Ms. San Francisco Real Estate (Janice Lee)

The neighborhood amenities you enjoy could also boost the value of your home. It’s a good bet that certain home upgrades — the kitchen and master bathroom in particular — will increase the value of your home. But some neighborhood features are so attractive to buyers that they can increase your home’s value too. Here are eight neighborhood and community amenities you shouldn’t overlook. 1. Hiking trails Hiking can give you a decent cardio workout while you enjoy the great outdoors. So neighborhoods with access to hiking trails are bound to score some bonus points with house hunters. That’s how homeowner Megan Wild feels about the trails in her Carlisle, PA , neighborhood. The main trail in Wild’s neighborhood is 1.5 miles long, and she walks it frequently. “It’s fairly manageable for kids, and almost everyone with a dog walks up there,” she says, adding that it’s a “secret” perk for locals, since it’s not promoted outside the neighborhood. And it’s an amenity she appreciat...

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There’s no "instant" button, but there are things you can do now that will help increase your score. The unfortunate truth about raising your credit score: There is no quick fix. Hitting the reset button sounds tempting — especially when faced with a less than stellar credit score; but starting over with a blank slate will only set you back further. Now that a forewarning is out of the way, on to the good stuff: Actionable tips to raise your credit score swiftly and without financial risk. You can expect most of these tips to affect your credit score in about 30 to 60 days, the typical time that’s considered speedy. How to increase your credit score 1. Request a copy of your credit report and look for errors  In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission found that one in five consumers carried an error on their credit report. If you find an error, dispute it. Removing negative marks made in error will help you return to your correct score. 2. Write a negotiation let...