Found this in one of my site, thought you would find it interesting.  Credit Scoring is tricky, but essential to getting credit, jobs and any kind of housing. 

Tips for getting your credit score up:

Start by pulling your credit report and your credit score to see where you are. To get an estimate of your credit score. If your score is above a 760, you're in great shape. Improving your score from 760 to 800 won't get you better terms.

Cities With the Highest Average Credit Scores

1. Wausau, Wis.: 789
2. Minneapolis: 787
3. Madison, Wis.: 785
4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: 781
5. San Francisco: 781
6. Green Bay, Wis.: 780
7. Boston: 779
8. Peoria, Ill.: 778
9. Sioux Falls, S.D.: 778
10. La Crosse, Wis.: 777

Cities With the Lowest Average Credit Scores

1. Harlingen, Texas: 686
2. Jackson, Miss.: 701
3. Corpus Christi, Texas: 702
4. Monroe, La.: 706
5. Shreveport, La.: 706
6. Augusta, Ga.: 709
7. Bakersfield, Calif.: 709
8. Las Vegas, Nev.: 709
9. Tyler, Texas: 710
10. El Paso, Texas: 710

Overall, the national average for credit scores was 749, according to the study. The cities with the lowest credit scores tended to also have high foreclosure rates and high unemployment. On the other hand, cities with the highest average credit scores -- which were mostly in the Midwest -- tended to have a better employment picture.

2010-11 National Average according National Association of Realtors

Midrange Projects

Project

Job Cost

Resale Value

Cost Recouped

Change vs. 2009-10

Attic Bedroom

$51,428

$37,142

72.2%

Backup Power Generator

$14,718

$7,136

48.5%

Basement Remodel

$64,519

$45,186

70.0%

Bathroom Addition

$40,710

$21,695

53.3%

Bathroom Remodel

$16,634

$10,668

64.1%

Deck Addition (composite)

$15,620

$10,337

66.2%

Deck Addition (wood)

$10,973

$7,986

72.8%

Entry Door Replacement (fiberglass)

$3,576

$2,147

60.0%

Entry Door Replacement (steel)

$1,218

$1,243

102.1%

Family Room Addition

$85,740

$53,624

62.5%

Garage Addition

$60,608

$35,876

59.2%

Garage Door Replacement

$1,291

$1,083

83.9%

Home Office Remodel

$28,888

$13,235

45.8%

Major Kitchen Remodel

$58,367

$40,126

68.7%

Master Suite Addition

$108,090

$68,146

63.0%

Minor Kitchen Remodel

$21,695

$15,790

72.8%

Roofing Replacement

$21,488

$12,780

59.5%

Siding Replacement (vinyl)

$11,357

$8,223

72.4%

Sunroom Addition

$75,224

$36,540

48.6%

Two-Story Addition

$165,243

$107,338

65.0%

Window Replacement (vinyl)

$11,066

$7,920

71.6%

Window Replacement (wood)

$12,027

$8,707

72.4%

　

Upscale Projects

Project

Job Cost

Resale Value

Cost Recouped

Change vs. 2009-10

Bathroom Addition

$78,409

$41,562

53.0%

Bathroom Remodel

$53,759

$30,738

57.2%

Deck Addition (composite)

$38,382

$22,154

57.7%

Garage Addition

$90,053

$48,278

53.6%

Garage Door Replacement

$3,545

$2,476

69.8%

Grand Entrance (fiberglass)

$7,700

$4,979

64.7%

Major Kitchen Remodel

$113,464

$67,746

59.7%

Master Suite Addition

$232,062

$122,370

52.7%

Roofing Replacement

$38,022

$21,120

55.5%

Siding Replacement (fiber-cement)

$13,382

$10,707

80.0%

Siding Replacement (foam-backed vinyl)

$13,973

$10,119

72.4%

Window Replacement (vinyl)

$14,284

$10,368

72.6%

Window Replacement (wood)

$18,226

$12,303

67.5%

　

 

 

According to Forbes:

Forbes reveals the healthiest cities, taking into account such factors as clean air quality, residents’ health, and a community’s promotion of exercise and healthy living. Here are the top seven cities to make its “healthy cities” list: 

 1. Minneapolis

From Forbes: “Minneapolis residents breathe clean air, prioritize exercise, and keep their weight down, supported by a city that was among the first to add bike trails and ban smoking in public places.”

2. Washington, D.C.

From Forbes: “The plentitude of large parks is just one factor ... Capital residents are less likely to be obese and more likely to bike or walk to work or take public transportation to work.” 

3. Boston

From Forbes: “With 80 percent of the population reporting they've exercised in the past 30 days and 47 percent describing themselves as at least moderately physically active, Bostonians get out there and move.”

4. Portland, Ore.

From Forbes: “Portland ranked high for the city's vast amount of park land, high number of farmers' markets, availability of health care, and popularity of walking or biking to work.”

5. Denver

From Forbes: “Denver ranked high in the health of its residents, 61 percent of whom are ranked as in 'excellent or very good' physical health.”

6. San Francisco

From Forbes: “San Francisco residents smoke in record low numbers (8 percent compared to a national average of 18 percent), have access to a ton of open space and park land, are more likely to walk or bike to work, are less likely to be obese or have diabetes, and have access to plenty of primary care providers.”

7. Hartford, Conn.

From Forbes: “Swimming pools, ball diamonds, golf courses, and recreation centers are all available to Hartford residents in much higher numbers than average, perhaps accounting for the high percent of residents who are active and in tip-top health.“

Many people across the nation are staying put.  Timing is everything.  It may be a good time to remodel or put on that much needed addition.  But in so doing it is really important to weigh the cost of the project, the length of time you will be staying in the home, and the amount of "value" it will bring on resale. 

Remember, what buyers are looking for are those things that will save them money.  Most buyers either cannot afford major repairs or do not want to go to the expense.  The market for that type of buyer is the investment market.  The investment market is a highly discounted market.  Investors want a steep discount in order to refurbish, have money left over to sell and of course a "return on dollars spent" or profit.  It is most often much cheaper to get your home in shape, keep it in order, than to sell "as is" (that is aka for "steal me").

The most important issues, and those that come up on the home inspections over and over are:

1.  Roof, age & condition.  Most shingle roofs last approximately 15-20 years.  When replacing you may want to consider an architectural shingle roof, they have a longer life expectancy.

2.  Air conditioning and heating systems.  Again about the same life span, so keep them serviced, and filters changed monthly.  If you buy a home with an older unit, by all means get a warranty and keep it going till the unit dies.  The new federal regulation requires that the entire unit, inside and out, be replaced with a minimum 13 seer unit for efficiency rating.  This can cost upwards of $6-$8000.

3.  Updates: Kitchen & baths.  Be smart, replace the vanity, mirror, faucets & light fixtures yourself, this will be a big selling point.  It is not difficult, I even did it myself :) The kitchen remodel is more expensive, but if you either refinish by using a good cleaner (some have color in them), or paint, put new hardware on, change out your faucets for updated faucets, paint, and put in newer appliances (often scratch & dents can make it very affordable), it will bring a quicker sale at a higher price.

4.  Take down any wallpaper and paint.  Paint should be fairy neutral, staying in the varying shades of beige, even a little darker for accents, or the very popular, lighter shades of sage green, etc.

5.  Take down any heavy or dark window treatments, replace with inexpensive blinds and toppers (you can really save money here by buying some fabric and cheap rods at a discount retailer ie: Big Lots).

6.  Less is more.  You don't have to take down all the family pictures, but be sure the frames are of the same frame family, and there are not so many of them on the walls.  Clean up everywhere, put things away or box them for the move.  Rent a storage unit or if you cannot afford that, stack them high in the garage.

7.  Biggie: Curb appeal.  Get out there and put a deep, nice clean edge on the lawn with the edger, pull all the weeds, put fresh mulch, rock or other material to freshen the gardens, trim all the bushes, trees and mow the lawn.  Be sure the fence is in good repair, and clean, same with any decks, sheds or patios.  Set up the patio furniture to make it inviting.  If you don't have any, use a few inexpensive lawn chairs and some potted plants, makes it pretty and your yard a place they can see their family.  Remove any rusted items including children's play sets, and above ground pools that are not in the best of condition.

Here is a link for some additional information on home improvements that will help.  Just remember, go for the most bang for the buck on the short run, go for the best you can afford for the long haul.

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2010/costvsvalue/national.aspx

Zillow looked at four factors to determine the top 10.

Affordability: How many years of income does the median home cost? If the median home costs 2.5 years of salary that area gets a better rank than a city where a home costs 4.5 years of salary.

Unemployment: Zillow looked at areas with low unemployment, using that as a gauge of the health and stability of the local economy. Zillow also looked at the change in unemployment over the past year. This is used as a proxy for the "direction" that a local economy is moving. A city where the unemployment rate dropped 2 percent in the past year will rank better than a city that's had no change.

Foreclosures: Zillow also analyzed the percentage of homes in each marketplace that have fallen into foreclosure in the past 12 months. Of course, lower is better because it suggests that the local real estate market is healthier

Price Increases: Zillow looked at areas that have seen an increase in home values over the past quarter and the past year.

Here are the Top 10 Best Places to Buy in 2011 after analyzing those four factors:

1. Utica, N.Y.
2. Oklahoma City, Okla.
3. Rochester, N.Y.
4. Pittsburgh, Pa.
5. Tulsa, Okla.
6. Albany, N.Y.
7. Lancaster, Pa.
8. Madison, Wis.
9. Green Bay, Wis.
10. Lincoln, Neb.

It is a sad state of affairs, but it is often less expensive monthy to own the home you are renting.  so is it better to rent or own. 

Yes if:

1.  You will own the home for at least 5 yrs.

2.  Your credit scores are above 620.

3.  If you do relocate, you can rent the home.

4.  Choose a payment based on one income if you  

     are a 2 income family.

5.  Have an emergency fund of 6 months payments.

Now is the time to buy or refinance as rates have never been lower.  The rates are staying below 5% and dipping towards 4% frequently.  Remember when you own, the fixed rate mortgage payment does not go up unless taxes or insurance go up.  You don't get told by our landlord that you have to leave because they are going to sell the home.  Moving is an expensive proposition, having the stability of your own home is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

If you are in a bind, you need to sell your home BUT it is worth less than you?  You call your lender, after numerous departments, you finally get through to the Short Sale department.  This is what you find out:

1.  You must qualify for the short sale.

2.  You have to have no way to make up the difference for the deficiency.

3.  You have to provide all kinds of personal documentation to prove you cannot: to keep the house, or pay for the deficiency.

4.  The short sale department will not approve the short sale until you get a contract.

5.  It takes 3-8 months for them to "approve" the short sale.

You put the house on the market, you find out that the buyers are slim to none because most buyers do not want to wait 3-8 months to find out whether they are going to get the house.

I closed on a short sale.  It took 3 months to even find out if we had it.  They back did their form of appraisal after the seller had agreed on a price, then just before closing renegotiated the price.

Short Sales are really FIP's (foreclosures in progress).  Most buyers avoid them like the plaque, if you wait until they go into foreclosure they are easier to deal with. 

At the end of the day, you credit is shot, you may find yourself unable to buy another house for 4 years or so, and the lender MAY be able to come after the deficiency at a later date. 

It is very important to consult an attorney, bankruptcy or some other legal action may be to your advantage.