Special offer

Could You Use Some Good Karma?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® TX License #0566780

Most of us understand that a good credit score is worth money. A higher score generally means you get more favorable credit terms (lower interest rates). That's money in your pocket.

Whether you are a first time home buyer or a multiple time home buyer, your credit scores are important if you are taking a mortgage (borrowing from a lender) to buy the house.

We've heard that it's up to each of us to keep tabs on our credit file to make sure it's accurate and to challenge things that are not correct. There are places on the Internet that can help you get access to your credit files held by the three main credit reporting agencies. To get your actual credit score, you usually have to pay fee.

Yesterday, I learned of a way to get my credit score from one of the agencies, without paying a fee.  The site is http://www.creditkarma.com/.   

Here is a portion of a review of this website: "When other companies are charging you to look at your own credit score, it's nice to be able to see it for free. You don't have to provide a credit card number, there's no "trial," and there's no sneaky catch in there. It's free and they never ask for a penny. That's very refreshing."

 You can read the full review here.

In this age of identity theft, it's important to keep an eye on your credit records so you can take action at the first sign of a problem. Whether you are preparing for a mortgage loan for a home or a refinance, or an auto loan it is important to know where you stand. Don't wait until the last minute to determine your credit history and credit score.

  

James K Barath, CMPS
Canopy Mortgage, LLC - Crown Point, IN
FICO Pro, Certified Military Housing Specialist

I've heard of this service but I cannot endorse this because they do not provide the all important FICO score that is used for the purposes of residential mortgage financing.

Dec 04, 2009 01:04 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

I like it for general informational purposes. Although FICO is not provided, it does give one of the other rating services scores. And there is no fee to get this one. For me, its just another piece to the personal credit puzzle. The more pieces one has, the easier it is to see the big picture.

Dec 05, 2009 04:45 AM