Credit Repair Blog

A recent Bloomberg article considered the credit crunch and FICO scoring for credit reports from a different perspective.  They considered the credit cards of Wayne Brown and how if he reduced his credit card debt, American Express would cut his credit limit to the amount of the new balance. If he doesn’t make a big payment, his interest rate may skyrocket.  The credit limits on Brown’s cards have been lowered, which has raised his debt relative to his available credit. This so-called utilization rate is a key factor in determining credit scores  Brown, a 58-year-old construction-company owner in San Diego, has seen his score drop to 650 from 760 the past 13 months.  “Interest rates on all of my cards are going up now, and my minimum payments are almost doubling because it looks like I’ve maxed out my cards,” said Brown, who uses credit cards to fund his home-building company.

About 45 % of U.S. banks reduced credit limits for new or existing credit-card customers in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a Federal Reserve January survey of senior loan officers. Financial institutions may slash $2 trillion in credit-card lines in the next 18 months, Meredith Whitney, a former Oppenheimer analyst, wrote in a Nov. 30 report.  “You’re no longer immune if you have good credit,” said Curtis Arnold, the founder of CardRatings.com, a Web site that reviews credit cards. “The issuers hold the cards, literally.”  Debt settlement and bankruptcy rates continue to soar as credit card defaults are rising like home loan foreclosures.

Credit-card issuers such as American Express, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase have cut credit limits to guard against risk and prevent delinquency and charge-off rates from increasing, said Arnold.  The average charge-off rate, reflecting loans the banks don’t expect to be repaid, was 7.1% in January, compared with 4.6 % a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

If credit-card limits are decreased, consumers should pay off balances as quickly as possible  consider making online payments before the monthly statement arrives to reduce debt, and weigh transferring balances to a card with a lower rate, said Jeff Blyskal, a senior editor of Consumer Reports.  He said consumers should beware of low-intro rates and high fees when transferring balances.

Cardholders will damage their credit history if they cancel an older account and lose the available credit on that card, said Emily Peters, personal-finance expert at consumer Web site credit.com. Credit-score companies look at the total amount of debt relative to credit limits on all credit cards when evaluating scores.

American Express, the largest U.S. credit-card company by purchases, is offering $300 to some customers if they pay their balances in full by April 30 to reduce the risk of credit card defaults.  Chase increased the minimum payment to 5% from 2% for certain borrowers with large amounts of revolving debt. According to Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com, a Web site that compares the rates of almost 1,100 credit cards, Capital One increased the interest rates for new customers on 15 cards.

In 2008, Chase decreased credit lines or closed accounts totaling $129 billion, Gordon Smith, JPMorgan’s chief executive of card services, said last month. Home equity credit lines to new and existing customers were increased by $107 billion, Smith said.  Critz George, a retired nuclear engineer and physicist in Albuquerque, N.M., said he had three Chase cards and one Citibank card closed because of inactivity, without advance notice. George, 71, said he fears having four lines of credit closed will lower his credit score.  “I feel like it was an arbitrary and capricious decision because I have paid in full and on-time for the last 20 years,” he said.

Brown, who is also a mortgage broker, said he was always careful to keep his balance at one-third of the limit. He said the reduced credit limits on his American Express and Bank of America cards have made that impossible.  “I’m angry because I’ve always been proud of my credit history and now it’s gone to hell, not because of something I’ve done.”  Read complete credit crunch article >

Credit Repair Tips, Financial News American Express, charge-off rates, credit card debt, credit limits, delinquency, revolving debt

The original credit score company, FICO recently released an interesting report regarding credit lines and how cutting the limits can significant affect credit scores.  11% of the U.S. population, or 22 million consumers, lost some of their credit limits for a reason other than risky credit activity such as making payments late, having accounts go to collections, or having a negative public record added to their credit report during the study time frame. Credit card inactivity or low balances likely caused the lowered credit limits for this group. The median FICO score in this group is 770, so the adverse changes to their credit limits are not a result of poor credit risk.

5 % of the population, or 10 million consumers, saw their limits reduced because of some sort of risky credit activity including late payments, accounts in collections, or a negative public record added on their credit reports. Credit scores remained relatively stable during the April–October time frame, although there was significant score movement in 10% of the general population that received a credit limit decrease. A score decrease of at least 40 points occurred in 4% of that group and a score increase of at least 40 points occurred in 6% of that group. The score decrease is likely due in part to an increased credit utilization percentage, while the score increase is likely due to the reduction of credit card balances.

According to FICO credit card utilization remains a vital component in calculating your credit scores. FICO also stated in their recent report, that accessing credit may have “proven to be extremely predictive of potential repayment risk, so it is often an important factor in a person’s score… Consumers who use a heavy proportion of credit available to them are substantially more likely to default on credit obligations”, compared to people whose credit lines have hardly been used.

Also read credit line article > Thousands of Credit Card Consumers Report Credit Line Reductions in 2008.

As always, consumers will earn better scores if they make all of their payments on time; avoid other negative occurrences such as collections; keep their credit card balances low in proportion to their credit limits; and shop for credit only when necessary. The target utilization percentage is, and has been for some time, less than 10%.  Recent debt relief articles published highlighted the fact that the foreclosure crisis and credit card defaults have caused the credit repair business to experience considerable growth as a result.

Credit Repair Articles, Financial News credit card utilization, credit line, Credit repair, Credit scores, FICO score

As a full-service lead generator, the Lead Planet provides credit repair leads, as well as debt leads, mortgage leads and loan modification leads for sales companies nationally.  Choose from internet leads, with live transfer lead options that are guaranteed to increase your conversion ratios.

Bankruptcy Tips, Credit Repair Articles, Credit Repair Tips, Debt Settlement

Chris Traczyk, a real estate agent with Long & Foster in Elkridge, said most of the listings he has been showing to buyers recently have been foreclosed properties.  With several of his clients, “that’s all they’re requesting to see because they’re thinking they’ll get a great deal,” despite knowing the home must be bought in as-is condition, and the bank must approve the price.  But the competition from foreclosures makes it tough for sellers of other homes, who often have to lower their prices, Traczyk said.

The increase in delinquencies and foreclosure actions in the state came as no surprise to Joe Cox, a community organizer for housing advocate group Maryland ACORN.  “Mortgage servicers or lenders have been avoiding meaningful loan modification at every step of the way,” Cox said yesterday.

Banks have said they are taking steps such as Citigroup’s plan, announced earlier this week, to lower mortgage payments for some borrowers to an average $500 a month for three months if they lost their job. But ACORN contends banks are just offering short-term solutions, such as tacking a missed mortgage payment to the end of the loan, that do little to help borrowers.  Many borrowers come to ACORN fearing they will fall behind on payments but say their lender won’t consider modifying the loan unless they become delinquent, Cox said. The group says it wants to see loan modifications such as lowering the interest rate or monthly payments by extending the term of the loan.  “The message people are getting is ‘Don’t try to work this out ahead of time. Wait until you have a problem,’” Cox said.

Uncategorized

Modifying mortgages to make them more affordable for struggling borrowers is a cornerstone of the Obama administration’s housing rescue plan. It allocates $75 billion for an initiative that would reward loan servicers for lowering mortgage payments for five years, after which they would rise to today’s current mortgage interest rates which, fortuitously, are in the low 5% range.

By now, most homeowners understand that a foreclosure judgment is a “significant ding” that will reflect in the credit score and perception of manual underwriting for many years to come.  Being late on your mortgage payments is a serious issue, but if you or your loan modification company are already negotiating with your lender, it certainly doesn’t hurt to attempt to get the lender to remove the delinquencies. It’s amazing how powerful a letter from the creditor says that they “made an error in reporting.”  But several readers recently wrote to Lisa Sitkin, in an effort to get clarification on the impact of loan modification and the long standing credit implications.  If the lender doesn’t agree, consider credit repair. 

Lisa Sitkin, a staff attorney with Housing & Economic Rights Advocates in Oakland, was kind enough to take a crack at answering that question. Here’s what she wrote:  Our view is that a loan modification that included a principal reduction might be reported as a write-off of some sort. Home loan modifications without a principal reduction (which will be the case in most borrower’s loan workouts) should not be reportable, but that is not a guarantee it won’t be. Credit reporting is something borrowers should be asking servicers about as they discuss lower mortgage rates. They should also request that prior past-due derogatory comments on the credit reports be changed to reflect new current status after the mortgage loan modification.

Sitkin suggests checking with an attorney with debt collection and/or fair credit reporting expertise for more insight on this issue; there is an attorney directory on Naca.net.  See the full article >

Credit Repair Tips, Financial News, Mortgage Tips

If you have considered debt relief solutions like debt settlement or debt negotiations and still believe that a bankruptcy is your only option, then do research on what type of bankruptcy is available with your qualifications. There are basically two types of bankruptcy that consumers typically file. Chapter 13 bankruptcies are generally filed when able to continue your monthly obligations you will have what is called a “reorganization” which basically gives you three to five years to pay off the past balances without harassment from debt collectors. Chapter 7 bankruptcies are filed when you have no means to pay off or reorganize your debt. If you have any assets that are not exempt they will be sold or turned over to your creditors by a court appointed trustee.

When you file for bankruptcy you can expect the damage to your credit report to last for several years as this negative mark can show as long as a decade. Understand that in most cases you will be unable to get approved for any form of credit or loan during the first few years due to the perceived capability to repay a financial obligation. In short when it comes to your credit bankruptcy is by far the most damaging form of debt “relief” options available to you.

If your credit card debt has reached the point where bankruptcy is an option you have probably already traveled the road filled with harassing phone calls, messages and letters from debt collectors. While filing for bankruptcy will put a stop to that form of harassment you might feel a different backlash from the stigma of bankruptcy. As previously stated by reorganizing or discharging your debt you will have the opportunity to rebuild your credit while living debt free, however once you file for bankruptcy it stays with you forever. Having a BK on your credit report can may make it difficult to rent property or find a job as future mortgage lenders or employers can ask if you have every previously filed for bankruptcy. However, credit repair can help restore credit and boost credit scores a lot quicker than was possible just a few years ago. Read the original article.

Bankruptcy Tips, Credit Repair Articles, Credit Repair Tips, Debt Settlement bankruptcy, credit report, Debt Settlement

The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage dipped below 5 % last week, a level not seen since the Eisenhower administration. Not surprisingly, homeowners are scrambling to commemorate this historic event by refinancing their home mortgages.  There’s just one problem: In this credit-starved environment, even a five-star general might have trouble qualifying for a new mortgage. If you’re interested in refinancing, here’s what you’ll need:  Excellent credit

Chief economist for Lending Tree Cameron Findlay, says to get the lowest rates, you’ll need a FICO credit score of 720 or higher, says. To avoid surprises, you should obtain your credit score before you apply for a mortgage, says Nancy Flint-Budde, a financial planner in Salem, N.Y. Your credit score is based on information in the credit reports compiled by the three main credit bureaus: Trans Union, Equifax and Experian. You can order a free copy of all three of your credit reports once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com. You’ll have to pay for your credit score.

Once you’ve received your credit reports, check them for errors that could hurt your score. If your reports show late payments – and the information is accurate – the only way to achieve credit repair is by showing lenders that you’ve changed your ways, says Craig Watts, spokesman for Fair Isaac, developer of the FICO score. That will take time, because you need to demonstrate a pattern of on-time payments.  However, if your credit reports show large credit card balances, you can raise your score quickly by paying them off, Watts says. Your “credit utilization” ratio, which reflects the amount you’ve borrowed as a %age of your available credit, accounts for 30 % of your credit score.

Ideally, you should have at least 20 % equity, based on your home’s current appraised value, says Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH Associates, a publisher of mortgage and consumer loan information. Most lenders will require an appraisal before refinancing your loan, and if the value of your home has dropped, you may be unable to refinance, or decide it’s not worth the trouble.

Homeowners with less than 20 % equity may still be able to refinance, Gumbinger says, but they’ll probably need to buy private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance, which protects lenders against default, is no longer available in some markets where home prices have plummeted because insurers no longer want to take the risk, Gumbinger says. And even if you can get mortgage insurance, the monthly premiums will reduce the savings from refinancing.  Sadly, the millions of Americans who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth – known as being “underwater” – won’t be able to refinance. Those borrowers “really don’t have a lot of alternatives,” Findlay says.  FHA introduced a new program called Hope for Homeowners that was created specifically to help distressed homeowners refinance even if their mortgage is larger than the value of their property.

If you have a home equity loan or line of credit, you’ll probably need to pay it off before refinancing, says Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans.  Before a mortgage lender will refinance your first mortgage, it typically needs approval from the lender that holds your second mortgage. The lender with the home equity loan must agree to “subordinate” the loan, which means it will take second place behind the new first mortgage.  In the past, that hasn’t been a problem. But in the wake of the credit crunch, many lenders are eager to rid themselves of home equity lines and loans, which are considered a higher risk than 1st mortgages.

According to Bankrate, borrowers in high-cost areas may not qualify for the lowest rates, even if they have outstanding credit, lots of equity and no second mortgages. That’s because the interest rates for loans that exceed $625,000 – known as jumbo loans – have remained high. The average jumbo rate is 6.8 %, nationally, the lowest rates are limited to home loans of $417,000 or less. Those are known as “conforming” loans because government-sponsored mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy them in the secondary market. That makes those loans less risky for lenders.  In years past, FHA home loans had been more conservative than Freddie Mac for setting loan limits, but since 2006, FHA has allowed mortgage loans as high as $729,750 for qualified borrowers looking to borrower against their home located in a high cost area.

In some instances, Freddie and Fannie also will purchase loans for up to $625,000. The rates on these loans, which Gumbinger calls “expanded conforming” loans, averaged 5.28 % last week, according to HSH.

Trouble is, expanded conforming loans are only available in some parts of the country – mainly New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., Gumbinger says. In Boston, where there are plenty of high-cost homes, the expanded category only covers loans up to $465,750. Loans above that amount are jumbos, with jumbo rates.  Read the original article >

Credit Repair Articles, Credit Repair Tips, Mortgage Tips Credit repair, Excellent credit, home equity loans, lowest rates, refinancing, second mortgage

With the current state of the economy it’s becoming increasingly difficult to qualify for a home loan — even if you have perfect credit. Daniel Rosen also known as the “The Credit Doctor” is a consumer advocate and author of America’s most popular credit repair software, “Credit-Aid Software.” Rosen has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Late Show” and “Good Morning America.” He encourages consumers to fight for their rights and to use the credit reporting system to their benefit.

So what does a person do if they have bad credit? “Hiring a credit repair business can be quite expensive,” says Rosen, “and few consumers realize they have the power to achieve the same results themselves.”

Rosen is teaching people how to work the system and repair their own credit — and he’s doing it for free. Rosen has a free eBook called “Boost your FICO Score in 7 Easy Steps” that you can download for free at www.creditdoctorsoftware.com. “Many people never check their credit scores. That’s like driving with your eyes closed. Your credit score affects not only whether you qualify for a loan and what rate you’ll be charged, but also whether you’ll be able to rent an apartment or get a job — employers can legally refuse to hire you based on a low credit score!”

Credit-Aid has been seen on CNN, A&E and HGTV and has received over 100 “5-Star” Ratings and “Editor’s Choice” awards. View video at:

“The good news is that most people can improve their credit. It’s not rocket science. You just have to know the rules — and how to bend them in your favor. The process is time consuming; which is where credit repair software can help. Software saves you hundreds of hours by generating credit dispute letters written by attorneys and guiding you the whole way.”  Read the complete article >

Credit Repair Articles, Credit Repair Tips Credit Doctor, credit repair software

 The economy is tough, and there are crooks out there looking to make things a whole lot tougher.  In a recent article, the Chicago Tribune highlights the number of financial scams circulating is on the rise, some experts say, as criminals seize every opportunity to take advantage of the desperation many are feeling because of the economic downturn.  Credit repair is a huge business and with the good companies come the shams.  Debt settlement is another rising industry where you will find good and bad companies.

Stop Foreclosure

How it works: According to the FTC, you may get a personalized letter from a firm that found you by looking through foreclosure notices. Or maybe you saw an ad saying, “We guarantee to stop your foreclosure.” 

Once you’re on the hook, the firm uses various schemes to steal your money. One method is by phony negotiations on your behalf. They tell you that they can work a deal with your lender to stop foreclosure if you pay an upfront fee. They also may tell you to stop contacting your lender and to make your mortgage payments to them.  There are real foreclosure prevention companies that are attorney backed organizations who offer loan modification plans and there are companies that look good on paper but perform no backend fulfillment that is required to modify mortgage loans with revised interest rate and amortization schedules.  Make sure you get everything in writing.  Check with the FTC if you are unclear about shopping for a foreclosure prevention company.

“The attorney general says (consumers) should avoid these rescue schemes that ask for money upfront, because they’re just looking to swindle your cash,” said Natalie Bauer, spokeswoman for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Another method is the bait-and-switch rescue loan. You are told you are signing papers for a new loan to get your mortgage up to date. But you’re really signing over the title of your home in exchange for the loan. Then there’s the rent-to-buy con, in which you surrender your title in a deal to stay in your home as a renter, with the goal of buying it back later. Tactics vary, but the result is the same: You lose your home.  How to avoid it: The FTC advises that you not use any firm that guarantees to stop foreclosures, tells you to stop talking to your mortgage lender, collects a fee before services or accepts payment only by cashier’s check or wire transfer. You also should see red flags if the firm persuades you to lease your home and buy it back later, or tells you to make your home loan payments to them instead of your lender.

Make Bad Credit Go Away

How it works: The companies claim to be able to erase your bad credit or, in some cases, create a new credit identity. You pay them and, you guessed it, you get nothing.

How to avoid it: The FTC warns not to use any company that wants you to pay upfront for credit repair. Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, companies can’t require you to pay until they have performed the promised services. Other red flags: If a company doesn’t tell you what your free options are, recommends that you not contact the three major credit reporting agencies, tells you they can eliminate bad information on your report or suggests you create a new identity by applying for an employer identification number to use instead of your Social Security number.  Check with the FTC or visit the Credit Repair Blog for the latest news and insight.

Bottom line, there’s no quick fix to repairing your credit. It takes time and requires repayment of debts. Anything a credit repair company can do legally, you can do by yourself, the FTC says.

Read the complete article >

Credit Repair Articles, Credit Repair Tips, Debt Settlement, Financial News, Mortgage Tips Bad Credit, Credit repair, Debt Settlement, loan modification