Understanding Your Credit Files
The process of reading and deciphering your Equifax, Experian or TransUnion credit reports may seem daunting at first, especially when you have to pore over pages of listings about your credit accounts. But you can easily master the information in your credit files, once you know what to look for, in terms of how your […]
How Do Inquiries In My Credit Report Impact My Credit Score?
An inquiry in your credit file (credit inquiries) is a record of any application for credit that you made. For example, if you seek a mortgage, student loan or car loan, or even if you apply for a credit card or perhaps request an increase in your current credit card limit, any of these actions […]
How Public Records Impact Your Credit Score?
Any “Public Records” listing in your Equifax, Experian or TransUnion credit report will seriously lower your credit scores. Although the “Account Summary” section of your credit reports may contain negative information such as late payments or collections, more serious delinquencies will be listed in the “Public Records” area of your credit files. Public Records In […]
What Personal Information is Included in Your Credit Files
Federal laws dictate what personal information about you can – and can’t – be included in your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Here’s a rundown of what to expect. Personal Information – Make Sure It’s Letter Perfect The top part of your credit report contains a condensed set of personal facts about you […]
What Information Is Found In My Credit Reports?
Regardless of whether you pull a credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion, all credit files contain information that can be summarized into five categories: Personal Information The top part of your credit report contains a condensed set of personal facts about you – the totality of which is extremely important in establishing your unique […]
How Can I Save More Money?
Lots of people say they “can’t” save money. But I don’t believe that. Simple Strategies to Save More Money I want to challenge you to save more, by looking at various areas where you’re spending money – and thinking of creative ways to slash costs. Start with the following suggestions: Save on Your Current Housing […]
How Can I Create and Stick To a Budget?
The tough economy has forced many people to get back to the financial basics – including doing something that most individuals dread: budgeting. If you don’t yet have a budget, or if your current budget is constantly out of whack, take heart in knowing that you’re not alone. In fact, 70% of all Americans don’t […]
Setting Your Financial Priorities This Year
When it comes to setting financial priorities, it’s all about planning and crossing some major “to do’s” off your list as early as possible …. this way you start off the New Year on the right foot and you score some big financial victories early on … to keep you motivated and on track all […]
Credit and Debt Strategies After the Holidays
Using proper credit and debt management strategies is essential to getting back on financial track, post holidays. Here’s what to do and how to do it …. a. Establish a Strict Debt Payoff Plan You don’t want the debt you racked up in 2009 to follow you into the holiday season of 2010. So set […]
How to Get Out of Debt Now
If one of your personal or financial goals is to get out of debt this year – or at least eliminate your debt as soon as possible – now is a great time to get started. Becoming debt-free takes work. But it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming chore. Simply following proven strategies below to […]
Do’s and Don’ts When Refinancing Your Home
After owning your home for some time, you might start to consider whether or not you should refinance your mortgage. If interest rates have dropped considerably as they have in recent years, or if your credit has improved dramatically, it’s possible you might be able to get a much better deal on a new mortgage […]
Is My Home an Asset or a Liability?
When you think about the assets you own, does your house immediately spring to mind? It should, if you made any down payment on the house. That down payment – whether it was from funds out of your own pocket or money secured elsewhere – represents equity in your house. Your equity in a home […]
How Can I Lower My Property Taxes?
Excerpted from Your First Home: The Smart Way to Get It and Keep It Proven Strategies to Slash Your Property Tax Bill Almost everyone hates to pay taxes, and it doesn’t matter whether they’re federal income taxes, state taxes, or local taxes on the house you own. Americans dread property taxes more than any other […]
Can I Lose My Home Because of Overdue Property Taxes?
Missing mortgage payments isn’t the only way you can lose your home. Falling behind on your property taxes – no matter whether you owe thousands or just a few hundred dollars – also puts you at risk of foreclosure. In fact, tax lien foreclosures take place every day in America. When you don’t pay property […]
Red Flags That Mortgage Lenders Hate To See
Applying for a mortgage is a major financial step. While a solid credit score and consistent savings will definitely help your application, there are certain mortgage red flags that can instantly reduce your chances of approval—or increase the cost of borrowing. Some are obvious, others are often overlooked. Let’s explore what lenders don’t want to […]