Most people focus on the wrong things when trying to improve their credit. You do not need to open a bunch of new accounts. You do not need to carry a balance. And you definitely don’t need to pay a credit repair company hundreds of dollars. Instead, focus on these 3 things: 1. Lower Your Credit Utilization This is one of the fastest ways to improve your score. If your credit cards are carrying balances, try to get them below: - 30% utilization at minimum - 10% utilization if possible Example:A $1,000 limit card should ideally report less than $100. 2. Never Miss a Payment Payment history is one of the biggest factors in your credit score. Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment and make every payment on time. One late payment can hurt your score far more than most people realize. 3. Stop Applying for New Credit Every application can create a hard inquiry. If you’re planning to apply for a land loan, USDA loan, mortgage, or construction loan in the next 6–12 months, now is usually not the time to open: - Store cards - Furniture financing - “0% interest” promotions - Random credit card offers - Changing jobs <- #1 biggest no no Lenders want to see stability. Bonus Tip Before applying for any loan, pull your credit report and look for errors. I’ve seen collections that were paid years ago still showing up incorrectly, duplicate accounts, and reporting mistakes that lowered scores unnecessarily. Question for the group: What’s the biggest obstacle between you and getting loan-ready right now? Credit score Down payment Income Debt-to-income ratio Business plan Finding the right property Drop your answer below. 👇

This community was created for people who know there’s a better way to live—one with more ownership, more freedom, more skills, and more security. Whether you’re: • Dreaming about buying land someday• Actively researching property now• Already own land and need a plan• Want to grow food where you are• Learning homestead skills like canning, sourdough, herbs, or self-reliance• Looking to create income from land …you belong here. This is a place to ask real questions, learn practical strategies, share progress, and build something worth passing down. 👇 Introduce yourself below: 1. Where are you from? 2. Which stage are you in right now? A) Dreaming B) Researching C) Own land already D) Growing now E) Building skills 3. What’s your biggest goal this year? I’m glad you’re here. Let’s build legacy together.

BEFORE YOU BUY LAND The County Call Starter Guide What to Research Before You Purchase + What Questions to Ask Learn how to research land before you buy, call the right departments, ask better questions, and avoid expensive surprises. Welcome Most people buy land thinking: “It’s my land. I can do whatever I want.” Then they discover things like: • Minimum home size requirements • Setback requirements • RV and temporary dwelling restrictions • Farm stand regulations • Animal density rules • Flood zones • Septic requirements • Utility requirements • Parcel split limitations • Environmental restrictions The goal is not asking permission. The goal is understanding the rules before spending thousands, or hundreds of thousands, of dollars. You are gathering information and confirming specifics. This guide is designed to help you ask better questions, understand county language, and avoid expensive surprises. Disclaimer: Regulations vary by county and change over time. This guide is educational only and is not legal, engineering, zoning, or permitting advice. Always verify information directly with your local agencies. STEP 1 Do Your Own Research First Before you call anyone, spend a little time gathering information yourself. You are not calling blind. You are doing preliminary research first and then calling for clarification and specifics. Find: ☐ Parcel number ☐ County GIS map ☐ Zoning designation ☐ Future land use designation ☐ FEMA flood zone information ☐ Property Appraiser information ☐ Wetlands map if available ☐ Existing structures on site ☐ Property dimensions ☐ Road frontage ☐ Easements if visible ☐ Agricultural classification status ☐ Tax information ☐ Deed restrictions if available ☐ Utility availability Why? Because this: ❌ “Can I build on this land?” Turns into: ✅ “This parcel appears zoned A-1 and outside the floodplain. I wanted clarification regarding residential structures and accessory uses.” That gets a very different conversation. QUICK LAND BASICS