I know everybody says you can do it yourself, but I glaze over just looking at the OUTSIDE of my credit reports.  I don't mind paying somebody to handle it for me if I don't get ripped off!

If  your claims are legitimate go to washington mutual, any branch tell them you want to prequalify for a  purchase of a house. when they get the credit report they will see the disputed items and ask you for documentation to correct them. they will get a merged credit report(all 3 bureaus) ask them to send your documentation and  get a supplement from the company that gets the merged credit report showing the correced  items. only a bank request will get immediate action(2-3 days)it will take you months.all corrections must be done simultaneously. otherwise its like having crabs with your girlfriend and she uses the  medicine one day and you use it another (they keep reinfesting each other). once you have the supplement if the issue comes up again you just show the supplement from the credit merge co to whoever asks.  the supplement is from a bank generated document so no will dispute it. try it and get back to me. if you have further questions PM me. I worked at washington mutual for 2 years and i did this for several clients it always worked, if this works for you buy me a quarter of TER VIP. don't get ripped off BEST DO IT YOUR SELF METHOD

Really, I promise you CAN do it yourself. A few years ago I was overwhelmed by all the information on my credit reports. There was some good and lots and lots of bad. Since that time, I have raised my ficos almost three hundred points. That's a huge gain, and I'm proud to say I did it all on my own. Honestly, the credit repair companies don't do anything you cannot do on your own. Additionally, they cannot make any guarantees that they can even repair anything. They have the exact same power you have. My strongest suggestion is to NOT use any kind of credit counseling. It only damages your ficos. My  next suggestion would be to visit http://www.creditboards.com. Read the newbie section. It will seem so complicated and overwhelming at first but once you get the hang it, it's cake! I take joy in knowing the FCRA and FDCPA. I feel empowered knowing my rights. I've even sued collection agencies pro se AND won! Please visit the creditboards website. The people there are so nice, so helpful and so understanding. More than anything you should know you're not alone in the process. I learned my credit lesson the hard way but I'm much better off for it.

They charged me $200 and did a good job of cleaning up my credit record, improved my rating from Poor to Very Good. Took about 10 weeks time. Also charged $50 per bureau ($150) to get my personal information corrected and cleaned up, that process is still ongoing. The credit bureaus are such fuckups, and don't do shit until you twist their arm. These guys do a good job of arm twisting.

The Credit Advisors
28150 Avenue Crocker #228
Valencia, CA 91355
866-CRA-1202
(661)-294-8442
www.thecreditadvisor.com

Good luck.

No reputable company will promise to "repair" your credit. If the information is incorrect and you have written proof, all three agencies will remove the negative info without charging you. They are all slower than shit about removing the info but if you need instant scoring, most credit companies now provide a rapid rescore for an extra charge. It's well worth the $$ if you are getting a large loan like a mortgage.

If the poor credit is accurate, you are SOL. Credit repair companies promise to harass your creditors until they don't respond and the negative information comes off your report. Do you think B of A is really going to avoid these challenges?

Any good mortgage pro will repair your credit for about $150 if there is a loan in the balance and the information is false. If it's not, the only thing that will repair your credit is time....and paying your bills!

You're absolutely right that no reputable company will make the claim that they can repair your credit. Like I said in my previous post, they are not doing anything you cannot do yourself. Regarding, CRA's removing negative information with written proof from the consumer - that's simply not true most of time. All positive and negative information on your CR comes directly from original collectors or collection agencies. They are the ones who report this information (incorrect or not) and it is THEY who have to demand that it be changed or deleted. Besides the traditional letters (not mine, never late, etc.), the CRA's *usually* will not accept documentation from consumers.  Another thing people are mistakenly lead to believe is that if the derogatory information is accurate, then you are SOL. Wrong, wrong, wrong! I've gotten LOTS of accurate negative information removed from my credit report by way of letter writing and planetfeedback.com. Of course, bill collectors want you to think that the only way you can have perfect credit is to pay all your past debts, repossessions, chargeoffs, etc. Well, I've got news for you. A paid chargeoff is no better than an unpaid chargeoff when it comes to fico. Of course, bill collectors want you to think otherwise so they'll receive their money. Again, go to http://www.creditboards.com You CAN have the negative items removed. Know your rights. Stay off the phone. Send all letters certified mail registered return receipt. And lastly, get to work.

a good mortgage pro does it for free as part of doing your loan,a bad mortgage pro will charge you. see above

how can you buy a home if you dont have a job listed? legitimate? wondering any ideas would help

-- Modified on 5/10/2005 3:43:36 PM

I'd just like to say congratulations on recognizing the importance of fixing your credit report. I've realized through my straight job that nothing matters like your credit report. Your credit score will dictate what rate you receive or how much money you can borrow. Nothing else has as much influence, not your job, income, stability or assets. Your credit score is all powerful so hunker down and do what you gotta do... Good Luck!

As long as you have good, established credit (see above), you can borrow up to 100% of the purhase price with a stated income loan. A letter from a CPA stating you are self-employed for at least two years will suffice.

I always advise that you start some kind of business, get a business license of any kind and you will be set to go. Stated income costs a bit more but it gets the job done.

are you self employed in any way? entertainer etc. with 680  fico score and self-employed you can buy a houuse. do you a down payment? if not ask for an 80/20 loan 80% first and 20% second but you need some cash for closing costs OR go to Wells Fargo they offer a 103% loan you only need one months mortgage payment,but again you need high fico score

sometimes a credit repair aency makes it worse. I have been using INCharge and they have nt been paying my bills on time. Plus, when I tried for a car loan and credit card they both said it does not look good to have a credit agency on your report. It shows them you need help and can't manage on your own. Your best bet is to call the credit card co. and make a deal.