Credit History Content Index - Page 1

A credit history is your financial autobiography. It lists your name, current and previous addresses, phone number, Social Security number, date of birth, current and previous employers. It may also have your spouse's name. It lists credit accounts, public records, credit inquiries and any statements of dispute. A good credit history can help you get the best terms on every financial transaction. Learn here how your credit history will affect you.

**Qualifying For a Mortgage Loan Stricter For Home Equity Lines Of Credit** Today, bank requirements for a loan are stricter for new home equity lines of credit than they were just a few years ago. Banks and lenders are tightening the requirements for home equity lines of credit and other personal lines of credit to make sure their funds are safe. Now, banks might require higher credit scores, more equity in your home, and other strict requirements before they will give you a line of credit. However, if you shop around, you may be able to find a bank willing to give you a home equity line of credit.

**HUD Revised Streamline Refinance Transactions** Streamline mortgage refinance applications will be undergoing some changes. Under the HUD revised streamline refinance, there are changes to the mortgage seasoning, payment history requirements, and verification of assets, employment and income. For a streamline refinance without an appraisal there will be a new maximum mortgage amount, and under the HUD revisions, there is is maximum combined loan-to-value amount for the streamline refinance. Read the full letter below for more details on the changes to HUD streamline refinance applications.

Majority of property owners experiencing higher vacancy rates. Seventy percent of property owners are experiencing higher vacancy rates this year. The vacancy rate has been above 10 percent since June 2009. A recent Rent.com survey looks at how property owners are coping with these trends and encouraging tenants to stay or move to their units.

Property owners are finding creative ways to fill vacancies during the recession. Over 70 percent of property owners have experienced higher vacancy rates over the past year. Recent vacancies are primarily a result of job loss and tenants trying to save money on rent by moving to a cheaper unit or doubling-up with roommates. Property owners are modifying credit policies to fill units during the recession. Owners are also lowering rent, relaxing pet policies and offering unit upgrades. Read the full press release below from Rent.com.

HUD Secretary Donovan and FHA Commissioner Stevens briefed leaders on the FHA's financial outlook today, in coordination with the release of its annual independent actuarial study. The study found the capital reserve ratio to be 0.53 percent of total insurance in force this year, well below the congressionally mandated threshold of two percent. The FHA holds $31 billion in total reserves today. Robert Ryan was introduced as the FHA's first-ever Chief Risk Officer. Ryan will focus on understanding risk to the FHA's insurance fund and develop policy responses that address that risk.

FHA cash reserves fall to the lowest level in history, below the congressionally mandated level. The Federal Housing Administration's mortgage insurance cash reserves fell to the lowest levels in recorded history, 0.53 percent. The FHA announced today FHA cash reserve levels have fallen below the congressionally mandated threshold. The annual independent accounting survey of the FHA came with the assessment that additional action needed to be taken to manage risk to prevent further losses.

**Divorce Decree May Require Ex-Spouse To Refinance Mortgage** The current economic situation may cause a conflict between what a divorce decree requires and what a person is able to do. When the divorce decree requires an ex-spouse to refinance a property to remove the other ex-spouse from the mortgage but the financial condition of the person owning the home make it impossible for that spouse to refinance, what can they do?

Ilyce Glink Show Notes - November 1, 2009. How has the credit crisis and recession changed you and your spending habits? I want to hear from you. Free books and ebook deal. This week, our latest ebooks, on investing in real estate, will be released on ThinkGlink.com as will our podcasts from our How to Profit From Foreclosures event. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest information, discounts and deals.

**Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Still Affects Credit History After Seven Years** Chapter 7 bankruptcy still affects a buyer's credit history even after seven years from the date the bankruptcy was filed.

**Mortgage Refinancing: If You Can't Refinance, Should You File for Bankruptcy Or Let The Home Go Into Foreclosure** Before a divorce, spouses frequently spend hours negotiating the details of each item they own, but they frequently neglect the single biggest asset they own together: their home. The best course of action at the time of a divorce is to require the spouse that is going to retain the home to refinance the home prior to the divorce becoming final. If you allow your ex-spouse to retain the home and the mortgage is still in your name, you are still on the hook for the mortgage payments and your credit is subject to take a hit if the mortgage isn't paid on time or your ex-spouse files for bankruptcy or lets the home go into foreclosure.