A pay for delete letter is a negotiation tool intended to get a negative item removed from your credit report. It entails asking a creditor to remove the negative information in exchange for paying the balance. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit … Read more
“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to … Read more
You’re ready to take the plunge into home ownership. Now what? There’s a lot to do before you can start picking out new furniture. Knowing what to expect, and what steps to take, can make the process easier. Read on to learn how to start the home-buying process. Buying a home is an exciting milestone, … Read more
Paying off your car loan before retirement can be a smart financial move for many reasons. With no steady paychecks coming in anymore, minimizing expenses becomes crucial A car payment every month can take a big bite out of your limited retirement income. However, deciding whether or not to pay off your auto loan early … Read more
For people who are self-employed, seasonally employed or experiencing an employment gap, getting approved for a mortgage can be a bit complicated. Mortgage lenders often ask for employment verification and a few yearsâ worth of W-2s when considering a mortgage loan application, because they consider borrowers with this type of documentation less risky than borrowers … Read more
Borrowing money may seem like something you only do if you dont have enough of it, but thats not true. There are many wealthy people who take on debt; they just do it in different ways than their less-well-off counterparts do. Of course, not every rich person has exactly the same money habits. But here … Read more
Do you have a 15- or 30-year fixed-rate loan that you’d like to pay down faster? You might find that making extra payments on your mortgage can help you repay your loan more quickly, and with less interest than making payments according to loans original payment terms. Hey there, folks! If you’re sittin’ there wonderin’ … Read more
Deciding how much house you can afford is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make especially as you approach retirement. The mortgage payment on your home will likely be one of your biggest monthly expenses in retirement so getting it right is crucial for maintaining financial security. As a general rule, financial experts … Read more
Hey there, friend! If you’re thinkin’ about a cash-out refinance to tap into your home’s equity, you’ve probably got one big question burnin’ in your mind: how much should closing costs be on a cash-out refinance? Well, lemme lay it out straight for ya. On average, closing costs for a cash-out refinance run about 3-6% … Read more
Answer: When you are applying to buy a car, the finance department will determine the terms of your loan. Once they’ve sold you on the terms, then they will send your application to 3 or 4 lenders to get them to compete with one another for the business. If your credit score is 620 or … Read more