by: Dan The Roommate Man
Planning to move out of your parents' house and into an apartment is a difficult process. In order to avoid adding additional stress to that which inevitably comes along with planning, preparing and packing, you should consider establishing good credit. Without it, some apartment complexes will give first time renters the option to have a guarantor. However, every complex has it's own rules and some refuse applications from people without a good credit history. In order to make sure that your application will be accepted, you should consider applying for a credit card.
Getting a credit card is a huge responsibility, but if you handle it well, you might be able to rent the apartment of your dreams all on your own. If you don't try to get some sort of credit, and the apartment complex requires a co-signer, they usually want the guarantor to be a parent or legal guardian. In this case, you still have the security of your parent's money to fall back on. If you want your apartment to be your apartment, you need to consider your options.
What are my options?
The most common choice in developing a credit history is to apply for a credit card. You can get credit by making payments on anything in your name from bills at school, to car payments, but be aware that most complexes require a credit history of at least six months.
How do I get a Credit Card?
The opportunities are endless. If the credit card representatives aren't already beating down your doors and tying up your phone lines like they are mine, you can search for credit cards using your favorite search engine. Just type in "credit cards". Most of the major credit card pages such as Mastercard and Visa even give you opportunities to apply on-line.
Should I get a secured or an unsecured card?
If you don't meet certain criteria, you are required to secure your credit card with a deposit, and that becomes your credit line. The criteria depends on the credit card, so you will want to clarify with the card company you choose. Secured credit cards are also good for people who do not trust themselves with an astronomical credit card limit, or who do not want to worry about exactly how much they can afford to spend. Sometimes people get carried away with unsecured credit cards and forget that they will eventually have to pay the bills.
I Already have a credit card. How can I get a Credit Report?
If you do have a credit history, you will definitely want to check it before you apply to apartments. That way you avoid the embarrassment of having the landlord discover a black mark before you do. In checking your credit, you might find that there's an error in the records you can fix before it becomes a setback. You can visit apartments.com for an inexpensive credit checking report.
If you're thinking about moving out in the next year, you should consider applying for a credit card now. That way, you can begin to establish some sort of history before you begin apartment hunting. You have to start building a good report sometime, and when is a better time than now?
About The Author
Since 1989 Dan The Roommate Man has helped 1000's of people find roommates. Need help? Contact him at 800-487-8050 or www.roommateexpress.com.
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Fixing A Credit Report - Quickly
Fixing A Credit Report - Quickly
by: Steve Gillman
Fixing a credit report starts with seeing what's on it. You may get access for free online. Try a search for "free credit report." Alternately, when you are denied credit based on a report issued by a local credit reporting agency, you can request a free credit report from that agency within 30 days.
A quick look and you'll have an idea why you were denied credit. Now how do you fix what you see? What if you find incorrect information on the report? What if you want to change information that is accurate, but unfair?
First, if there is anything you want to dispute in the report, you can write a letter to the agency. Tell them exactly what is incorrect, and they must investigate. Send copies of any documentation, such as canceled checks, and send it all by certified mail.
The agency must contact the source of the disputed information. If they recieve no confirmation within 14 days,...
Fixing A Credit Report - Quickly
Credit report > Fixing A Credit Report - Quickly
Establish Credit and Join a Health Club
Establish Credit and Join a Health Club
by: Charles Essmeier
Everyone knows how difficult it can be to establish credit. It's the old "chicken and egg" situation ? you need credit in order to get credit. The fact that you have nothing in your history to suggest that you will not repay a loan will not help you get one. You need to have something in your credit history that suggests that you will repay the loan. And how do you do that if you have no credit?
One solution that's often suggested is a secured credit card. A secured card requires you to put up a cash deposit that acts as collateral against your credit limit. Your issuing bank knows you will pay your bills because they have your cash. If you don't pay, they will just take it out of your deposit.
A secured credit card is a good way to start building a credit history if you have none, but is there anything else you can do? How about joining a health club?
That may seem like...
Establish Credit and Join a Health Club
Credit report > Establish Credit and Join a Health Club
How to Check Your Credit Report
How to Check Your Credit Report
by: John Mussi
Most people think that their credit report is some great secret? hidden from them though it can have such a major effect in their lives. This is far from the truth, however, and can be a dangerous way of thinking. People who don't check their credit report have no way of knowing whether or not the information contained within is accurate, and if they don't know if that information is accurate then they may be penalized for a mistake that's been in their credit report for years without them ever knowing about it.
Here is some basic information about your credit report, including how to check it and what to do should you find an error in your report.
Your credit report
Obviously, your credit report is important? but do you know exactly what it is, or what purpose it serves? Your credit report or credit history is compiled by one of the credit bureaus, and is a collection of the good...
How to Check Your Credit Report
Credit report > How to Check Your Credit Report
Tips on How to Apply for a Credit Card
Tips on How to Apply for a Credit Card
by: Morgan Hamilton
Deciding to apply for a credit card is not a decision you should take lightly.
Many stores try to
get you to impulsively apply at the register, and you should never agree.
Credit cards can affect
your financial situation for years so you should certainly think before you act.
If you want to
apply for a credit card, there are a few steps you should take beforehand.
Evaluation
Before you apply for a credit card, you should do an evaluation of your finances.
Get a free
credit report and make sure everything is accurate.
You will want to know what your credit score is
so you will know which cards to look at when you apply for a credit card.
If there is anything
unusual or incorrect on your credit report, deal with it immediately.
Many people never look at
Credit report > Tips on How to Apply for a Credit Card
Credit report
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