HOPE is proud to announce another happy homeowner and HOPE graduate this week.  In under 3 months this HOPE member has seen an average increase of 80 points per credit score!  He has also had nearly $2,300 of inaccurate information removed from his credit report!

This is just another example of how following HOPE’s unique plan of (1) correcting credit bureau mistakes (2) establishing the proper type and amount of current credit and (3) negotiating – if necessary – some of those pesky collection accounts can result in a healthier credit score and cleaner credit report.  So don’t be discouraged if you are currently facing credit problems of your own.  Anyone who tells you that a low credit score cannot be corrected is wrong.  It may not happen overnight, but if you are serious about improving your credit rating it is 100% possible with a little discipline and some hard work.

Remember, it is your legal right to work on your own credit report.  (If anyone tells you differently – run!  They are probably trying to scam you.)  However, if you want to achieve that healthier credit report more quickly and without the migraine headache that comes with trying to fix your credit report alone, we would love for you to consider the services offered by the HOPE Program.  HOPE offers experienced, reliable, and trusted credit education – not another “credit repair” scam.  Give us a call at 704-499-9696 to learn how the HOPE Program can help you on your journey towards the healthy credit you deserve!

Please join the HOPE online community today.  Follow us on Twitter and/or “Like Us” on Facebook for free weekly credit tips, special offers, contests, and much more!

I came across a www.hope4usa.com article from a couple of years ago this afternoon that I thought was worth sharing again.  Many people do not truly understand the dangers and extreme risk associated with co-signing for a friend or family member’s loan.  I hope that this article will help to shed a little bit of light onto the subject.

The Dangers of Co-Signing
By Michelle Black

We’ve all been there.  A friend or family member asks you to co-sign for a car loan, a home loan, or some other type of finanancing and you feel obligated to help them out.  You might think that being a co-signer is not really that big of a deal since you are not the primary borrower on the account.  However, the truth is that co-signing for someone else really is a big deal and not only is it a big deal, it can be detrimental to your credit as well.

When you co-sign for someone else’s loan you are legally responsible for the account just like you would be if you received the loan for yourself.  Plus, although you are not in control of making the monthly payments, the credit history for the account will affect your credit score.  If the person you have co-signed for makes even 1 late payment on the account, your credit score could potentially drop up to 100 points!

The HOPE Program strongly recommends that our members never co-sign for a friend or family member, not even for a child.  Spouses are the only people you should ever consider co-signing for and then only if 1 of you cannot qualify for the loan without the other’s credit.  We know that can be very hard to say “no” to a loved one, but if you make up your mind ahead of time that you will never co-sign it can help to make the situation a little easier.  In fact, often times HOPE members simply tell their loved one, when they have been asked to be a co-signer, that their credit advisor has asked that they do not co-sign.  Period.  This helps the member not have to be the “bad guy” when faced with the request of being a co-signer for someone else’s loan.

Remember, you can refer your friend or family member to the HOPE Program if they are facing credit issues.  Our caring staff will be happy to help the people you care about establish the healthy credit they need so that they will be able to achieve healthy, “loan ready” credit of their own.  Please call 704-499-9696 for more information on the amazing services offered by the HOPE Program.

Nothing in the world makes our HOPE staff happier than when our members graduate from our program with clean, healthy credit and then go on to become happy home owners! We are so proud of our staff and our members for all of their hard work and dedication. Check out this recent testimonial from 2 HOPE members:

“Hello I hope you all are doing well. Just wanted to say thank you for all your help and support. Because of you all our credit is great and we purchased our dream home in November! Not just a home but our dream home.”
~Wendy and Andre

Do you find yourself in a situation where you are not able to do the things you need to do or purchase the home or vehicle you desire due to credit issues? If so, then you owe it to yourself to research the valuable services which the HOPE Program has to offer.  In fact, you can call us today to schedule your no-obligation credit analysis with a HOPE credit specialist to learn what our customized plan would be to help you work towards the healthy credit you deserve to have! What do you have to lose? HOPE’s no-obligation, professional credit analysis is very inexpensive ($30 for individuals/$40 for couples), takes just 30 minutes, can be done in person or over the phone, and will give you valuable insights into how to improve your personal credit scores! Call 704-499-9696 today to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions you may have. We cannot wait to hear from you!

Every year at tax refund time we have many clients wisely choose to  invest part of their tax refund check towards achieving a healthy credit report. Wouldn’t you love for 2011 to be the year when you finally reach the higher credit scores you desire? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if 2011 was the year when you were finally able to stop those pesky collection calls and possibly even become a homeowner?

HOPE would love the opportunity to help you reach your goals! You can join the ranks of the 70+ HOPE graduates who have completed the program with credit scores healthy enough to purchase a home in just the last 4 months! Call or email us today to schedule your own personal, no obligation credit analysis with one of our credit experts to see if the HOPE Program is right for you. We can’t wait to hear from you soon!

What is your New Year’s Resolution for 2011? Do you want to have clean credit or pay off your credit cards? Do you want to finally put an end to those pesky collection calls?  Maybe you want to become a homeowner and stop throwing away money on rent every month. Whatever your goal, HOPE wants to know!

HOPE is sponsoring a fun contest for you to share your New Year’s resolutions and maybe even win a fabulous prize! Simply click here to tell us your resolutions for the upcoming year. One lucky person will win a FREE, personalized credit analysis with a HOPE credit specialist who will help show you how achieving healthier credit can become a reality for you in 2011!  We can’t wait to hear about your goals for the new year!