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How to Increase Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage

The higher the credit score, the better. This is a general rule of thumb for many aspects of life, especially when applying for a mortgage. If you have found yourself questioning your credit, here are some proactive measures you can take to improve it.

Increase your Credit Card Limit
A simple and effective way to boost your credit score is to increase your available credit. If you have credit cards open, all you have to do is raise the limit on them. In time, your credit scores should increase as your utilization lowers. You can increase your credit card limit over the phone or online through your credit card provider. The company might ask you to enter your gross annual income or housing payment. This process can take a minute or so but will need to be done at least three months prior to applying for a mortgage. Card issuers might need to access your credit report, which could temporarily affect your credit score.

Lower Your Credit Utilization
Credit utilization is the percentage of credit you are using at any time. A lower utilization rate (debt-to-income ratio) is typically what credit bureaus and mortgage lenders look for. With higher credit limits, as long as you are spending less (or the same amount before the limit was raised), your credit score will rise. If your credit card balances are low, your chances of being approved are higher.

Pay Off Existing Balances
Any prior loans or credit card balances that can be paid off or lowered will free up available credit. Since your minimum payment will be reduced in the process, your Debt-to-Income Ratio will decrease, giving your credit scores a boost. Smaller credit balances make way for your income to go toward a mortgage payment.

Work In Advance
Credit limit increases could result in a hard inquiry on your credit report. When these reviews take place, your credit can be slightly lowered. Thankfully, this is temporary, so try to go through with any of the above-mentioned strategies several months before applying for a mortgage. You can also ask your credit company to determine whether the application will result in a hard or soft pull on your credit.

What is your credit score? Learning and knowing this number is one of the first steps in gaining a mortgage. Contact the professionals at EB Mortgage today to walk you through the new home purchase or refinance process.  

EB Mortgage is a locally-owned mortgage company with experts in new home purchase, refinancing, and commercial loans. Our wholesale rates can’t be beaten. We offer more products, more options, and more solutions. Our “3C” Process is simple: complete our pre-approval request, consider options based on your requirements, and choose the offer that suits your needs best. Call us at 866-246-0516 or e-mail contact@ebwmtg.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

US Plans New Ransomware Rules

The United States Department of Treasury will introduce novel penalties, rules, and strategies for ransomware payments as part of the government’s continual effort to thwart online attacks. 

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, the Treasury plans to introduce the sanctions soon, and “Expected new anti-money-laundering and terror-finance rules will seek to limit the use of cryptocurrency as a payment mechanism in ransomware attacks and other illicit activities,” which are set to arrive later this year.

The new guidelines seem to target specific individuals rather than the cryptocurrency payment industry at large. The Treasury hopes to deter hackers from attempting to use ransomware. Just how they are going to accomplish this feat is unclear.

Typically, ransomware victims are advised not to pay the ransom, as there is no guarantee that paying it will restore the impacted files. If ransoms are paid, it gives hackers the idea that other persons or places will pay for future hacks. It also renders more attention to the individual or company that did pay, resulting in potentially more online attacks.

A large number of game companies (CD Projekt Red, Capcom), manufacturers (Gigabyte, Acer, Garmin), public infrastructure (schools, healthcare providers), and pipeline operators have fallen victim to ransomware attacks recently.

The United States government has also been targeted with ransomware attacks, many of which were attributed to Russian hackers. At this point, the United States government is responding.

Worried about ransomware or hackers infiltrating your network or computer system? Contact the experts at Creative Programs and Systems today – we can help prevent hacks and keep you safe.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

MRI Machine Falls, Kills Worker

At the University of Utah Health, a contracted worker was moving an MRI when the machine fell and killed him. The accident occurred at a loading dock as the machine was being moved outside of the building from the fourth floor to the first floor.

The injured man was sent to the Emergency Department at the Salt Lake City hospital where he later died. A second worker who was also moving the machine suffered a minor injury.

Alison Flynn Gaffney, Executive Director of University Hospital service lines and system planning, said, “This was meant to be a milestone occasion for our team, and something that has been in the works for several years. We are incredibly saddened to learn that someone tragically died in this incident and our hearts go out to the family.”

Local authorities are working with hospital employees to determine the cause of the industrial accident. The Salt Lake City Fire Department hazmat crew were originally dispatched to the scene; occupational safety experts are investigating the incident.

Gaffney said there were multiple emergency and safety plans in place at the time. The machine weighs 20,000 pounds, so moving it is a challenge. Gaffney dubbed it an “outside event” with “infrastructure and scaffolding” along with “multiple safety components” involved. She said the hospital has moved machines like this “many, many times.”

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Safeguarding Pets During a Disaster

Don’t forget your pets while creating an emergency preparedness plan! For many people, pets are like family; therefore, they shouldn’t be overlooked in your plan. Yet, according to the ASPCA, roughly 6.5 million pets arrive at animal shelters nationwide. While not all of these are a result of emergencies, remember to plan ahead, so your pet doesn’t end up in a shelter as a result of a dire situation.

Pets require different supplies and equipment, including a first aid kit, food, leashes, carriers, and more. Be on the lookout for anything used daily and add it to your pet’s Bug Out Bag. Your pets rely on you for safety every day – they are an integral part of your life, so make sure you give them the best care possible during disasters.

Identification
Make sure your pet has a tag and collar, as this is the most surefire way of identification. Add your contact details so you can be notified if the animal is found. Pets often lose their collars, leashes, and tags, so another option is microchipping your pet. This is a full-proof method to identify your pet and return them to its proper owner. Make sure the registration is under your name, and keep it updated at all times. You can also include at least one emergency contact (relative or friend) in case your contact information is invalid or expires.

Emergency Kit
Just as you would for your family, ensure your pets are covered for emergencies. Some of the items to include in your kit should consist of at least these items, with enough to last a week:

  • Food and water
  • Medications, vitamins, or supplements
  • Vaccination record copies (potentially laminated if possible or electronically – as long as you can access it)
  • Photos (for identification)
  • Leash or carrier

Evacuation
In case of an emergency evacuation, try your best not to leave pets behind. Evacuating early is best, as pets won’t be as fearful, and you will be able to coax them more easily. Oftentimes emergency shelters do not allow pets, so make sure you have a backup plan or evacuate to an area where they will be welcomed.

Creating your human emergency kit? Check out the vast selection at Wolf Survival Gear today!

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Safeguarding Pets During a Disaster

Don’t forget your pets while creating an emergency preparedness plan! For many people, pets are like family; therefore, they shouldn’t be overlooked in your plan. Yet, according to the ASPCA, roughly 6.5 million pets arrive at animal shelters nationwide. While not all of these are a result of emergencies, remember to plan ahead, so your pet doesn’t end up in a shelter as a result of a dire situation.

Pets require different supplies and equipment, including a first aid kit, food, leashes, carriers, and more. Be on the lookout for anything used daily and add it to your pet’s Bug Out Bag. Your pets rely on you for safety every day – they are an integral part of your life, so make sure you give them the best care possible during disasters.

Identification
Make sure your pet has a tag and collar, as this is the most surefire way of identification. Add your contact details so you can be notified if the animal is found. Pets often lose their collars, leashes, and tags, so another option is microchipping your pet. This is a full-proof method to identify your pet and return them to its proper owner. Make sure the registration is under your name, and keep it updated at all times. You can also include at least one emergency contact (relative or friend) in case your contact information is invalid or expires.

Emergency Kit
Just as you would for your family, ensure your pets are covered for emergencies. Some of the items to include in your kit should consist of at least these items, with enough to last a week:

  • Food and water
  • Medications, vitamins, or supplements
  • Vaccination record copies (potentially laminated if possible or electronically – as long as you can access it)
  • Photos (for identification)
  • Leash or carrier

Evacuation
In case of an emergency evacuation, try your best not to leave pets behind. Evacuating early is best, as pets won’t be as fearful, and you will be able to coax them more easily. Oftentimes emergency shelters do not allow pets, so make sure you have a backup plan or evacuate to an area where they will be welcomed.

Creating your human emergency kit? Check out the vast selection at Wolf Survival Gear today!

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Car Maintenance Schedule Guide

Every car owner has at least a slight understanding of the importance of keeping their vehicle in tip-top shape. Though vehicle maintenance is important, it’s innocently not always done according to the proper schedule. Refer to your vehicle owners’ guide and check out our suggested maintenance schedule below.

EVERY THREE MONTHS/3,000 MILES

  1. Fluids: unless your vehicle is brand-new, have the following levels checked.
    1. Engine oil
    1. Windshield washer fluid
    1. Coolant
    1. Brake fluid
    1. Transmission fluid
    1. Power steering fluid
  2. Tire pressures
  3. Hoses
  4. Belts
  5. Interior cleanliness

EVERY SIX MONTHS/5,000 MILES

  1. Oil and filter change
  2. Tire rotation
  3. Check lights
  4. Fuel filter
  5. Battery
  6. Cabin and engine air filters
  7. Wiper blades

EVERY 12 MONTHS/10,000 MILES

  1. Synthetic oil and filter change
  2. Alignment
  3. Brakes

For assistance in properly maintaining your vehicle, visit one of our four locations at Complete Auto Maintenance Centers today. Our experts will ensure your car, SUV, or light-duty truck will last for years – and miles – to come.

Team CAMC is your Complete Auto Maintenance Center. For over 30 years, we have followed a single guiding principle: we never push or sell services a vehicle doesn’t need. Our team of trained technicians welcomes you like family and discusses all types of oil and fluid changes offered. Critical points are reviewed through a 13-point inspection to ensure your vehicle is ready for the next adventure on the road ahead. Contact us today to learn more about the professional service you deserve from a team you can trust.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Car Maintenance Schedule Guide

Every car owner has at least a slight understanding of the importance of keeping their vehicle in tip-top shape. Though vehicle maintenance is important, it’s innocently not always done according to the proper schedule. Refer to your vehicle owners’ guide and check out our suggested maintenance schedule below.

EVERY THREE MONTHS/3,000 MILES

  1. Fluids: unless your vehicle is brand-new, have the following levels checked.
    1. Engine oil
    1. Windshield washer fluid
    1. Coolant
    1. Brake fluid
    1. Transmission fluid
    1. Power steering fluid
  2. Tire pressures
  3. Hoses
  4. Belts
  5. Interior cleanliness

EVERY SIX MONTHS/5,000 MILES

  1. Oil and filter change
  2. Tire rotation
  3. Check lights
  4. Fuel filter
  5. Battery
  6. Cabin and engine air filters
  7. Wiper blades

EVERY 12 MONTHS/10,000 MILES

  1. Synthetic oil and filter change
  2. Alignment
  3. Brakes

For assistance in properly maintaining your vehicle, visit one of our four locations at Complete Auto Maintenance Centers today. Our experts will ensure your car, SUV, or light-duty truck will last for years – and miles – to come.

Team CAMC is your Complete Auto Maintenance Center. For over 30 years, we have followed a single guiding principle: we never push or sell services a vehicle doesn’t need. Our team of trained technicians welcomes you like family and discusses all types of oil and fluid changes offered. Critical points are reviewed through a 13-point inspection to ensure your vehicle is ready for the next adventure on the road ahead. Contact us today to learn more about the professional service you deserve from a team you can trust.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Immense Solar Power Energy Development Throughout U.S. Set by DOE

Recently, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) published the “Solar Futures Study,” which outlines how vital solar energy will be in the effort to decarbonize the power grid. By as early as 2035, solar energy can power up to 40 percent of America’s electricity. More than 1.5 million people could be employed through this new field, while the power grid is significantly decarbonized. Also, electricity prices would remain steady.

The Biden Administration has been taking great strides to halt the climate change crisis by swiftly increasing access to renewable power nationwide. The DOE’s study recommends a large-scale and unbiased distribution of clean energy sources.

Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said, “The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, could produce enough electricity to power all of the homes in the U.S. by 2035 and employ as many as 1.5 million people in the process. Achieving this bright future requires a massive and equitable deployment of renewable energy and strong decarbonization policies – exactly what is laid out in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”

A record number of solar panels were installed in 2020 throughout the United States, making up roughly three percent of the current electrical supply. The Solar Futures Study predicts solar energy could produce more electricity than consumed in all residential and commercial buildings statewide by 2050. Thanks to electrification in the transportation, building, and industrial sectors, as much as 3,000 GW of solar could be produced by that time.

Interested in clean energy and going green? Contact the solar panel experts at State Electric today!

State Electric Company is a leader in the electrification of the nation. Our highly educated and experienced team of professionals uses industry-leading software technology and has partnered with manufacturers to deliver affordable solutions for all your electrical needs. With our combined, extensive knowledge in renewable energy sources through solar and battery storage, the team at State Electric works together to provide customers, large and small, with efficient electrical solutions. We specialize in smart electrical panels, E.V. chargers, battery storage, microgrids, and emergency generators with automatic transfer switches to ensure that all your energy needs are affordable and safely met. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Immense Solar Power Energy Development Throughout U.S. Set by DOE

Recently, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) published the “Solar Futures Study,” which outlines how vital solar energy will be in the effort to decarbonize the power grid. By as early as 2035, solar energy can power up to 40 percent of America’s electricity. More than 1.5 million people could be employed through this new field, while the power grid is significantly decarbonized. Also, electricity prices would remain steady.

The Biden Administration has been taking great strides to halt the climate change crisis by swiftly increasing access to renewable power nationwide. The DOE’s study recommends a large-scale and unbiased distribution of clean energy sources.

Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said, “The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, could produce enough electricity to power all of the homes in the U.S. by 2035 and employ as many as 1.5 million people in the process. Achieving this bright future requires a massive and equitable deployment of renewable energy and strong decarbonization policies – exactly what is laid out in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”

A record number of solar panels were installed in 2020 throughout the United States, making up roughly three percent of the current electrical supply. The Solar Futures Study predicts solar energy could produce more electricity than consumed in all residential and commercial buildings statewide by 2050. Thanks to electrification in the transportation, building, and industrial sectors, as much as 3,000 GW of solar could be produced by that time.

Interested in clean energy and going green? Contact the solar panel experts at State Electric today!

State Electric Company is a leader in the electrification of the nation. Our highly educated and experienced team of professionals uses industry-leading software technology and has partnered with manufacturers to deliver affordable solutions for all your electrical needs. With our combined, extensive knowledge in renewable energy sources through solar and battery storage, the team at State Electric works together to provide customers, large and small, with efficient electrical solutions. We specialize in smart electrical panels, E.V. chargers, battery storage, microgrids, and emergency generators with automatic transfer switches to ensure that all your energy needs are affordable and safely met. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

What’s the Best Age to Get LASIK?

How old do you have to be to get LASIK? The short answer: Laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK are approved for people 18-years-old and above. For an in-depth examination of the reasoning behind this, keep reading.

First, we need to examine ocular maturity and what that means regarding development. The eyes are one of the last organs to fully mature; in some people, it can take up to age 20, but for most, they are fully grown by 13. This feat, known as “achieving ocular maturity,” is considered when a patient’s eyeglass prescription remains stable for a year or more. With a consistent prescription, the likelihood of nearsightedness or farsightedness progressing is low.

Second, your vision correction options can be gauged based on how your experience with glasses or contacts has been. Most eye care professionals want to ensure you make the right decision and prefer to personally analyze you based on your habits, compromises, and vision goals. Annual eye exams are imperative to understanding whether LASIK is right for you.

Finally, it’s essential to understand that LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea, the surface of your eye. For this reason, LASIK procedures are done on people over the age of 18. The treatment has a better chance of success throughout the years if the eyes are fully developed before the procedure.

The aging process never ceases, however. While LASIK is effective for younger candidates, when people reach the age of 40, a condition called presbyopia occurs. This is categorized by a loss of flexibility in the natural lens inside your eye and can be corrected with another procedure or by simply wearing reading glasses.

While LASIK lasts for years – decades, even – it’s essential to keep up with annual visits and connect with your doctor when necessary. If your eyes aren’t mature, it’s a good idea to have a thorough evaluation to determine when you are a good candidate. If you are over 18 and have a stable prescription, your eye care professional will help you ascertain whether you are a good candidate for LASIK.

To learn more about how LASIK can improve your life by easing the stress of wearing contacts or glasses, contact the eye care professionals at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.