Divorce After Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Often, divorce precedes bankruptcy, and is, in fact the "last straw" that pushes an individual into bankruptcy. While in many cases the financial hardships caused by divorce are legitimate, prior to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) of 2005 bankruptcy was often used as a way to completely sever ties with an ex-spouse and avoid financial obligations.

Couples contemplating both bankruptcy and divorce should probably complete the divorce prior to the bankruptcy rather than wait until later. They will not be allowed to proceed with both at the same time.

One reason why couples should divorce first and file second is that their financial status will be clear from the outset. They may be allowed to file Chapter 7 rather than Chapter 13.

Chapter 13 is a bankruptcy that includes a repayment plan of some or all of a person's debt over a three to five year period. It is generally chosen in order to save a valuable asset - such as the family home. In some cases it is the only option available because a couple's income is too high to qualify for Chapter 7.

If you have already filed Chapter 13, your divorce could permit you to alter the terms of your bankruptcy and allow you a lower payment or even a grace period with no payments while you work things out. It could also qualify you to convert to Chapter 7 - in which all debt is wiped out.

Any change in financial circumstances can grant you this leeway. Other instances could be loss of employment or illness.

The important thing to remember is to notify your trustee immediately - especially if the pending divorce means you don't have the money to make the scheduled Chapter 13 payment. Whatever you do, don't just ignore the payment without first notifying the trustee of the reason.

In order to have your case reviewed and possibly alter the terms of your bankruptcy you will have to file appropriate documents, which include proof that one party has moved out and is paying rent and/or utility bills at another location. So it is important to determine that the divorce really will take place and you really will be maintaining separate households.

The increased household expense would be the determining factor in deciding whether the bankruptcy terms can be altered.

Author: Mike Clover
CreditScoreQuick.com your resource for free credit reports, credit cards, loans, and ground breaking credit news

Should You Consider Bankruptcy?

Fact: Not everyone who files for bankruptcy does so because they've been irresponsible.

The vast majority of bankruptcy filings occur as a result of illness, death of a provider, job loss, business failure, divorce, or some combination of life-altering events that the consumer certainly didn't plan for. Irresponsibility accounts for only a fraction of the filings.

Between 1.2 and 1.5 million Americans use the bankruptcy courts each year to get out from under unmanageable debt.

Thus, you need not feel hesitant or ashamed if this is the right option for you.

The primary drawback is that filing for bankruptcy is expensive. It not only costs money to file, but it negatively affects your ability to borrow - and the interest rates you'll pay if you do borrow - for the next 7 to 10 years.

Consumers have two options: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Under a Chapter 7 filing, consumers walk out of the courtroom debt free. In order to qualify, however, those consumers must have a modest or limited income.

Those wishing to file for Chapter 7 must provide:
1. A list of all creditors and the amount and nature of their claims;
2. The source, amount, and frequency of the debtor's income;
3. A list of all of the debtor's property; and
4. A detailed list of the debtor's monthly living expenses, i.e., food, clothing, shelter, utilities, taxes, transportation, medicine, etc.

In addition, he or she must provide a list of "exempt" property, because the bankruptcy trustee will dispose of all non-exempt property and use the proceeds to pay debtors. The definition of exempt property varies from state to state, and there is a Federal list as well. Debtors can choose to use the list most favorable to them.

Chapter 13, also known as the "Wage earner plan," is actually a debt consolidation program based on the consumer's ability to repay debt. Payments are made to a trustee, who then distributes funds to creditors.

Depending upon the consumer's income, these payments are set for 3 to 5 years, after which time the bankruptcy will be discharged. Creditors may or may not have been paid in full.

Under the terms of Chapter 13, consumers must live on a limited budget and contribute all "disposable income" to the repayment plan. A "Hardship Discharge" may be granted in the event the wage earner is no longer able to work as a result of illness or accident.

Both plans require the consumer to complete a course of financial/credit counseling. Both types also negatively affect your credit scores. Bankruptcy remains on your credit report for 10 years.

Author: Mike Clover

CreditScoreQuick.com your resource for free credit reports, credit cards, loans, and ground breaking credit news

When Moral Obligation Leads to Financial Mistakes

A debt, once discharged through bankruptcy, is no longer owed. However, the consumer going through bankruptcy can ask that some debts, such as a car loan or other secured debt, be reaffirmed. Some debtors, wishing to maintain a relationship with a credit card issuer - such as a credit union - will also ask to reaffirm that debt.

This is done through a specific, court-approved agreement. By reaffirming, the debtor becomes legally obligated to pay all or part of an otherwise dischargeable debt.

If this is done through the court system, your subsequent good payment record on that debt will be reported to the credit bureaus and you will "get credit" for on-time payments and begin to rebuild your credit scores.

Unfortunately for some debtors, the urge to repay certain debts because of a moral obligation remains strong. Following that urge, they begin making payments on a debt that has been discharged - believing that any time they are unable to make payments it won't matter, because they no longer legally owe the debt.

This is not the case, and there are two good reasons for not resuming payment.
• Your payments will probably not be reported to the credit bureaus, so they will not help you rebuild your credit scores.
• The act of making payments on a debt constitutes an informal reaffirmation of the debt - thus the obligation shifts from one of personal morality back to legal obligation.

Moral obligation is also an effective tool used by unsavory debt collection agencies to collect on debt that has been discharged in bankruptcy and/or debt that has become uncollectible through the statute of limitations. (These predators also use morality to coerce family members into paying debts for the deceased.)

This claim, however, is false. No matter what moral obligation you may have felt toward your original creditor, you have no moral obligation to a collection agency that has purchased that debt for pennies on the dollar in the hope of getting you to repay their investment many times over.

The telephone solicitors they hire are very good at what they do - and are often able to convince people, either through obligation or fear, to make a payment. This is the worst thing they could do, because it not only informally reaffirms the debt, it resets the statute of limitations.

Under the statute of limitations, a creditor is no longer allowed to sue for collection after a set period of time - typically 4 years from the last payment or your last use of credit.

That legality does not stop collection agencies from filing suit against you, failing to serve you with court papers, and gaining a judgment - even on a debt that was discharged 20 years earlier. Remember - these agencies pose as legitimate business, but actually operate as crooks.

Should this happen to you, you'll need to contact the credit bureaus with proof that the debt was discharged in bankruptcy.

Author:Marte Cliff

CreditScoreQuick.com your resource for free credit reports, credit cards, loans, and ground breaking credit news

What to do after a bankruptcy discharge

When matters get tough and are out of your control bankruptcy is a great tool to protect you. Whether you are filing chapter 7 or chapter 13 there is life afterwards. Quite contrary to popular belief you can recover fairly quickly after filing bankruptcy. The problem I see the most is that most people after filing bankruptcy do not want any type of credit what so ever. This is the worst thing you can do after filing bankruptcy. In this article I wanted to discuss the importance of re-establishing credit after a bankruptcy discharge.

The first thing you need to do after you file bankruptcy is re-establish your credit. You will find that most credit card companies will not extend credit to you that is not secured. So the first step is to get a secured credit card. Secured credit cards are the quickest way to re-establish credit after a bankruptcy. This type of credit card allows you to re-establish credit quickly. There are a couple of credit cards that I would recommend. The first credit card is applied bank. The second credit card is Orchard bank. These are two good secured credit card companies that will get you in the right direction. I recommend getting one of each to help you re-establish.

Typically after 12 months of good payment history on secured credit cards you should see improvement with your credit scores. You will also see all kinds of credit card offers in the mail. Some credit card companies that offer secured credit cards will offer you a un-secured credit line with good payment history. Typically after 2 years of good credit history on a couple of secured credit cards you should be ready to apply for small credit limits.

Maybe getting credit after a bankruptcy sounds like a bad idea, but if you want to get a loan anytime soon you will need to re-establish your credit. Bankruptcy scares most creditors and they will require you to re-establish credit after any type of bankruptcy.

Once quick tip, make sure you dont charge more on your credit cards than you can pay off that month. Credit cards are for emergencies and should be used wisely.

So if you have not re-established after your bankruptcy, I would get your secured credit cards today

CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Comparing Bankruptcy to Collections

No one wants to run out on a valid debt, but sometimes things happen that make it impossible to make payments. In the best of all worlds, you could go to creditors, explain the situation, and they would let you put off making payments until you got back on your feet.

But while some creditors might be willing to cooperate, given the promise of full payment at a later date, some will not. That leaves you with some tough choices:

• Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
• Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
• Letting your debts go to collection

Prior to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, almost anyone could file Chapter 7 and wipe the slate clean. The bankruptcy put a blot on their credit report and lowered their FICO credit score, but they no longer owed the debt.

Now it’s a bit tougher. If your income is greater than the state median income, your motion to file Chapter 7 will be dismissed and you will have to file Chapter 13. That means you’ll have to repay the debts over time.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy dissolves all debts that legally qualify for the process – meaning that almost all liabilities are erased. You can’t erase a debt to the IRS – so don’t count on this system to get rid of overdue income taxes.

Chapter 7 filings remain on your credit report for 10 years, so this move is not one to take without due consideration.

Under Chapter 13, you must pay off at least a portion of your debts over time. For 5 years you’ll pay money to a court appointed Trustee, who will disperse the funds to your creditors. This option is usually for people who have a steady income.

Be aware that certain restrictions will apply to your life. You won’t be able to go out and buy a new car, that’s for sure! This stays on your credit report for 7 years.

The third option might be the best in some cases: Letting your debts go to collection.

When your original creditor decides that collecting from you is a lost cause, it will sell your debt to a collection agency for pennies on the dollar. The collection agency will, of course, attempt to get the full balance from you, but you can negotiate a lesser balance agreement. Even when you pay far less than the original debt, the collection agency makes money because they paid so little for the debt.

The future will see fewer people filing Chapter 7, if for no other reason than the income limitations. It should see fewer people overall filing, because of the life restrictions imposed under Chapter 13.

Always pay your debts if you can, but if you can’t, consider letting them go to collection as an alternative to bankruptcy.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Do you really need to file bankruptcy?

Current reports show that bankruptcy filings are at an all time high. This is probably due to the fall of the real estate sector, which affects everything. The way the current bankruptcy law is, does it really protect you and is it necessary? I personally don’t think bankruptcy is necessary for individuals. Bankruptcy for one will destroy your credit report and credit scores. There are two types of bankruptcies for individuals, and they are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. The most common now with the new law in place is Chapter 13. Chapter 13 forces you to pay back a porting of your debts usually over 5 years to a court appointed trustee. With all the creditors currently having records defaults, you would think that some kind of resolution is in order with the actual creditor on your own. This is actually true; you can call and negotiate with your creditors a lesser balance and a payment plan. Plus if you have retirement funds you don’t have to liquidate them. With bankruptcy you do.

Disadvantages of bankruptcy
If you have wracked up a bunch of unsecured debt, you can assure yourself calls all day from creditors if you don’t pay them. Bankruptcy will stop the calls but it does not change the fact that the negative record will be on your credit report for 7 years if it is Chapter 13. If its chapter 7 it will stay on your credit report for 10 years. So depending on what your situation is, I think in most cases bankruptcy is not necessary. If you have found yourself in financial trouble you can call your creditors and negotiate an affordable payment plans on your own. In most cases you can reduce 40 – 60 percent of what you actually owe to credit card companies with a fixed interest rate and low payments. So do you research before you jump into a bankruptcy and pay a bunch of money to an attorney for no good reason.

Advantages of bankruptcy
If you file bankruptcy the phones calls with stop. It will also stop creditors from taking you to court. You have the option under the bankruptcy laws to file every 6 years. Most lawyers will tell you that the bankruptcy laws are in place not to protect you but the creditor. So keep this in mind. If you are able to file chapter 7 bankruptcy, this will liquidate all your debts with no obligation to pay anything back. This chapter bankruptcy is harder to file now due to the income restrictions. So don’t think bankruptcy is the easy way out now, because its not. I personally think the only advantage is it will stop the harassment from creditors.

Just remember you can negotiate with your creditors yourself, and it cost you nothing but your time. You can also get a payment plan in place you can afford. Creditors will typically work with you to determine a budget over a period of time. Remember you owe this debt; the creditor did not rack up the debt for you. The long term affect of bankruptcy is hard on your credit report vs setting up a payment plan with your creditors and getting them to stop the interest.

There are also other options like debt consolidation. This is could be a alternative as well. Look at your options before jumping into anything.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Bankruptcy Q & A

Q:
Hello Mike,
I have a question about bankruptcies. I have a bankruptcy on my credit reports, it is a Chapter 13. I have been told different things about how long it will be on my credit report. I have been told it will be on there for 7 years and I have been told it will be on there for 11 years. Which is it?

Lorena Ochoa


A:
Hi Lorena,
A chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 7 years from file date. There are two common bankruptcies filed currently. The two are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.Chapter 7 bankruptcy will be on your credit report for 10 years from file date. You will need to watch your credit report closely, because its common that the bureaus don’t remove bankruptcies like they should once the expired date has hit.


Mike Clover
CreditScoreQuick.com

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Bankruptcy Q & A

Q:
Hello,
I have a question in regards to bankruptcy. I have just recently discharged my chapter 13 bankruptcy. I was curious how long it will be on my credit report. I have looked all over the web and found different answers to this. I also was curious what was recommended to re-establish some credit. I currently don’t have any credit reporting on my credit report. The bankruptcy said I should be able to re-establish credit right a way.

Thanks,
Julie

A:
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the question. Bankruptcy can be confusing at times with how long is stays on your credit report. Chapter 13 bankruptcy will be on your credit report for 7 years from file date. You will need to check your credit report because the bureaus usually don’t update this properly. After filing bankruptcy and it has been discharged, getting your credit rebuilt is your next step. The best way to do this is with secured credit cards. You can go to our credit card tab and apply for some credit cards there. We recommend Orchard Bank Card as your first choice. You should have at least 2 credit cards to get your credit scores boosted.

CreditScoreQuick.com

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Get out of Debt in 12 – 36 months

Is debt consolidation or bankruptcy lurking at your door? During trying times currently with the rising cost of fuel, this affects everyone financially. Maybe you have lost your job because of the real estate sector meltdown. What every your circumstances are there is a solution. Maybe you have looked at your finances coming in vs. money going out and it does not look to good. You can join the rest of America including business all over the United States. With the changes in the Bankruptcy laws it is much harder to file Chapter 7. So with the solutions we provide, you might consider a new approach called debt elimination. With this service an advisor will negotiate your current debt and in most cases cut your debt in half. This is much better solution than debt consolidation, because with debt consolidation you get a loan to pay back all creditors over a long period of time. You also pay the entire balance back to each creditor owed. You could also call the service we refer you to “debt relief.”




With the current economy we are seeing more and more businesses that are going out of business. We are also seeing an influx of families loosing their homes along with letting credit card debt go to collection. The real estate sector and high energy costs affect all other sectors of our economy. So believe me you are not the only one having issues currently. The great thing is there is a solution that is available for you. Without having to file bankruptcy or get a debt consolidation loan, debt elimination could be the solution for you and your family. The longer you wait the worse it could get with the annoying phone calls from creditors. Remember bad credit stays on your credit report for 7 years. That is a long time to wait for credit issues to disappear from your credit record.


Get your life in the right direction and get some debt relief underway. You could be debt free in 36 month.

Get out of debt today !




CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Reduce debt with Debt Consolidation Q & A

Debt consolidation is becoming the wave of the future currently. We are starting to get more and more questions about how to get out of debt. We have partnered with a company that provides a unique approach called debt elimination. This company is based here in Texas with us. CreditSolutions is the name and they have received a very powerful award by JD Power & Associates for customer service.






Q:
Hi Mike,
I am self employed and have accumulated $75,000 in consumer debt, mainly because of this downturn in the economy. I own a company where I was providing handy man work for realtors in the California area. With the current market in California, my cash flow has almost come to a stop. What would you suggest I do? I have run through my savings, and cannot pay this debt currently.
Johnny Carbelo


A:
Hi Johnny,
We have definitely seen the issues in California, and how it’s affecting people in that state. If you don’t have income coming in to pay the debt, you definitely need to look at your options. I work with a company that provides debt consolidation of a different kind. In other words they provide a service they like to call debt elimination. This would be my first step in trying to resolve your debt issues. These guys can get you out of debt within 36 months. Go to our link on the front of our website and select the get out of debt link.

CreditScoreQuick.com


About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Credit Report after a Bankruptcy

Your credit report after a bankruptcy will look like a bomb was dropped on it. Your credit score report will be littered with all kinds of derogatory information. Depending on what type of bankruptcy you filed will determine how long it will take to re-establish your credit. The two most common bankruptcies are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. With the new bankruptcy law, more people will be forced to file Chapter 13. Here are the differences.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy- is considered liquidation of your non-exempt assets. This bankruptcy is considered the quickest and simplest of all bankruptcies. A court appointed trustee sells off all your assets in an attempt to pay back some of your creditors. During most Chapter 7 bankruptcies the client will not have any assets to liquidate.

Chapter 13 – This bankruptcy is considered a wage earner plan. This plan allows individuals whom have income to develop a plan to pay back there creditors over a 3 to 5 year period. Under this bankruptcy you are assigned a court appointed trustee that you make the agreed upon payments to, which they in return pay your creditors.

Bankruptcy is all too common these days with the economy the way it is. The mortgage crisis and the price of gas have caused many people financial troubles all over the United States. Luckily there is hope after a bankruptcy. It’s kind of like polishing up your shoes after you have got some scuff marks on them. Your credit is the same way, you can re-establish credit after a bankruptcy, and that is the first step once you are done with your bankruptcy.

How to establish credit afterwards
The first step is to get two secured credit cards. No bank is going to allow you to get an un-secured credit card after a bankruptcy. All of your past credit will be on your credit report for 7 years. If you filed chapter 7, it will be on your credit report for 10yrs from file date. But most of your past negative credit will be on your report for 7 yrs. The main objective is to get new credit on your report as soon as possible. The only way to do that is with secured credit cards, and Orchard bank is a great one. FICO likes to see a mix of credit, so make sure you get a couple of secured credit cards. This process will take you at least 12 to 24 months to get your credit scores where they are somewhat decent. After a little time with no slow pays, your creditors will start extending credit to you again.

Don’t be a repeat offender
FICO will forgive you for past bad credit mistakes, but if you are a repeat offender it will be tough to recover. The new FICO scoring process does not want to see you continually having problems. So learn from past mistakes, save your money for hard times and emergencies. Also remember to always stay ontop of your free credit score report.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Debt Consolidation Q & A

Debt consolidation is an option for some, but with CreditScoreQuick.com we have the resources to offer you debt elimination. Instead of paying low interest over long period of time, we can get you help where your debt is greatly reduced, so you don’t end up paying more over a long term loan.


Q: I have recently been hit by this down fall in our economy, I am self employed. I was working with builders to install alarm systems in their homes. With current credit crunch, and slow down in the real estate market, I am avoiding filing bankruptcy. I had heard you guys were a good resource for debt consolidation. I have around $65,000 in credit card debt that I can barely afford to continue to pay for. Please get me in the right direction.
Carlos Sanchez
Houston, TX


A: When you are self employed and business takes a turn for the worst, it does not take long to wrack up some credit card debt that you can’t pay. With that kind of debt I have a solution for you. We ware partnered with a company that can help you eliminate that debt, they will work with your creditors on your behalf to get you relief, and often get everything taken care of within 36 months. This company has won the JD power & Associates award for “customer service” as well. I am sure with the debt your have your credit report scores have been lowered. Click on the link below and you will be well on your way to debt elimination.
CreditScoreQuick.com

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Tips to avoid Debt Consolidation and Bankruptcy

High debt will not only affect your credit report but it will affect your personal life. Living debt free does require some life style changes for the better. Having too much consumer debt is like a black cloud lingering over you. In this article we will discuss some money saving tips so you don’t have to get into a debt consolidation program or even file bankruptcy. By following some of these money saving Tips you will be able to pay down debt and save more.







• Car Pool
With the cost of gas prices sky rocketing and no end in sight, car pooling is a great way to save hundreds of dollars each month. Find a few people that live close by and start car pooling.

• Bulk Stores
There are stores where you buy everything in bulk, like groceries, furniture, computers, etc…. By using one of these stores there is usally a membership fee once a year, but the savings will quickly recoup that cost. A bulk store example would be Sams and Costco.

• Don’t eat out
Going out to eat everyday for lunch gets very costly. If you were to bring your lunch to work everyday, could save you hundreds a month. Alos not eating out everyday will not only save you lots of money, but it could save your health. Fast food is bad for you anyways.

• Coupons
By cutting out coupons in the Sunday paper you can save a ton of money. Some stores will match or beat competitor’s offers as well. Just by taking the time to cut out coupons in the Sunday paper, you could find yourself saving hundreds as well.

• Garage Sale
If you are like most people I am sure you have the pack rat syndrome. With all that STUFF you have been saving, you could probably have a garage sale and acquire a nice savings.

• Utilities
You can save money with on utility bills by doing the following
1. Turn down the heat
2. Turn up the air condition
3. Turn off lights and TVs when not using them.
4. Turn of the water when shaving and brushing your teeth

With your credit being so important these days, make sure you are heading towards the wonderful goal of financial freedom. It will be hard to get there if you are not being frugal.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Debt Consolidation Vs. Debt Elimination

Debt consolidation can help reduce your monthly payment with multiple credit card companies, but with debt elimination you can relieve your debt and burdens more effectively by eliminating debts. Debt consolidation requires you to pay back your debts on the principal plus interest. With the service we provide you reduce you debt paid on debt balance, save money, and eliminate your debt in less than 36 months.


Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation loans combine all debts into one payment for an extended period of time with a low interest rate, which will extend the total interest payments throughout the life of the loan.

The program we are able to provide will eliminate debt and save large amounts of money. During this process a highly trained representative will act on your behalf to resolve debt by bargaining with your creditors to negotiate a payment. An advisor will resolve debt reduction for you.

Reduce Debt Quickly
By only having to pay on a reduced credit card balance with the service we are talking about, you resolve your debt quickly. Debt consolidation typically puts all your credit card debt into a 15 to 30 year mortgage. With the interest paid on a debt consolidation you end up paying more on the balances owed due to the term.

The service we are talking about will save you more money and eliminate debt a lot quicker than debt consolidation. Plus this service will look a lot better on your credit report than a bankruptcy.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance, debt consolidation ,and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Debt consolidation and Bankrutcy Q&A

Q: I just had a foreclosure, and of course my credit is really bad now. I am about to let most of my credit cards go. I have a few questions in regards to this. How long before I can buy another house? Do you recommend I file bankruptcy or debt consolidation? I feel really bad about all of this, but my husband and I just went through a really bad divorce about 7 months ago. I am not sure what to do, I know how important my credit is, and want to get back on the right track. I have around $33,000 in credit card debt, most the result of my divorce.

Thank You,
Linda Carter
San Francisco, California


A: Hi Linda,
I am sorry to hear about your troubles, but of course there is always s solution to everything in the world of finance. In order to buy another house, it will be a minimum of 3 years from foreclosure date before you will be able to buy. Make sure you don’t have anymore credit problems, because if you do, it could be more than 3 years before you can buy again. Underwriters might suspect you are not stable if you have issues after all of the issues mentioned. Typically 3 years with good credit history you can buy a home. If you let all your credit go, you then need to re-establish credit afterwards as well. Secured credit cards are a great way to do that.

With that kind of debt, you might consider debt consolidation. I am never a fan of bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a last resort. Even though debt consolidation in some cases is similar to a chapter 13, I know it’s looked at less harshly. Also as you are working on all of this, make sure you check your credit report. Especially if some of the debt that was awarded to your husband during the divorce are joint accounts. Even though the divorce decree says the obligations are your husband responsibility, your credit report could suffer if he is late on a payment. So stay on top of that as well. I hope this will help you get in the right direction.


About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.


About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , credit cards, mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Improve your credit score before it’s too late

Your credit score is everything these days. Maybe you are just one of those individuals that would rather not know what is on your credit report. Let’s assume you just got laid off, and now you have to find a job. Guess what employers are doing now, they are pulling your credit report to determine your risk. Typically people with good credit are not going to steal; they seem to have their life in order, etc……according to corporate companies. So if you have had some bumps and bruises on your credit report this is the time to get a recent copy of your free credit score report and start working on your credit. Here are some pointers on what is needed to increase your FICO score.

Secured Credit Cards
If you don’t have any credit and your current credit report is littered with collections and charge offs, you will need to establish new credit. Yes I know credit cards are evil, but they are a necessary evil these days. I would recommend getting some secured credit cards with Orchard Bank. They are a credit card bank with low fees, and typically require a $200.00 deposit into there account to secure the card. This process will get some good revolving credit reporting to all 3 credit bureaus on your behalf. Typically you need a couple of credit cards reporting. So go a head and get a few different secured credit cards. Since authorized user accounts don’t help anymore, secured credit cards are the quickest and most reliable way to get your credit
established or re-established.






Collections Accounts
There is a common misconception that collection accounts can be removed even though you owe them money. A collection account will not go away until the account is set to expire, which is 7 years from the collection date. That is a long time to wait for something to disappear on your credit report. The fastest way to get your scores up with collections is to pay off the newest collections first. I guarantee you once the account is updated from a balanced being owed to “paid in full” or settled, your scores will go up. Once you pay off the collections make sure you get letters from the collection companies stating what was done, either paid in full or settled on. After about 60 days re-pull a copy of your credit report with scores and make sure they updated with the credit bureaus.

Quick Credit Fixes
Folks there are no quick fixes to credit repair, Fair Isaac shows that in their FICO® score model that time is also part of the credit scoring recipe. Yes there are some tricks I know that will get your credit sores up, but time is also a factor as well. The main key is to make sure you don’t have late payments while you are doing this entire process, make sure nothing goes to collection. The banking industry will never be same again because of the amount of mortgage foreclosures. I guarantee you the lending industry is tightening so much currently that families with good credit could have problems getting loans. So make sure it’s not too late, if you are getting ready to make a big purchase like a new home for the family, make sure your credit is in line with today’s times. One thing I know for sure, and that is the lending institutions are going to get even tougher. So instead of getting told NO, get told YES.




About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Debt Consolidation vs. Bankruptcy

Maybe you are in a pinch currently and either debt consolidation or bankruptcy is lurking at your back door. You and the rest of America are having trouble currently with the down turn in our economy. Whether anyone wants to realize it or not, matters financially for most Americans could be a lot better currently. With the rise in energy costs, this trickles down into everything we buy. The result of all of this is causing a loss of jobs, people going into debt, families loosing their homes, and even bankruptcy is on the rise. The entire real estate sector has been extremely traumatized and has sent a ripple all across our country. So the point is times are tough and we understand at CreditScoreQuick. In this article we wanted to discuss the bankruptcy and debt consolidation options for individuals and families that may be having issues as a result of our current economy in the United States.





Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation is where you get help from a third party to put all your debt into one loan typically with a low interest rate. The advantage of this is you get a payment that you can afford as opposed to letting your creditors go to collection. Obviously this is better on your credit report than just not paying it at all. As this may not be for everyone there are alternate options as well. You can also use the debt settlement method that will reduce your obligations. There are companies that will negotiate a lesser balance on credit card debt that you owe. So you might look at your options to see which makes sense for you.

Bankruptcy
Personal bankruptcy generally is considered the debt management option of last resort because the results are long-lasting and far reaching. People who follow the bankruptcy rules receive a discharge — a court order that says they don’t have to repay certain debts. However, bankruptcy information (both the date of your filing and the later date of discharge) stay on your credit report for 10 years, and can make it difficult to obtain credit, buy a home, get life insurance, or sometimes get a job. Still, bankruptcy is a legal procedure that offers a fresh start for people who have gotten into financial difficulty and can’t satisfy their debts.
There are two primary types of personal bankruptcy: Chapter 13 and Chapter 7. Each must be filed in federal bankruptcy court. As of April 2006, the filing fees run about $274 for Chapter 13 and $299 for Chapter 7. Attorney fees are additional and can vary.
Effective October 2005, Congress made sweeping changes to the bankruptcy laws. The net effect of these changes is to give consumers more incentive to seek bankruptcy relief under Chapter 13 rather than Chapter 7. Chapter 13 allows people with a steady income to keep property, like a mortgaged house or a car, that they might otherwise lose through the bankruptcy process. In Chapter 13, the court approves a repayment plan that allows you to use your future income to pay off your debts during a three-to-five-year period, rather than surrender any property. After you have made all the payments under the plan, you receive a discharge of your debts.
Chapter 7 is known as straight bankruptcy, and involves liquidation of all assets that are not exempt. Exempt property may include automobiles, work-related tools, and basic household furnishings. Some of your property may be sold by a court-appointed official — a trustee — or turned over to your creditors. The new bankruptcy laws have changed the time period during which you can receive a discharge through Chapter 7. You now must wait 8 years after receiving a discharge in Chapter 7 before you can file again under that chapter. The Chapter 13 waiting period is much shorter and can be as little as two years between filings.
Both types of bankruptcy may get rid of unsecured debts and stop foreclosures, repossessions, garnishments and utility shut-offs, and debt collection activities. Both also provide exemptions that allow people to keep certain assets, although exemption amounts vary by state. Note that personal bankruptcy usually does not erase child support, alimony, fines, taxes, and some student loan obligations. And, unless you have an acceptable plan to catch up on your debt under Chapter 13, bankruptcy usually does not allow you to keep property when your creditor has an unpaid mortgage or security lien on it.Another major change to the bankruptcy laws involves certain hurdles that a consumer must clear before even filing for bankruptcy, no matter what the chapter. You must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within six months before you file for any bankruptcy relief. You can find a state-by-state list of government-approved organizations at www.usdoj.gov/ust. That is the website of the U.S. Trustee Program, the organization within the U.S. Department of Justice that supervises bankruptcy cases and trustees. Also, before you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, you must satisfy a “means test.” This test requires you to confirm that your income does not exceed a certain amount. The amount varies by state and is publicized by the U.S. Trustee Program at www.usdoj.gov/ust.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, free credit check, identity theft protection, secured credit cards, student credit cards , mortgage loans, auto loans, insurance and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Different Chapters of Bankruptcy

In Title 11 of the United States Code (the Federal Bankruptcy Code), there are four types of bankruptcy filings:

• Chapter 13 – Adjustment of Debts of an individual with Regular Income
• Chapter 11 – Reorganization
• Chapter 7 – Liquidation
• Chapter 12 – Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income

The filing of your bankruptcy is determined by a person’s financial situation. Currently the most common filing is Chapter 7.

A debtor that is filing Chapter 7 is basically wiping the slate clean and starting over. When filing Chapter 7 you are assigned an administrator or a Trustee to maneuver the sale of the debtor’s assets. This does not mean necessarily everything you own is sold. Federal and state laws allow certain exemptions, meaning that the debtor might get to keep some property, such as his or her primary residence or some personal items. Once a debtor’s assets are liquidated, the trustee pays certain creditors with the monies that were raised. Most of the financial obligations are forgiven or discharged. Once you have filed Chapter 7 you cannot file a Chapter 7 again for 7 years, and the debts that were not filed in the previous Chapter 7 cannot be discharged in the next filing.

There are certain debts that a debtor will receive not forgiveness for. They are alimony, child support, taxes and student loans. If a lot of your debts fall into this category you might be better off filing Chapter 13.

Chapter 13 and 12 are basically the same filing, except that Chapter 12 is for Family Farmers and Chapter 13 is for individuals. If you have a steady income and less than $269,250 in unsecured debt and less than $807,750 in secured debt, you can file Chapter 13. Once you file Chapter 13 a trustee is assigned to you. The Trustee and the debtor develop a proposal for a repayment plan. The court decides whether to accept or alter the payment plan or dictate another repayment plan. Once a plan is agreed upon, it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years to repay.

Maybe you are wondering why someone would file Chapter 12 or 13 over Chapter 7. There are a few reasons for this:

• In most Chapter 12 and 13 cases- the debtor only pays back a portion of what they owe. Sometimes it’s as little as 30 to 50 cents on the dollar.
• Under Chapter 12 and 13 filings, debtors don’t have to liquidate their assets. – they actually get to keep everything, not just items that meet the legal exemption.

Chapter 11 is very similar to Chapter 13. The main difference is that there is no limit regarding the amount of money owed by debtor. Originally this filing was only for large corporations, individuals can file Chapter 11 as well.

Filing a bankruptcy cannot be taken lightly, it will affect your credit score and credit report for years. The decision to file should be made under the counsel of a financial planner or a legal representative.


About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, student credit cards , and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

SNL Skit - Don't buy stuff you can't afford !!

A great SNL skit featuring Steve Martin that really simplifies the truth of the matter with people who are in debt and don't know how to get out. Not only is it funny but it is true!
I thought this was a great video, due to the current times out there.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, student credit cards , and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Fast Free Credit Report Repair

Credit Report Repair is a huge business currently. There are credit repair companies opening up all over the U.S. With all of the credit issues our country faces as a result of foreclosures, high credit card debt, loss of jobs and an economy going into a recession, credit repairs companies are having a field day. According the FTC most credit repair companies prey on the desperate in hopes of a miracle. The FTC claims that self help is best.

Check your Credit Report
Don’t worry checking your free credit score report does not affect your credit score. The first step after you have had some issues in the past is to pull a copy of your credit report with all 3 credit scores. This type of report will show you what is on there. That way you can start the negotiating process. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get collections; charge offs, judgments, foreclosures, or slow pays removed from your report. Alls of these types of derogatory matters stay on your report between 7 to 10 yrs.

How to negotiate
Once you have pulled a copy of your credit report with scores, now you can determine which collections to pay off. Always start with the small collections. If you have a collection that says you owe $450.00 to OSI, which is a medical collection company, offer them $150.00. Make sure if you offer them a amount you can afford you follow through with the agreement. After you have come to an agreement, ask for a letter to delete from the Bureaus. If you are able to get a letter to delete from the bureaus, then you can send this letter to all 3 credit bureaus to delete the collection. This is top priority. If you cannot get the collection company to give you a letter to delete, then make sure you get the letter they provide. Sometimes these collection companies will not update the bureaus like they are required by law. Typically what they will provide depending on the agreed upon negotiations, is a letter that says either paid in full or settled.

Check for inaccurate information
Along with paying off debt you owe, you also need to check for information that is not correct. Like collections or obligations that are not yours. This is very common on credit reports. If there is information on your credit report that is incorrect, disputes it on line. Here is a good place to do this. www.creditscorequick.com/sitemap. Some professionals recommend disputing via certified mail, but we have got the same results via on-line dispute, plus it’s faster. Now if you need to send in a letter to the credit bureaus, then you have to send the letter along with the dispute via certified mail. The disputing process depends on the situation of the collections. For example: if you filed a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and it’s been on your credit report for more than 10 yrs, you can dispute this on line. This is because Chapter 7 Bankruptcies are only suppose to be on your report for 10 years from original file date. You don’t need letter to dispute this because the credit bureau can call and verify original file date.

Revisit your Credit Report
Once you have knocked out a bunch of collections and charge offs re-pull your report. Don’t pull it until at least 90 days after you have paid a bunch of collections. The reason for doing this is you want to make sure these companies are updating the credit bureaus. If is very common for collections companies not update information like they are required to do. You also want to give the collection companies time to update as well. Usually they will take 30 to 60 days to send in the necessary information to update your credit report. Give it some time, and with a little hard work you will be able to revive your bad credit.

Re-establish credit
While you are taking care of old debts, you need to be establishing new ones. Yes, you heard me correct, in order for your credit scores to increase you need some good credit reporting as well. The quickest way to get this going is to get a secured credit card. Orchard Bank has one of the best credit cards, which will allow you to establish credit, even after a bankruptcy. The reason this is so important is because you began the process of good credit reporting to all 3 credit bureaus. It will not hurt to get a couple of secured credit cards. Once you have some good payment history on these cards you will get offers from other credit card companies. The one thing you want to remember is don’t make the same mistake twice. Use your credit cards with care, and make sure you are never late on them. If you are late then you defeat this entire process.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, student credit cards , and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Rebuilding your Credit Report

You cannot erase the past credit report issues for usually 7-10 years. With a little work you can rebuild your credit report before all negative information is set to expire. Here is five easy steps to rebuild your credit report.

Step 1: Examine the Damage
The first step in fixing past mistakes is to get a current coy of your free credit score report. Don’t be scared, got ahead and take the plunge order all three credit reports with all 3 credit scores. Ordering your credit report is actually easy and secure on-line. Contrary to popular belief ordering your own credit report does not affect your credit score.
Once you have pulled your report print it out and highlight all information that is incorrect. Make sure you understand everything on it.

Step 2: Check the expiration dates
The current law states that negative information will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years from collection date. The expiration date will vary depending on the type of collection. When you pay off a collection that does not mean it will be removed from your report.
Examine your report and determine when each collection is set to expire. Once these collections are set to expire you will see major improvement to your score.

Step 3: Dispute errors
If you find inaccurate information such as, fraudulent information, collections that expired still reporting, you have the right to dispute. You will have to dispute each of the 3 credit bureaus separately, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Read more about disputing on-line here. Once you the bureaus have received your dispute they have 30 days to determine whether they will update information requested.

Don’t dispute good credit on your report, accurate information cannot be removed from your credit report and is a waste of time. Disputing accurate information could harm your credit.

Step 4: Add positive credit
Now that you have disputed information that is not correct and have hopefully got it removed or update you can begin to add positive credit to your report. The quickest way to do this is to get a Applied Bank Secured Credit Card. This credit card is designed to rebuild credit even for people that just got out of a bankruptcy. Make sure you use this card responsibly. Also avoid going applying for to lots of credit, you really need a couple of secured credit cards to start establishing good credit.

Step 5: Monitor your progress
It is very simple to monitor your progress of increasing your creditworthiness these days with credit report monitoring services. You can sign up for credit reporting monitoring services that will allow you to monitor your credit score, get key changes e-mailed to you, along with access to your credit report. Your credit score will improve over time as you add positive information to your report.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, student credit cards , and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

Survive the Current Credit Crunch

It’s not hard to see that our country is in turmoil currently. You can’t turn on TV without hearing about people loosing there jobs, gas prices being high, recession, foreclosures, and banks going out of business. I figured with this article I would give some tips to protect you and your family’s credit score report. This is probably one of most important times in our history of credit, to make sure you are saving and your credit score is secure.

Personal Finance
A economic downturn could affect your personal savings, investments, and even your job. There are precautionary measures you can take to survive such events.
• Cut back on expenses that are unnecessary, such as cable TV, eating out, frivolous spending, etc……..
• Save 6 months worth of salary in savings account.
• Reduce your Home owner’s insurance policy, shop around for better premiums.
• Reduce insurance costs on your cars.
• Bargain shop for food, clothes, etc….

These are some savings tips that will help you financially with our current economic downturn that we are going through.

Refinance your 15 yr Mortgage
Over the years a 15 yr mortgage might of made since, but of course you could of paid off your mortgage just as quick on a 30 yr mortgage without the pressure of a 15 yr amortized payment.

Equity in your Home
If you currently live in a home and you have equity you might consider tapping into some of the equity for cash on hand. It would be much harder to get a home equity loan if you lost your job.

Rebuilding your credit
If you have had some bumps and bruises, such as a bankruptcy, foreclosure, late payments or collections you don’t have to suffer for the next 7 to 10 yrs. Immediately after such credit issues start rebuilding your credit with secured credit cards. Make sure you have good rental history and save as much money as possible. You really need at least 3 lines of credit reporting, so if yiou can get 3 secured credit cards I would recommend applying for them.

Tax Refund
If you are receiving a tax refund this year make sure you put that towards a debt with high interest charges or into a interest bearing emergency account.

Housing
If you are having issues making your mortgage payment or concerned about a foreclosing on your home here are some number to contact that may be able to assist you. Also make sure you communicate with your current lender as well.
• Home Ownership Preservation – 888-995-HOPE
• Housing and Urban and Development – (888) 569-4287

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, student credit cards , and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness

New Home Builders – Big Reason for Foreclosures

This is a subject that most are not talking about, because I don’t believe anyone realizes “The Big Problem” with new home builders. Currently everyone is talking about the credit crunch and liquidity problems in the banking industry. I personally know that a big part of the problems we are having with foreclosures are the result of home builder’s nation wide. I guarantee you if you did a foreclosure search nationwide, you would find that the highly populated foreclosure areas are primarily new home builders. Hmmmmmm, you might be wondering…….. what is going on ? Here is what happens when you buy a home with a builder. You get told that if you don’t use their mortgage company, there Title Company, you will not get all these incentives. Typically these incentives range from $10,000 to $20,000 in upgrades, and having your title policy paid by seller.

Here is the SCAM, they don’t tell you.
You don’t actually get any kind of incentive; you just pay more for the house. If you have a seasoned realtor that is ethical and can look past the realtor bonus they get from these builders, they will negotiate a better deal on your behalf. If you can see through the smoking mirrors that these on-site greedy sales people pitch, you will soon realize they are ripping everyone off. Lets face it folks, they are not giving you anything, they are just increasing the cost of the home for the consumer by inflating the sale price. I am sure someone has experienced what I am about to say. You bought your house, for a certain sales price. A year later that builder is building that same house for $20,000 to $30,000 less than what you paid for your house. Interesting huh? Well it’s going on all over the U.S. The real problem is there is not enough regulation for builders because they are lining the pockets of government officials to veto any bill that would hinder there profits.

New Home Property Tax issues
Here is the big reason why builder’s communities have a high density of foreclosures. When you buy a new home with a builder, the taxes that the seller gives you a credit for is bases on unimproved property taxes. This is what causes escrow shortage all around the U.S. and causes families to loose there home. Example:

1. New Home Sales Price: $200,000
2. Value of Land: $25,000
3. Purchase month: August
4. Tax Credit from seller up to Purchase date: $500.00
5. Tax Credit should be from seller: $4000
6. Tax Shortage: $3500.00
Taxes are based on 3% of Sales price

This is an example of how escrow shortages take place and cause buyers to foreclose on their properties. The fix, would be to have the mortgage company collect on improved property taxes, and have the builder give a tax credit on closing settlement statement based on tax rates for area. This would fix the problem with escrow shortages within builder communities. This currently does not take place everywhere like it should; through all the smoking mirrors and sales bull the buyer gets screwed. They end up getting the short end of the stick, be sold on a mortgage payment that does not include the correct tax figure, when it’s actually going to go up because there taxes are wrong. Buyers beware when you buy with a new home builder. Don’t get caught up in the sales pitch, and end up loosing your home because they were just interested in making a sale. There sales tactics could cause a foreclosure which will ruin your credit report and credit scores. Don’t buy a new home without doing lots of research. Also don’t believe the incentive tactic, because is just a sale gimmick.

About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.

Re-establish Credit Report after bankruptcy-learn how

Bankruptcy is in place to help those that are in trouble financially. God knows that if you filed bankruptcy is was not your intent originally. Luckily when it comes to your credit, you can always recover after something like this has taken place. When your credit score is determined there is life after a bankruptcy. Time will relieve you of your credit scar. The FICO next Gen software that determines your credit score will forgive past mistakes in due time. There are some processes you need to go through to re-establish your credit afterwards. Here are the steps.

Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards are the quickest way to re-establish credit. The reason for this is you give the credit card company typically $300.00 to deposit in to an account of there choice. Once you have done this the credit card company will start reporting the credit to all three credit bureaus. The reporting of good credit is the trick. You now have a good trade line of credit reporting in your favor. It would not hurt for you to apply for two more secured credit cards. That way you get a couple of good lines of credit reporting to the credit reporting agencies. Once twelve months have passed, at this point you are close to getting your credit healthy.

Saving Money
Saving your hard earned cash is probably one of the toughest things to do. As a lender I see what people are doing, and believe me they are not saving. The quickest way to financial freedom is to save your money in an interest bearing account with diversification. If you don’t save, then you will be forced to work all of your life. Life is too short, save for the “Golden Years.” Saving money is a way to re-establish credit because lenders like to see you save. This is a sure sign of stability after filing bankruptcy. The reason is if you run into some problems you will have the money to rebound. Lenders like to see at least 6 months worth of reserves in an account.

Rental History
Rental history is an important part of rebuilding your credit. Rental history does not report to the credit bureaus, but it show you can pay an obligation back. When buying a home, underwriters typically want to see two years residence history with 12 months verified. When paying your rent, make sure you pay it on-time. Rent shows responsibility and that is what creditors are looking for. They don’t want to lend to someone that has total disregard for their bills.

Conclusion
When rebuilding your credit after a Bankruptcy you will need at least 3 lines of good credit reporting for 12 months. Secured credit cards are the quickest way to get that credit going on your free credit score report. Along with saving around 6months worth of savings, and good rental history you should be well on your way to rebuilding your personal credit report.


About the Author: Mike Clover is the owner of http://www.creditscorequick.com/. CreditScoreQuick.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score report, fico score, Internet identity theft software, secure credit cards, and a BlOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit, and what determines ones credit worthiness.