Bad Credit - hard to Rent?

[Panterro]

I wont lie, I have terrible credit.. I was married once before so I have ex-spouse credit. And I have made some bad choices here and there. Im working on fixing it all, but It wont be in any shape before I get to Oregon. Will I have a hard time finding a place to rent with my wife and 3 kids and 3 small dogs?

[PDXnative]

Probably not with first, last, and deposit. Bad credit ususally just means you need to pay more money up front.

[MyAzi]

I was in that same situation.. I had great credit and married and boom...shot to all heck!!! He had terrible credit. And trust me I still pay for it from time to time!

Yep just save a bit and you can offer more money down up front.

[Panterro]

Thanks. I ask because there was a time when We lived in Boise ID, we ran into a small hardship, wife and I lost our jobs with in weeks of each other, the landlord kicked us to the curb and we were homeless for a short time. about 2 months. Never been so scared in my entire life. The landlord black listed us and we could not rent anything anywhere in Boise or the surrounding area.. my family sent us some cash so we could make it to Seattle. We found a place, and started to get our life together again, even had a landlord who let us get by a couple months on half rent so we could get settled. I never want to be in the situation like we were in Boise again. A tad more insight in my life than you cared to know, im sure. =)

[Panterro]

The wife and I think we found a place.. its a rent to own.. I never have done a rent to own before and know nothing about it. Any headsup I should know?

[PDXnative]

Originally Posted by Panterro

The wife and I think we found a place.. its a rent to own.. I never have done a rent to own before and know nothing about it. Any headsup I should know?

If you are new to the area, I would wait on buying a place until you find what areas you like. the housing prices have really gone up here, and they are starting to "correct themselves". You should ask the guy if you can rent first, then decide if you want to buy it. I would be leary of a rent to own. Either they want too much for it, or there is something wrong with it. Or, it could be they just want the interest and they are very honest. Still, I would rent first, then buy.

[PDXnative]

BTW, what part of town is the place?

[Panterro]

its out by maywood park.

[PDXnative]

Originally Posted by Panterro

its out by maywood park.

Not too bad an area. Close to the max and freeways. Just make sure it is not on Sandy, Columbia, 102nd, or any other busy road over there.

[Wyody]

Originally Posted by Panterro

I wont lie, I have terrible credit.. I was married once before so I have ex-spouse credit. And I have made some bad choices here and there. Im working on fixing it all, but It wont be in any shape before I get to Oregon. Will I have a hard time finding a place to rent with my wife and 3 kids and 3 small dogs?

The system works thusly; If you have utilities unpaid or rent unpaid - you'll have a problem if it shows on your report. Depends on how "in need" of tenants a place is as to whether they'll worry about anything else. Medical collections usually take a back-seat.
If they do a background check, they will look for crimes involving violence and burglary - theft of any kind.
Naturally, they will spot any property-claims involving places you've lived before.

[Panterro]

Rent always paid on time.. the house we live in now, taxes paid each year.. we own it, no payments made. This house was willed to us a few years ago when my grandmother passed. Like 3 years ago. No violance or theft.. im a cop, well sorta im a cop on a military base... so I know I have no criminal background, I had to go though a very strict and thorough background check, even a secret level check. We do have one in Boise, as I mentioned above. But that was a 2001, I think.

Did a freecreditreport.com check, and im at 567, wife is 554.. not much in debt as I thought we were. Not great but not as bad as I thought it was. Thanks for the advise.

[thecuban]

Originally Posted by Panterro

Rent always paid on time.. the house we live in now, taxes paid each year.. we own it, no payments made. This house was willed to us a few years ago when my grandmother passed. Like 3 years ago. No violance or theft.. im a cop, well sorta im a cop on a military base... so I know I have no criminal background, I had to go though a very strict and thorough background check, even a secret level check. We do have one in Boise, as I mentioned above. But that was a 2001, I think.

Did a freecreditreport.com check, and im at 567, wife is 554.. not much in debt as I thought we were. Not great but not as bad as I thought it was. Thanks for the advise.

I have had the pleasure of working for a lawyer that sent me business that does credit repairs. You sound like your headed in the right directions. Here are some tips on how to raise your fico score. First thing you should do is go to your bank and ask for a trimerge. They are three credit bureau which are transunion, equifax, and experian. Each one will differ some what. These are the ones that your creditors look at. When you get your trimerge you will have a better idea where you stand. To many inquiries hurts your score. You might also see some things that you do not agree with. Challenge the credit bureau that holds anything you disagree with. If you do not hear from them within a 30 day period, by law they have to take it away. You also have to get some revolving credit. There are many ways to do that like getting a credit card and by all means start using it. Car loan is also a good one. Just be smart with the credit card. Charge gas and pay it at the end of the month leaving some in there at all times. Never use you credit card more than 35% of the allowed max. If you do this within a year you will see a dramatic change on your fico. If you have any questions feel free to ask I love helping people with this. Hope this helps.

[RodFarlee]

Under the law, you can get your own credit report free, once a year, from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
You can get all 3 at once, or one every 4 months, as you prefer.
However, you do have to pay if you want your FICO score.

In my experience, Experian had the most information and showed by far the most inquiries from banks, etc., followed by Equifax, and TransUnion the least.
The site Panterro mentioned, freecreditreport.com, is Experian's. The link above lets you select any of the three.

[thecuban]

Originally Posted by RodFarlee

Under the law, you can get your own credit report free, once a year, from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
You can get all 3 at once, or one every 4 months, as you prefer.
However, you do have to pay if you want your FICO score.

In my experience, Experian had the most information and showed by far the most inquiries from banks, etc., followed by Equifax, and TransUnion the least.
The site Panterro mentioned, freecreditreport.com, is Experian's. The link above lets you select any of the three.

Good post.

[Panterro]

Thank you so much.. I shall give the advise some thought and try to follow your examples. If I have any questions i'll be sure to ask.