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Valencia Higuera
Valencia Higuera is a personal finance junkie who enjoys reading articles on budgeting, saving money, and credit cards. She has written personal finance articles and blogs for several online publications. She holds a B.A in English from Old Dominion University and currently lives in Chesapeake, Virginia.

6 Things That Can Scare Off Potential Homebuyers

Valencia Higuera

neglected houseIf you’re trying to sell your home, a competitive housing market can be your worst nightmare. There may be similar homes for sale in your area, and if these homes are priced lower than yours, it can take months to find a buyer for your place. However, price isn’t the only thing you have to worry about.

Homebuyers can be extremely particular, and before they make an offer on any property, they’re likely to inspect every nook and cranny. Of course, no home is perfect. Minor scratches on your floor and chipped paint aren’t likely to cause a stir. However, there are certain things that can make homebuyers think twice about purchasing your home.

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Is Buying a House With a Friend a Good Idea? – Pros & Cons

Valencia Higuera

home ownershipRenting a house or apartment with a friend is a great way to save money, and it allows you to enjoy the company of another person while doing it. While it’s common for friends to rent a place together after high school or college, it’s often a short-term arrangement until one marries or can afford his or her own place.

However, if you don’t foresee marriage in your near future and your present roommate situation works, you might consider buying a house with your friend. While some people would never enter into a mortgage agreement with someone other than a spouse, buying with a friend can be a smart investment – as long as you know the risks.

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6 Things to Avoid With Your Realtor When Buying a House

Valencia Higuera

real estateEven if it’s not your first time, buying a home can be frustrating and stressful, as it can take weeks or months to locate the right house. Plus, with each bid, there’s a chance that the property owner will reject your offer and go with another buyer. Good real estate agents understand this frustration, and often go above and beyond to keep you happy. However, as a stressed-out home buyer, you may need to be careful not to blame your agent for problems out of his or her control.

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7 Best Ways to Keep Your Money Safe When Traveling

Valencia Higuera

vacation fundsAre you eagerly counting down the days to your next vacation? After working hard throughout the year, you deserve a few days of relaxation and fun. But regardless of how excited you are to take your next trip, it’s always crucial that you plan wisely and always remember to take plenty of precautions. After all, nothing can ruin your trip faster than losing your bankroll. Pickpockets often target tourists, and if you’re careless with your wallet or purse, someone could swipe your money from under your nose.

Don’t be an easy target. Here are some simple ways to keep your money safe when traveling.

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How to Save on Shipping Costs When Shopping Online

Valencia Higuera

online shoppingThe Internet has completely changed the way we conduct business. A few clicks of your mouse, and you can schedule appointments, book a hotel reservation, reserve an airline ticket, and even start your journey to earn a college degree. Of course, one of the biggest perks of the Internet – and one of the most widely used – is online shopping.

Online shopping has taken the world by storm, with more and more people hopping online to purchase everything from clothes to books. Why deal with crowded shopping malls and long checkout lines? Using the Internet to compare prices and make purchases is easy, fast, and fun.

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Moving Out of Your Parents’ House – 6 Financial Tips to Live on Your Own

Valencia Higuera

moving into a new apartmentMoving out of your parents’ house just may be the most important step you take toward independence. You can finally live by your own rules, without curfews or restrictions, and take care of responsibilities on your own schedule and in your own way.

However, as appealing as this may sound, the freedom of living on your own comes with great responsibility, financial and otherwise. Before you take this bold step, make sure you’re fully prepared for what lies ahead.

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What Is Rapid Rescoring Service for Credit Score Adjustments

Valencia Higuera

rapid rescoring can erase bad credit

If you haven’t applied for a mortgage in the past six years, you may be unfamiliar with the new lending standards. Back in the mid-2000s, people with credit scores as low as 580 could qualify for a mortgage – but things have since changed. If you want to qualify for a mortgage loan today, most lenders require at least a minimum credit score of 680. This is not a problem if you have a perfect credit report and a good credit score. If you also have sufficient income and adequate upfront cash, you’ve got your foot in the door.

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What Are Credit Card Convenience Checks – Rates, Fees, Pros & Cons

Valencia Higuera

credit card convenience checksCredit card companies like to bombard consumers with special offers, and if you have a good credit score, you likely receive pre-approved credit card invitations from time to time. Furthermore, if you already have a credit card in your name, your issuer may periodically send you convenience checks tied to your credit card account. You can use these checks for any purpose, providing that a retailer or other business accepts this method of payment.

Convenience checks look like regular checks, and if you’re cash-strapped, they’re pretty enticing to use. However, before you hastily fill one out, it is crucial that you learn how convenience checks work – and understand the numerous risks.

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What to Do If a Debt Collector Asks for Money You Don’t Owe

Valencia Higuera

debt collectorWhile there is never any excuse for abuse, the behavior of some relentless debt collectors can border on abusive. Though there are laws to protect you from harassment, a collector may call your home nonstop, as well as harass your family or any other person listed as a reference on your account. Some collectors speak harshly or issue threats, and if you don’t take a stand, this bad behavior can continue for months or years.

If you don’t owe the debt in question, harassment makes the situation even more difficult to deal with. You may repeatedly deny the debt, but to no avail. To resolve your situation, you must start by understanding how debt collectors and collection accounts work.

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4 Reasons Why You Should Check Your Credit Report

Valencia Higuera

credit check

Your credit report provides detailed information about your credit history, and when applying for a loan, the contents of your report can make or break the deal. Many people acknowledge the importance of a good credit score, yet neglect to monitor their own.

People live busy, hectic lives, and often their credit profile is the last thing on their minds. However, ignoring your credit report can cause you significant problems. So much can impact your score, and the more you know about it, the better. Keeping an eye on your credit can help you buy a house, secure a job, and save money on insurance.

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4 Surprising Things That Affect Your Credit Score

Valencia Higuera

calculating credit scoreIf you’re like many people, you believe that as long as your credit card bill and other recurring debts are paid on time each month, you must have a great credit score. Right?

Unfortunately, earning and maintaining a good credit score isn’t nearly as simple as you might think. While timeliness and credit utilization play a major part in determining your score, there are a number of other factors that come into play – and some aren’t so obvious. Take a look at some of the issues below and see if you can improve your score.

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6 Reasons Why Your Credit Card Application May Be Denied

Valencia Higuera

credit applicationApplying for a credit card is one of the fastest and easiest ways to build your credit score – and if you’re low on cash, a credit card can help you through a financial jam. However, your enthusiasm over getting approved for a new card could come to a screeching halt if you receive a rejection letter.

A credit card denial can come as a complete surprise, especially if you feel that you’re a good candidate for a new account. But when reviewing applications, credit card companies take many factors into consideration, only approving applicants with a low default risk.

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Pros & Cons of Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan

Valencia Higuera

refinancingMortgage refinancing isn’t a new concept, but whenever there’s a significant drop in mortgage rates, it’s not unusual for mortgage lenders to receive an influx of applications. Refinancing is the process of attaining a new mortgage to pay off an existing mortgage. The new mortgage comes with entirely new terms, which are typically better for the homeowner.

There are good reasons to refinance a mortgage loan. Perhaps you’re cash-strapped and desperately need to reduce your monthly payment to avoid foreclosure. Or maybe you agreed to a bad mortgage loan and want to acquire better terms.

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5 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Wallet – Prevent Identity Theft

Valencia Higuera

walletIdentity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, and it affects roughly 19 people every minute, according to TransUnion. This type of crime occurs when someone steals your personal information, usually for financial gain. Thieves can apply for credit cards or loans in your name, and make fraudulent charges on your existing credit card accounts. However, there are multiple methods thieves use to effectively steal your identity: There’s the old-fashioned method of dumpster-diving for bank statements and credit card statements, as well as phishing techniques that use the Internet to steal personal information.

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Cosigning a Loan – Understanding the Reasons & Risks

Valencia Higuera

loan application cosignThere are no denying the benefits of having a high credit score. It allows you to be eligible for credit cards, auto loans, mortgage loans, and other types of loans with little hassle, providing you have adequate income. Good credit also justifies a low interest rate, which means lower monthly payments.

While loan officers fight for your business, they aren’t the only ones who take notice of your solid credit. If you’re the financially responsible one among your family or circle of friends, there’s a chance that someone will ask you to cosign a loan.

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