A Credit Check for Connecticut Real Estate

A Credit Check for Connecticut Real Estate

by John Ashtonson

Many first-time homebuyers, especially those who are just beginning their search for Connecticut real estate, may be worried if they have a less than ideal credit score. Contrary to what you may have heard, a less than stellar credit score doesn't necessarily mean that you can't buy a good property in Connecticut, however, if you want to avoid a mortgage loan with high fees and high interest rates, you'll want to take some necessary steps to repair your credit score.
It's quite simple. With a better credit score you will have an easier time finding a lender and landing a feasible interest rate, potentially saving you a ton of money over the course of your loan. Given the prices of homes in the Connecticut real estate market, most people don't decide on a whim that they intend to purchase Connecticut real estate. Therefore, there should be plenty of time to make sure your credit report is accurate before you even begin searching through Connecticut real estate listings, calling realtors and scheduling viewings.

Getting credit discrepancies cleared up before you seriously seek out Connecticut real estate for sale will spare you the potential embarrassment of having your financing delayed, or worse yet, having your loan application denied, over an issue in your credit report that could have easily been cleared up. It's also good to know your credit score whenever you are shopping around for the best interest rate. You'll close on your Connecticut property faster and the entire process of purchasing real estate in Connecticut will be much easier with some advanced preparation!

Most of us don't look at our credit report enough. When was the last time you looked at your credit report?

Many people don't know that it is their right as a consumer to obtain one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It's important to check these reports carefully because it's not uncommon for credit bureaus to routinely make mistakes. Also, with identity theft being more prevalent in today's computer driven world, it's important to make sure that there is no suspicious information showing up on your credit report!

Whenever it's time for a Connecticut real estate broker or lender to run a credit check, they too will order reports from each bureau. Because of this, it only makes sense that all three credit reports are monitored simultaneously and cleared up of any discrepancies at the same time.

Don't concern yourself with missing information because some creditors don't report their information regularly. That said, if certain accounts should read "closed" but instead read "open", and if accounts that are paid up to date are reading "past due", you'll want to report this as erroneous because the number of open and past due accounts will negatively impact your credit score.

Pay close attention to anything that appears in your report that might not belong to you! This is especially important if you have a common name like Kevin Smith. Accounts belonging to another Kevin Smith could be showing up in your credit report. It's not uncommon to find accounts belonging to a parent or sibling just because you once shared the same residence or mailing address. Have you ever received credit card applications where your name was misspelled or had a typo? Make sure there are no accounts with a different variation of your name. Always be aware of the potential for identity theft.

You want to highlight anything that is inaccurate or erroneous. If there is something to dispute in the report, write a letter to dispute the authenticity of each error. Tell them what is incorrect, why it's incorrect, and request that your dispute is investigated and responded to. Be sure to mail any documents via certified mail. The agencies in question will investigate the claims and must provide proof that the debt listed in the credit report is valid. The creditor is commonly given anywhere from 14 to 30 days to respond before the item is deleted. At that time, you are to receive an updated credit report.

Reviewing your credit report isn't the only step that you can take to improve your credit score. If buying Connecticut real estate is part of your future plans there should be a conscientious effort on your part to make sure that all of your debts are paid on time each month. Being late with payments not only earns you a penalty charge but it also raises your interest rate and can lower your credit score. Limit yourself to five open accounts, don't overuse your credit cards and pay close attention to offers that come your way with 0% balance transfers and limited time 0% or low interest rates on purchases. Don't be afraid of balance transfers!

Buying Connecticut real estate can be a daunting task. From finding the right property to securing financing, it can all be simplified with some planning and preparation ahead of time.