Wow! Congrats!   For a 41 point increase I'd probably pull the report & try to see what was being reported differently, or fallen off.   enjoy! ... View more

She can't claim you owe rent on a property that she rented to someone else.  At best she could charge you for the time that the property went unrented and your security deposit......this smells like a shake-down to me.   1) Is there any chance that you still have a copy of the lease?  Regardless, I would DV and tell the CA that you want to see a signed copy of the lease.   2) I would try to find out as much information about when she re-rented the property & to whom (the local utility company may be helpful in providing you the date the account went out of your name into the landlords and then into the new tenants....You may also simply be able to call the new tenant and ask them.   The key thing is to get a copy of that lease and see exactly what provisions are in there for a default or a sublease.   Good Luck & Best Wishes! ... View more

1) If you aren't current, it may already be affecting her credit.   2) Is there any way possible to PIF before you file, that way it can just be left out.   Good luck   ... View more

Hahahahaha - and if you have a dismissal?    (Boy, who writes these laws anyway) ... View more

I was actually under the impression that PIF each month could actually cost you points, vs showing single digit utilization.   ... View more

If you have the ability to access any lump sums of cash, it might be worth it to try to negociate PFD  You could probably negociate for 20% or so. ... View more

Nope still at $200.  My acct is only 9 months old though.  Anyone with an account less than 1 year old get a CLI? ... View more

Cap One has done this to me on multiple occasions as well.  I always have to call them and argue that the funds have left my BoA account, why haven't they credited my Cap One account.  I was always told it was because the card was relatively new, but perhaps it is just their sad little way. ... View more

Since paying the CO in full won't help your credit, I would opt for a a settlement, especially since I've no doubt that a lot of what you owe was fees that were tacked onto your original balances (companies seems to really pad the balance when they think you are headed for a default) - that way the debt is fairly settled & you can feel good about yourself again.  I was able to negociate mine at about 20-25%, but that was for lump sum payments and I just went down the list as I saved up the money.   Also, try an Orchard Bank CC, I think I got one when my score was in the mid 550s range.   Good Luck & Best Wishes Message Edited by QueenBean on 11-01-2009 08:39 AM ... View more

I can see the benefit of not having everything you owe calculated in your utili t ... View more

I just wanted to resurrect this thread, because I too was recently denied a CLI increase, but went online and app'd for their other "average credit" card asking for a balance transfer for my Orchard and was approved................so apparently they are still allowing multiple cards and this may be an alterntive way to improve util. ... View more

Personally I think it would be....but I haven't had much luck with CRAs directly, so maybe someone else will be able to jump in................and I have found that anything you can do to make yourself look prepared & responsible will help with the underwriters.  ... View more

In my area, legally recorded documents are available online through the county recorders office, you may check and see if your area has similar access, or just call the county where your deed of trust is recorded and you may be able to simply ask them.   Where I live, a Declaration of Homestead protects up to $500k of equity in my property from judgements (except for loans secured by the property).  Filing this was one of the first things I did when I began investigating BK and other debt settlement options. Message Edited by QueenBean on 10-31-2009 01:20 PM ... View more

I think the problem that you are going to run into is that technically there are two public records and the CRA is reporting accurately.   This is just another example of what I would consider a weakness in the FICO scoring formula.  That being said, I would contact both your attorney and the trustee and ask them to write letters explaining what happened with the filing, and why the same bankruptcy appears as two distinct filings.  You could then try to get the CRAs to amend the report based on those letters- I wouldn't hold out much hope, but it may be worth a try.   In the future, if you try to get approved for a mortgage, you would be able to provide the underwriter with the letters of explanation, and it may help mitigate some of the damage. So I would really suggest that you try to get those letters while the case is still fresh in the memories of those involved.   Good Luck & Best Wishes ... View more

Wow - that really bites.  Does anyone know if having multiple BKs hurts your credit worse than just one?  ... View more

I think I would agree with turning your 3rd car back into the bank - but you may have a voluntary repossession show up on your credit.   Also, if you quit making payments on those 5 credit cards it may eventually impact the two CC that you are paying on time.  I have found that if a CC company notices any derogatory reporting on your credit, they tend to panic and respond by cutting your credit line, or jacking your rate.   You may want to contact the CC companies and see if you can negociate a low interest rate in exchange for closing the accounts ..... just to allow you to pay off the debt and try to avoid filing bankruptcy.  In the end, they are in the business of making money, and if you file BK, they don't get anything......appeal to their business sense & if you get someone in India reading from a script, ask to speak to their supervisor - be persistant.   I agree that your priority should be keeping your mortgage current.  You may also want to file a homestead (if that is available in your state) on your property - it protects it from confiscation to pay debts.   Good Luck & Best Wishes ... View more

If your credit is still decent and you have equity in your home, you may consider taking out a second to pay off all of the debts.  This would increase your monthly cash flow, save your credit & give you a bigger tax write off.  IMHO this would be the best course of action, if it is an option for you. ... View more

If you list it, they will receive a notice from the Bankruptcy court and your dad's credit will take a hit.  Since your dad is the primary cardholder the debt will not be discharged, regardless of who made the charges...........and AmEx may close the account.  I can't see that this does anything but damage your dad's credit. Message Edited by QueenBean on 10-31-2009 09:56 AM ... View more

Was the payment past the due date? Typically it is considered 30 day means 1-30 days late.  Also, have you tried just calling WF and asking nicely?  ... View more

It took about 3 months for my settlements to reflect accurately the the CRA.  Verify with the CA that the account has indeed been satisfied, just in case there are any issues.  Then if you are really anxious, you could send a copy of the letter from the CA indicating that the debt had been settled to the CRA and ask them to update the record. ... View more

Pay attention to when your ScoreWatch alerts.  I find that most of my CC report to the CRA a week after the statement date.  Try to make sure that your CC balances are the lowest on that statement date, not just the due date. ... View more

Good to know - they jacked mine from 14% to 29.99%!   No lates or issues, so I'll be excercising my "opt out"...... but I've decided to start my own personal blacklist, because they economy will get better, but Citi will be forever pond scum. ... View more

It depends on the circumstances.  In some cases a chapter 7 may actually give you better looking credit sooner.  Check out this Bankruptcy FAQ post   http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=bankruptcy&thread.id=51  ... View more

You may want to change your ScoreWatch settings to be a little more sensative, so that small changes will trigger an alert.   Good Luck ... View more

  Yes, I wish I had found this site earlier.  I guess I'll just try to sit tight until January (when the BK hits 2 years), and then have the LO resubmit - since the appraisal is good for 6 months hopefully it will go through then........this is all just very frustrating since outside of those settled business lines, I have never been late on anything.     FYI CC debt - approx $30k Home value $250k - Equity $70k   This is all about streamlining the debt & getting out from under the thumb of the banks (CCs), and their whims - up this rate, lower that line, etc   Thanks everyone Message Edited by QueenBean on 09-21-2009 10:17 AM Message Edited by QueenBean on 09-21-2009 10:23 AM ... View more

The business was an LLC, but I was the "business" partner & foolishly PG the credit lines........ (sigh - live & learn, but this has been a painful lesson)   The reason for the refi would be to erase all the debts. ... View more

I've read what FHA Docs I can find and eveything refers to discharges - it's just frustrating how poorly the guidelines and requirements are written.  I've decided that pretty much the UW can do whatever they want. ... View more

There were no BK payments because the plan wasn't "feasable" and I had my lawyer dismiss it.  The dismissal was Jan 08 ... View more

Short Story: 600, 14% DTI - lots of equity.  The problem is my credit score.   I was involved in a business failure where my partners walked & left me holding all the debt.  I filed CH7 BK but under the new laws my income was too high, court converted to a CH13 but my income wasn't high enough to pay the debt (gotta love these amazing laws).  I withdrew the BK, but of course it still shows up on my credit as a dismissal.  I liquidated everything and maxed out a couple of CC to settle all the business debt.  I have no lates on my credit except for those business lines that show CO/settled.   My LO didn't think there would be a problem going FHA because there is an extenuating circumstance to explain the BK & COs - but the UW just denied.   I don't see any possible way to raise the score without being able to consolidate the debt, which I am having dificulty doing - any thoughts? ... View more