Bad credit can add salt to an economic wound. You might have suffered under the weight of crushing bills, or maybe you were irresponsible when you were younger. Poor credit can make those events haunt you for years. You can repair your credit by following these tips.
If you have a poor credit rating, it can be extremely difficult to obtain a mortgage loan for a home. An FHA loan can be helpful in such a case since the federal government backs these loans. Even when the resources for making down payments or paying closing costs are lacking, FHA loans can help.
Fixing credit reports must begin with a solid working plan that you are capable of adhering to. Make a commitment to making better financial decisions. Only purchase something if you cannot live without it. Look at your purchases closely. If you cannot afford something, and you do not need it, do not buy it.
Secured Credit Card
If you need a credit card to aid in fixing your credit but you cannot obtain one due to the state of your credit, applying for a secured credit card is an option. Most likely, a secured credit card will be easy for you to get, but you have to fund the credit account before you purchase so the bank knows that you won’t miss any payments. If you use a credit card responsibly, you will go a long way in repairing your credit.
If you have credit cards with balances that are greater than fifty percent of the maximum, you should pay those down as quickly as possible. It’s best to keep all of your credit cards below the fifty percent mark! Once your balance reaches 50%, your rating starts to really dip. At that point, it is ideal to pay off your cards altogether, but if not, try to spread out the debt.
A great credit score should allow you to get a mortgage on the house of your dreams. Fulfilling your mortgage obligation in a timely fashion does a great deal of good for your credit rating. Owning a valuable asset like a house will improve your financial stability and make you appear more creditworthy. This will be very helpful if the time comes where you need to take out a loan.
Interest Rates
If your debt includes large amounts for interest charges contact the debt collector and see whether you can pay the original debt and avoid some of the additional interest charges. It is bordering on illegal for credit card companies to charge you skyrocketed interest rates. However, you signed a contract agreeing to pay off interests. If you choose to bring a lawsuit against your creditors, use the high interest rates against them.
When you’re looking to fix your credit, be cautious of credit score improvement companies. They may tell you they can remove negative information, but if it’s correct, it can not be removed. Negative info stays on your history for seven years! Be aware, however, that incorrect information can indeed be erased from your record.
Paying your bills is a straightforward, but truly vital prerequisite for credit improvement. It is key that you pay them on time and in full. Do the best that you can. You will notice how quickly your credit score increases when you start paying off those overdue bills.
Before consulting a counselor for credit improvement, do your research. While there are lots of counselors with your best interest at heart, there are others who just want your money. Other counselors are nothing more than scam artists. It is wise for consumers to not give out personal information unless they are absolutely sure that the company is legit.
If you have bad credit it can make your life more difficult. The following tips will help you repair your credit and get you to think more positively about your financial situation.