As an adult, it’s natural to want to build a life of your own. Unfortunately, a bad credit score can dash your dreams, making it much more difficult to do things that most adults must do. It’s harder to buy or rent a place to live; it’s hard to buy a car; it’s hard to get a loan. Luckily, you can turn it around. Here are some ways to do that.
Remember, as your balances rise, your credit score will fall. It’s an inverse property that you have to keep aware at all times. You always want to focus on how much you are utilizing that’s available on your card. Having maxed out credit cards is a giant red flag to possible lenders.
Research the fine points of disputing items on your credit report. It can be done, but the process is not easy. Make sure to track and follow up regularly with all reported disputes. If you stop checking on them, they will stop working on them as well. It’s your credit, so make sure it’s correct!
It may be a good idea to include an old-fashioned bank loan in your credit repair activities. Banks may be willing to give even those with bad credit a loan. Paying back a small loan on time will really help your credit history. Be aware, however, that you won’t get the best terms with poor credit. You may have to suffer a bad interest rate or put up collateral to secure the loan.
All documentation that you send to reporting agencies should be sent by certified mail. Through this method you will have documentation of your sending and the agencies will be giving a return receipt of the mailing. In this way you are guaranteeing that from your end to their end, the required steps have been met.
If credit repair is something you are investigating and a company has told you they can strike true, but negative, information off of your credit report, they are lying. All information remains on your credit report for a period of seven years or more. It is possible to have erroneous information removed from your report, however.
Looking at credit repair like a real relationship that you need to work on daily and view as a long term commitment will provide you with a realistic and workable perspective. Just like a marriage, credit repair involves small sacrifices that really add up and improve living conditions. Your relationship with your credit will either enable you a happier lifestyle, with less stress and restrictions or be like a dreaded ball and chain.
Pay down credit card debt. Most people carry a debt on their credit cards, usually at an exorbitant interest rate. By paying the minimum amount each month, you will only be making a small dent on the balance. If you have any excess cash, you should start trying to pay off the credit card that has the highest interest rate. Once you have paid off that debt, focus on your other cards in the same manner. Always pay down the debt of the card with the highest interest rate, first.
It is a bad idea to threaten credit companies that you are trying to work out a deal with. You may be angry, but only make threats if you’re able to back them up. Make sure to act in a cooperative manner when you’re dealing with the collection agencies and creditors so you can work out a deal with them.
An important tip to consider when working repairing your credit is to ensure that everything in your contract is written down and signed. This goes for any credit repair transaction or any agreement with your creditor. This is important because you can never assume – just because something was said in person or over the phone – it is binding.
An important tip to consider when working to repair your credit is the fact that any credit repair agency contract can be voided within three days of signing. This is important to know in case it is found out that the company is not legit or if you find other means of paying off your debt.
An important tip to consider when working to repair your credit is to consider paying down your cards that are nearest to their limits first. This is important because having credit cards near their maximum limit is toxic for your credit score. Consider spreading the debt among your other cards or focusing on this card first. This method may not work for everyone.
Bringing the balance on your credit cards below 50 percent of your limit will help improve your credit. Lenders often look to see how much credit you use compared to what the limit is on your card. Ideally, it should be between 30 and 50 percent. Remember, lowering the amount of interest you pay is not the overall goal; you want to improve your credit rating.
If your requests for loans have been getting turned down, it is generally a good sign that you need credit repair. Realizing that you need to have your credit repaired is the first step to changing a difficult situation. If you decide to try to repair your credit on your own, it is important to realize that it will take time, combined with much research and discipline on your end. But, the results can be well worth the effort.
Don’t let bad credit prevent you from doing the things you want to do. Commit to improving your credit score as much as you can and start right now. By following these tips, you’ll repair your credit enough that you aren’t stuck anymore and can move on with your life.
