracious & Open For more details visit rebeccameisner.com or contact me for a private showing. Rebecca Meisner 248-408-2212 rmeisner@cbwm.com | rebeccameisner.com 294 E. Brown Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009 WEIR MANUEL 000000 28 May 12 • 2016 S pring is peak home-buying sea- son, but for some, a low credit score may make it difficult for their dream home to become a reality. Nearly a third of millennials (ages 18 to 34) hope to purchase a home within the next year, but more than 40 percent may not have the credit to do so, according to a survey from TransUnion, a leading credit bureau. In contrast, the survey found older people’s intent to purchase a home better aligns with their financial stand- ing. For example, 17 percent of those ages 35 to 54 said they plan to buy a home within the next year — the same percent that has a super prime credit score — an attractive trait for mort- gage lenders. As you start house hunting this spring, what markets are heating up? The Northeast is a hot market, according to TransUnion findings, with 25 percent of respondents indi- cating intent to purchase a home in the region. The West was a close second, with 24 percent, followed by the South with 21 percent and 15 percent of people in the Midwest. If you’re planning to purchase a home this year, TransUnion offers sev- eral important tips to consider to help make your dream home a reality: • Check your credit report: Applying for a mortgage? Mortgage lenders will look at your credit score and report when you apply for a mort- gage, so make sure your information is up to date. It’s best to check your report three months before you start looking at new homes to make sure your score is in a healthy range. • Start planning early: Your credit score is built over a lifetime of spend- ing. Keep an eye on your score and track how your spending habits affect it. • Build credit: Consumers with low or no credit should take steps to build a healthy credit score. How? Paying bills on time, making sure you’re keep- ing a low credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you’re using out of your available credit), and even asking your landlord to report rent payments to a credit bureau such as TransUnion are all ways you can build credit. • Shop around: Research mortgages and interest rates to receive a competi- tive offer. Your credit score is of the utmost importance becausew lenders will check your score and report to make sure you will be able to respon- sible pay back the mortgage loan. • Make a financial plan: Putting down a larger down payment will lower your monthly mortgage pay- ment, but don’t put down more than you can afford. Also keep in mind that you will need funds for closing costs, including a home inspection, before you can purchase your home. • Keep an open mind: It may take time to build credit and save enough money for a down payment. Even if your finances aren’t in shape for a home now, it doesn’t mean homeown- ership isn’t a realistic possibility for the future. More home-buying tips can be found at www.transunion.com Happy hunting! *