Lexington Law - Review

By John Cooper

Lexington Law is a professional credit repair service. They are headquartered out of Salt Lake, Utah.

They have 22 lawyers and over 400 employees. They have been in business for 17 years and have served 1/2 million people. They will dispute bad credit items on your credit report.

Is this legal?

Yes, it is not only legal but it is your responsibility. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to dispute any item you feel is not accurate on your report. In addition this law says that the bureaus must remove an item that is not verified by the creditor.

How will it work?

You forward a copy of your credit reports to Lexington. You also indicate what items you want them to dispute.

Then Lexington will mail a dispute letter to each bureau. When the bureaus get this letter they will investigate the item and send you notification of the result. If the item was verified or if it was removed, you then forward update to Lexington.

How long will it take?

This will vary depending upon how many items you wish to dispute. However you should expect a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months.

How much does it cost?

They offer three levels of service, and you will be responsible to pay an account set up fee of $99. The prices on the services are; $39, $59, and $79.

Can't I do this myself?

Yes, you actually should dispute you credit if you have minimal damage. To dispute you credit you must create a dispute letter and send it to each bureau.

Once the bureaus get your letter they will investigate. They will contact the creator of the negative item and ask them to verify the account, the dates of delinquency, and the balance. If the account can not be verified then the bureaus must remove the item from your credit.

What else can I do to repair my credit?

We suggest you open a new revolving line of credit such as a credit card. This will help you to build a positive payment history by making your on time monthly payments. This factor is almost as important as negative items when your score is calculated.

In sum, you do not have to live with a low credit score. You can remove negative items and by building a positive payment history you can repair you score.

About the Author:

For more about Lexington Law or more credit repair tips visit us.

Do Bad Credit Student Loans Really Exist?

By Trinity Payne

If you're anything like most people, the cost of college is a little outside your price range. Paying $15,000+ each year as a 19-24 year old is definitely outside the reach for most people that don't have help from their parents. If you're struggling to meet financial obligations while attending college, having bad credit can magnify your difficulties. However, student loans for people that have bad credit are available and finding the right ones can help you to pay for school.

Student loans can be classified in two different categories; ones issued according to financial need, and ones that arent based on financial need. Many of the loan options are supported by the Federal Government.

Stafford loans are available through the government and are supplied based on need. Those with poor credit can still qualify for Stafford loans, assuming that they need is there. In other words, if you don't have the money to pay for school it's very likely that you can qualify for a Stafford loan.

If you have an unusual amount of financial need, you may also be able to qualify for grants that don't need to be paid back. Pell grants are considered gifts and will never need to be paid back to the government. If your Pell grant doesn't give you enough money, you can still consider getting loans to pay for your education.

If you don't have enough need for financial aid, you won't be able to get Pell grants or subsidized Stafford loans. However, you can still get bad credit student loans that are unsubsidized. Interest will start to accrue right away, but you will be able to pay for school. This option is more expensive than most subsidized loan options.

People that take out unsubsidized Stafford loans will have to start repaying them immediately. There is no grace period for these loans since they are offered to people that don't have financial need.

About the Author:

Trinity teaches people to find different types of bad credit loans including bad credit student loans.

Is throwing money at the mortgage market the solution?

By Chris Clare

With the credit crunch wreaking havoc on the global economy certain governments throughout the world have stepped in with bail out plans involving the injection of money into their individual banking systems. The reason behind this is to stave off the bad or `toxic? debt which they see as crippling to their countries' economies due to unstable institutions and negligible public borrowing.

But the big question on everyone's lips is, will this have the effect of kick starting the institutions lending again, and if it does, what how will it affect the individual and the public in general. The analysis off this problem will be based on the UK as that is where my financial experience stems. The situation within the UK may bare similarities with that of other countries but I am not in the position to comment on whether the outcomes would be similar or not because I would not be as au fait as to how their markets tend to function.

To most people the credit crunch is all about banks not having the money to lend. So it is fair to assume that if you give the banks the money that will solve the problem. Sorry this is not the case in fact this is actually far from the case. Banks not having the money to lend is only one aspect of the problem. Most banks are "once bitten twice shy" to coin a phrase. They have lent badly and are now paying the price, it is this issue that will be with us way beyond any bailout plan has been agreed and distributed.

House prices are the most important element of the current financial situation, and the prices are dropping fast and are showing no sign of stopping any time soon. Because of this drop in value, lenders are having to be extra vigilant when it comes to lending money from now on. This is particularly relevant when it comes to loan to value (LTV), which is the amount lent in relation to the value of the property. For example, in 2007, lenders were giving 95%, 100% and even 125% of the value of properties.

Now in a healthy market there is nothing wrong with this type of lending. For example, if you give a 125% loan on a house valued at 100,000 then the resulting loan would work out at 125,000. With a buoyant market the house prices may increase at an average of 10% per annum over the next three years. The resulting LTV would equate to 93%. So mathematically we can see that there would be nothing wrong with the initial 125% loan in that there would be negligible risk involved.

But the problem that we face is that house prices are going in the opposite direction. The decline is at least 10% and analysts figure that it could get worse. So, if 100,000 was lent on an 85,000 property then in the same three year time span the loan could have actually increased to 118% LTV. Now I am sure you would agree that in this present climate that this sort of loaning is both irresponsible and detrimental to all involved.

So what does the future hold for the market and will the bailout be the solution to the problem. Well I can only give my own personal professional opinion and nothing is set in stone but realistically I would perceive the bailout as having very little effect. They simply cannot lend at the high loan to values even though they have been committed in 2009 to lend at the levels reached in 2007. You see the majority of loans being agreed at present are dealing with people coming out of rates that had been pre-arranged over the last 5 years. Due to the downward spiral of house prices these people are going to be pushing the LTV up.

Another thing to consider is the high amount of self certification mortgages that have been arranged over the last 5 years. These types of mortgages will definitely be a rarity because they are seen as to high a risk and the institutions don?t want to know. And even if they are available the LTV will be far lower so what are the consequences in that scenario?

So whilst I do welcome the money that is being injected into the finance market I sadly think that whilst property continues to fall and lenders fail to have the pre 2008 appetite for lending it is more than likely just going to be stockpiled. This will have a domino effect as house prices will continue to fall because of the lack of lending at the right LTV with the right lending criteria which again will make lenders even less willing to lend. I have to say this is quite a quandary and I honestly don't see how it can be stopped until someone has the bravery to just lend knowing the calculated risk it represents I think it is fondly known as taking a punt!.

About the Author:

Advice on mortgages from qualified Independent Mortgage Advisors help information and free to use mortgage calculators please visit Mortgage Route

Getting Guaranteed High Risk Personal Loans

By Dave Davis

Many people that have bad credit believe that there aren't any financing options that are available to them. You might need to repair damage to your car or home, or you may need to pay unexpected medical bills. Since your credit history is poor, you may believe that being a high risk means that you won't be able to secure your financing.

There is an option for people in this kind of situation. Guaranteed high risk personal loans are loans that are issued for whatever your personal needs are, but you don't have to have good credit to qualify for one.

These loans are often called payday loans or cash advance loans. They are meant to be short term loans and should only be used in case of emergency. Since you are a high risk, these loans will normally carry an interest rate that's quite high. Never take out more than you can pay back within a few weeks. You don't want to get stuck with payments higher than you can handle or the high interest will turn you upside down in a huge hurry.

Because you are considered to be a high risk to the lender, the interest rate on the loan will probably be quite high. This is another reason to keep the loan a short-term loan so you don't accrue more interest than necessary. You can avoid high fees and unnecessary expenses by repaying the loan on time and in full. In fact, by so doing, you'll probably improve your credit score. These loans really are intended to help cover needs and not to finance wants. But if you pay back the loan and increase your credit score, you will be improve your chances of qualifying for loans in the future with lower interest rates that can help finance things you might want.

But if you take out this loan and it helps improve your credit, then you will be in a better position to finance your wants in the future. If you want to take out a guaranteed high risk personal loan, you'll want to shop around for the best deal. There are a few companies out there that are willing to offer a pretty good deal and it could end up saving you some money. Lending institutions are concerned about bringing in business, so especially if you are a first time borrower, they might offer a lower interest rate or waive fees associated with the loan. For these particular types of loans, banks and credit unions aren't the place to look since most don't offer them. There are companies that specialize in these kinds of loans so the internet or phone book can be an excellent source of information to help you find the best deal for you.

About the Author:

Dave teaches people about cheap guaranteed high risk personal loans and many other types of bad credit personal loans. You can take a look at other financial topics that Dave has written by visiting his site.

How Forward Mortgage Differs From Reverse Mortgage

By Borvonski Vanrock

Retirees obtain most of their income from various retirement accounts, pensions, and social security. However, they may find that these multiple income streams are not adequate. That is when these retired individuals find that they are struggling to make ends meet, even if they budget their money.

When this occurs, they look into a reverse mortgage line of credit. What a reverse mortgage does is it allows the homeowner to take their homes equity and covert it into cash. In other words, that equity that was built up through mortgage payments is paid back to the homeowner as income.

This is not like the traditional mortgage, such as a home equity loan or second mortgage, because the borrowed amount does not have to be repaid until that home is no longer used as the primary residence. The loan amount can also be more because of the age of the borrower, which is due to the amount of equity that has been accumulated throughout their life.

The reverse mortgage borrower does not have to have excellent credit to obtain the money, nor do they have to have a steady income. The most important stipulation is that the person looking to borrow owns the home.

The opposite of the reverse mortgage is the forward mortgage. This is the type of mortgage that is used when the house is purchased. This is when the borrower should have good credit and a steady income source. If the payments are not made on time, the home can be foreclosed upon because it is the home, or asset, that secures the mortgage.

As the forward mortgage payments are made, the homes equity grows. This is because the equity is the difference between what has been paid into the mortgage and the original amount of the mortgage. The homeowner will own the home once the final payment has been made.

Nevertheless, the reverse mortgage is the total opposite of a forward mortgage and results in the decrease of equity as the debt increases. No monthly payments have to be made on this loan, but the equity is being chewed away because of interest that is added to the borrowed money.

Then there is a time when the reverse mortgage must be paid back and the amount could be large, which is determined by the length of the loan. Other factors include if the home had decreased at any time and there was no equity left to borrow or if the value increased and the amount to be borrowed increased. This could have an impact on the amount of debt because of the amount of money borrowed or not borrowed during these periods.

When it is time for the loan repayment to come due, it is usually because the homeowner is selling the home and will not be using it as their primary residence anymore. They usually move to assisted living facilities or an apartment that makes moving around easier. The money that is used to sell the home is usually used to pay back the equity that they have borrowed.

For those wondering what the differences are between a reverse mortgage and the traditional forward mortgage, this should clear that up. This should also help you decide whether or not a reverse mortgage is something that can help when money is needed.

About the Author:

You can find out three other ways to draw out money with the Texas reverse mortgage here. Ahhh, and another thing, you can find an excellent resource built to inform senior borrowers about the Texas reverse mortgage at this link.

Is Using a Business Credit Card with Cash Back a Good Option?

By Caressa Waechter

As an entrepreneur, you have many varying financial issues you are faced with. Keeping your personal and business finances completely separate is most likely one of the more important issues.

The simplest way of keeping your business and personal funds completely apart is by having both a business bank account and a small business credit card. Of course, these small business financial accounts will then be used only for business purposes, and the personal financial accounts will never be used for business. This keeps your accountant and the taxman happy.

A business credit card plays a very important role in the finances of your company. Most business owners will have a fairly regular need to use a business credit card. From business travel, to buying lunch for employees, a business credit card is very handy to have during the normal course of your business day.

There are many choices when it comes to picking a credit card for your business. It seems like just about every financial institution issues a credit card to consumers, and it is almost the same way when it comes to business credit cards. If you are looking for the best credit card offer, there are a fair number of good ones to choose from.

Finding a financial institution that caters to the business owner is the smart choice when it comes to choosing what small business credit card to choose. You want to use a business credit card that is issued by a bank who understands the needs of the business owner.

Fortunately, when it comes time to make a decision about business credit cards, you have several very good financial institutions to choose from. By making the right choice, you decide on a business credit card that is issued by a bank that understands the needs and requirements of entrepreneurs.

It is important that you make a wise choice when in comes to choosing a business credit card. With the right card, you have a very easy way to keep your business and personal finances apart, which will help you in the long run.

Choosing to use a business credit card is a smart choice, while deciding which credit card to use for your company is a very important decision. When you make a smart decision about your business credit card, you are moving in the right direction to ensure the financial strength of your company.

About the Author:

Author Caressa Waechter understands the finances related to small business, which is why she feels every entrepreneur should be using a Visa business credit cards. You can find out how to locate the best low interest business credit cards by visiting her website.

The Many Pitfalls of College Loans

By Steve Collins

There are lots of students who could not afford to go to college or to remain in college through their graduate school years without college loans. The fact that these loans are the only factor actively allowing some student to stay in school and graduate makes their value incalculable. The understanding that these loans will not have to be repaid until sometime in the seemingly distant future make college loans even more attractive. But that trying day will come, and a few months after leaving college, students are asked to begin paying back the college education loan.

If you have or are considering applying for college loans, there are a number of things you should realize. College education loans are often your earliest experience with being a borrower. It is vital that former students make it a priority to establish good financial habits. Students credit histories are usually short, and that can be a strike against you should you decide to apply for any other type of loan. Repaying your college education loans on time each month is an excellent way of building a respectable credit history.

You make an agreement to repay all college loans when you take on the money. There are serious penalties to those who disregard that fact. If you do not make your monthly payments, your credit report will reflect that for many years, making it incredibly difficult to get a car or home loan.

Your wages can be garnished. You can even be denied any tax refunds due you. College loans are not so much fun after you actually leave college, so if you have not applied yet, you might want to consider how much money you really want to borrow.

College loans afford excellent opportunities, but they come with serious adult expectations. Do not treat them lightly. They cannot only get you through college; they can be your initial introduction into the world of financial responsibility. Think of it as a way of proving yourself. Who knows? Responsible repayment of student loans may make you attractive to potential lenders, even with a short history of financial behavior.

About the Author:

Steve Collins is a writer and journalist. In these trying times, he knows the importance of obtaining effective Debt Solutions if necessary. Read his article about Debt Solutions here.

Home Budget Planning: Credit Card Debt Avoidance Tips

By Jenni Snook

Credit card debt is not something that is unavoidable, and despite it being the cause of over a million bankruptcies every year, it is something that can be successfully avoiding with some simply home budget planning on your behalf. This is because many apply for and obtain credit cards without fully understanding the contract. Moreover, people with credit cards go on to spend like crazy without keeping track of expenses, miss payments, and get the shock of their lives when they have to pay annual fees, and as a result their debt increases enormously.

Credit card companies are typically blamed by those who have racked up a significant amount of credit card debt, however, in reality, it's about time that these people took responsibility for their actions that got them in that situation.

Just one event of carefree abandon with the credit card does not usually result in high debt. What makes you accumulate a large amount of debt is when you continue buying with your card with keeping track of each expense. Hence, it's not difficult for anyone to reduce their credit card debt. The key is to be aware of how much you earn and spend less than that. It's easier to start reducing your debt over the long term once you have this concept in mind.

Exercising your won't power is probably more effective that in trying to exercise your willpower. You have to figure out what you need and use your income to work out whether it can be afforded. Don't forget to reward yourself from time to time as it will help you to stay on track. You will have to focus a lot of effort and attention on reducing and eliminating your debt, however, it will only be a matter of time before you start seeing significantly results which may surprise you.

You may not find it easy to follow your plan to reduce your debt, but you must remain loyal and willing and you will find that it will all be worth the effort.

Most importantly, you must not return to your old habits after successfully reducing your debt. In order to do this, you must focus all your energy on these new spending habits, and this way you can only emerge victorious. You can compare this to dieting: at the beginning, it's not easy to stick to new habits, but it will all be worth it once you discover that your financial situation is healthy once again.

If you hope to solve some of your financial problems once and for all, Home Budget Planning will certainly be a good start!

About the Author:

Jenni Snook is the head columnist of http://www.HomeBudgetPlanning.com, a website dedicated to providing individuals important yet very practical tips on how home budget planning can enhance your quality of life.