How to Repair Your Own Credit
An a credit score is important because it determines your ability to borrow funds. Unfortunately, for some, your credit score may have gone done due to unavoidable circumstances. Worry not because you can still, repair your own credits, improve your score consequently better your ability to get loans from creditors on affordable terms. Remember that improved credit score opens opportunities to qualify for lower costing interest rate loans and better borrowing terms.
However, credit repair is more like enhancing your professional network. You may not think of it until you need it and that would really inconvenience you because it’s not something you can repair overnight. So, if you have a bad credit score, you need to start its repair now so that you can have an easier time when you really need it.
Why You Need to Repair Your Credit
You need to pursue credit repair because it is vital when looking for loans, credit cards, and saving money on insurance. It's also critical when you are looking for a good job. A good credit score will avail you new employment opportunities, promotions at your workplace, and earn you raises in your salary with your current employer. Moreover, if you plan to start a business or want to be sure that you can get a loan when you need it then you have no option but repairing your credit.
It is not difficult to repair it and you simply need to follow the steps that I will explain in the following paragraphs:
Evaluate your credit score reports:
The first step is to evaluate your credit score reports. There are certified credit bureaus that can give you one free copy of your report annually. You only need to request them to send your latest credit report. The report will give you an overview of all the past mistakes that have led to your poor credit rating. Read it keenly and note all the negative things that have affected your credit score.
Review Report for any Errors:
Secondly, review the credit reports for any errors. You can see all items that have been listed in the public record; detailed information on every account you hold; and inquiries made to your credit report.
Next, decide on data that needs repair. These include incorrect information, for example, all accounts that you don’t own, payments that have been reported incorrectly late. Also, check past accounts that are charged-off, late or have been sent to a collection agency.
You can then use a different color of a highlighter to mark each type of information to do your work easy when planning for repair. This makes it easy even in the future when ready to call creditors, make a payment or send a letter.
Dispute any Errors:
The third step is to dispute credit report errors. It's your right to dispute any inaccurate information in your credit score and others that are not verifiable or incomplete. When you get your credit reports from the bureau, you will get information on how to send your disputes. You can equally do it online, make the disputes through the mail or phone call. The best method for sending disputes is regular mail because it offers enough benefits. First, you can attach a document to support your disputes, and you can keep a copy of your dispute letter for fire use. Additionally, sending a dispute via regular mail with a return receipt request, you will have proof of the time you mailed. This is essential because credit bureaus take 30 to 45 days to investigate then respond to your complaints.
When you send your disputes include a copy of your credit report with highlighted items that you are complaining about. Then ensure you attach a copy of any proof supporting the dispute. Failing to send enough information can make the credit bureaus dispute it terming it frivolous. Consequently, they will refuse to investigate your dispute or updating your credit score report. Alternatively, you can send the disputes directly to the bank or company that listed the data on the credit report. They are legally obliged to investigate any dispute then delete incomplete, inaccurate and unverifiable information from the report.
After a successful dispute, the bureau updates your credit report, alert other credit bureaus then send you a copy of your updated credit report.
Handle past due Accounts
The next step is to tackle your past due accounts. Have in mind that your payment history greatly affects your credit score more than any other aspect. It's approximately 35% of your credit score. Therefore, if you hold numerous past accounts that are past due on your credit report then they will significantly hurt your credit score. Hence, it's vital to ensure that your past due accounts either read current or paid.
You can get current your past accounts that are not charged-off. One of the worst account statuses is charge-off which occurs when your payments have passed 180 days after the due date. Some accounts are delinquent even though they are less than 180 days past due date; you can save them by paying the full amount. It is worth noting that the farther behind your move, the higher your catch-up payment will be. Therefore, call your creditors soon to start a payment plan and get back to current.
You can negotiate terms so that they can waive some of your penalties or spread your past due balances over some time. You ought to inform them that you are worried about charge-off thus you need their help. The creditors might understand you and even re-age your accounts to read current payments rather than the delinquent.
Then pay the charge-off account balances. Don't let them get older because your outstanding credit balance will hinder you from obtaining new credits. Therefore, paying charge-offs must top your list of credit repair. After paying them in full, your credit report will be updated to read paid. However, the charge-off status will show in your report for seven years. However, you may convince the creditors to delete your charge-off status from your credit report at a fee. Nevertheless, it is not easy to do this. Your focus should be to get a favorable account status.
Management of Collection Accounts:
The next step is to manage collection accounts. Normally debt accounts are sent to a collection agency after they have been charged-off or have been dormant for several months. You can either pay them in full or pay less than the balance.
Check Loan Status:
The following thing is to check your loan status if you have any. If you borrowed money and still close to the original loan amount, it will affect your credit score negatively. The more you pay the loan the better for your Fico score. However, before paying other loans focus on clearing credit card balances because they have a worse effect on your credit score.
Prioritize Payments:
Then prioritize spending money in the process of credit repair. You should focus on accounts that are almost past due first then make all current. Afterward, bring down your credit card balances.
Take A New Credit:
Once all your loans are current, take a new credit to help build your score. The secret is to resolve negative items on your credit report and add positive information on it. You can do this by making early payments since timely repayment will boost your scores.
Also going forward, you should pay all the bills on time. This will add positive information to your report too.
You can do your best to salvage your credit score. However, at times you may get rejections from lenders or get financially strained. Worry not, you can get credit counseling to help you move forward.
Again, you don’t have to repair your credit alone while you can get a financial coach who can advise you on how to get out of debt, smart money management, increasing income and building wealth. He will give you strategies for success and make you understand how investing works, and how to incorporate it in financial planning.
At times bankruptcy may be inevitable when you have explored all options but not working. If so then file it early instead of trying strategies that won’t help in the long run. You can start again afterward and rebuild your life. You can seek Columbus Financial experts to guide you through financial planning and money management strategies.
It is possible to live with bad credit in America today, nonetheless, it makes life very tough. The bad credit score makes several things impossible, more expensive or very difficult. For instance, some insurance companies charge higher interest rates for drivers with bad credit scores. Banks will check your credit scores before they can grant you any loan or credit card. When you are getting new utilities using your name, the corporation will confirm your credit scores first to decide whether you pay a security deposit. Therefore, do your best to improve your Fico score.
If you have any financial issues we can help! Call or visit our web page today.
Columbus Financial & Success Coach
Transformation Financial Life Coach
614-282-3162
www.columbusfinancialcoach.com
If you enjoyed this article? See related articles:
How to Repair Your Own Credit & Fico Score
Debt Counseling can help you repay your Debts Perfectly
The Benefits of Financial Planning
Credit Repair helps you Remove Negative Items from your Credit Report
Passive Income can help you Earn More without Working More
Columbus Financial & Success Coach Offers Specialized Financial Secrets to Aid One Become Very Successful In Life
Happy Client Testifies to the Goodness of Columbus Financial & Success Coach
Life Coaching has Immensely Helped Turn People’s Lives Around
5 Startup Steps Every Young Entrepreneur Needs to Take
Understanding the Complete Picture of Homeowner Finances How Stay-at-Home Moms Can Start Their Own Successful Businesses
5 Skills You Can Learn Online Tricks and Tips for Staying on Track with Your Finances
Why are we paying so much for the Internet?
Passion to Profit: Turn Your Hobby Into A Business
What can the Columbus Financial & Success Coach do for you? Winning eBay Bids and Saving Big The Win-Win Way With eBay: eBay Bidding Strategy How to be your own financial planner in 15 steps for free
How to be your own financial planner in 15 steps for free
The 3 Pillars of Success Model Next Generation of Success & Motivation Development
