Repairing your credit is step one to mortgage approval

Today, you can purchase a home for very little or even no money down but may not be able to get into the home of your dreams because of your credit score. Do you know your score? If not, you need to find out, then follow the steps below on how to help you repair any deficiencies and ultimately improve your score to pave your way to homeownership.

1. Obtain a copy of your credit report. You can do so for free once per year to
   https://www.annualcreditreport.com.
2. Read your credit report. If there are any collections, profit & loss accounts or repossessions contact these companies and settle your account. If there are any judgments, these usually must be paid in full and cannot be negotiated.
3. Pay them by check so you can use the cancelled check as a receipt. Send a note with the check asking for a letter or receipt that includes the company name, your name and account number which states that you are paid and have a zero balance. In the same letter, ask them to contact the credit bureau to report that your account has been paid.
4. Next, write to ALL THREE credit bureaus and send them copies of the cancelled checks, paid receipts or letters. Tell them which accounts you have paid and ask them to show these on your credit report as PAID with zero balances. ASK THEM TO RAISE YOUR CREDIT SCORES.

Credit Bureau Contact Information:

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742
www.experian.com

Trans Union
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
800-916-8600
www.transunion.com