If you’re having trouble qualifying for a mortgage, your credit score could be to blame. In fact, credit problems are the reason why about a third of home loan applications are rejected. As a homebuyer educator and former HUD-certified housing counselor, I’ve found that many homebuyers aren’t aware of a free tool that can help…
Building credit from scratch may seem like a dead end: You need a credit card or loan to start raising your credit score, but you need good credit scores to get approved for credit cards and loans. So where do you start? As a financial educator and former NFCC Certified Credit Counselor, I have helped…
Did you know that some people have no credit scores? If you don’t have much information on your credit reports, or if you haven’t had a loan or credit card in a long time, you may not have a credit score. This is also known as having a thin credit file. According to the Consumer…
Sometimes you just need a new start. For many people, the new year represents exactly that: a time to wipe the slate clean, reset intentions, and begin developing new habits. Does that mean you can reset your credit scores in the new year and start fresh? Unfortunately, credit scores do not “reset.” In fact, many…
An increasing number of Americans see their rent payments reported to credit agencies, but experts are divided on whether this is a benefit or not. According to a TransUnion survey, 13% of renters saw their payments reported to credit bureaus in 2025, up from 11% in 2024. (1) Some advocates, including members of Congress and…
