Being turned down for a loan or a mortgage due to bad credit can be embarrassing and frustrating. You may need the loan to get you out of a financial jam. Unfortunately, research has shown that over 53% of Americans have been turned down for a loan due to poor credit.
If you have tried fixing your credit on your own with little to no results, it may be time to turn to a professional credit repair company. Credit repair is a long, tiresome process that requires discipline and patience.
Read on below to find out how a credit repair company can help and how to choose the best one.
What Does a Credit Repair Company Do?
A credit repair company is a business that helps individuals improve their credit at a fee. The company has professionals who handle all the processes of working with a credit reporting agency. They will help you remove negative and potentially inaccurate items from your credit report.
Things such as late payments, bankruptcies, collections, charge-offs, and judgments may drag your credit score down. Unfortunately, living with a poor credit score can limit the amount and type of loans you qualify to apply for.
How to Choose the Right Credit Repair Company
Poor credit is not permanent, and it’s quite possible to raise your credit score. Unfortunately, doing it yourself is not an easy process unless you know how the system works. Thus, your best bet is a reputable credit repair company.
But how do you determine the best credit repair company when there are hundreds in the market? Let’s look at some important tips.
Quick hack: Just type credit repair + your City in Google. For example, credit repair Atlanta would provide all the info you need if you live in Atlanta.
1. Check the Company’s Track Record and Experience
There are numerous credit repair companies in the market today. Some make untrustworthy promises, while others are looking to scam poor, unsuspecting clients. For this reason, ensure you do your due diligence before settling for any company.
Do some research about different companies in your area and come up with a list of companies that are reputable with a proven track record. The longer a company has been in the market, the more experienced it’s likely to be. If the company’s track record goes hand in hand with the number of years it has been in the market, you have a potentially reputable company.
2. The Company’s Reputation
The best credit repair organizations often build a good reputation and name for themselves as they continue to serve their clients over the years. Most of them have been in service for over ten years and are equipped with the right professionals to help you explore your options.
Such companies often stand out due to the high number of references and reviews they receive from happy and satisfied clients. Check out the company’s online reviews on their website and legit third-party sites to ensure it’s reputable. Remember to check out the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating for an extra guarantee of legitimacy.
3. A Well-Written Contract
You will want to work with a company that offers you clarity throughout the process. It’s essential to place your trust in a credit repair company that provides you with a well-written contract that meets all your credit repair needs within the stipulated timeline.
Remember to carefully read and examine the contract before signing anything. This will help you understand the services being offered and confirm there are no hidden tricks or extra fees.
Remember that it’s your legal right to ask as many questions as possible to ensure you’re comfortable with the contract terms. This will help you avoid being taken advantage of by any company.
4. Offer Money-Back Guarantee
Spam businesses are only interested in defrauding money off you. The best credit repair company will prioritize repairing your credit score first. That’s why companies offer clients a full refund or a money-guarantee option if they cannot deliver meaningful or expected results at the promised scope of time.
When doing your research about these companies, check whether they offer any of the above options. Ensure you also consider a company that offers a free consultation during the first appointment without demanding payment upfront. If you come across a company that checks off these boxes, you may have potentially found the right credit repair service for you.
One sign of successful credit repair companies is that they trust their methodology. So, companies like Sky Blue Credit Repair offer a 100% refund guarantee with no strings attached. You can also check for other features that the company offers, like payment plans and zero long-term commitments. Furthermore, the company profile is of extreme importance, and you are good to go with any firm with an A+ BBB or better rating.
5. The Cost
When dealing with credit repair companies, the biggest red flag is being requested to pay upfront without fully understanding the services the company offers. The other red flag you should look out for is the exaggerated cost of services compared to all other credit repair companies you’ve come across.
Scammers are always looking for a quick payout. Thus, it’s essential to compare the prices of different companies and settle for one with reasonable pricing. As you interview and read up about different companies, ensure you write down their charges for different services for easier comparison later.
6. Choose a Company That Offers Realistic Promises
If you have poor credit and are in need of a loan, you can feel scared and desperate. Being in an anxious and frightened situation may tempt you to fall for scam artists who promise unrealistic results. Scam companies are quite cunning; they know how to take advantage of clients when they are vulnerable.
This is why it’s essential to know exactly what a legit company does in repairing credit. This will help you set realistic goals and pinpoint red flags in different companies before it’s too late.
If a company sounds too good to be true, trust your instincts and look for another credit repair service to work with. Doing adequate research about the companies on your list will help you save money and avoid scammers. Check out these additional resources for the best credit repair companies in Houston.
Now You Know How to Choose a Credit Repair Company
Your credit score plays a major role when it comes to taking out loans and purchasing assets. Poor credit can be a financial setback for any individual. That’s why it is important to work with a credit repair company to improve your credit score.
Choosing a credit repair company is not an easy process. You will need to consider the cost, reputation, experience, and customer reviews of the specific company. This requires a lot of research, patience, and discipline.
Check out other posts on our website for more personal finance tips.
