Credit Counseling and Mortgages

Credit counseling in lieu of filing bankruptcy has helped many Americans out of their financial issues. Today, there are lenders who are comfortable lending money with a borrower who is currently in consumer credit counseling as long as the consumer has been on time with the monthly payments.

If you are considering credit counseling, please speak to a mortgage consultant first if you plan on purchasing or refinancing a home. Entering credit counseling may limit the number of lenders willing to lend to you.

Many lenders look at credit counseling the same as bankruptcy or just barely a step above bankruptcy. Credit counseling is not always the best route to go to take care of credit card debt. Ask your mortgage professional if there are any options or other ways to deal with your debt first. A debt consolidation refinance can many times save you hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars.

Also, talk to your CCCS counselor if there is any restriction on refinancing you home mortgage. Sometime, the CCCS threatens to cancel the deal if there is any new debt occurred on the credit profile.

You also may want to try to contact your creditors directly before going to a Credit Counseling Service. Be honest and frank with your creditors and ask them for a decrease in your interest rate. You can ask them to do the same thing the Credit counseling service will. This may help you to retain a respectable credit rating while lowering your monthly liabilities. If for some reason the creditor is unwilling to help, then you can pursue the Credit Counseling. You have nothing to lose.

Some lenders are starting to see Consumer Credit Counseling as less derogatory than before. It shows a willingness to get a grip on your situation.

Consumer Credit Counseling must generally be certified as completed or satisfied prior to obtaining a mortgage.

credit counseling is not for every one. the quickest way to pay off credit card debt is to use the equity in your home. If done properly you will achieve better results a lot quicker.

» DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article on 'Credit Counseling and Mortgages' is a collection of contributions by licensed mortgage professionals and is not the opinion of Broker Outpost LLC. Always consult a licensed professional before applying for a mortgage.