How Americans and Their Mortgages are Being Affected!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Credit Restoration Institute wishes you and your loved ones a Happy St. Patrick's Day. We hope you have a fun day full of celebration.

Looking for festivities around town to celebrate? Check out some fun options HERE.

Biden’s $25,000 Downpayment Toward Equity Act

A new bill under the Biden administration, known as the $25,000 First-Time Home Buyer Grant, can help first-time homebuyers receive up to $25,000 in cash to purchase a new home. This proposal is one of many first-time home buyer grants and credits moving through Congress.

The act aims to help first-time homebuyers plant their feet, create memories, and generate wealth. "To provide downpayment assistance to first-generation home buyers to address multi-generational inequities in access to homeownership, and narrow and ultimately close the racial homeownership gap in the United States, and for other purposes," reads the opening statement of The Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2021.

If you are a first-time homebuyer, make sure you know all the options available.
Click here to read the full report and learn more!

Big Corporations are Becoming Landlords

Mortgage rates are steadily climbing, and single-family homes remain in high demand. These factors alone have made the home-buying process anything but worry-free for first-time homebuyers. But lately, many would-be homeowners find themselves face-to-face with big, shrouded investment companies.

These days, it is not uncommon to think that large investment companies are purchasing houses in bulk and converting them into rental homes. A situation like this would mean that large subsets of U.S. homes are being taken off the market, resulting in a more competitive market, fewer available houses, and inflated home prices.

Click here to continue reading

Our custom credit disputes leverage the consumer protection laws and the credit bureaus’ automated codes to help remove or correct unverifiable items.

As our client, we dispute accounts with the bureaus and creditors on your behalf. Using our years of experience, we use the tools you need to move your case forward and get the results you are looking for.

Mortgage readiness and getting pre-approved all imply creditworthiness. You, too, can improve your credit. 

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!

Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (804) 823-9601 | (800) 648-5157

mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

Tax Time is Approaching... Don't Be Late!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Credit Restoration Institute wishes you and your loved ones a Happy Valentine's Day. We hope you have a great day surrounded by those you love.

Make Sure You are Prepared for Tax Season

As owner Robert Linkonis says, “Uncle Sam is the largest debt collector in the country.” Make sure that you pay your taxes or consider calling the IRS and getting on a payment plan. Do not just let it sit out there.

The IRS is reminding taxpayers to take necessary actions during this tax season. When filing, some essential items to consider are whether or not you'll be affected by the tax credit levels and how to avoid refund delays.

Tax time is stressful, so it is crucial you have helpful information to help throughout the process. You can access the full report from the IRS here.

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IN THE NEWS: Keep Your Credit Cards Safe While You Travel.

The holiday season may be behind us, but vacation season is just starting to kick off. Taking a trip is intended to be a time of relaxation and unwinding, making bills and credit card balances the last thing you want on your mind.

Even when traveling, “checking balances more often is probably good advice,” says Nessa Feddis, senior vice president for consumer protection and payment for the American Bankers Association. Think of it as a way to curb unnecessary spending and be aware of security threats that come from being overseas.

Click the button below to learn more about prioritizing your credit during your travels.

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Real Results!

Our custom credit disputes leverage the consumer protection laws and the credit bureaus’ automated codes to help remove or correct unverifiable items.

As our client, we dispute accounts with the bureaus and creditors on your behalf. Using our years of experience, we use the tools you need to move your case forward and get the results you are looking for.

Mortgage readiness and getting pre-approved all imply creditworthiness. You, too, can improve your credit.

 
Read more about credit worthiness

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (804) 823-9601 | (800) 648-5157
mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

Credit News for the New Year!

Happy New Year!

The Credit Restoration Institute wishes you and all your loved ones a Happy New Year. We hope you are off to a great start accomplishing any new goals.

Download the perfect companion for 2023!

Five tips to quickly improve your credit score.

Your FICO score is nothing more, nothing less than a mathematical formula. Knowing this formula is key to having a great credit score.

Your credit score can be as low as 300 or as high as 850. That means that you have 550 points that you can either gain or lose when it comes to your credit score.

Over the last few years, I found five tips that account for the most significant improvements to your credit score in the fastest time. You can access these tips in the guide below.

Click Here To View Our Free Guide

IN THE NEWS:

With New Interest Rates Coming, Handle Your Debt Now.

With the New Year comes new interest rates even higher than before. "So this is really important. If you're carrying a balance, now's the time to take some action," said Bankrate.com Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride in a video interview with Yahoo.

Since these new interest rates can increase credit card debt, McBride urges consumers to increase their payments and look at all their options when it comes to their debt, like 0% balance transfer options.

Click the button below to learn more about the upcoming effects of the new interest rates and how you can stay ahead.

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Our custom credit disputes leverage the consumer protection laws and the credit bureaus’ automated codes to help remove or correct unverifiable items.

As our client, we dispute accounts with the bureaus and creditors on your behalf. Using our years of experience, we use the tools you need to move your case forward and get the results you are looking for.

Mortgage readiness and getting pre-approved all imply creditworthiness. You, too, can improve your credit.

Read More About Creditworthiness Here





• Credit Consulting • Credit Report Audit

• Credit Education • Credit Disputes

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (804) 823-9601 | (800) 648-5157
mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

Fill out this easy form on our website

Happy Holidays from everyone at the Credit Restoration Institute!

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones from everyone here at Credit Restoration Institute. We hope you enjoy a safe and memorable season with those who mean the most.

Download the perfect holiday companion!
Five tips to quickly improve your credit score

Your FICO score is nothing more, nothing less than a mathematical formula. Knowing this formula is key to having a great credit score.

Your credit score can be as low as 300 or as high as 850. That means that you have 550 points that you can either gain or lose when it comes to your credit score.

Over the last few years, I found five tips that account for the most significant improvements to your credit score in the fastest time. You can access these tips in the guide below.

IN THE NEWS:

TransUnion LLC Confirms Recent Data Breach with State Attorney General’s Office

On November 7, 2022, TransUnion LLC reported a data breach with the Massachusetts Attorney General after information in the company’s possession was subject to unauthorized access. According to TransUnion, the breach resulted in the names, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver’s license numbers being compromised. Recently, TransUnion sent out data breach letters to all affected parties, informing them of the incident and what they can do to protect themselves from identity theft and other frauds.

Read More





If used correctly, credit cards can be a beneficial tool when shopping during the holiday season. Many people turn to their credit cards for luxurious travel expenses, to pay for high-priced gifts, and to splurge on end-of-the-year purchases.

With perks like credit card rewards, cash-back opportunities, and more, it can be tempting to use your credit card for major and minor expenses. Bankrate wants to ensure you're getting the most out of your holiday spending by sharing a list of ways to save with your credit card this season.

Click here to continue reading

It can be expensive, but for many, holiday travel is essential.

Whether you're vacationing solo or traveling to visit loved ones, planning ahead can help ensure a successful trip. HerMoney put together a list of tips to help build (and stick to!) your holiday travel budget.

Continue reading in main article






Our custom credit disputes leverage the consumer protection laws and the credit bureaus’ automated codes to help remove or correct unverifiable items.

As our client, we dispute accounts with the bureaus and creditors on your behalf. Using our years of experience, we use the tools you need to move your case forward and get the results you are looking for.

Mortgage readiness and getting pre-approved all imply creditworthiness. You, too, can improve your credit.

Read More About Creditworthiness Here




Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (804) 823-9601 | (800) 648-5157
mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

A Warm Welcome to our New Board of Directors

 

We are thrilled to announce the Credit Restoration Institute Non Profit Board of Directors!

Meet our new Board of Directors! We are here to help people like you improve your credit scores and better their lives. Our team of legal, legitimate, and local professionals work closely together and with you to achieve your financial goals. Including the most important part, your creditworthiness.

You may have been one of the many Americans who signed up to receive regular updates on the Biden-Harris Administration's student debt relief plan in the past few weeks. As everyone prepares for the opening of the application window, the Department of Education is sharing critical information on how to protect yourself from scammers during this vulnerable time.

The Biden-Harris Administration has put together a do's and don'ts list to help notice any red flags that might pop-up during your application process. But the most efficient way to protect yourself is by making sure your information stays accurate and up-to-date, according to the administration. 

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For more information and to read the entire list, click here.

Current Mortgage Trends

 A few weeks ago, The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s annual conference that it will now accept two new credit score models, the FICO 10T, and the VantageScore 4.0, for use by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This new expansion has the potential to allow more Americans the opportunity to purchase a home. 

“The enterprises have long relied on classic FICO, and it has met their basic needs, but it is time to recognize the significant innovations that have occurred in credit score modeling,” said Sandra Thompson, director of the FHFA, in Nashville, Tenn.

The institutions Fannie and Freddie were created by Congress, and are backed by the FDIC. They recognize a significant amount of the mortgages born in the U.S., so many lenders abide by the guidelines set out by Fannie and Freddie when they give mortgages to borrowers.

Read the full article here.

Another in the Best Practices Workshop Series!

Get advice on how to establish or repair your business credit as well as funding advice from a credit repair expert.

The registration fee is $30 and your attendance includes access to a recording of the webinar, as well as copies of all slides and handouts.

Register here!

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!

Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (804) 823-9601 | (800) 648-5157
mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

 

October Newsletter 2022

CRI wishes everyone a Happy Halloween and we hope you enjoy the season with family, friends, and loved ones!

Say goodbye to Summer and get ready for events and festivals catered to food, culture, and more!

Discover Richmond Tours
2022 Fall Events & Festivals in Richmond, VA:

• 2nd Street Festival: October 1-2
• Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape: October 1
• Richmond Oktoberfest: October 7-8
• Richmond Folk Festival: October 7-9
• Armenian Food Festival: September 9-10
• St. Benedict Oktoberfest: September 16-18

Click the button below for a full list of Fall events and festivals to help you and your loved ones celebrate this season.

See the full list here

Continued Mortgage Trends

Even those new to the process know that purchasing a new home is one of the biggest purchases in one's life. The preparation should begin even before you start touring homes and especially before you make an offer. Realtor.com put together a checklist of everything you need to do in case you're feeling overwhelmed in your home-buying journey.

Their checklist includes helpful todos like checking your credit score, addressing any blemishes on your credit report, zeroing in on an attainable house price, shopping for the right mortgage lender, the importance of pre-approvals, and more.

If you’re planning on buying a home and are unsure of where to start, consider creating a checklist based on what these experts believe helps set buyers up for success.

Read More

Real Results!

Our custom credit disputes leverage the consumer protection laws and the credit bureaus’ automated codes to help remove or correct unverifiable items.

As our client, we dispute accounts with the bureaus and creditors on your behalf. Using our years of experience, we utilize the tools you need to move your case forward and the results you are looking for.

Mortgage readiness and getting pre-approved all imply creditworthiness.
You, too, can improve your credit.

Read More About CreditWorthiness Here

SCORE Workshop:  How to Establish or Repair Your Business Credit featuring Robert Linkonis!

Get advice on how to establish or repair your business credit as well as funding advice from a credit repair expert!

When you need funding for your business, you don't need to tap your personal credit cards or mortgage your home or personal assets for a loan. Business credit is out there if you know how to get it!

In this interactive session, you'll learn:

• The 20 foundational steps required to get approved for $50,000 plus in business credit.
• The inner workings of the business credit bureaus: D&B, Experian, and Equifax.
• How business credit scores are calculated and how to get an 85 D&B Paydex score.
• The "Anatomy of the FICO Score" and how to increase your personal credit scores sometimes up to 100 points.
• The risks to your personal finances from credit-related scams and fraud and how to avoid them!
• The practices/products, tools and services available to help you get proper reporting of your credit.

Click here to Register today!

What our clients are saying about us

Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (804) 823-9601 | (800) 648-5157
mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com

Become a Member of our Board of Directors

CRI is seeking seven talented individuals to join its Board of Directors to govern the organization. The monthly time commitment is estimated to be four hours per month, including bi-monthly in-person Board Meetings.

Please complete the application in its entirety and submit it by September 15th. Executive Director, Robert Linkonis, will contact you during the week of September 19th to schedule a video interview during the week of September 26th.

Click here to complete the application,

Homebuyers have faced challenges recently, but there are signs that the struggle might be in the past. It's no secret that mortgage rates have skyrocketed and the cost of homes has increased– both of which have added to the cost associated with purchasing and owning a home. “What we are likely to see is that fewer buyers will be able to afford this housing market,” says Dr. Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavioral insights at the National Association of Realtors.

This summer’s housing market can still be expected to remain a sellers' market. Buyers shouldn't expect to have the upper hand in negotiations or have an easy time finding deals. But buyers should take advantage of the extra available to view homes and put together offers. As a buyer, supply and demand are huge factors, housing inventory is still rigorously low, and the market is likely to stay strong. Instead of seeing prices drop, they are expected to grow but at a slower pace.

If you’re planning on buying or selling a home during the summer 2022 homebuying season, take a look at what these three experts believe the real estate market to look like and what you can do about it.

Click here to read the full article.




NOVA Education has introduced a new game to teach financial literacy and decision-making!

Have you ever wondered how you can identify and overcome biases that hurt you financially? Now you can. NOVA teamed up with Duke University’s Center for Advanced Hindsight to design the NOVA Financial Lab, a game that breaks down the behavioral science behind budgetary decision-making. In the game, users can practice making financial decisions and examining the behaviors that influence how they spend money, and how these choices can affect progress toward economic well-being.

Learn more about the research behind the game and how you can play by visiting their website.



Give us a call today to start your credit repair journey!
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (804) 823-9601 | (800) 648-5157
mail@creditrestorationinstitute.com