The Basics of Credit Repair

My name is Dr. Chayo Briggs, and I am the Chief Financial Officer of Briggs and Lay Pro, Inc., which is a real estate investment company with a proven track record of financial success. Our goal is help people obtain financial independence and freedom by coaching individuals to learn how to improve their credit. I will assist consumers rebuild their credit and gain financial freedom It’s difficult to rebuild your credit if you don’t know the basics. Many people choose to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to their credit, because they don’t know where to start, and not do anything at all which is a mistake.

Ignoring your credit can mean you are passing up a solid financial future. Your credit score gives you the ability to make purchases you may not otherwise be able to make. For instance, if you are not in the position to pay cash for your home and purchase it outright, then your credit score can be an important factor in a banker deciding whether to approve you for a mortgage so you can pay for your home over time. Without credit, that purchase would be impossible.

So what are the basics of credit and credit repair? First up, learn the terminology. When looking at your credit report, you may notice collections or charge-offs. Learn the definitions of these and other credit related terms so you can know what these designations mean. Another basic action you must take in repairing your credit is actually pulling your credit report. Take the time to get a copy of your credit report. You actually are eligible to get a free copy of your credit report from each of the top three credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, once every year. You can go to annualcreditreport.com to order your credit report. Most people don’t take advantage of this opportunity, but doing so can help you get an accurate picture of what your credit looks like. You can also get regular notifications about your credit by signing up for a credit monitoring service that can alert you to changes in your credit.

When you see your report, you can dispute inaccuracies, and if you are successful, you can have them removed. These inaccurate reports of negative information can drag down your score, so challenging them can help boost your score.

Many people may be surprised to realize that it’s not uncommon for inaccurate or unlawful information to be on a credit report. They assume whatever is on there is correct. That’s not true. I recall a case where a woman came to me because a law firm was suing her for payment of a debt. I walked her through the process of what she should say in court and the case was thrown out! So don’t assume that a creditor is right. Fight for your financial freedom.

Another basic move you can make to rebuild your credit is to start paying your bills on time! Payment history — whether you pay your bills on time — counts for 35 percent of your credit score. That’s a good chunk! So if you continue to fall behind on bills, you will continue to see a poor score, but being disciplined enough to make all payments on time can really turn things around.

If you find that you can no longer maintain the agreed-upon payment schedule, reach out to your creditor and discuss the possibility of a new payment schedule. Many creditors will work with you, if you are proactive and approach them about setting a payment schedule you can keep. Remember, they want to be paid. And if you have a payment that is too high or payments are due on a day that don’t work for you, it’s possible making adjustments here can help you pay them.

If income is the problem, look at ways you can bring in additional income. This may mean getting a second job, seeking promotional opportunities, or even start a small or home-based business. Generating additional income each month can help you to make your payments on time, and can also help you start to dig out of any financial hole you may be in.

It’s possible to rebuild your credit, no matter how bad it is today, but do not expect that to happen in 24 hours. It can take time to have inaccuracies removed from your credit report or for on-time payments to start to show up on your report. However, with diligence and time, these changes can happen.

Your credit is something you can’t get away from, so ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. You can take these basic steps to improve your credit, so you have better financial opportunities. .

For more information about how he can help you rebuild your credit contact, Dr. Chayo Briggs at chayote23@briggsandlayproinc.com or (800) 216-8871.