Should You “Opt Out” of New Credit Offers?
Don’t you just love going to your mailbox and finding all those new pre-approved credit card offers waiting for you? Filled with your personal financial information and easily accessible to thieves, it’s no wonder identity theft is so widespread. And having to take all that time shredding those offers before throwing them in the recycle bin. (You ARE shredding them, aren’t you? Thieves know that stealing your mail is a Federal crime, but ...Trigger Leads – What Happens When A Lender Pulls Your Credit Report?
Something for you to be aware of as you continue your home shopping. For a long time, the 3 main credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) have been selling your information to marketers. Those pre-approved credit card offers you get in the mail are the result of data purchased from these agencies. This is not a secret to anyone – been going on for years. Recently, these 3 agencies have rolled out a ...How to read a credit report to improve your score
Most Americans today suffer from less than stellar credit. The very first step in improving your credit involves ordering free personal credit reports from the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. However, once the credit reports arrive to you, it is filled with abbreviations, numbers, terminology, and difficult formatting. In order to begin repairing your credit, it is important that you learn how to read a credit report. The credit reports that you ...Seven Steps to Disputing Bad Credit – A Do It Yourself Job
If you have less than stellar credit, one option is to try and repair your credit report yourself. Having a good credit score is important for almost any major activity in life, including obtaining a mortgage, car loan, and even car insurance. In addition, more and more employers are beginning to review a candidate’s credit score and credit history as a factor in making their hiring determination. If you have poor credit, not ...Credit Repair – The Process, and How to Detect Scammers
Strike while the iron is hot! That is exactly what scammers and fraudsters are doing with credit repair. Because of the current financial crisis, more and more people are getting into uncontrollable debt and, as a consequence, many of these people are seeking help. There is help available, but telling the difference between legitimate organizations who offer assistance and duplicitous fraudsters who are out to take advantage of the current credit crunch is nearly ...Watching Your Credit by Ordering Your Credit Reports
Did you know your spending habits are being monitored? This may be common news to you, however, do you know exactly what information is being compiled about your finances? Your credit report is a compilation of all your debts, spending habits, savings, payments and all other financial transactions you have made in the last seven to ten years. Unless you take some action to obtain these necessary credit reports, you have no idea if they ...Latest Articles
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
I often find myself in long conversations with my borrowers over the best way to pay off mortgages early. Do I recommend the “Bi-Weekly Payment” ...
Making Sense of the new Tax Credit Extension
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension
Okay, I think I get it now and I’m ready to give you the scoop on the new tax credit extension. ...
Variable Rate vs. Fixed Rate
Choosing a Variable Rate is like Ordering a Pizza
“Should I pick an adjustable rate mortgage, like a 3/1 or 5/1 ARM, or go with ...
Washington Women Veterans Summit 2009
"Top 10 Ways to Get Out of Debt and Build Wealth" is the title of my workshop at the Women Veterans Summit this year. I’m ...
Know your Statutes of Limitations
“Can you just make a small payment as a show of good faith?” Have you been called by a collection agency trying to collect on ...