SALT LAKE CITY — While home sales and prices have been improving this year, some feel homeownership is just a dream because of their credit. A lot of people are surprised to find out that they can buy a home today, and if not today, then in a very short while. Anyone can buy a home, it just takes a little planning and perseverance.

Due to "The Great Recession," unsightly credit is more common than ever. Most people don't realize there are many simple ways to jumpstart their score without a lot of effort or costly credit repair. Credit bureaus put the heaviest weight on what you have done the last six to 12 months. When it comes to buying a home, forget about the problems you had three, five or 10 years ago. A lot of people think if you have a bankruptcy or foreclosure on record that your credit will be horrible for the next 10 years; this is just not true.

Here are some steps to help improve your credit and ability to purchase a home:

• Step 1: Your credit score is not your identity. First and foremost, you are not your credit score. A lot of people feel like a bankruptcy or foreclosure makes them less of a person. Remember first that you are more than that, and most any credit problems — even past foreclosures — can be fixed within three years and result with credit scores in the high 700s.
• Step 2: Get a credit report. The best way to fix a leaking pipe is to find where the break is first. Credit is the same way. Get a copy of the credit report and find out what accounts or issues are driving your credit down. Often a mortgage or loan professional will review your report and give their opinion.

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Debunking credit myths

Credit counselors say there are some pretty big misconceptions about what will help or hurt someone's credit rating. They say many people underestimate just how damaging certain infractions are.

1. Step 3: Make a plan. If we are ever going to make it to Emerald City, then we need a path to follow. Once you identify where the credit issues are, prioritize which ones to focus on first. Throwing money at your credit lines won't necessarily improve your credit. Make a plan on which accounts need to be paid down first. These may include accounts that are late, credit cards over 50 percent of their limit or accounts with high monthly payments.
2. Step 4: Getting rid of credit doesn't help your credit. The last thing you want to do to improve your credit is to pay off and close your credit accounts. Your credit score is based on how you handle credit month-to-month. If you don't demonstrate that you can handle credit, then your credit rating will go down. Many people go to a cash basis after a bankruptcy; after a year or two these people find they have no credit scores whatsoever. If you don't have credit lines, then start building them. One way is to get a low- balance credit card and use it each month, but don't let the balance go above 50 percent of your limit or it will hurt your score.
3. Step 5: Opt out of credit bureau lists. Ever get credit card mailings saying that you are pre-approved for a credit card? Do you know how they know you are pre-approved? They checked. That's right, credit card companies checked your credit because you haven't told the credit bureaus not to. By opting out of these lists, your score generally jumps right away.
4. Step 6: Time heals all. Most importantly, if you are current with your debt obligations, time will heal your credit. The more consistent you are in paying your monthly obligations on time, the more likely a lender will want to loan you money. Once your credit has started to heal, it doesn't have to be perfect to purchase a home. Homes can be purchased today with a 600 credit score and 3.5 percent down payment.

But if a down payment is not readily available, then look to see if county and city grants are available for first- time homebuyers. County and city programs can offer grants or down payment assistance up to $10,000. There are also no-money-down programs available to people with credit scores as low as 620.

Your credit is something you can control, and within a year you can improve it by as much as 100 points. You’re not alone when it comes to having a low credit score, especially following the recession and its slow recovery. Just remember, you are not your score.

Jerome Bennett is a realtor with Realty Experts specializing in Salt Lake County. He has been helping familes find their home in Salt Lake for the last 12 years. For more information, follow The Jerome Show at www.facebook.com/TheJeromeShow.

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