I want to buy a house, but my credit isn’t good. What can I do?
I want to buy a house, but I have bad credit. Should I file bankruptcy? What should I do? Submitted by Marcella S. Buying a home is many people’s idea of achieving the American Dream. But the road to homeownership can be stressful, confusing, and overwhelming. When I purchased my first home, I had no…
Read MoreWhy do credit sites recommend I get another credit card?
I’ve worked hard to get my credit score into the excellent range using only one credit card. I pay monthly before the due date. Why do credit sites like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame keep suggesting I get another credit card to improve my score even more? What is the impact on a credit score…
Read MoreAre there debt consolidation companies for poor credit scores?
Submitted by Sara K. A Debt Management Plan (DMP) that is offered by a non-profit credit counseling agency can be an excellent tool for getting out of debt. Anyone can use these plans, whether they have poor credit or great credit. Credit cards, collections, and medical debt are eligible for these programs. How a Debt…
Read MoreCan I trade in my new truck for a cheaper car?
I have a truck that I just bought for $35,000. It’s now worth about $31,000. Can I trade my truck in for a $20,000 car? What happens with my negative equity on the truck and my sedan that I just paid for with the trade–in value? Submitted by Jae E. It’s common to buy a…
Read MoreWhat can I do if there are loans on my credit report that aren’t mine?
Your credit history is an important factor for obtaining a loan, renting an apartment, and sometimes getting a job. However, it’s not uncommon for a credit report to contain mistakes. For example, your credit report may show an unpaid medical bill for services that were paid by the insurance company. It may show a student…
Read MoreI just paid off a house that I got on land contract. How do I add it to my credit report?
Submitted by Renee K. This is a great question. Before your question, no one has ever asked me about this, so thank you for letting me get this info out! I consulted with my friend and colleague Tina Marie, who knows a lot about land contracts. What’s a land contract? A land contract is an…
Read MoreThe Three C’s of Credit
When applying for a loan, it’s helpful to know what your Loan Officer will be looking at when making his or her decision. There are three areas they will review: Capacity, Collateral, and Character. Capacity Capacity is simply your ability to repay the loan. They will review your monthly income and expenses to determine if…
Read MoreWhat is a good interest rate?
You may have heard that there are only two kinds of people: those who pay interest and those who earn it. In reality, we all likely end up occupying both sides of that equation. The first thing to know about borrowing money and paying interest is that how much you pay depends on your credit…
Read MoreHow can I fix my credit to buy a house for the first time?
My husband and I want to buy a house for first-time buyers. How can we fix our credit? Submitted by Ferlenzia M. Owning a home is a dream that many people have. To make that dream a reality, most people get a mortgage loan. To qualify for that type of loan, you need steady income,…
Read MoreHow do I find my credit score?
How do I find out my credit score? Who wants to know it, and what factors influence its change? Submitted by anonymous. A credit score is a representation of how someone managed their debts. It is meant to help creditors understand our financial responsibility. Payments on our loans and balances on our credit cards are…
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