We have a client who is finalizing their new home search to take advantage of the homebuyers tax credit.  As part of their Credit Building Plan, we recommended that all mortgage inquiries be done within a 14-day period.  This is due to the way the FICO scoring formula processes rate shopping.   All mortgage, auto and student [...]

Yes, every adult in the U.S. is entitled to a free credit report each year.  You actually get THREE free reports annually, one from each of the three credit reporting agencies, better known as credit bureaus.   These have been available since late 2004, thanks to the provisions in FACTA, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions [...]

As banks and credit card companies continue to reduce credit lines and close credit card accounts, consumers are looking for alternatives.  One such tool can be a Secured Credit Card.
A secured credit card requires you to open and maintain a savings account as security for your line of credit. The amount required for a secured [...]

What will a loan modification do to credit scores?  As one of the latest trends in the housing and mortgage industry continues to unfold, we are fielding many questions about it. 
WHAT IS A LOAN MODIFICATION? According to HUD (Housing and Urban Development) a Loan Modification is a permanent change in one or more of the [...]

Any type of separation or breakup is certainly not easy and can take its toll emotionally, physically and even financially.  We've heard a familiar story over the years from clients that have gone through divorce:
"The divorce decree said my spouse was responsible for paying those accounts."

   The Personal Finance section of CNN Money has an interesting quiz titled Are You Smarter Than A Boy Scout?  The quiz takes questions from the Personal Management Merit Badge that is required for all scouts to earn their Eagle Scout rank.
You don’t have to be a scout, or even a boy, to take this [...]