
Before you peruse real estate listings or pick out curtains, there's one thing you need to check that's more important than anything on your list. That one thing is your credit score because it will determine your ability to qualify for a mortgage and the amount of money you'll pay over the life of that loan. What you find may surprise you, but our real estate agents know there are some things you can do to get those numbers up to where you can qualify for the most favorable loan terms and the best interest rates.
The average credit score in the United States is 711. That's considered "good" credit. Those with "very good" credit have scores between 740-799, and those with "exceptional" credit fall between 800-850. These three ranges will allow you to qualify for most loans, but the higher the score, the better the loan terms and the lower the lender's interest rates.

Since Stark and Summit counties in Northeast Ohio have many beautiful rivers, lakes, and other waterways, kayaking is a popular pastime in the area. Whether you prefer calm or swifter waters, you'll have your choice of many locations where you can get your kayak in the water or rent one to use. Our real estate agents suggest visiting the following locations to get started on your kayaking adventure.

If you're looking for a way to boost your home's value, our real estate agents will advise you that you'll get the best return on investment from a fresh paint job. You can take years off the face of a kitchen by painting the cabinets. Our North Canton homes for sale are selling quickly, as are our Akron homes for sale, and fetching good prices, but with these five steps to a gorgeous kitchen, you can demand even more.

The new homeowner's to-do list should be divided into two basic categories. Let's take a look at the top things that need to go on the list.

Spicy wings, cool people, and a hot summer day – what could be better? The restaurants, bars, and pizza shops of Stark County are known for serving some of the best wings that you'll find anywhere, with flavors to suit every taste. With National Wing Day coming up on July 29, now is the perfect time to find a new favorite place for wings. Our real estate agents have you covered, with our guide to six great places to order wings in Stark County.