How Debt Settlement Impacts Your Credit

by guest on March 24, 2012

Settling your debt may seem like an easy way to get out of debt. However, there are still going to be consequences resulting from a debt settlement. Creditors do not like to see anyone pay less than the full balance of any loan taken out. Opting for a debt settlement could very easily damage your credit score.

Debt Settlement Could Be Viewed As Bankruptcy

Settling your debt for less typically causes your creditors to note that on your credit report. They are more likely to do so if you use a professional debt relief service. Other lenders are less likely to loan you more money if you have proven that your current debt is too much to handle. Deciding to offer a debt settlement is also seen as a last resort for those who have exhausted all other options to get out of debt without going bankrupt.

Try To Settle Debts On Your Own

Debt settlement will usually have a less adverse impact on your credit if you work with your creditors on your own. They most likely will be willing to take as much as possible to be done with you. Your creditors will typically report the account as closed after the settlement is paid. Paying the settlement in a lump sum will usually cause creditors to avoid mentioning that you had to settle your debt to pay it off.

Reducing Your Debt Could Outweigh Any Other Risks

Getting rid of your debt could be a good move no matter what it does to your credit score. Having a low credit score simply means you won’t qualify for any premium loans. It does not mean you cannot work your way back up to a good credit score. Start off small with a secured credit card. You may also consider financing a small car loan as well. Lenders may not even worry about your credit score if you have a low debt-to-income ratio.

Attempting to get rid of your debt through a settlement could very well be your best option. Just remember that your credit score could be negatively impacted because of that settlement. Future lenders are going need assurance that you can handle your debt load. Settling your debt with through a debt relief service may not provide that assurance. Be prepared to take some time repairing your credit before you are able to qualify for premium loans again.

This Guest Article comes from : DebtShield.com

{ 0 comments }


Did you fall short of cash when you wanted to renovate your home or repay your high interest credit card debt? If you’re looking for a secured loan option that you can take resort to whenever you fall short of cash, taking out a fixed rate home equity loan may be considered. This is one of the most inexpensive ways of borrowing money and using it for various financial purposes. In the present market conditions, taking out a fixed rate home equity loan is perhaps the best way to guard you from sudden rise in the interest rates of personal loans. Since the credit downgrade, there have been predictions that the interest rate will rise on all personal loans and therefore, if you’ve accumulated enough equity in your home, you’re lucky enough in this market situation. Read on to know more on such loans.

What are fixed rate home equity loans?

This particular lending option is for the cash-strapped but house-rich people who want to repay their debt obligations without having to take out any unsecured loan. When you take out a mortgage loan and start repaying the loan, the amount that you pay back is the equity in your home, which is rather the amount that you owe on your home. There are two types of home equity loans, fixed rate loans and home equity lines of credit. The fixed rate loan is a single lump sum payment that is made to the borrower and repaid over a fixed period of time with an interest rate that is agreed-upon. The monthly payments and the interest rates will remain same throughout the term of the loan.

What are the benefits that the consumers may get by taking out home equity loans?

Home equity loans are an effortless way of getting access to immediate cash. You must be aware of the fact that the interest rates on the home equity loan are much higher than that of a first mortgage loan but when compared to that of the credit cards, they are much lower. If you have accrued a huge amount of debt on your credit cards, you can take out a home equity loan and consolidate all your high interest debts within the loan. The repayment term will be longer and you can also get tax-breaks on the interest rate that you pay on a home equity loan.

Are there any pitfalls of taking out home equity loans?

Well, as such there are no such pitfalls of using home equity loans for repaying your high interest debt or renovating your house, but the only important thing that you need to remember is to make timely payments on your loan. As your house will be used as collateral, you will require remaining very careful about defaulting on the loans as slight carelessness may lead to a foreclosure.

Therefore, if you’re someone who is in need of immediate cash and you’ve accumulated enough equity in your home, you can take out a fixed rate home equity loan. Make timely payments on the loans so that you forestall losing your home to a foreclosure.

{ 0 comments }

Mortgage rates will spur after the credit downgrade – Is this true or a misconception?

December 14, 2011

Since 5th August, 2011, when the Standard & Poor’s cut off the immaculate credit rating of the US and decided to make it AA+, the mortgage insiders throughout the US are closely watching whether or not whether or not this particular decision will affect the mortgage rates. Though it had been suggested that the mortgage [...]

Read the full article →

Non Profit Debt Relief Scams

May 4, 2011

When people are looking for long-term debt solution, they often turn to non-profit debt relief agencies who promise to reduce their interest and payments and get creditors to stop contacting them. As more and more Americans have struggled with debt during the economic recession, they have been enticed to work with a non-profit debt relief [...]

Read the full article →

Is Credit Card Debt Settlement Possible?

March 17, 2011

So you are behind on your credit card payments? The last few months have been financially tough for you and using the credit card was a necessity to keep afloat. If this sounds like your situation, you are among many with the same problem. The economy is tough and many have lost their jobs throughout [...]

Read the full article →

How does Owner Financing work – Owner Financed Homes For Sale

March 17, 2011

Selling a house or other Austin, TX real estate with owner financing may be unfamiliar territory for many, but anyone who plans to sell property against the current background of tough lending conditions may want to brush up on the basics. Understanding the concept of owner financing is easy: the seller assumes the role of [...]

Read the full article →

Come out of the debt trap: consider the debt relief services

March 17, 2011

An unsecured and unsettled debt is a cause of worry for everyone. Most people having a burden of huge unsecured debt opt for the only option they think is logical and possible- filing for bankruptcy.In that way he will not be required to pay any amount. But that does not help the credit ratings in [...]

Read the full article →

Get out of unsecured debts now!

March 17, 2011

According to the US  Statistics, any average family in the nation has a staggering $9000 of debts that is unsecured. The reason behind such huge credit card debt is due to the ongoing trend of people who lives beyond their means. Maxing out all the credit cards just to go all out is a bad [...]

Read the full article →

3 Steps to make a successful debt repayment plan

March 16, 2011

In case you are suffering with a lot of debts and wish to get rid of these troubles and lead a normal life, then you have to make the effort that is required to pull you out of debts. However, before you consider any debt solutions to help you, should try and consider ways in [...]

Read the full article →