My Credit Is Bad, Can I Buy?

   That is something I hear a lot, especially when people call to rent. The TV news, not that I watch it, talks about people not being able to buy, or so I'm told. The news is full of all kinds of what I have called for years, "Sound Bites", just enough truth mingled with lies to confuse the majority of people. If you are reading this, trust me, read your news from trustworthy news services, and they are few.

   First off, no actual Realtor can actually tell you 100% that you can buy, that is not what we do. That is a job for Mortgage Brokers and Lenders, but how to find a good one? Most of us have our preferences. The first thing is, if you bank that does mortgage loans and are familiar with them, and they are decent to work with, use them. If you are not sure about how good of a deal they are offering you, ask your Realtor. Now for years I didn't know a lot about financing, I just knew houses, these days, that is not enough. I would be out and out lying if I said I was as smart as the Mortgage Brokers I refer people to, I'm not. I am however, thanks in a great part to them, research, and experience, decent at it. The one thing I am good at is surrounding myself with good and honest people, and I do ask what you have arranged. Call it a personal thing for me but nobody I have sold a house to is in trouble, part of that is luck, part of that is intentional hard work because I care.

  Secondly, if you have had past credit problems, do not be ashamed. You have absolutely nothing to feel bad about, nor are you the first, or the last. Most of us have been in that boat before, I know I have. I'm not proud of it, but I did learn from it. It is by pure Grace that my wife and I didn't have to file bankruptcy, and with help from our families many years ago, came through it. Hold your head high, you are not alone. Most people I speak with have had medical bills and job loss, these are not within you're power to control mostly. Credit cards, ahhh, our poison years ago. All that crap we thought we needed, and it was 20% off with a 21 % interest. If you have not fallen in one of the traps, great, you are the exception, and perhaps you should say a prayer of thanks tonight. If however you are, welcome to the club. You just became human and you are still alive, so pat yourself on the back.

   Thirdly, remember that you are doing great, especially if you have made it this far, you are special. Even if you are on your tip toes, holding you're head above water, it is still above water. If you are dealing with a Realtor that snubs their nose up at you, run! You are somebody and count just as much, maybe even more than those who have never fallen. Remember this, "Anybody can walk on clouds, but it takes great people to fall to the ground and get back up." It is important to note here, you are not a deadbeat, you are not a failure, you do count, and yes, you deserve better. You should never be ashamed of being human, just learn from it. 

  Ok, enough pep talk. I am as guilty as the next for saying, "Get a credit card and establish credit". Now if Credit Cards are your weakness, do not do it, read that again. Instead, perhaps a small loan, nothing large, something you can pay on for a few months, and for those that know me, yes it kills me to say this. (STRIKE THAT SENTANCE, READ REBUILD YOUR CREDIT) Go to a bank, remember ... a small, tiny, short loan. Giving a Credit card to a junkie is the same as a drug to an addict, I know, I was one. That is why they can keep the corrupt things. Now we gotta get you to another stage, do you really NEED it, probably not. Walk away, out of the store, go eat, or go home, if it is really needed, you will eventually go back and get it. Think about how much time, not dollars that item cost you in working hours, the missed sleep, family time, and other factors. The best medicine is not watching TV, before ATT & Verizon screws it up, read all you can.     

   I know it is awkward to admit you got in trouble financially, but hey a professional agent that is also human knows this already. Rest at ease with the right Realtor. The way I work is I give you three names of people I have come to trust, if they can not help you, they may know someone that will. Many times I tell you to mention my name, hope that helps, but in no way should I, or any other Realtor, get a kickback or have special lending privileges. I'm sure it does happen, been offered a few deals myself, but said no, but not by these I refer you to. The ones I send people to also know what it is like, and they care. Lending tree and other online jokes of the day are a waste, in my opinion. Ok, I just pissed them off. Bet I don't get nominated for anything, oh well.  \

  There are those I can not help, or find help for, and then there are those that even the Mortgage Brokers can't. Here is the thing, they can tell you how.

MORE LATER, Read Rebuilding Your Credit

Just My 2 Cents

Anthony Kimbrough