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Entries for month: May 2010
Two Types of Credit: Installment and Revolving
Credit score repair really must include using credit lightly to establish a solid credit history to boost your credit score. There are two types of credit and for bad credit repair, it’s important to understand their differences. Installment credit includes lines of credit that have rates and fees that are charged up front and a set amount is to be paid back within a term of time. Examples of Installment credit are student, car or home loans. Revolving lines of credit allow an authorized amount, also known as a credit limit, to be charged each month or billing cycle. Fees and rates are then charged depending on the debt that is accrued. Examples of Revolving credit include credit cards and home equity lines of credit. When you are developing your strategy to repair credit, you will want to utilize both types of credit because ultimately your goal is to prove to lenders that you are “credit-worthy,” or able to handle credit.
Automobiles and Credit Repair
When you consider credit repair help, often the simplest solutions are seemingly just out of reach. It may be surprising, but Americans today are spending up to 20% of their annual income on automobiles. Furthermore, this figure doesn’t include the fuel, insurance, maintenance and or any other associated costs to run the car. The National automobile debt load may be overlooked because cars are viewed as a necessity, but it’s a common reason that many households today are living “paycheck-to-paycheck,” making them vulnerable to any sort of catastrophic financial event. Consider that an average car payment costs between $300-$500 per month. Furthermore, multiply that payment by two, because it is common for a family household to be paying off two cars at one time. With $1000 per month going toward your car payment, it won’t take much for the average American family’s outgoings to exceed their incomings. It is especially useful for consumers who are trying to repair a credit score to be aware of this point. If your goal is Credit repair or not, consider paying cash for your vehicle. Overlook what’s a “status” car and opt for a vehicle that is affordable and as reliable.
Bankruptcy and Rebuilding your Credit
May 24, 2010 Categories: Bankruptcy · Building Credit
These days, many Americans could be only one life event away from a potential bankruptcy. Maybe you got laid-off, were forced to exhaust your savings and you can’t cover your bills. Or, perhaps you had an unexpected health crisis and your medical bills have wiped you out financially. On the other hand, it could be as simple as your actual income versus overspending. Whatever the reason behind it, bankruptcy and credit repair after bankruptcy is no small affair.
However, don’t be discouraged, because Fixing credit after a bankruptcy starts today. First, get in the habit of not charging more than you can pay off each month. Next, it may seem counter-intuitive, but consider applying for a secured credit card to help in your efforts for credit repair because while you may only qualify for a $500.00 or less credit limit, a secured credit card could be your “golden ticket” to rehabbing your credit score. The key take-away here is that while a bankruptcy may remain on your credit report for up to ten years, you can work toward rebuilding what you’ve lost credit-wise the day your bankruptcy file is closed.
Using Credit to Rebuild After Bankruptcy
May 24, 2010 Categories: Bankruptcy · Building Credit
Credit report repair after bankruptcy may seem like a glimmer of hope at the end of a long, arduous tunnel. After a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your credit will remain affected for up to ten years after the file is closed. This can seem like a prison term of sorts because rebuilding credit or qualifying for credit or loans may feel like an impossible task. The good news is that with a little education and a sound strategy, even after a bankruptcy, you can qualify for loans or credit with decent rates and terms. The better news is that they can do this while you raise (your) credit score in the meantime.
First, it’s important to realize that when your bankruptcy case is closed, you can begin to improve your credit score. Do this by using your credit cards wisely to rebuild your credit score. If you are having a difficult time qualifying for credit cards, consider applying for a “secured credit card.” Secured cards cater to those with damaged credit and are an excellent option for creating a solid credit history.
Moreover, since using credit wisely is such a key piece for rehabbing your credit score or bad credit repair, it’s important to understand what exactly that means. Using credit responsibly includes: Paying bills on time and ideally paying off your balance every month; If you carry a balance, make sure to make it only a small portion of the total credit you have available. For example, with a $5,000 credit limit aim to use only 10%, so ultimately your balance shouldn’t exceed $500. Also, keep in mind that while switching to a cash-only system can be really helpful for those who cannot handle credit wisely or for those who already have excellent credit, for improving credit, establish a solid credit history by using your credit cards in a strategic way.
Finally, after a major life event like a bankruptcy, you may want to consult a reputable credit repair agency for credit repair advice.
Auto Pay and Credit Repair
May 13, 2010 Categories: Improving Credit
These days there seem to be many economic forces that seem to be working against us as consumers. Economic downturns, unemployment, pay cuts... Not only is it difficult to maintain a healthy credit score, it’s seemingly impossible to improve your credit score by working on credit repair. Credit rating repair requires cash to pay your monthly bills on time, but also to have extra cash to pay down balances on credit cards and other loans. Where can the extra cash come from when things are financially so tight? One of the best and easiest strategies to maintain your credit score includes utilizing an “Auto Pay” system. These are commonly available through your bank. Auto Pay allows you to make payments through automatic deduction from your checking account with your financial institution. Because you can set up automatic, date-specific payments, you will ensure your payments will be made on time. As for credit repair in a depressed economic climate, you may consider contacting a reputable credit repair company for expert advice and guidance.
Graduates Credit Score and Credit Repair
May 13, 2010 Categories: Credit Repair Services
This May many young graduates will be leaving their familiar surroundings and friends at school to embark on their new adult lives and professional careers. No doubt that the last thing on their mind is bad credit repair. These fresh young men and women will be applying for jobs, credit cards, trying to qualify for leases, wanting to buy a new car... Credit score and a solid credit history is the key to succeeding in setting up your adult life with a great career, safe place to live, a car, a line of credit.... Many young graduates have very little credit history of their own. Maybe they were “authorized users” on their parent’s credit cards or perhaps they do have lines of credit, but their cards are maxed out or they have sizable student loans, which could both be negatively affecting their credit score. Once you realize the importance of a good credit score and how it impacts your life and lifestyle, it’s time to get educated and start the process of credit repair and establishing a healthy credit history. Keep in mind, fast credit repair may not be an option, but a few simple tweaks can make a huge difference. You may also consider turning to the credit repair business by hiring a reputable credit repair agency to help guide you through the process.
Reverse Mortgage and Credit Repair
May 13, 2010 Categories: Lending
A reverse mortgage is a loan that lets the borrowers tap in to their home equity without selling their home. This type of loan is limited to borrowers 62 years of age or older. Essentially, the mortgage lender makes payments to the borrower and the loan is paid back after the borrower moves away or is deceased and the home is sold- the proceeds of the home sale are paid to the lender to cover the loan. Reverse mortgages can be controversial as there are many pros and cons, but for the right person, it may make a lot of sense. An advantage for seniors considering a Reverse Mortgage is that their credit score does not impact their ability to obtain the loan. For example, because the home is the collateral for the loan and the borrower does not pay the lender, a senior who has a low credit score and is working on bad credit repair to repair a credit score, doesn’t have to worry about their credit score about qualifying for a Reverse Mortgage. However, one must remember the credit repair is important for anyone at any age because if you have a low credit score, it could inhibit your ability to obtain a credit card, a car loan... etc.
Debt Reduction Theories
There are no shortage of debt-reduction theories. For those of you with debt and rebuilding credit, any number of theories could be very useful. The caveat is that for them to work, one must pay attention, stay organized and be committed to putting them in to action. Bad credit repair doesn’t happen overnight, but educating yourself and committing to a plan is half the battle. For many consumers, once it’s clear how a poor credit store affects their ability to obtain financing, they are eager to dig themselves out. However in today’s economy, with unemployment rates soaring, there may not always be a simple, immediate answer. In any case, many consumers turn to reputable credit repair companies for guidance. They are experts in credit and credit repair and will advise consumers and often be the calm voice in the face of what feels like a storm.
Cosigner and Credit Repair
Bad credit and consumer credit repair can be an overwhelming load to bare. While the consumer must be focused on credit repair, it is next to impossible to build a solid credit history if your bad credit exempts you from being able to obtain a line of credit, like a loan for a car, a credit card or even being able to qualify for an apartment lease. It’s probably no surprise that a solid credit history is key to improving your credit score. A reasonable alternative is to have a cosigner. A cosigner is a person, usually the borrower’s relative or close friend, who has good credit and is willing to underwrite a loan to enable the borrower to obtain the loan or line of credit. There is no small amount of risk and liability for the cosigner because if the borrower defaults or doesn’t make timely payments, the cosigner is responsible for covering the entire debt. Long-term, it is vitally important for the borrower who has poor credit to develop a sound strategy to improve their credit. Borrowers who require a cosigner may consider hiring a credit repair consultant to help develop such a plan.
Foreclosure and Credit Repair
May 10, 2010 Categories: Foreclosure
It’s hard to imagine credit repair after foreclosure when you are going through this financially devastating process. Foreclosures are on the rise in America, with over three million foreclosures predicted for this year and the worst projections affecting the first half of 2010. Unfortunately, foreclosure will negatively impact your credit, but with diligence and patience, you absolutely can repair credit score. A foreclosure will be considered a negative credit event and remain on your credit report for seven years and in the short term, there isn’t anything you can do about removing it. However, a foreclosure will carry the most negative weight for your credit score in the first few years. In the meantime, if you are taking care of other financial aspects related to your credit health and building a positive credit history, you will see that as the years go by the foreclosure will affect your credit score less and less. While there is no quick-fix for your credit score after a foreclosure, it is important to recognize how you got there. You may consider contacting a credit repair consultant to help guide you through the process of taking charge of your credit health.
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