We are seeing the market tick up a bit and whether you are getting ready to buy or you are comfortable renting the first step is making sure your credit is in order. Remember NO credit is not same as having good credit! The algorithm needs to see that you can use credit but not abuse it. Although no one except the credit reporting agencies know exactly how the algorithm works these general tips are commonly acknowledged to help increase your credit score On-time payments improve your credit score tremendously. Set up the minimum payment with e-pay and choose the recurring option so it pays every month. Just remember to check your statements in case the minimum payment changes. Because you are setting this up at your bank you can change it or cancel anytime with the click of a mouse.
Keep your credit card balances under 30% of the limit. For example, if your limit is $5,000 then keep your balance amount to $2,000 to show that you are not pushing your limits, it is like the old saying they only give you money if you don’t need it. Also
it is good practice not to have your total unsecured credit balance over 50 percent of your annual salary. This applies even if you pay it off each month.
Use two credit cards. This is good and bad advice at the same time. If you have a credit card with a limit of $2,000, and you charge $1,500 on it, you’ve used 75 percent of your credit limit. Now if you split your amount into two, and spend $750 each, then the percentage of usage will be around 37 percent. So it helps your FICO. Just don’t go on a credit card shopping spree.
Maintain a good mix of good and bad loans. Home and business loans are considered good loans. Personal loans and private label credit cards are considered bad loans. This is why investing in a home loan if you are a spendthrift is a better decision. You will have a good credit mix and build an asset.
It is a smart decision to pay your home loans over longer periods. Pay off your personal loans, credit cards and private loans first, as they tend to have a higher interest with no asset creation. Home loans, on the other hand but they build an asset. This is one of the underutilized logical tips to improve credit score. Pick a loan and set a goal and then focus on paying that one off (but don’t buy something to celebrate).
Many people tend to abandon their savings accounts without closing them. If you have less than your Minimum Average Balance it will start to affect your credit score. Also, when you finish paying a loan off, it’s imperative to get the loan closure certificate.
Check your credit reports regularly. Just go online and check your credit score at least once in a year, so that you can catch any mistakes and get it corrected. There have been cases when banks report you to FICO by mistake. Keep in mind that free reports are a consumer product and the credit score will vary depending on the type of credit you are applying for.
Monitor your co-signed joint accounts even if they are family. You need to monitor the statements closely to make sure everything is in order. There is no use complaining if you chose the wrong joint holder who was careless and you don’t catch it.
If you know you will not be able to pay on time, call and negotiate with your bank. Banks may be willing to extend your loan period and reduce the EMI and the FICO will see you are proactive.
So these are some of the tips to keep your credit score in check. By following these strategies, you can work towards improving your credit score, making you more attractive to lenders when you’re ready to buy and Landlords if your are looking to rent. Feel free to contact me with any other questions or for more information.
Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker. Call/text 925-899-5536 • pmccarran@yahoo.com • CallPatrick.com Independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE#0193160.
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RODENT
Calendar of Events
Ongoing Events
AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMY
Tuesdays-Thursdays, 1:30-6:30pm, Village Community Resource Center, 633 Village Drive, Brentwood or Byron Community Library Club, 3926 Main St., Byron. Literacy and homework support for K-5th Grade. Info 925-626-7892 or jose@vcrcbrentwoodca.org.
AL-ANON MEETING - BRENTWOOD
Friday, 8pm, Brentwood United Methodist Church, 809 2nd Street, Brentwood. Support Group for families and friends of Alcoholics. No need to register, info call Trisha 510 910-1389
AL-ANON MEETING - DISCOVERY BAY
Monday, 12:15pm, Delta Community Presbyterian Church, 1900 Willow Lake Rd., Discovery Bay. Support Group for families and friends of Alcoholics. No need to register, info call Charlie (925) 858-5382.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
1st Tuesday, 5pm, Legion Hall, Basement, 757 First St., Brentwood. Info Dolly 925-890-7357.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 202 MEETING
2nd Wednesday, 6:30pm, Veterans Hall, 757 First St., Brentwood. Info AML202.org or 925-516-2141.
ANIMAL RESCUE RECON DOG ADOPTIONS
Saturdays, 10am-1pm, Pet Food Express, 5829 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Info 925-392-7654 or animalrescuerecon.com.
BETHEL ISLAND LIONS CLUB
1st and 3rd Wednesday, 7pm, Scout Hall, 3090 Ranch Ln., Bethel Island. Info Dave 925-595-1451.
BRENTWOOD ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
2nd Thursday, 7-8:30pm, Brentwood. Please call 800.272.3900 to register for the meeting.
BRENTWOOD LIONS CLUB
1st Wednesday, 6:30pm, BW Community Center., 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Call for more info 925-587-3783. www.lcobw.com
BYRON DELTA LIONS CLUB
1st Friday, 10am, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2800 Camino Diablo Rd., Byron. Info Kathy 925-980-6696.
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
Tuesdays, 1-3pm, 3505 Lone Tree Way., Suite 3, Antioch.
DASH ADOPTIONS
Fridays, 5-8pm at Petsmart, 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. 1st & 3rd Sunday, 12-3pm, Petco, 5481 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood. Info 925-219-0151 or deltaanimalssafehaven.org.
DELTA SHADOW BOXERS PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP
1st Wednesday, 2-5pm. Merrill Gardens., 2600 Balfour Rd., Brentwood. Info Sue 925-550-2756
DISCOVERY BAY CORVETTE CLUB
1st Thursday, 7:30pm. Discovery Bay Yacht Club, Bilge Room Info Tim Denham 408-210-3814.
DISCOVERY BAY LIONS CLUB
1st Tuesday, 6:30pm, Discovery Bay Yacht Club. Info Rita Caruso 925-640-5746, www.discoverybaylions.com.
DISCOVERY BAY PICKLEBALL CLUB FREE TRAINING
1st Saturday, 11:00am, (weather permitting) Discovery Bay Community Center 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd, Discovery Bay.
DELTA GROUP SIERRA CLUB
2nd Friday, 5pm, Oakley Tavern, 3685 Main St., Oakley. Covers Antioch, Pittsburgh, Bay Point, Oakley, Brentwood, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, and unincorporated areas of ECCC. Info Joeandlu@comcast.net.
DELTA WOMEN’S SOCIAL CLUB
2nd Thursday, 11:30am. Info Gloria 925-513-8731.
DIG - DELTA INFORMAL GARDNERS
4th Monday, 7:30pm, Brentwood Methodist Church, 809 Second St., Brentwood. Info Bob 925-642-0080 or deltainformalgardners.org.
DELTA QUILTERS GUILD
For information REGARDING meetings & events, go to deltaquilters.org
DOFBWOW (Daughter’s of Faith Becoming Women of Wisdom) 2nd & 4th Thursday, 6:45pm, via Zoom. Contact True Free Love Ministry via email truefreeloveministries@gmail.com.
GFWC - BRENTWOOD WOMENS CLUB
3rd Wednesday, 11:30am,Contact Sedar for more Info 925-550-4486.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, 5pm, Immaculate Heart of Mary Library, 500 Fairview Avenue, Brentwood. Info Mary Ann Smith 925-240-1706 or Linda Quilici 925-308-7799.
HELPING ONE WOMAN
3rd Tuesday’s, 6-8pm, Brentwood Community Center 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Email: howdiscoverybay@gmail.com
HALO ADOPTIONS
Saturdays & Sundays, 12-3pm (cats), Petsmart , 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Saturdays and 4th Sunday (dogs), 12-3pm, Petco, 5481 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood. Saturdays and Sundays (cats), 2nd Sunday (dogs) 12-3pm, Pet Food Express, 5829 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.
HOSPICE OF THE EAST BAY
Informational Session and Training. Info 925-887-5678 or volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.
HOW OVER-EATERS ANONYMOUS MEETING
Thursdays, 10-11am, Brentwood Professional Plaza, Fellowship Hall, 8385 Brentwood Blvd., Suite B, Brentwood. AA Big Book Discussion. Info Peggy 925-200-2281.
MINISTRY OF CARING ( Summer Schedule 6/4-8/27) Wednesday, 10:30-11:30am, will be changing meeting location during summer, Veterans Park, Balfour Rd., Brentwood. Widow/widower Grief Support Group.
Info Mary Ann Smith 925-240-1706 or Connie Conover 925-392-8037
Ongoing Events - Cont’
MOMS IN PRAYER
Moms in Prayer is an international organization that equips women to pray for kids and schools at weekly prayer meetings. Find a local group: Crystal - momsinprayer58@gmail.com or momsinprayer.org.
MOBILE HOME OWNERS ADVOCACY GROUP
1st Saturday, 1-2:30pm, Oakley. Teach mobile home owners their legal rights and how to defend themselves. Mobile home owners in Oakley, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Brentwood, Antioch and Pittsburg welcome. Info/register 925-625-6251.
PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
2nd Tuesday, 5:30-7pm, Tony LaRussa’s Pet Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Info 925-887-5678 or hospiceeastbay.org.
P.E.O. CHAPTER OF BRENTWOOD (EVENINGS)
3rd Thursday, 6:45pm, Women’s philanthropy group supporting women’s education. More info contact President Cassidy Nelson at cassidynelson713@gmail.com.
P.E.O. CHAPTER OF BRENTWOOD (MORNINGS)
1st Thursday, 9:30am, Women’s philanthropy group supporting women’s education. More info contact Sally at Slbain2@att.net.
POLKA DOT POWERHOUSE
2nd Tuesday, 6:45pm, Changing The World By Connecting The Dots. More info contact Gloria Guzman 415-760-8202.
SEAMS TO HELP
1st Sat & Tues, Volunteers use sewing and other skills to create needed items for our community and beyond. Volunteer information www.seamstohelp.org.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
After School Academy to work with students on their reading/ literacy and homework. Our students are K-5th grade. Two locations in Brentwood and in Byron. Info Village Community Resource Center 925-626-7892 or vcrcbrentwoodca.org.
VFW AUXILLARY POST 10789
2nd Tuesday, 8:00pm. 757 1st Street, Brentwood. For more info contact Bill Weber Commander 925 584-1452.
WI CHA KA COUNCIL
1st and 3rd Thursday, 7:30pm, Red Men Pocahontas Hall, 1403 Main St., Oakley. Info 925-759-2998.
Business Meetings
AKTION CLUB OF EAST CONTRA COSTA
2nd Tuesday, 5:30-7pm, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 1185 2nd Street, Station M, Brentwood. Adults with Special Needs sponsored by Kiwanis Int’l. Info 925-890-2563.
BRENTWOOD CHAMBER MIXER
3rd Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm. Info 925-634-3344.
BRENTWOOD ROTARY CLUB
Mondays, 12-1:30pm, Trilogy Event center, 1700 Trilogy Parkway., Brentwood. Info 888-556-0083.
BNI REFERRAL FACTORY
Thursdays, 11:30am-1pm, Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Info Liz 925-206-9314 or liz.litaea@lhfs.com.
BNI - GIVING TO GAIN Tuesdays, 7am, Via Zoom. Info Maria 925-323-6313.
BUSINESS ON THE BAY
2nd Thursday, 3:00pm. Discovery Bay. Info Elizabeth 925-351-4444.
CREATIVE COMMUNICATORS TOASTMASTERS MEETING
Tuesdays, 7:10-8:15pm, Kaiser Hospital, 4501 Sand Creek Rd., Conference Room IC, Antioch. Info Joe Amaro 510 812-2282 or ccclub.toastmastersclub.org.
DELTA NETWORKING PARTNERS
Tuesdays, 8:30-9:45am, Brentwood Craft Beer and Cider, 234 Oak Street, Brentwood, Gabriela Manciulea, 408 750 7436 or email dnp.brentwood@gmail.com.
DELTA TOASTMASTERS MEETING
Tuesdays, 7:10-8:10am, MiMi’s Café, 5705 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Info Greg Hullen, President 707-373-6890.
DISCOVERY BAY CHAMBER MIXER
4th Tuesday, 5:30pm. Info Cindy 925-513-4175.
DISCOVERY BAY LIONS CLUB
1st Tuesday, 6:30pm. Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5781 Marina Blvd., Discovery Bay. Info 925-240-3486.
POLKA DOT POWERHOUSE
2nd Tuesday, 11:30am, Zephyr Bar & Grill, 613 1st St., Brentwood. Info Gloria Guzman guzmang2020@gmail.com.
SONS IN RETIREMENT-DISCOVERY BAY BRANCH
1st Tuesday, 11:30am, Club Los Meganos-Trilogy, Brentwood. Info Luis Figueroa 415-997-5172.
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE DELTA 1st Tuesday, 6pm, Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak Street, Conf Room B Brentwood. Info Sue Pretzer 760-583-3058.
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF ANTIOCH
1st & 3rd Wednesday, 6pm, Lone Tree Golf & Event Center,, 4800 Golf Course Rd. Antioch. Info Mary Ann Redden 925-586-3161
Major Route & Schedule Change
NEW ROUTES with NEW NUMBERS
Nuevas rutas con nuevos números
NEW TIMETABLES - FASTER SERVICE
Los horarios han cambiado
TRI MYRIDE ZONE IN BRENTWOOD
El servicio Tri MyRide expande sus servicios en las zona Brentwood.
