How Debt Consolidation Affects Your Credit Score
Debt consolidation does not have the same impact as filing bankruptcy. Debt consolidation can actually be helpful for reducing or eliminating your debts. Debt consolidation primarily is used to pay back all or a portion of your debts and bankruptcy normally means you do not pay back any of your debts.
The different types of debt consolidation will each have a different impact on your credit score.
There are Debt Management programs that advertise the ease of eliminating all your debt. The agents actually haggle with your creditors pushing them to agree to a lesser amount owed. This method may be popular for some who cannot afford their payments no longer and need help reducing or eliminating it, it will affect your credit score very negatively.
A debt consolidation loan is used to pay back your debt and have only one payment. This loan will be large enough to pay your balances to your creditors in full and remain in good standing. This reflects well on your credit report and should have no negative impact on your credit score.
Your credit history length creates a portion of your total credit score. It is a small percentage but when you are working to get the best credit score possible it should be considered. When paying off your creditors in full and closing the actual accounts you may in fact be shortening your credit history length. Closing older accounts will have the largest impact. It is a good idea to pay the older debts in full but keep them open.
If you are planning on applying for a mortgage loan or any type loan you should obtain your full credit report that includes your credit score. Keep a close eye on your credit score for any effects each time you pay a creditor in full. Applying for the loan while your credit score is the highest will result in the best possible interest rate.
Keep in mind that if you pay a creditor a settled amount that is lower than the amount owed you will create a negative drop for your score. When you are paying the creditor the full amount owed it will result in a positive impact on your credit score.
Debt to income ratio should be considered before you apply for a new loan. Make certain you have paid all accounts on time for at least three months. Allow older accounts to remain open even after you paid them in full to not decrease your credit history length.
Debt consolidation is an excellent way to eliminate high interest debt when used correctly. But anytime you default on any part of your debt your credit score will drop considerably.
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