Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Credit Repair for Your Mortgage

Find Out Your FICO Scores

Your mortgage lender will underwrite your loan application using the middle of your three FICO scores. If you expect to purchase a home or refinance your current mortgage you should know your FICO scores in advance. If there is a problem it is best that you discover it, rather than your mortgage lender. Plan your credit repair strategy today.

Get the Right Scores

The credit scores sold by Experian and TransUnion are their own proprietary scores and can differ from your FICO scores by a significant amount. Equifax sells a true FICO score, but will apply the FICO model only to its own data, and it is not enough to have one FICO score. Your credit repair effort requires reliable information. The only site consumers can purchase their three FICO scores is myfico.com.

Check Your Revolving Balances

Your revolving balances have a dramatic impact on your credit scores. Many people in credit repair programs assume incorrectly that if they make their payments on time their scores will be fine. Later they wonder why their scores are languishing. A high balance on a credit card may cause a drop of over one hundred points your scores. You cannot afford for this to happen. When it comes to your mortgage, every point counts.

Bring Your Balances Down

Plan in advance and bring your balances down as much as possible before your make your mortgage application. The FICO scoring model recognizes five levels of credit card usage: 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 percent; the lower the balance the higher the score. Here is some great credit repair advice, if you have the ability you should reduce your balance below 20 percent of your credit limit.

Proofread Your Reports

Once you have all three of your credit reports you should take the time to proofread every bit of information. Remember that you may be living with your new mortgage payment for many years to come. Don’t make the mistake of believing that if the information on your report looks familiar it is accurate. Credit repair requires a bit of healthy skepticism. There are many types of errors possible; not all errors are obvious. I suggest that you spend a couple of hours examining your reports. It may be the best investment of time you ever made.

Fix the Derogatory Information

Look carefully at the derogatory information on your reports. Common errors include duplicate accounts and accounts that are reporting beyond the seven year reporting period limit. Keep in mind that the reporting period for a collection starts with the first missed payment in the sequence that led to the collection status. Collectors often reset the clock accidently, or otherwise, and report well beyond the expiration of the legal limit. You should also know that when a collector sells a debt, or returns it to the original creditor, they are supposed to cease reporting, but rarely do. This is a great credit repair opportunity.

Fix the Positive Information

Many of the errors that can hurt your credit scores are not derogatory and are harder to spot than a thirty day late payment or a collection. A patient credit repair effort will pay off. Some of the errors that commonly go unnoticed include under-reported credit limits and misreported account opening dates. Under-reported credit limits can make it look like your credit card is maxed-out and your score will reflect this. Misreported account opening dates can make it look like your account is newer than it really is and you will lose points.

The Power of a Rapid Rescore

If you find yourself needing to improve your credit score quickly, try a Rapid Rescore. A Rapid Rescore is a tool offered only by mortgage brokers. It allows you to furnish documentation that balances have been paid down, or that derogatory information has been resolved or is reported in error. The mortgage broker provides the documentation to the credit bureaus. They in turn recalculate your score within three days. Instant credit repair. There is a small cost involved, but it can be well worth it.

Hold off on New Purchases

Too many people make the mistake of making large purchases before they apply for a mortgage. The effect is to inflate revolving balances and deflate saving accounts, thereby lowering credit scores and weakening the mortgage application. Wait until you close on your new mortgage before purchasing your new furniture. Hold off on all significant transactions. Save your money and preserve your credit scores.

New Credit and Your Credit Repair Effort

Your credit score is determined by both the negative and positive information on your credit report. If you do not have any open credit your credit score will suffer. Many people in credit repair programs open secured credit cards to start the rebuilding process. That’s a good idea, and very effective. But be careful of the timing. The first month a new account appears on your credit report your score will fall. If you need to build new credit don’t wait until the last minute.

Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Credit Repair: How to Handle a Collector

The Basic Rules

Collectors are governed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Collectors do not always play fair, so it is best if you know the rules. Collectors cannot report a collection to the credit bureaus unless they have sent you a letter detailing the debt and the identity of the original creditor. They must also provide an explanation of your right to challenge the debt within thirty days of receiving the letter; if used properly this is a powerful credit repair tool.

Read that Letter

If you receive a collection letter don’t be intimidated. Collection letters provide a thirty day challenge period. The collection industry is far from perfect. If you are in a credit repair program you are probably aware that debts are sold and resold. Many are past the statute of limitations for collectability. Some are past the reporting period limits for the credit bureaus. And a surprising number of collection letters are sent to the wrong people altogether.

Evaluate the Issue

Don’t jump to any conclusions. Is the debt yours? Did you pay the original creditor? Was the debt discharged in a bankruptcy? Is the amount correct? How old is the debt? You have more rights than you think. Many people needlessly pay collectors for debts that are beyond the stature of limitations, and even past the time limits for reporting to the credit bureaus. An intelligent credit repair effort is always economical. Don’t throw your money away.

Understand Your Statute of Limitation

The statute of limitation for collecting through the courts is often misunderstood. Statutes of limitation are state and debt type specific and are, in almost all cases, far less than the seven year reporting period limit for credit reporting. State statutes of limitation for credit card debt, for example, range from 3 years to 6 years, except for Wyoming, where legislation favors collectors by providing an 8 year limit.

Count Your Statute of Limitation

A large part of every credit repair effort involves researching dates and may take a bit of work. The statute of limitation time limit starts with the original default date, rather than the charge-off date or the date a collector reported to the credit bureaus. The default date was the date of the first missed payment in the sequence that resulted in the collection status. You may find statute of limitation information on the internet. If the debt was entered into in a different state from where you live you need to check two state limits because collectors may apply the more favorable (longer) limit.

Use Time Limits for Credit Repair Success

What does this mean for your credit repair effort? If a collection is beyond the statute of limitation the collector cannot get a judgment. Many collectors bank on debtors not knowing this fact and rely on the implicit threat of legal action to encourage payment. The collector can report the debt to the credit bureaus until the reporting period expires, but nothing more. Here is a great credit repair tip. If you let a collector know that you are aware of the statute of limitation they should be happy to negotiate a much smaller payment. Or if you don’t want to pay, you can wait it out without fear.

Check Your Reporting Period Limits

The reporting period limit for most derogatory information is seven years. The time limit starts with the date of original default. Here again, the default date was the date of the first missed payment. If you were thirty days late in January of 2003 and never made another payment, your default date is January of 2003. Check the dates carefully. Most people in credit repair programs are aware that the dates on credit reports are often inaccurate. Double check everything.

Validate the Debt

Now that you have examined the collection letter and determined your rights it is time to challenge the debt; this is called debt validation, and is useful for your credit repair effort even if you identified the debt as legitimate. If you request the validation of a debt within thirty days of getting a collection letter the FDCPA requires collectors to provide proof they have the legal right to collect and an objective accounting of the amount they say you owe. An objective accounting of the amount should originate from the original creditor.

Dealing with Aggressive Collectors

If you find yourself being harassed by an aggressive collector there are a variety of credit repair tools you can use to stop the annoyance. If the debt is beyond the statute of limitation you can send a letter to the collector demanding they cease all communication immediately. The FDCPA requires that they comply with your request. If the debt is within the statute of limitation the use of a cease communication letter may be a strategic credit repair error, as the collector may opt to sue in response. But it might help to know that you can ask them to stop calling you during working hours by telling them that your employer does not approve of you taking calls.

Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Credit Repair: How to Raise Your Credit Score

Get the Big Picture

Do you want to have fantastic credit scores? Would you like to be approved for the lowest cost financing available when you purchase a home or an automobile? If so, you need to understand the factors that have the greatest impact on your credit scores – and how to control them. Credit repair can make a dramatic difference in your life. It's easy, just take one step at a time.

Open New Credit Card Accounts

Credit scores take both the positive and the negative items on your report into consideration. Effective credit repair requires a balanced approach focused on cleaning up negative issues and building positive credit simultaneously. If you don’t have any open accounts in good standing you should open a couple of new accounts as soon as possible. Secured cards are an excellent option if you have had credit problems in the past.

Watch Your Balances

Credit cards are the most powerful credit repair tool available. But they can be your downfall too. It’s all about your balances. High balances can ruin your credit scores, while low balances can propel your scores to new heights. The FICO scoring model recognizes five different balance-to-limit ratios which measure the relationship between your balance and your high credit limit. The ratios are 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 percent. Pay your balance down to below 20% of your high credit limit and watch your scores take off. But let your balance run up to the max and you may see 100 points come off your score. Just remember, the lower the balance the higher the score.

Avoid Store Cards – Sort Of…

Everyone loves a discount. So when the salesperson offers a discount if you open a new store card you may be tempted. Sometimes it makes sense. But if you plan to apply for a loan anytime soon you should decline the offer. Store cards have a funny way of sending your credit scores into a nose dive. This is because they usually involve a combination of an inquiry, a brand new account, and a new balance equal to the high credit limit. These three things combined are deadly. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with saving money! Just make sure that you don’t need your credit score to be at its best in the next few months.

Clean Up Your Student Loans

Unlike other forms of debt there is no statute of limitation for student loans. This means that they are collectable forever. And the longer you ignore them the worse it gets. Are you behind on your student loans? Do something about it right now. But make sure you know your rights! Call the Student Loan Ombudsman Office at (800) 557-2575. They are there to help you understand your options. They will explain how you can rehabilitate or consolidate your student loans. They will also explain that you have the right to affordable payments and even deferment if you cannot afford repayment at this time. Pick up the phone. Include your student loans in your credit repair effort today!

Remove Old Collections

Are there collections on your credit report? Too many people make the mistake of believing that if it is on their report it is correct. Credit repair requires a healthy dose of skepticism. Don’t believe your eyes. Collections change hands regularly. Did you know that collectors who do not currently own the debt are not allowed to report it? There is a high probability that older collections should not be on your credit report. And if you see more than one collection for the same debt, at least one of them should not be there. Challenge those collections. Watch your scores take off.

Call Mom - Last Chance for Authorized User Accounts

Want a quick increase in your credit scores? Here is an easy credit repair trick. Call mom, or dad, or anyone you know that has excellent credit. Have them contact two of their credit card issuers and add you as an authorized user. You don’t have to use the card, and your donor can remove you at anytime. Within two months the account will appear on your credit report and your credit score will enjoy the benefit of your donors perfect account history for that account. Just keep in mind that this is not a long term fix. The new FICO scoring model has eliminated this loophole and the three credit bureaus will eventually adopt the new model. But it’s still good credit repair medicine!

Confused? Hire a Professional

Credit repair can be confusing. But there is no need to struggle along on your own. Pick up the phone and call a few credit repair services. Choose one that you are comfortable with and let them take over. A credit repair professional will make sure that everything possible is being done to clean up your credit report and optimize your credit scores. But don’t wait. The sooner you start the sooner you will be able to experience the benefits of your credit repair effort. Good luck!

Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Credit Repair: Your Future Starts Now

Setting Priorities

What do you want from life? You can achieve your goals. Success is within your reach. There are just two requirements. First, you must be clear about your goals. Second, you must work towards your goals - everyday. Clarity is essential. If you really want something, your actions must be consistent with your goals. If you want a promotion at work, for example, you might choose to sign up for a night class that will help your career. If you want to get into top physical condition you could start an exercise routine today. Every choice you make today will determine the direction your life will take tomorrow.

Perfect Credit and Financial Freedom

Would you like to have perfect credit? Would you like to say goodbye to financial stress once and for all? I assure you that your goal is within reach, and it is closer than you think. To achieve perfect credit you must be clear about what you want, and you must be willing to work towards your goal – starting now. Clarity of intent means that you are willing to put your goal above other desires. In all endeavors temptations will appear to challenge your resolve; it’s a law of nature, there are always opposing forces. But if you consciously renew your focus every day you will prevail. The first step towards perfect credit is an understanding of the intricacies credit repair. There is more than meets the eye.

The Need for Credit Repair

Credit repair is the essential first step towards perfect credit. Credit repair is incredibly powerful and effective if done right. Many people ignore their credit report after a period of credit damaging financial stress. This is understandable; it can be very uncomfortable to examine derogatory information on your credit report. But there is nothing more important. And as hard as it might be to get started on a credit repair effort, the relief that you will feel once you have taken the first step is fantastic.

The Truth About Credit Repair

Over half of all credit reports contain errors that are serious enough to cause consumers to pay premium interest rates on their loans, or even to be denied for financing. These errors are the result of deficiencies in the checks and balances built into the credit reporting system. You may be surprised to know that there is little that can be done to rectify these deficiencies. There are three credit bureaus. Each bureau manages data files on over two hundred million Americans. Each data file is updated constantly by creditors, collectors, and public record service bureaus. Billions of updates are processed daily. The system is designed to be as efficient as possible given existing constraints, which happen to include self-defined financial limitations of the credit bureaus.

Insult to Injury

In addition to the overall error statistics which are supported by many different independent studies, including a Government Accounting Office “study of studies”, there is another unfortunate and less publicized fact which has made credit repair an essential defensive process for so many people; those with legitimate credit issues are considerably more likely to have errors on their reports than others. The reason is simple. Once an account falls behind or is charged off, it is out of the mainstream and is handled on an exception basis. And even worse, once an account goes to collection it often replicates itself as it is passed from collector to collector, even though it is not legal for a collector to continue to report once they no longer own the debt. It is unfortunate, but the system often generates credit reporting errors for those people who can afford them the least. But it is not all bad news. Once you understand your rights it is not difficult to clear up your credit report and put yourself on the path back to great credit.

Calling a Credit Repair Professional

Effective credit repair requires a working knowledge of the laws that govern the credit bureaus. You cannot get the results you need by simply disputing obvious derogatory items. Most credit reporting errors are compliance errors and may be overlooked by someone that is not trained. It is also important to know how the FICO scoring model operates; many people start a credit repair effort only to discover that their credit scores are falling month after month. Everything on your report has an impact on your credit scores. Success in credit repair will come from a careful balance of actions. If you are going to attempt your own credit repair take the time to read a good book on the subject before you start. If you are a busy person and prefer to turn the job over someone else, you should hire a competent credit repair professional. They will insure that everything possible is done to clean up your credit, optimize your credit scores, and help you reach your goal of perfect credit. Good luck!

Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.