Fort Mill Operations Center

We are excited to announce the opening of our new Fort Mill Operations Center at 3578 Centre Circle, Fort Mill, SC 29715. We are conveniently located right off Interstate 77 in the Carowinds area. Please continue to mail all correspondence to 10800 Sikes Place, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28277.

We are always seeking ways to serve you better.  Please feel free to email us if there is anything we can do to assist you.  You may reach us via telephone  at 704-499-9696 or email us at by clicking here:  http://hope4usa.com/contact-us-2/

Directions:

From Charlotte:

Take I 77 South to Exit 90 (Carowinds Blvd.) Turn Left at the end of the ramp At the first light turn left onto Springhill Farm Rd. Drive 0.4 miles and turn left onto Centre Circle (Carolinas Point) Drive 0.2 miles and 3578 will be on your right

From Rock Hill:

Take I 77 South to Exit 90 (Carowinds Blvd.) At the end of the ramp go straight across to Springhill Farm rd. Drive 0.4 miles and turn left onto Centre Circle (Carolinas Point) Drive 0.2 miles and 3578 will be on your right

If you get lost call 704-499-9696

Credit Card Changes Are Coming.

Retroactive Interest Rate Hikes Will Be a Thing of the Past Credit card changes are coming. Many people are finding themselves with the dilemma of credit card companies changing there existing interest rates on their existing balances. This placing many who have been consistently on time in a very difficult situation. The new minimum payments jump drastically in many cases.

Help is on the way. Come next February, card issuers will no longer be able to retroactively raise rates on your existing balances unless you’re more than 60 days late on your account. Instead, they will only be able to raise your rate on new purchases going forward.

Say you have $10,000 in debt on a card with a 10% annual percentage yield. Once the new rules take effect, even if the rate jumps to 15%, you’ll still pay the old rate on that balance. The difference in rate means you can eliminate the balance four months faster and save $1,276 in interest. And even if you do miss your payments by more than 60 days and see the rate on that old balance jump higher, issuers must revert to the original, lower rate after you make six months of on-time payments, says Duncan Douglass, a partner with Alston & Bird, a law office in Atlanta.

To Prepare: Issuers have been jacking up interest rates across the board. If you carry a balance, make sure it’s on a card with a low rate come 2010.

At HOPE we help our clients stay updated about existing law changes so they can make wise credit decisions. If you would like to know more please call our staff at 704-503-3669. We are waiting on your call.

Save Money on Auto Insurance.

Save money on auto insurance.

The only thing better than having great car insurance is having great insurance that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. These programs will help you slash your auto insurance premiums without compromising on coverage.

1. Some insurers are test-driving “pay-as-you-drive” plans for cars equipped with on-board systems that track driving time and mileage. The insurer provides a wireless device that securely transmits information to the carrier about your driving habits to help determine your rate.
2. Before renewing your policy, ask your agent if you qualify for any discounts resulting from membership in a union, a religious affiliation, fraternal or professional organization, service in the armed forces, or through your employer. And check in your wallet for potential savings. The credit cards you’re carrying might net you discounted car insurance.
3. Up-front payment, up-front savings? Some companies offer as much as a 10% discount if you pay for your entire policy upon renewal (instead of making payments).
4. Bundle up? Most carriers offer a multi–policy discount if you purchase both auto and homeowners coverage, or insure more than one vehicle.
5. Savings for safety? Ask about discounts for cars equipped with safety features, such as anti–lock brakes, anti–theft devices, and automatic seat belts. And if you have three or more years without an accident or moving violation, ask – or rather, brag – about it; many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers with spotless records.
6. Ask about discounts for completing a defensive driving course, and find out about any savings offered for those with low-risk occupations. Statistics have shown individuals in professions like nursing, engineering and lawyers pay close attention to details and are less likely to get into accidents. Some carriers reward these folks with occupational discounts.

These are just a few ways you can save money on autmobile insurance.

At HOPE we help our clients every day save money and make wise credit decisions. If you would like to know more please call us at 704-503-3669. We are waiting on your call.

How Will My Credit Scores Effect My Home Loan?

I am often asked, "How will my credit scores effect my home loan." With the new guidlines set by lenders the requirments are bringing greater demands on the home buyer. The definition of what is a good credit score has changed drastically over the past year. It is important to get your scores as high as possible. It can make a diference of thousands of dollars over the life of your home mortgage.

It is important for you to know where you stand on your credit scores. It is good to get professional help in reading your credit file. Lenders are looking for certain criteria before they will approve you for a loan. While your credit scores are very important they are also looking today at many other factors in considering your approval.

So what is a solid credit (or FICO) score? The aggressive new FICO classifications are as follows:

-- 740 - 850: Excellent borrowers qualify for the best financing terms.

-- 700 - 739: Very good borrowers receive favorable financing.

-- 660 - 699: Good borrowers should qualify for most loans.

-- 620 - 659: Fair borrowers may qualify but may pay higher interest.

-- Below 620: Poor borrowers will likely not qualify for a loan.

At HOPE we help our clients improve their total financial picture so they can qualify for the best interest rates available to them. If you would like to know more please call our friendly staff at 704-503-3669.

Is It Best To Buy A New Car Before Or After I Buy My House?

This week we are republishing some of our most popular articles in case you missed them the first time around. I believe these articles will be very helpful to you.I am often asked, Is it best to buy a new car before or after I buy my new house?

If your goal is to refinance or purchase a home within the next 6-12 months, it’s best to wait until after you close on your home before taking out any additional loans*.  New indebtedness will almost always cause your credit scores to drop automatically, even if you are making the payments on time.  Furthermore, the new loan may have an effect on the home loan amount for which you can qualify by impacting your debt to income ratio.  Simply put, the new loan, whether car or other, could cause you to have to wait a longer time before your credit scores recover enough to qualify for the purchasing/refinancing of your home. Plus, the new loan would likely cause you to qualify for a smaller home loan amount. So if you are considering trading in, refinancing, or buying a car…wait until the day after you close on your home loan to do so.  *Additional loans include: personal loans, auto loans, and other installment loans.

HOPE educates and guides our clients through the maze of credit questions, just like this one, that can effect the outcome of their financial decisions. If you would like to find out more please call us at 704-499-9696. We are waiting on your call!