Credit Repair Advice: DIY Vs Hiring An Agency

By Tiffani G Peterson

Here's a piece of credit repair advice: you need to consider the benefits and costs to using a credit repair agency.

You'll save a monthly fee you would pay an agency by doing it yourself. You'll know exactly where you are in the process at all times when you send a letter or make a call. If you make all your own contacts, you'll be able to provide the personal touch to make it all that much more believable. Nothing screams agency like a form letter with no details.

If flexibility is important to you, you'll probably want to repair your credit yourself. Sometimes things come up in life and you need to put your credit repair on hold a while. You can make judgement calls that fit you instead of finding out what an agency did after the fact. For instance, if you see a charged off account that's 6 years old, it might make sense to leave it alone. Most negative items can only be reported for 7 years anyway.

You should consider hiring an agency if you're short on time, have the extra money and don't want to be bothered to manage your finances. Also, if you struggle with low self esteem and couldn't bring yourself to call your credit card company on the phone, then an agency is right for you. Chances are though that no one fits that description. Like maintaining your personal health and raising your own children, your finances are something you should attend to yourself.

If you're just getting started, there's more than enough than you could ever need online about how to repair your credit. The challenge is sorting through it and putting it all in order. My advice is to find a reputable book or course that puts all the pieces together for you.

Using An Agency

A credit agency will do the same thing you can do. They'll send the same letters without your personalization. They might give you additional credit repair advice on how to negotiate your rates. They might tell you to close or open different lines of credit. The is a secure feeling knowing someone is working on your behalf.

The downside is that many consumers find that credit repair agencies take your money and then send out automated form letters. The credit reporting agencies see spam looking letters and can reject them based on there not being enough information. The letter will be missing what you could put into it yourself about your personal circumstances.

If you're waiting for the credit repair agency, you might be missing out on other things you could be doing in the meantime. When they're being paid by the month, the incentives are stacked against them moving quickly and keeping you informed.

My advice is to skip the agencies and spend that money on a good book or course. Take responsibility for your own financial future. - 29970

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