Newbie from Temecula California!

[Carolyn Martin]

Hi!!

I am brand new to this forum, I found it through a Google search "commercial real estate development forum". I would like to start by thanking everyone for accepting me into your community. Please forgive my inexperience if I am in the wrong place.

I am going to need to move in 6-7 months and I want to buy - not rent. Obviously I would like to get into something with a lot of upside potential. I have a 580 FICO and was considering a secured credit card to start establishing some credit but I dont know if it will reflect within my time frame. What is my best course of action to improve my credit in the shortest amount of time possible?

I have been looking for tools to use to evaluate the RE market in certain areas. One method I thought of would be to look at the RE developments currently under construction or projected to begin shortly in a specified area that may impact values. Can anyone direct me to a resource that would allow me to look up current or projected developments within a given location? Can anyone direct me to a resource that would allow me to look up current or projected developments within a given location?

I think the USDA loan program looks good. I have contacted several potential lenders and agents and haven't been able to connect with anyone I feel comfortable with. I need to know if this could work within my timeframe. When the USDA is determining eligibility for a direct loan vs guaranteed loan, is the income averaged using the past 2 years tax returns or is it based on your projected income for the year applying? Also is my eligibility based on my current location or where I am planning on buying? What if I am not sure where I want to buy yet?

I am also open to any other advice/tools that can be used to evaluate and possibly predict the swings of the RE market(s).

Also, if anyone knows of any specific areas poised for high growth (with supporting data) within the next few years please let me know.

Thanks!