Debt consolidation has received a bad reputation from some. Some people will tell you it is no different than filing bankruptcy. If you want to reduce your debt to income ratio and lower monthly payments considering debt consolidation may be scary with this information out there.
The truth is that debt consolidation is not the same thing as filing bankruptcy. Debt consolidation proves you are taking steps to pay back your debts. Debt consolidation when you pay back 100% or a portion of your debt and bankruptcy usually results in you paying none of the debt.
There are different types of debt consolidation and they have different impacts 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.
Credit history length is measured for part of your credit score. When trying to get a good interest rate on a loan every small point counts. When paying creditors in full and closing accounts your credit history length will be shortened. Older accounts have a more dramatic effect. Even if you pay an account off, leave it open, especially the older ones.
When you are shopping for a mortgage loan it is recommended to get your full credit report including your credit score. Watch your credit score to make sure there are no changes when you pay off debts. You want to apply for your loan after you increased your credit score to its fullest.
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.
Your debt to income ratio should be low enough to show you can afford a new loan payment before you attempt applying for a loan. Before you apply you should also make sure that all your payments are current for at least 3 months. Keep those older accounts open if you are planning to pay them off so it will not shorten your credit history length.
Debt consolidation can be a wonderful method for eliminating high interest debts if used wisely. Any time debt consolidation is used to negotiate debts it is still considered a default on the loan and your credit score will always be affected poorly. If you have to use a debt consolidation program be sure that it is your only option, you may qualify for a debt consolidation loan instead.
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