The time it takes to repair your credit can vary widely, depending on several factors – from how many mistakes you have to fix to what you want to accomplish once your credit is fixed. Since people often repair their credit with a specific goal in mind – like buying a house or negotiating an interest rate with a creditor – it’s important to know how long the process can take so you can plan ahead effectively.
Starting the clock on your first disputes
Credit repair begins by analyzing your credit report to identify errors and/or mistakes. This process can take 1-2 hours to review all three reports in-full.
Once the review process is complete, very specific dispute letters have to be drafted, and documentation needs to be gathered before you submit your disputes to the credit bureaus. Credit Services of America understands that incorrectly disputing items can lengthen the process of repairing your credit.
Once your first disputes are submitted to the credit bureaus, the official clock on the responses starts. By law the credit bureaus have 30 days to contact the creditors to verify the information and respond.
First Round of Results
After 30 days, the credit bureau must respond to your inquiry. In some cases, more documentation may be required if the bureau needs something else to verify or reject a dispute. As a result, there can be some back and forth before disputes are resolved.
Fact: Mistakes that appear on all your credit reports must be disputed with each credit bureau individually.
In general, credit repair does not happen overnight. Generally, it takes 8-12 months to see impactful changes. Of course, if you only have a few mistakes to correct it may not take as long; you might be done in less time. On the other hand, if you have a large volume of things to dispute, it may take longer.
Rebuilding while you repair
It’s important to remember that credit repair is usually a two-step process, first is the deletion phase, secondly begins the rebuilding phase. Credit Services of America has the products and services to accomplish both. The sooner you begin the more likely you are to put the past behind you.
So, while the repair process may only take 8-12 months, the time it takes to rebuild your credit can take longer unless you follow our steps and recommendation. Remember, it can take up to a year or more to achieve a good credit score, depending on how low you start.
One thing you can do to help the process to better credit is to start taking steps to build credit while you are getting items removed through credit repair. So, stay on top of your payments to create a positive payment history and take steps to reduce your credit card debt load so your credit utilization ratio is as low as possible.
This one-two punch of credit correction is how you go from a bad credit score to a good one. But you must be patient. If you’re working towards a major goal like a new home, give yourself at least eight months up to a year to improve. This will ensure you have time to get the credit you need before you apply.
Want to know more about the credit repair process before you decide?
A Goal without a Plan is just a Wish. Give us a call TODAY at 844-FIX-URCR or click on the following link creditservicesofamerica.com to schedule your FREE consultation and create your personalized plan to achieve your credit and debt GOALS!
*Individual results may vary. Please call for more details and to discuss your own individual situation.