Spring is the perfect time to clean up your finances and to prepare for buying a new home. Here are five tips to help you get started:

Spot Check Your Home Value (If you are already a Home-Owner) – Get comparative data on the most recent home sales in your neighborhood to ensure your biggest investment is on the right track. Note: Most Realtors provide this service at no-charge.

Scrub Your Credit – Know your credit score. You can receive a free copy of your credit report once a year (www.annualcreditreport.com).

Sweep Away Debt – Ensure your credit card balances are less than 30% of credit available. This may improve your credit score and could lead to better loan rates.

Clean Up Your Cash Flow – Review your income and expenses to make sure you are crystal clear about where all your money is going. Make sure you are apportioning sufficient amounts to savings, retirement, emergency funds, or investing in a new home.

Get Clarity on Your Budget – If you are in the market for a new home, before you start shopping, contact a lender to help you with determining your budget and to provide you with a pre-approval letter.