Tag: rebuilding your credit score

Credit

Qualifying for a Home Mortgage with Bad Credit

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A low credit score does not have to keep you from buying a home. Reviewing your credit score is a part of the mortgage approval process. What is considered “bad credit” when it comes to a mortgage or home loan? Ultimately, that designation can depend on the lender. Not all lenders have the same guidelines when it comes to determining what is bad credit. Many lenders specialize in working with clients who have a less than perfect credit rating.

For the most part, the base credit score to be approved for a regular home mortgage is 620. Some lenders will require the score to be higher, while others may permit a lower score. It helps to check your credit score before you contact a lender so that you are aware of where you stand on the credit spectrum. Most lenders will use FICO credit scores for determining whether to approve a home mortgage. Scores can range anywhere between 300 and 850.

A poor credit score may not prevent you from obtaining a mortgage, but it can certainly affect the interest rate offered with the loan. The better the credit score, the lower the interest rate will often be.

If you have a score of 620 or below, you may consider applying for a government-backed Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan if you are not eligible for a Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. However, some FHA lenders may require a score of 620 to 640 for approval.

You can still get a conventional mortgage not through a federal government-backed lender, although it is easier to qualify with government lenders with less-than-stellar credit. Lenders will look at a number of factors when determining whether to offer you a home loan, including the down payment amount, the types of property desired, the maximum debt-to-income ration allowed, the minimum income allowed for the loan, and lender fees. It is always a good idea to shop around when looking for a home mortgage, and never take the first offer. Review the different options available to you before making a selection.

If you have a bad credit score and still would like to be approved for a home mortgage, you can improve your chances by getting a co-signer. A co-signer is someone whose credit score is better than yours and whose financial situation can help you be approved for the loan. That person will sign on the mortgage documents with you and will be equally responsible for the obligation. It is a big decision to make since your inability to pay the loan will negatively affect the co-signer’s finances, as well. Before you contact a relative to see if he or she will co-sign, review your financial situation to make sure you can make the payments regularly. If you cannot, it may be advisable to find another alternative.

It can also be helpful for the borrower to make a larger down payment when purchasing the home in lieu of finding a co-signer. Making a larger payment upfront will decrease the risk of default, making the lender more likely to issue the loan.

If you have time and can hold off on purchasing a home now, it may be advisable to work on your credit score to improve it so that you will be approved for the best loan possible.

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If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

What Bankruptcy Does to Your Credit Score

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A common concern people have when filing for bankruptcy is the effect it will leave on their credit score and their ability to access credit, again. While bankruptcy does affect your credit score, it is sometimes the last resort to rebuild your credit and your financial future. In fact, it is oftentimes easier to reestablish your credit after filing for bankruptcy, because you are essentially given a “clean slate.”

It helps to sort through the myths and facts before making that final decision, and if you do choose to file for bankruptcy, this does not mean all hope is loss. There are proven ways to rebuild your credit score after bankruptcy, and our clients are proof!

My credit score said on all three reports 775, I couldn’t believe that I had such a great score before 10 years. Tim for me was the best move I have made for my situation. I have no regrets, I am glad the past is the past. – Bill T.

Hi Tim- I just wanted to send a quick note and thank you and your team for handling my bankruptcy case.  It is only a month or two after discharge, and my credit scores are already in the upper 600’s. – C.S.

The effects of bankruptcy on a person’s credit score depends on the score the filer had before filing for bankruptcy. If you have a higher credit score, the effect the bankruptcy will have will be more noticeable. However, if you have a lower credit score to begin with, the change may not be as much after filing for bankruptcy.

According to data from FICO, for individuals who had credit scores of 780 or more, the average amount of decrease is around 240, with a resulting credit score of 540. If the filer had a fair credit score of around 680, the decrease is on average 150 points, resulting in a score of 530. Both scores end up at roughly the same point, but the drop that the filer sees in getting to that score is noticeably different.

The good news is the American credit scoring system allows consumers to rebuild their credit score quite quickly after filing for bankruptcy. Even with a credit score at 550, you can still get back to a respectable score within one to two years through demonstrating good financial habits.

These habits include monitoring your credit report on a regular basis, ensuring that any accounts that are at a zero balance. Many financial experts recommend using a secured credit card to use for purchases to rebuild credit. After some time has passed and you have successfully used the secured card for a period, you may be able to slowly take on new credit, although it is never recommended that you have more than one account opened within a six-month period.

Rebuilding your credit is important for many reasons, the main one being it will allow you to be able to borrow in the future. Many filers worry that they will never be in the financial situation to purchase a home or qualify for another loan- these are all bankruptcy myths. Stick to a budget and a sound financial plan following bankruptcy, and you will be back on your feet before you know it.

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Myths about bankruptcy and your credit score debunked

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There are many misconceptions surrounding the amount of time it takes to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy.  We are clearing up some of the common misconceptions about how bankruptcy affects your credit score.

Myth #1: All bankruptcy information stays on your credit report for ten years.

The Truth: Only the public record of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lasts for ten years.   All other bankruptcy references remain on your credit report for seven years, including:  Line items stating “account included in bankruptcy;” Third-party collection debts, judgments and tax liens discharged in bankruptcy and Chapter 13 public record items.  Once these items begin to disappear, you will see a bigger boost to your credit score.

Myth #2: You will have poor credit as long as the bankruptcy information stays on your credit report.

The Truth: This is one of the biggest misconceptions and one that our clients can tell you is a complete myth.

My credit score said on all three reports 775, I couldn’t believe that I had such a great score before 10 years. Tim for me was the best move I have made for my situation. I have no regrets, I am glad the past is the past. – Bill T.

Hi Tim- I just wanted to send a quick note and thank you and your team for handling my bankruptcy case.  It is only a month or two after discharge, and my credit scores are already in the upper 600’s.  I’ve sent a screenshot in the event that you would like to use this to show prospective clients. – C.S.

You can begin to build your credit back with smart credit management.  Within a few years, you can obtain a “good” credit score ranging from 700 – 749 by doing the following:

  • Adding new credit, such as secured credit cards or small installment loans, to offset the negative information on your credit report;
  • Making on-time payments for all debt, new and old;
  • Keeping your credit card balances under 30% utilization.

Myth #3: Bankruptcy affects the credit of all filers equally, regardless of the amount of debt.

The Truth: Your credit score will factor in details such as the amount of debt discharged and the proportion of negative to positive accounts on your credit report. If you have a low amount of debt and only a few accounts included in your bankruptcy, your credit score will be higher than someone with a more severe bankruptcy case.

Myth #4: You cannot get a credit card or loan after filing for bankruptcy.

The Truth: Credit cards are one of the best ways to begin rebuilding your credit and you will be surprised how quickly offers for them will appear in your mailbox after filing for bankruptcy.  Secured credit cards, which require an upfront security deposit, allow you to spend and build credit easily and safely.

Myth #5: Bankruptcy will ruin your credit forever.

The Truth: Bankruptcy will damage your credit in the short term, but practicing good financial habits, can rebuild your credit to be stronger than ever. A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia showed that those who filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010 had an average credit score of 538.2 on Equifax’s scale of 280 to 850. But the average score jumped to 620 by the time those bankruptcies were finalized, approximately six to eight months later. There are many ways to rebuild your credit after filing for bankruptcy. There are certain limitations you will face after filing, but taking advantage of the right financial tools can go a long way in helping you get back on the right path for your financial future.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

7 ways to rebuild credit after filing for bankruptcy

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Nearly 800,000 people filed for bankruptcy in the United States last year.  Several counties in Florida made the top 100 areas for the highest incidence of bankruptcy, including Miami-Dade County, which saw more than 400 personal filings per 100,000 people from April 2015 to March 2016.

Chapter 7 is often the most preferred method of filing because it involves no repayment of debt and in states like Florida, exemption laws can be used to benefit and retain property throughout the filing process.  In fact, Florida has one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country.  You can exempt an unlimited amount of value in your home or other property covered by the homestead exemption.

It is important consumers know that immediately after filing for bankruptcy they can begin improving their credit score.  Here are seven steps you can take to begin rebuilding your credit after filing for bankruptcy.

  • Know your credit score. Go to annualcreditreport.com and pull your three credit reports (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Make sure all of the debts affected by the bankruptcy are listed.  Also confirm all information is accurate on each of the reports.
  • Pay bills on time and in full. Raising your credit score after bankruptcy is all about getting back to basics. Set calendar reminders or set bills on auto-pay so you are not late on a payment.  Do not spend more than you can afford each month and pay your cards off in full so you do not incur any interest charges.
  • Open a new bank account. When you open a new checking or savings account you are demonstrating financial stability. This can also provide you with a clean slate to practice good financial habits.
  • Apply for a secured credit card. These cards are one of the easiest ways to build credit and improve your credit score. Secured credit cards borrow money against a deposit the consumer has already made. Compare interest rates and select a card with the best rate and low annual fee.
  • Create and stick to a budget. This should be based on your income minus expenses for rent, utilities, groceries and other expenses. Creating a budget will help you stay on track when it comes to your finances.
  • Start a savings account. Having an emergency savings means you will be less likely to have to access credit when an unexpected expense occurs. Research shows that having as little as $250 saved up for an unexpected expense can protect you from having to resort to pay day loans and credit cards.
  • Be patient with yourself. If you made mistakes, learn from them. You should not feel ashamed after filing for bankruptcy.  The more active of a role you take in rebuilding your credit, the sooner you can bounce back after bankruptcy.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.