Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy - 3 Things To Watch
Out For
By
Carrie Reeder
Now that you’ve erased all of your bad credit, you’ll want to start
rebuilding your credit. To your amazement, flyers keep coming in the mail
offering you credit cards, car loans, even mortgages. As tempting as it may be
to jump right back into debt, you’re better off starting small and choosing your
lenders wisely. Predatory lenders will attempt to prey on your previous
misfortunes. Before you attempt to start rebuilding your credit, read this
article, and learn what you need to watch out for in order to keep your credit
in good standing:
Credit Cards with Outrageous Terms
If you thought that you’d never get approved for another credit card again,
you might jump at that first pre-approved application that arrives in your
mailbox. But before you decide what credit card is right for you, do some
research. The Internet is a great place to compare credit card offers, and you
would be wise to utilize it. Don’t apply for cards with high interest rates, low
credit limits, and high annual fees if you can get a different card from a
reputable lender that will offer you better terms. Reputable lenders also report
to all three major credit bureaus monthly, so they’re better sources of
rebuilding credit.
Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Lots
Don’t feel flattered when a buy-here-pay-here car lot offers you a loan.
These people will loan money to anyone. Even worse, they charge high interest
rates, and they usually only carry used cars in less-than-perfect condition.
However, this won’t stop them from charging an amount that is significantly
higher than the blue book value of the car. Between that and the high interest
rate, you’re destined to end up upside-down in the loan. The best you can hope
for from these dealerships is that you get a car that lasts long enough for you
to pay off your loan. Additionally, in general, these dealerships only report to
credit bureaus when you default on the loan. Here is a list of recommended
Auto Lenders
online. It's important to use a reputable lender online to make sure your
personal information is secure.
Sub-Prime Mortgages
If you can, wait a couple of years after your bankruptcy has gone through
before you apply for a mortgage loan. If you start small and prove that you can
handle your small debts, within two years you will likely be able to qualify for
a mortgage that is not sub-prime. This means lower interest rates. On a home
loan, an interest rate that is even one point higher can cost you thousands of
dollars of the life of the loan.
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