Getting Your Free Credit Reports

Before getting serious about shopping for a new home, it's a good idea to get a copy of your free credit report.

Like an annual check-up at your doctor, smart consumers will give themselves a credit report check-up every year. It's free. Why not? Because sure as shootin' you may find that you need to apply for a loan and whammo; that's when you'll find an unexpected ding on your credit, a derogatory entry that doesn't even belong to you.

It's just good practice to pull a copy of your credit report to ensure its accuracy and to protect your good credit in case you need it.

The government makes it easy for you to get a copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once every 12 months. But beware of those outfits that aren't legitimate and other companies that disguise fees in confusing advertising. There's only one authentic place to go . . . read more about Free Credit Reports.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub, click below:

• The Advantages of Loan Preapproval
  
• 10 Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Broker
  
• FHA Loans for First-Time Home Buyers

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_{At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, DRE # 00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.}