January 3, 2018 Shawn Lane Consumer Credit Expert Struggling with the effects of bad credit can be very stressful. When you have credit problems, there is no question that life often becomes more difficult. With bad credit it can be tough to purchase a home, secure reliable transportation, and qualify for a credit card. In fact, bad credit can even …
Buying a Home With Less Than Perfect Credit
October 16, 2017 Shawn Lane Consumer Credit Expert Is your goal to purchase a home in the near future? If so, there is a checklist of qualification standards you are going to need to meet before a lender will approve your mortgage application. Among other requirements, this checklist includes proof of steady employment and income, acceptable debt-to-income ratios (can you …
Does Credit Repair Work?
August 11, 2017 Shawn Lane Consumer Credit Expert Unless you have been living on a deserted island for the last few decades, you have probably heard the term “credit repair” at least once or twice. If you are facing credit problems of your own, you may even find yourself wondering if professional credit repair services might be able to help …
Credit score confusion….Why are all my credit scores different?
June 25, 2017 Shawn Lane Consumer Credit Expert Why your lender’s credit scores look so different from the scores you pulled online The credit world is positively full of myths and misconceptions. One such misconception is the idea that you have only one credit score (or even one credit score from each of the 3 credit bureaus). In reality, nothing …
Why Millions of Tax Liens and Judgments are Disappearing from Credit Reports
July 6, 2017 Shawn Lane Consumer Credit Expert Have you ever heard of NCAP (the National Consumer Assistance Plan)? If not, it’s an acronym you should probably learn more about. NCAP is responsible for the introduction of a number of new consumer friendly practices at the 3 major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian – including the forthcoming …
4 Common Credit Mistakes to Avoid
June 14, 2017 Shawn Lane Consumer Credit Expert Knowing what not to do can be just as important as knowing what you need to do when it comes to your credit. Even if you have worked hard to establish good credit, the wrong slip-up has the ability to undo much of your hard work. Thankfully you have the opportunity to …
Credit Scores and How They are Calculated
June 9, 2016 Shawn Lane Consumer Credit Expert In today’s world, it seems we are all defined by a 3-digit number, our credit score! If we have a high credit score, life is easier. We’re able to qualify for lower interest rates, higher borrowing limits, lower insurance premiums, better quality rental properties, and even the American dream of home ownership! …