The GCS Giving Tree 2019
The GCS Giving Tree
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
GCS will again be supporting Woodlands Shelter in Eagan this holiday season.
Dakota Woodlands is a pathway to sustainable and independent housing for homeless women and families.
- Published in Community, Networking, outreach project, Real Estate & Mortgage Industry
3 PILLARS OF BUSINESS GREATNESS
3 PILLARS OF BUSINESS GREATNESS
hosted by GCS Title
What are your 2019 goals? Get more referrals? Grow your team? Increase your sales?
Achieving and maintaining a competitive edge is vital to the long-term success and relevancy of any business. While every organization is unique, yours has the ability to achieve greater results by focusing on the right combination of key factors – what we call The 3 Pillars of BUSINESS GREATNESS.
These pillars provide business leaders with the Shared Languages required for predictable and profitable growth. Position yourself and your team for success by mastering the higher art of leadership, the aviation skills of strategic planning, and the combustible power of selling.
- Published in Community, Networking, outreach project, Real Estate & Mortgage Industry
Increase Your Credit Score in 5 Steps
You’re not alone if you are unhappy with your credit score. While increasing your credit score can seem difficult, it is easier than you think.
Why increasing your credit score matters?
Before learning how to improve your credit score it is important to understand why you should. Your credit score is one of the most important factors when it comes to your personal finances. A high credit score will help you qualify for lower rates on loans, credit cards that offer more favorable terms, better insurance rates, and a long list of other financial benefits.
A person’s credit score or FICO score is based on their payment history record and credit utilization ratio. FICO scores can range from 300 – 850, with 300 being extremely poor and 850 being nearly impossible to. The average credit score for Americans in 2017 was 704, which is considered good, but a score of 740 can significantly improve the home or car loan rates and credit card terms you can potentially qualify for.
How is a credit score calculated?
In a FICO scoring model, 35% of the credit score weight comes from payment history, 30% from credit utilization, and the other 35% from credit age, different types of credit, and number of inquiries. Carrying high balances on credit cards or simply having multiple credit cards in your name, along with many other factors – both positive and negative – can increase or decrease your credit score.
TITLE INSURANCE. Do you need it?
It’s a term we hear and see frequently – we see reference to it in the Sunday real estate section, in advertisements and in conversations with real estate brokers. If you’ve purchased a home before, you’re probably familiar with the benefits and procedures of title insurance. But if this is your first home, you may wonder, “Why do I need another insurance policy? It’s just one more bill to pay.”
The answer is simple: The purchase of a home is most likely one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make. You, and your mortgage lender, want to make sure that the property is indeed yours – lock, stock and barrel – and that no individual or government entity has any right, lien, claim to your property.
- Published in Real Estate & Mortgage Industry
The Power of Choice!
YOU have the RIGHT to choose your own Title Company!
Because GCS Title is independently owned and locally operated, we have no ties to realtors or lenders, and no vested interest in transactions. We are not owned by lenders or realtors, and we serve our customers. (more…)
- Published in MN First Time Home Buyers, Real Estate & Mortgage Industry
Top Home Design and Renovation Trends In 2018
2017 was a very strong year for home remodeling, and it looks like 2018 will be even bigger. In fact, according a report by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2018 could be a record year for home renovations.
If you’re planning to sell your home this year, or just want to make some needed upgrades, 2018 is the year to do so. While kitchen and bathroom remodeling will always top the list of projects homeowners want to do first, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on what else is trending. These projects can really make your home stand out from the rest. Here are a few (and more) hot home remodeling trends in 2018:
- Accessibility Remodeling
- Master Bedroom Suites
- Mudroom Additions
- Eco-friendly Remodeling Materials
- Luxury Finished Basements
- Published in MN First Time Home Buyers, Real Estate & Mortgage Industry
Minnesota’s Most Expensive Homes
- Published in MN First Time Home Buyers, Networking, Real Estate & Mortgage Industry
Zillow launches ‘3D Home’ feature in Phoenix
Zillow to Add 3D Homes to Real Estate Listings
3D Homes provide home buyers and renters with a new, immersive way to search for homes; New technology from Zillow Group allows sellers and agents to capture 3D tours from iPhones, for free
- Published in Mobile, Real Estate & Mortgage Industry, Technology
Utilizing Zillow’s Video Walk-through Feature
Your Listings on Zillow: How to Triple Your Views & Capture More Leads
While a great profile can be a powerful (and free) lead magnet, there is another even more powerful way to generate leads on Zillow: your listings. After all, the entire reason Zillow exists is to allow homebuyers to browse homes for sale. (more…)
- Published in On the House, Real Estate & Mortgage Industry, Technology
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