investment property

How Do I Obtain a Loan To Buy Investment Property With Bad Credit?

Q: How do I obtain investment property loans with bad credit? I rent out one property that I own, but I can’t get a loan on it because my credit score is 560. A: When people get turned down for a bank loan, the natural tendency is to think that the bank is wrong – […]

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A credit card rests on a document outlining terms, conditions, interest rates, and APR information. Strategically placed atop is a pen, highlighting the importance of financial planning in budgeting decisions.

How to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate

Sometimes, one easy phone call is all it takes to get the interest rate on a credit card lowered. However, many people are reluctant to make that call, because they mistakenly believe that creditors won’t be willing to negotiate. Even amid the credit crunch, however, banks and other credit card issuers are willing to consider

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A green road sign with white text reads "DEBT REDUCTION, NEXT EXIT" against a blue sky background, signaling the path to effective debt management vs. debt settlement solutions.

Debt Management Vs. Debt Settlement Explained

Q: I Need Help With Credit Card Debt But Am Worried About Scam Companies. Can You Refer Me to a Good Debt-Elimination Program, and Explain the Difference Between a Debt Management Company and a Debt Settlement Firm? A: With the average U.S. household owing more than $10,000 in credit card debt, it’s no surprise that

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A black leather wallet lies open with a stethoscope placed on it, revealing several credit cards inside—a reminder of the impending medical bills.

Can I Be Held Responsible for Medical Bills My Ex-Spouse Generated?

Q: Can I Be Held Responsible for Medical Bills My Ex-Spouse Generated? She Was Covered on My Insurance Plan. We Just Signed Divorce Papers. A: With medical collection activity on the rise, it is definitely possible that a hospital, clinic or healthcare provider could come after you to pay off healthcare bills incurred by your

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fraud alert

What is a Fraud Alert and How Do I Put One on My Credit File?

Fraud alerts help you thwart identity theft by preventing a crook from opening credit in your name. There are two types of Fraud Alerts: an Initial Alert and an Extended Alert. With an initial alert, an ID theft warning statement is placed on the bottom of your credit reports. This statement alerts your creditors that

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identity theft

What Steps Can I Take To Avoid Identity Theft?

Q: What Steps Can I Take To Avoid Identity Theft? A: To decrease your chances of falling victim to identity theft, you should shred sensitive documents before discarding them, never carry your social security card with you, and say no to anyone strangers who solicit you over the phone or via email and ask for

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credit file dispute

How to Handle a Credit File Dispute

Q: I disputed wrong info in my credit file but i’m not satisfied with the results. What else can I do? A: Anytime you dispute information in your credit files, and the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, you have several options: 1)      You can add a 100-word Consumer Statement to your credit file 2)      You

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A round wall clock with all its numbers appearing blurred as if in motion, while the black hour and minute hands remain clear and centered—remarkably similar to how credit bureaus focus on key details amidst a flood of information.

What’s The Fastest Way to Get the Credit Bureaus to Fix Mistakes In My Credit Reports?

You can dispute mistakes with the credit bureaus by mail or telephone, but you’ll get the fastest results if you initiate a dispute online. Here are the websites and phone numbers you should use for the credit bureaus when you contact them to dispute errors: http://www.investigate.equifax.com or 888-800-8859 http://www.Experian.com/disputes or 866-200-6020 http://www.Transunion.com/investigate or 800-916-8800 It’s

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How to Dispute Mistakes In Your Credit Report

Consumers write to the credit bureaus for all manner of help. But unfortunately, many of these efforts are misguided. Sometimes people want assistance improving their credit scores. Other times, they may ask the credit bureaus about why an account is showing up negative – as if the credit bureau put that information on there, not

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How to Remove Erroneous Information From Your Credit Report

When you see erroneous payment or status information in your credit file, you should take up that dispute with your creditor, before contacting the credit bureaus. Examples of the types of erroneous information you should dispute with a creditor include: Wrongfully reported late payments Maybe a creditor reported you as being 30 days past due,

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medical bills

How Can I Pay Off My Medical Bills?

Many people don’t realize that doctors are willing to negotiate costs with patients who don’t have healthcare coverage. Consumers can also use the strategies below if they have outstanding medical debts, or are planning to have a medical procedure, but they know that specific procedure won’t be covered by insurance. Follow the following five steps to lower your medical bills:

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The Foreclosure Process Explained

The foreclosure crisis is wreaking havoc on millions of Americans. Between 2007 and 2009, there were more than 9 million foreclosure filings in the United States, according to Irvine-Calif.-based RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed homes. RealtyTrac’s foreclosure statistics count all types of foreclosure letters, including default notices, auction notices and bank repossessions. Unfortunately the

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making home affordable

Making Home Affordable Explained

If you’ve tried negotiating with your mortgage lender, have adjusted your budget, and done everything in your power to pay your house note, but have still come up short – it may be time to seek government assistance. Part of President Barack Obama’s $75 billion mortgage rescue plan is aimed at helping people avoid foreclosure

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