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8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order

Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.

Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt—car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards—down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.

Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You’ll probably see some great ways to save.

Increase your income. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want.

Save for a downpayment. Although it’s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down—or even less in some cases—you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.

Create a house fund. Don’t just plan on saving whatever’s left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.

Keep your job. While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.

Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.



Preston Hollow Real Estate Agent - Park Cities Luxury Estates

If you're in the Home & Real Estate market to buy or sell your home in the Preston Hollow, Park Cities, Highland Park areas, call me. You can rely on my 24 years real estate experience, legal background and local market knowledge. My strengths are service, negotiations, diplomacy and making the home buying and selling process fun and easy for you. I grew up in Dalton, Georgia around my family's jewelry business. I learned at a very early age how to place my clients on the pedestal they deserve. Getting you what you want is my ultimate aim.

Designations, Affiliations, Awards: Certified Residential Specialist; Accredited Buyer's Representative; Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist; Certified Home Marketing Specialist, Certified Negotiating Specialist; Founding Associate Keller Williams Elite; Keller Williams International Gold Medalist

BERNICE EDELMAN
Dallas Realtor
Keller Williams Elite Properties
8201 Preston Road, Ste: 265
Dallas, Texas 75225
214-420-3771 Office
214-384-7700 Cell
bedelman@kw.com

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Preston Hollow Realtor, Bernice Edelman
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