Special offer

Refinancing in Hammonton NJ: Credit Tips That Will Score Lower Interest Rates

By
Mortgage and Lending

Refinancing in Hammonton NJ:

Credit Tips That Will Score Lower Interest Rates

A good credit score translates into lower interest rates for refinance-shopping borrowers. In a mortgage lender's eyes, the higher your score is, the less risk you are, and the more likely it is you will pay off your debt. For this reason, borrowers with lower scores usually end up paying higher interest rates on their loans.

If this is you, don't panic. There are a number of things you can do to adjust your credit score to receive a favorable review from the underwriter. Here are a few suggestions:

Should I pay off all my past due balances and charge-offs?

This is usually a good idea, but you only need to worry about the past due balances and charge-offs that have occurred in the last two years. Items more than two years old have little effect on your current credit score. In fact, if you pay off delinquent items over two years old, it can actually bring your credit score down - something you don't want to do. Bringing that score up means you'll get a better interest rate on your loan.

 

 

Should I close existing credit card accounts that I don't use?

No. Part of your credit score is based upon credit history. If you have old credit cards that you don't use very much, you still have the benefit of the credit history they represent.

Rather than trying to pay off all your credit cards, you can move part of the debt from one card to another to even out the distribution of debt. Try to keep balances as close to zero as possible, and definitely below 30% of the available credit limit when trying to purchase a home. Also, if your credit provider will increase your line of credit, the ratio of debt to available credit is automatically reduced.

When married couples have separate credit card accounts, the debt can be transferred from one spouse to another to clear up credit issues for the other spouse. That spouse with clean credit can be designated as the sole borrower on the loan, but ownership of the home can still go in both names.

What about errors on my credit report?

If you have items that are showing up on your credit report that you know you have already paid, request that these items be removed by the credit bureau. They are obligated to rectify this within 30 days.

If there are items on your credit report that are less than two years old, send in your payment if possible and mark the back of the check with the following notation: "Accepting this check is evidence that the transaction is complete and this charge will be deleted from my credit record." If necessary, the cancelled check will be proof that this should be promptly removed from your credit report if it interferes with the closing of your loan.

Karl Peidl
Lincoln Mortgage Company
251 Bellevue Avenue, Suite 102
Hammonton, NJ 08037

609-878-7013

kpeidl@supmort.com

http://karltalksmortgages.com/

 

Pennsylvania: Licensed by the PA Department of Banking as a First Mortgage Banker and licensed pursuant to the PA Secondary Mortgage Loan Act. New Jersey: Licensed by the N. J. Department of Banking and Insurance Maryland: Authorized Mortgage Lender by the State of Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation. Florida: Licensed Mortgage Lender by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Delaware: Licensed Lender by the Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

 



Karl Peidl
Lincoln Mortgage Company
251 Bellevue Avenue, Suite 102
Hammonton, NJ 08037

© Copyright 2009. All About News, Inc

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Karl, I think that credit score calculations are a huge mystery to most of us.  You've got good information that will help the public figure it all out.

Aug 31, 2009 03:14 AM
Karl Peidl
Moorestown, NJ
Accredited Loan Consultant

Thanks Pat.  It's a shame that something so important is such a mystery to most people.  I wish schools taught students about credit before allowing them to graduate.

Aug 31, 2009 03:21 AM