Are you worried about your credit history? Just about 
   everyone has something in their past credit that is less
   than perfect. The most important thing is to learn what
   is on your report, determine what impact that information
   has on your credit rating, and work on repairing and
   restoring any of the damage that may have been done.

   Mortgage loan options are rated by credit, labeled like
   school grades - "A" credit is the best, then down to A-, B, C,
   etc. Even if you do not have an A credit rating, we can let
   you know what your options are if you fall into A- or lower
   category. The rates are generally going to be higher, and
   may require a down payment. If you determine that you
   are not satisfied with this type of financing, then together
   we can map out what you need to do with your credit and
   finances for the next six to twelve months in order to
   qualify for an "A" credit loan. 

   If you have filed bankruptcy in the past, the items that 
   were discharged will usually show up as a charge-off
   or uncollected debt. You should write to the credit bureaus
   and send a copy of your complete bankruptcy papers
   asking them to show the debt as Discharged in Bankruptcy.
   Lenders will want to see that these debts were in fact
   discharged and this also raises your FICO score. FICO 
   scores above 620 make it easier to obtain a mortgage.

   There are three main credit bureaus that most creditors
   (credit card companies, banks, leasing companies, etc)
   provide information to on a monthly basis. Each month,
   your credit holders report information to the credit bureaus
   about your current balance, min. payment requirements,
   and credit history. If a derogatory item is definitely not yours
   and the creditor does not agree to delete it, call the credit
   bureaus. Do not talk about any derogatory items that are
   correct or partially correct items which you should dispute.
   If acknowledge anything being correct at all, you cannot
   dispute it later by mail or website.

   Derogatory items that are yours must be disputed by mail
   or via the bureaus websites. Write a letter to the credit
   bureaus in question including your name, social security
   number, address, disputed accounts and account numbers.
   Inform the credit bureau you are disputing the information
   as it appears on your report. Many items on your credit
   may have errors. Do not admit to anything being correct,
   just note all errors. Next to each item write, "not mine,
   not accurate, mistaken item, complete error," or whatever
   makes sense. Along with the marked up credit report send
   a dated letter asking for a corrected copy of the report
   within 30 days. Send another letter if you do not receive
   a reply within 30 days. Include a dated copy of your
   original letter as well as a new letter insisting they remove
   the disputed information. Include a copy to the 
   Federal Trade Commission. Be sure to sign your letters.

   If you expend the time and effort you may be able to
   significantly improve your credit score even if you are
   not able to clean up every item on your credit report. 
   Your credit report and credit score determine which loan
   programs you qualify for and the interest rate you’ll pay. 
   If you need specific information from one of the major 
   credit bureaus, following is the contact information for
   each of them:

Experian Information Service (XPN)
www.experian.com
PO Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
(888) 397-3742

TransUnion (TUC)
www.transunion.com
PO Box 1000
Chester, PA 79022
(800) 916-8800

Equifax Information Services (EFX)
www.equifax.com
PO Box 740243
Atlanta, GA 30374
(800) 685-1111


To order a free credit report and analysis, call Mary at (615) 969-9975,
Click here to e-mail your request, or visit our Free Credit Report page.