FHA loans are available to some first time home buyers who are purchasing single family homes or homes in small multifamily units. A buyer with a credit score above 580 will typically be eligible for a loan with only 3.5% of the purchase price as a down payment on the mortgage. Borrowers with scores between 579-500 are eligible for 90% financing (or a 10% down payment), and borrowers with credit scores below 500 are ineligible. Just as you would if you were buying a car, you should start by checking your credit. That way, you maximize your information and minimize the surprises. Therefore, check your credit score and get a copy of your credit report before you even start to visit with lenders. You can get a copy of your credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action. You can get your credit score directly from the credit bureaus, or from sites like creditkarma.com or credit.com. As with applying for any loan, the more you can tweak your credit score to adjust it higher, the better. Try and establish a year's worth of on-time payments, reducing your credit utilization to 30% or less than your credit limit, and minimizing your applications for large lines of credit, like car loans. Now that you have your credit report, check the items in your credit report against the standard disqualifiers. The standard disqualifiers are: bankruptcy within 2 years, a mortgage foreclosure within 3 years, late mortgage payments or a credit to debt ratio that is too high.While FHA lenders will review any of these items for extenuating circumstances, these usually disqualify a buyer from loan eligibility. If you have any of these items on your credit report, you should consider postponing your application for an FHA loan If you are turned down for an FHA loan, then you can make adjustments to your financial situation that will increase your chances of approval down the road. For instance, if you have cash reserves equal to at least three months of mortgage payments, a reduced debt-to-credit utilization ratio, or apply for a loan for a home that has a payment that is no more than $100 greater than your current payment, the lender may approve you for the loan where you were denied before. As always, lenders look more favorably upon borrowers who have larger down payments than borrowers with small down payments, as it is indicative of financial stability.
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One-sentence summary -- Know the terms. Check your credit score. Know the disqualifiers. Make adjustments.

Plenty of community colleges, local businesses, and community centers offer summer classes. If you've always wanted to learn how to play the piano, paint a portrait, or speak Spanish, now is the time to do it. For example, check out your local music shop if you're interested in learning guitar. They might have lessons available during the day. If you're interested in language classes, check your local community college for classes. During the school year, it can feel like you have no time to read for fun. Pick a topic or story that interests you and read about it. Even if you only finish one book over the summer, it can keep your mind sharp for when classes start again. Some bookstores will have a summer reading section just for young adults. You can also check out the new arrivals rack for your next favorite title! If you have some time on your hands, use apps like Spotify, Apple Music, or Google Play to make a summer playlist that you can listen to. The songs can be any genre or a mix of a few different ones, as long as they make you think of summer! For example, you can mix some of your favorite songs in with new summer releases or hot songs at the beginning of the summer. If you're going on a trip, make a road trip or traveling playlist with just songs about traveling or going to new places. Museums are a fun way to spend time inside away from the heat and learn something new. Many local museums will also offer discounts to students, or have weekends during the summer where they offer free entry. Take advantage of a great opportunity! If you like art, visit a local gallery or an art museum. Many places have local history museums where you can learn about the history of your town. You might even get to touch some of the artifacts or talk to someone who witnessed a historical event. Summer jobs can teach you a lot while also letting you earn some spending money on the side. Working part-time during the summer is fun and rewarding, and also leaves you with time to spend with friends and family. Look for stores and restaurants that are hiring near you and submit your resume. If you have experience, you can also try starting a babysitting, dog walking, or yard care business by contacting people who might need your services.
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One-sentence summary -- Take a music, art, or language class. Read a new book, magazine, or comic. Make a summer playlist. Visit a museum. Get a part-time summer job.

Before you even think about scratching anywhere, you should make sure your nails themselves are clean. Scratching with dirty fingernails will only serve to spread bad dirt and bacteria around. Soaking your hands regularly in hot water for a couple of minutes at a time will help open up the pores, releasing any excess dirt from your skin. The less bacteria you're tracking around, the better. Particularly when you're scratching, it's very important to take a close lens to the dirt trapped underneath your fingernails. Most often, this muck is difficult to see, so it's important that you give it a good look and proper scrubbing over. This is especially true if you like to keep your nails fashionably long. Make a point every day of cleaning the buildup muck from underneath your fingernails. It will alleviate a lot of future hassle. Even if you like to keep your nails long, it is best to keep them filed. Uneven nails can feel rough against your skin, and might even risk snapping, given pressure. Make a habit of filing them once every few days; not only will they feel smoother, they'll look quite a bit nicer as well. Trimming your nails is also recommended. While some people prefer longer nails as part of their style, it can add undue complications when it comes to scratching. Longer nails carry more bacteria, and may even run the risk of breaking apart if too much pressure is applied. Don't bit your nails. While it may seem like a nice alternative compared to trimming them with clippers, your nails will look nicer if you go the extra mile.
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One-sentence summary --
Keep your fingernails clean. Soak your hands in water. Clean any dirt from underneath your fingernails. File your nails.