Regrettably, credit repair has a similar status to that of dentists: no one likes the idea of anyone messing with them or wanting to deal with them. However, credit repair businesses are in abundance, just like McDonald's on every corner, and can be opened by anyone who has a heartbeat and can persuade people. Being a part of the credit repair industry for 15 years and managing one of the most prominent credit repair companies across the nation, I know precisely how our industry is scrutinized. Frankly, much of it is true.
The problem of bad credit is constantly increasing, and the arrival of credit repair companies in the past year alone goes to show how many alternatives are available for credit repair. This means that as a consumer, you have to make a lot of inquiries to ensure that you don't fall into scams or get taken advantage of.
As the owner of a credit repair business, I've had the good fortune to assist more than 20,000 individuals in turning their lives around. As a gesture of kindness, I want to offer honesty and clarity on how our industry works and grant you the necessary tools to make the best possible decision while hiring a credit repair company.
Table of Contents
How to Find the Top Credit Repair Firm in Kent
What's the Difference Between Credit Repair Companies in Kent?
The Credit Repair Process in Kent
Personal Finances Drive Your Credit Score
Free Credit Repair in Kent
Helpful Tips on Credit Repair Companies
How to Find the Top Credit Repair Firm in Kent
If you're looking for the best credit repair company, don't rely solely on reviews online. You must do your due diligence and research to find the most suitable one for you. However, with a few tips and tricks, you will find a reputable company that can help you improve your credit score. Here's what you should do:
Compile a list
Begin with a quick Google search for credit repair businesses in Kent with good reputations and Google review ratings that are acceptable or higher. Local companies provide more security, as you may drop in unannounced to check the company's office. Make a list of potential candidates.
Reputation
Only note down the companies that have a strong online presence and reputation. Check their online history, and read reviews to guarantee that they are genuine and accurate.
Make the call
After examining a credit repair company's website history and Google reviews, contact the creditors on your shortlist via phone. During the call, the following questions should be addressed in order to gain clarity on the company’s operations and processes:
-How long have you been operating? Are you bonded and licensed? Can you provide me with a copy of your bond?
-Is there a physical office where I can visit and meet you and your team?
-Do you have a consultation fee?
-Do you offer a Money-Back Guarantee?
-What is your service fee structure like? Do you charge a flat fee or a monthly fee?
-How long does the average process take?
This analysis will aid you in determining which credit repair company is the most efficient and cost-effective for your needs.
What's the Difference Between Credit Repair Companies in Kent?
There are more than 1 million active credit repair and financial service companies in the United States, which makes it hard to differentiate between experienced and inexperienced companies when selecting one. To gain a better understanding of credit repair, it's necessary to know the three different types of credit repair companies you can find.
Flat fee companies
About 5% of companies operate like this, and this is the fastest way to get results and save money. Flat-fee credit repair companies only bill you for the accounts they dispute, and you pay a one-time fee for this service. This structure allows for faster services because there is an incentive to complete the service quickly. The credit repair company typically does a consultation to determine if they can help you out and quote you a price based on those accounts.
Monthly fee companies
This is the most commonly used model, and most credit repair companies charge monthly fees. Most companies that use this model do not look over your credit report, which makes it inefficient. This model doesn't fit all clients because the credit repair company is usually only disputing a few items at a time, which can take 6-8 months to achieve full results. Although it may seem cheaper on a monthly basis, this model can get very expensive.
Pay for Delete
This model is the least commonly used structure. The credit repair company is only paid when it gets results, which puts pressure on them to perform. However, companies charge a lot of money for each item removed, and one account removal can cost up to $524 due to fees for each item removed. It's important to ask the company directly for their fee structure and determine if it's worth it.
In conclusion, it's important to research and calculate on your own which model is best suited for your needs. The flat fee model is the best option, but do your due diligence to determine the best company in Kent.
The Credit Repair Process in Kent
When it comes to credit repair, you may get different answers about the process depending on who you ask. The industry is saturated with outdated or ill-advised information. However, after 15 years of experience, we have perfected the credit repair process, which is constantly evolving due to industry regulations and law changes. Credit reporting agencies tend to be crafty, imposing processes and procedures to prevent consumers from using an effective dispute process. As such, it's crucial to keep up with the changes to provide our clients with the best possible results.
Let's delve into the process. Popularized in 2015, "not mine disputes" allowed users to dispute negative accounts and have them removed immediately. However, after a secondary legal reinvestigation process, the disputed accounts resurfaced. Today, using new and unique dispute tactics is necessary to see substantial results in credit repair.
So what's the new, effective credit repair process? Essentially, it's your legal right to contest the validity of any account on your credit report. You should ask data furnishers for proof of the accounts by requesting original documents and payment ledgers (if available). Once you've established any errors in the account or its reporting, use any available proof to respond by requesting a correction or deletion.
Your documentation inquiry depends on the original loan agreement. Suppose you're unsure of what documents to request. In that case, I'll post a link with detailed information on this page soon. Stay tuned!
Personal Finances Drive Your Credit Score
Your personal finances play a significant role in shaping your credit score. Whether you're applying for a loan, a credit card, or even renting an apartment, your credit score often comes into play as a measure of your financial responsibility. Lenders, landlords, and other institutions use your credit score as an indicator of how likely you are to repay debts and manage your financial obligations. It's important to understand the factors that influence your credit score and how you can effectively manage your personal finances to maintain a healthy credit profile. In this discussion, we will explore the relationship between personal finances and credit scores, highlight key factors that impact your creditworthiness, and provide tips for improving and maintaining a good credit score.
Credit repair is only part of the solution
When you want to improve your credit score, it's essential to consider what drives it in the first place. Your personal finances are responsible for driving your credit score, which makes perfect sense given the millions of Americans with credit issues. Credit repair is just one of the many tools that can fix derogatory accounts on your credit report, but it's not a complete solution. Therefore, you must focus on improving your personal finances before seeking credit repair.
Get your personal finances in line first
While anyone can fix their credit and increase their credit scores, it's sustainability that counts. Unfortunately, most people can't maintain a good credit score because they don't have full control over their personal finances. Therefore, before investing in credit repair, you must work on paying down revolving credit balances, pay all accounts on time, and stop using credit cards excessively. The key is to get your financial deficit in line before anything else. By doing this, it will help your credit score follow suit, and you can avoid significant declines in your overall credit scores.
The endless credit repair cycle
One of the common problems in the credit repair industry is the endless cycle of repeat clients. These occur when individuals pour their money into credit repair rather than focusing on their financial situation. Sure, it's possible to fix credit and work on finances simultaneously, but most people can't do it because of the lack of available finances. Therefore, it's crucial to focus on your finances first to ensure that your credit score, once improved, stays that way for good.
Free Credit Repair in Kent
It is a common question asked by many whether fixing credit can be done for free. The answer is yes. You can fix your credit at no cost, except for paper and postage, by doing it yourself. In my blogs, I have outlined the steps to repairing credit like a professional. However, it may come at a high cost of your time. Disputing your credit report is a right that you hold, but most people shy away from doing it themselves due to lack of time or reluctance. I would suggest considering a professional credit repair company if you don't want to repair your credit yourself. It may be best to pay for their services. On the other hand, if you're willing to invest two to four hours per month in disputing your credit report yourself, I suggest looking at my blog post, "Repair Your Credit Like The Pros."
Leave a Testimonial or Review
When I first started in the credit repair industry in the early 2000s, I offered free credit repair to random people in exchange for testimonials or reviews. I did this to establish my credibility because I had none at the time, and the benefits of the reviews outweighed the cost of credit repair services. Many new credit repair companies are willing to do the same thing, and I suggest searching for credit repair Facebook groups, joining them, and making a post that goes somewhat like this:
"I am searching for a new credit repair business owner who could assist me with some credit concerns and, in exchange, receive an incredibly detailed 5-star review."
You may receive harsh remarks, but you should have no trouble finding someone willing to do your credit repair free of charge.
Helpful Tips on Credit Repair Companies
To ensure you're not wasting money or time, it's important to thoroughly research credit repair companies before choosing the best one. This involves reaching out to various companies and conducting thorough investigations. However, it's important to remember that fixing your personal finances is crucial; this is the cause of most credit problems. Some individuals spend all their paychecks on credit repair services, thinking it's a quick fix, only to realize their bad spending and saving habits are the root cause of their poor credit rating. In reality, credit repair works - and has transformed the lives of over 20,000 of my own clients. But, before jumping into credit repair services, individuals should take the necessary steps to get their finances in order. This will make credit repair a faster, easier, and more permanent solution. Don't give up. You've got this!