Robby

Each of the three major credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, provide a consolidated report to help you screen prospective tenants. But, which one is the best? We’ve outlined the main differences among these services, plus one tenant screening method that’s fast, easy, secure and free for landlords and rental agents. Each of the three … Read more

This is a great question, and it’s good to hear that you’re taking steps to get your finances in order and take care of these collection accounts. Unfortunately, I don’t think what the collector is suggesting will work. The credit bureaus are unlikely to remove the paid collection account if it is legitimately incurred. They … Read more

The current average mortgage rate for someone with a good credit score (700) was 7.42% as of January 3, 2025, according to Curinos data. Your credit scores can directly impact your eligibility for a mortgage and the interest rate you receive. You may need a score in the high 700s (or higher) to get the … Read more

While credit score requirements vary based on loan type, lenders generally require a credit score of at least 620 to buy a house with a conventional mortgage. The minimum credit score needed to buy a house can range from 500 to 700, but will ultimately depend on the type of mortgage loan youre applying for … Read more

If you’ve been paying your federal loans for decades, you might be closer to student loan forgiveness after 25 years than you think. Forgiveness isn’t automatic, though—you need to make income-based payments during that time. Typically, months spent in deferment, grace periods, or forbearance don’t count toward those 25 years. But a temporary program introduced … Read more

You have the right to request one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You may also be able to view free reports more frequently online. Be cautious of websites that claim to offer free credit reports. Some … Read more

If you’re looking to buy a home right now, you know that in many markets, supply is challenging, and it’s driven home prices higher. The median home price is well under $600,000, but that may not be the case in some higher-cost areas. You may wonder about the income needed to afford a $600K mortgage. … Read more

In general, keep unused credit cards open so you benefit from longer average credit history and lower credit utilization. Consider putting one small regular purchase on the card and paying it off automatically to keep the card active. A crowded wallet and the temptation to spend might have you thinking about canceling unused credit card … Read more

A 609 letter is a tool that helps you request information about items on your credit report and address errors. It’s named after Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which allows consumers to access all data used to calculate their credit score. While 609 letters can’t remove verified or accurate debts, they … Read more

Racking up credit card debt is a slippery slope. While there are a lot of conventional solutions to handling large amounts of debt, it’s important not to rule out other methods. Oftentimes, by exploring new options, you can find a better solution to your credit card debt dilemma. You cant pay off your existing credit … Read more