Get Out Of Debt

You see, making a decision about which path to pursue depends on your evaluation of your individual situation.

Bankruptcy:

Pros:

o Chapter 7 Eliminates Debt and allows you to keep any equity in your home. If your problem is primarily consumer debt, this may be the best option for you – if you qualify.

o Chapter 13 restructures debt allowing you to pay off the amount in a way that makes sense for your family.

o Filing for bankruptcy stops the foreclosure action on your home.

o If you lose the home during bankruptcy, you will be able to qualify for a new mortgage in as little as two years as long as you keep your credit clean after discharge.

o Many people find that their credit scores actually rise slightly after bankruptcy because there is new money available for purchases.

Cons:

o Many people who file for Chapter 13 fall out of bankruptcy and lose the court protection provided. This means that they often not only have the bankruptcy on their record, they also face foreclosure proceedings once again.

o If you abuse the system – doing a “face filing” bankruptcy for the sole purpose of delaying the foreclosure, you may face fines from the court.

o Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for ten full years – longer than just about any other negative credit mark.

Foreclosure:

Pros:

o Stays on your record for just 7 years

o Won’t risk falling out of foreclosure and having both a bankruptcy and foreclosure on your record

Cons:

o You lose your home and any equity in it

o Generally cannot get a new mortgage for at least 4 years.

o Possibility of a deficiency judgment against you which will require a bankruptcy filing anyway

Are you stuck with all kinds of debts and you need to figure out how to get out of them? Are you stuck with bad credit as well and need some help in that department also? There are answers, especially if you own your own home. One of those options is bad credit debt consolidation home equity loans that you can take out from your bank or from many other lenders.

First, if you own your home and have a FICO or credit score of at least 500, then you can refinance and use some of your equity to help pay off your debts. There are lenders that will work with you and will help you to get the home equity loan you need in order to get out of some of the debts that you have accumulated over the years.

Second, you can use a second mortgage if the first mortgage refinance is not enough for you. This will allow you to use more of your equity to pay off your debts. Debt consolidation is a very serious subject matter and you have to treat it as such. You need to use everything you can in order to get out of debt, but also make sure you can handle your new mortgage payments or you will be even more upside down.

Last, there is also a line of credit that can be used as bad credit debt consolidation home equity loans. This is an option that usually requires either more equity or better credit, but it can help. These usually come from banks and are a bit harder to get, but they can be gotten and can help you with your debts.

The only way to eliminate debt is to create a realistic plan of action for repaying creditors. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to reduce debts, which lower your monthly obligations. Fewer bills mean more money, which can be used for other things. Before considering bankruptcy or a type of debt settlement, consider the following tips for eliminating unnecessary debts.

Pay More than the Minimum Payment

If you want to payoff credit cards, intend on paying more than the monthly minimum. If possible, double or triple the amount due. The best way to quickly payoff credit card balances is to apply a lump sum of money toward the debt. This money can come from second employment, income tax return, the sale of a personal item, etc. Another tactic for reducing a credit card balance involves obtaining loans or cash gifts from friends or family members.

Acquire a Bill Consolidation Loan

Bill and debt consolidation loans are ideal for persons hoping to become debt free. If you own a home, consider a home equity loan or cash-out mortgage refinancing. The funds acquired from the transaction can be used to payoff high interest credit cards and other debts.

Home equity loans create an additional loan. Because these loans have low rates and fixed terms, they are normally easy to repay. If choosing the refinancing route, the monies received are wrapped into a new mortgage loan. Hence, the amount owed on your home will increase.

Other methods of bill consolidation include obtaining a secured or unsecured personal loan from a financial institution. If you cannot qualify for a consolidation loan, seek the help of a debt management company.

Obtain a Credit Card Balance Transfer

Individuals with excessive credit card debt generally cannot fathom obtaining a new credit card. However, credit cards offering balance transfers at an introductory rate of zero percent provide an effective means of eliminating debt. For the most part, zero percent is offered for the first 12 to 15 months. This allows ample time to reduce or eliminate the credit card balance. Because zero percent only applies to the balance transfer, avoid new credit card charges.