Closing a Credit Card??

credit cardsIf your trying to decide what to do with all that cash Washington is sending you in the next few weeks… you might also be looking at your credit report to see how to use that money more effectively.

In today’s environment we don’t usually suggest that folks close credit cards with no balance, but if that’s a decision you’ve made, here are some tips on how to close them the “right way:”

Contact Customer Service – The number should be on the back of your card.  Tell the representative that you are closing the account.  It’s their job to try and get you to keep it open, but if you’ve decided this is the right course, stay firm with them.  Make a note of who you speak with, the date and time (I normally write this on my bill).

Follow up in writing – be sure to include the information about who you spoke with, and request that your credit be updated to show that the account was closed at your request.  Ask for a reply in writing for your records.  We suggest that you send this letter certified return receipt requested.

Recheck your credit report 60 days later.  The changes should be reflected.

If you are considering a home purchase, and you have credit scores that are ALMOST there, but not quite… call us!  Steve and Eleanor Thorne, Mortgage Banker in Cary , 919-649-5058.

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What To Dispute On Your Credit Report

 

If You’re Huntin’ A Better Credit Score – Let Sleepin’ Dawgs Lie!

don't dispute everythingIf you are looking for a new home, you are probably aware that your Credit Score is a CRITICAL item in determining your interest rate and possibly how much house you can buy / qualify for!

We talk to people every week who receive a copy of their credit report, see some derogatory remarks from 2005 and immediately start writing dispute letters.

This might not be your best strategy (each case is different of course), because the credit score is really an indication of what you are about to do.  It tries to PREDICT what your credit behavior is going to be based upon RECENT activity.

So what happened 3 years ago, is not really as important as what happened 18 months ago!  If it is a MEDICAL COLLECTION – there’s a possibility it won’t have to be paid… most judgments and liens will have to be cleared before you can get a mortgage.

If you are considering a purchase, and want to know more about your particular credit report and circumstances, to get pre-qualified…  call Steve and Eleanor Thorne, Mortgage Banker in Cary, 919-649-5058

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Can You Refinance To The Lowest Mortgage Rate?

refinance to low mortgage ratesMortgage Interest Rates are at ALL TIME lows, and many of the people calling us want to know if it’s even possible to Refinance these days!

The answer is maybe.  If you are looking for a “rate term” meaning no cash out – and you haven’t missed any mortgage payments in the last 12 months and you think you have at least a 600 credit score - call me.  We can possibly figure this out.  There are some cool guideline changes coming out between now and the beginning of March 2012 that don’t have any “Loan To Value” requirements for refinances!

If you are getting a divorce – and you have never worked, and you need to use the alimony your spouse is SUPPOSE to start paying you in September to qualify for a home… well, call me… because we need to talk about how this is going to work and what documentation we are going to need. [Read more...]

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Do U Need A Repair Co?

nc mortgage loanI don’t play the lottery – but I know plenty of people that do… and from what I hear, there are no Guarantees that you are going to win as you purchase your ticket. The same thing is true with Credit Repair Companies.

There are TONS of ads for credit repair companies claiming that they can ERASE your bad credit… they have a bridge to sell you and they can guarantee you’ll win the lottery!

If it sounds too good to be true… it probably is!

Don’t pay a credit repair company to do something you can do for yourself. Most companies only guarantee that they will take 25% of the bad credit off your report!  Inaccurate items on your credit report can be removed and that’s where you should start. [Read more...]

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Inquiries On Your Credit Report

Fannie Mae recently announced that lenders are required to pull your credit hours before closing - and any inquiries on your credit report must be explained.  We figured you might want to know more about how Inquiries affect your score.

An inquiry on your credit report shows up when you allow someone to look at your credit.

An inquiry from www.annualcreditreport.com is not going to have an impact on your score – however it does not give you a real FICO score! It is only for accuracy of your report.  You will get Factor Codes – but not the score.

Does the TYPE of Inquiry Matter? Yes.

A “Below the Line” – soft inquiry, like an account review from a creditor, does not have an impact on your credit score. The folks who do an employment pull are also below the line.

“Above the Line” Inquiry has a negative impact on your credit score.  Meaning when you apply for a credit card, mortgage, car, etc it will negatively impact your score. These pulls (inquiries) have a 30 day buffer. Meaning if you apply for an auto loan from 5 places during a 30 day period it will not have an impact on your score right then.  During the 31st day to 45 day period all of them are seen as ONE pull…  If you apply for credit again after the 46th day it will be seen in the scoring model as new credit, and those “pulls” or inquiries have a negative impact on your score.

So how does this translate into the Mortgage Process?  It’s pretty serious. If you begin the mortgage process in May and we pull your credit report… and then you purchase a home in June… and then you close in July.  Your credit report is good for 90 days.  So theoretically, no problem.

But with the new requirement to pull a new credit report right before closing – even if it’s just your mortgage company and you haven’t purchased a sofa, or refridgerator – THAT inquiry could lower your score.

If you have questions about your credit score, please call Steve Thorne Mortgage Banker in Cary at 919-649-5058.  We have been a mortgage lender in NC for over 20 years!

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Credit Scores and First Time Home Buyers!

How Credit Scores are calculated is changing, and the minimum scores required for mortgage loans are going HIGHER!  For information about “WHY” Credit Scores requirements are changing in NC, click here.

It’s important to know that Transunion began making changes to the way they calculate credit scores, and if you don’t change your credit strategy – you might not be able to purchase!

I think it’s important for First Time Homebuyers (especially) to know what credit scores they need so that they can take advantage of the $8000 Tax Credit, Low Rates and “Cheap Houses!”

If you are using VA Benefits, you need a 620 score, even though VA does not have a MINIMUM credit score!  I think that (JMHO) because VA doesn’t have a minimum – those VA rates have gotten higher in the last 2 months!  For details on Credit and Veteran’s Administration home loans click here! Again, do not be surprised if the VA rates are not as “cheap” as the FHA and USDA rates!  This is a SHIFT! [Read more...]

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Walking Away From Your Mortgage

60 Minutes did a piece this weekend on people walking away from their mortgage - and I guess they are trying to “justify” it.  Recent numbers indicate that 4 million households are currently 60 days delinquent or more – up 30% from last year. I suspect part of that is because mortgage companies are TELLING them to go delinquent so that they can use the HAMP “tools” the Government put in place – meaning if you are delinquent, then you qualify for a HOST of other “perks” like below market mortgage rates and “streamlined” Short Sale negotiations.

IF you’ve missed a couple of payments -but you are not going to have a Foreclosure on your credit report – then we believe you will have a MUCH better chance of getting a mortgage in the future. We currently have at least TWO programs that will do 90% mortgage loans (so 10% down) with 1 late payment in the last 12 months – this is a sign that as time passes, we’ll have the programs that will allow people to get a new mortgage!

Anyway – I thought this short clip from 60 Minutes was interesting and wanted to share it.

If you are facing a “hit” on your credit report – and you want a compassionate, REAL answer on how to increase your score – Call Steve Thorne, 919-649-5058 Credit Repair Specialist.  Money Back Guarantee, and a full spectrum of resources to give you “What If Scenarios.”  You CAN have a good credit score within 6 months or LESS.  Let us help!

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Outrageous Calls from Collectors

We’ve talked to people who are getting OUTRAGEOUS calls from bill collectors – threatening them with all kinds of mean and nasty stuff.  One of our customers sent us this YouTube clip we thought was interesting from ABC. Let us know what YOU’ve heard from Bill Collectors! IF you want to improve your credit scores and get out of this cycle – call us… Steve Thorne, Credit Repair Specialist. One time low fee – money back guarantee. If we can’t help you – we don’t take your money. 919-649-5058

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VA Loans and Credit Scores

home loans for veteransHave you seen the new Remax Commercial that says “when he gets home… we’re going to buy a new home!” And then it pans to the guy overseas, and he’s looking for homes on the Internet!  LOVE that Commercial!If you’re one of those folks looking forward to taking advantage of your VA Benefits, check out your credit score!

The Veteran’s Administration does not actually make VA home loans… but they INSURE them.  Because of this, the VA gives guidelines for who they will insure, and what their credit scores should be. I’ve recently been writing that Credit Scores are getting tighter in NC, and I’ve said that “it’s the Golden Rule” because the Banks are the ones who are setting their OWN guidelines about who they will loan money to and under what circumstances. [Read more...]

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Sample Dispute Letter

Here’s a sample letter that you can use to request that a creditor remove information from your report, and STOP calling to harrass you!  Be certain you use the information contained on your credit report – exactly as they have it.  This will typically NOT be the correct account number, but if that’s what they are reporting, us it.  Make certain you include a copy of your drivers license and social security card.
Company
Address1
Address2
City, State Zip

Date [Read more...]

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