Credit Repair is More Than a Right, It's Your Responsibility

by Stuart Hunter
The majority of Americans have errors and other unverifiable information on their credit reports that could be dragging down their credit score. Odds are good that your credit score is lower than it should be. The unfortunate thing is that odds are you will be yet another one of the millions of Americans who will continue to suffer with an unfair credit score because you will do nothing to repair your credit.

Most Americans want to believe the credit reporting system works; that people earn their bad credit and there is nothing they can do about it but wait for seven years. But study after study shows the credit reporting system frequently does not work. This is why the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other consumer protection legislation give you the right to do something about it - the right to make sure your credit score is as good as it can be.

So why is it that, though everyone has the right to dispute the negative items in their credit reports, very few people do? It certainly can't be because they don't understand the importance of a high credit score. After all, it doesn't take a genius to figure out the benefits of a good credit score when it can be the difference between paying $2,500/month and $2,000/month for the exact same house.

More likely, the reason people do not repair their credit is a mix of apathy and lack of understanding of the credit reporting system. Too many people assume the credit reporting system is some official government bureaucracy with an extensive system of checks and balances designed to ensure the safekeeping of their credit history. This couldn't be further from the truth.

The credit bureaus at the center of the credit reporting system are not official organizations. Instead, they are massive, for-profit corporations that collect personal information from your creditors and make money by selling this information in the form of your credit reports.

So now you are asking yourself, how do they ensure this information is correct? If a creditor reports something that is wrong, how do the credit bureaus make sure it doesn't end up on your credit reports?

The answer to both of these questions is: they don't. Your creditors report information, the credit bureaus record it, and for most people, the story ends there.

Nobody at the credit bureaus or in the government is going to make sure your credit reports are accurate. The way the credit reporting system is set up, there is only one person who will ever bother to check up on your credit reports - and that person is you. You are the missing, and ultimately the most important, piece of the credit reporting puzzle.

Making sure your credit score is where it should be is your responsibility and repairing your credit reports is a task you will have to initiate because no one out there will do it for you.

It is your right and your responsibility to dispute the questionable negative items in your credit reports and the sooner you start, the better. You can work to repair your credit on your own or you can enlist the help of a credit repair law firm like Lexington Law.

Whether you attempt to repair your credit on your own or with the help of a credit repair expert, by taking an active role in the credit reporting system, you can ensure your credit score is as good as it can be and that you have the advantage over the millions of people out there with bad credit who haven't taken action to do anything about it.

About the Author
Lexington Law is a consumer advocacy law for that focuses on credit report repair. In practice since 1991, Lexington Law has helped over 400,000 clients take control of their credit.

South Carolina Real Estate

by Lee Keadle
Many buyers search for South Carolina real estate but don't know where exactly in the state to live. I've listed below 5 of the most popular places to relocate in South Carolina.

Columbia is South Carolina's capital, and a lot of people choose to live here. It's centrally located to the beach and the mountains. It's one of the biggest cities in the state, and the population has grown to just over 120,000. Some of the biggest employers in the area are the University of South Carolina, the state government, and the hospital systems. Columbia (and Greenville) are the most affordable places to live in South Carolina that are also relatively good sized cities.

Greenville is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has cooler weather than the coastal areas of South Carolina. It snows usually about once or twice a year in the uppermost part of the state, and Greenville is the largest city in the upstate. It has an estimate of about 60,000 residents. This area has seen some of the largest growth for non-coastal areas in South Carolina, and it's expected to grow even more in coming years. The city has plenty to do and lots of nice areas, but it's also considered an up and coming area simply because of its past and projected growth.

Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular tourist areas in South Carolina. Every year, more than 15 million people visit South Carolina's coast, and Myrtle Beach is at the top of the list of beaches, statistically speaking. Although a lot of people in Myrtle Beach live there year round, it's considered more of a vacation spot. You'll find putt-putt courses and beach shops sprinkled throughout the area. It also has a lot of large hotels and condo complexes right on the beach. Myrtle Beach is the most coastal city on this list. The residential population is estimated around 23,000.

Charleston is known for its history and culture. Its economy is also based largely on tourism, and it has started to make its way into the international tourism and real estate markets as it's become the cultural hub of the state. You'll find historic sites, museums, and art galleries throughout the main peninsula and surrounding areas. Charleston is considered more of an upscale port city and has 6 beaches along its coast (plus several islands and towns further inland). Charleston is comparable to Columbia in size, at just under 118,000.

Hilton Head does not attract as many tourists, and it's known as a smaller and quieter coastal area. The AARP often lists Hilton Head in its top places to retire, but you'll find a mix of people there. Its population is estimated at about 33,000. Real estate prices are relatively high, as the town has strict development and commercial guidelines. The town incorporated these rules in an effort to preserve the natural setting that people associate with Hilton Head.

About the Author
Buyers can search all Carolina One homes for sale on our website, from Summerville homes to Mount Pleasant homes for sale!

Beach Houses in Charleston SC

by Lee Keadle

Looking for beach real estate in the Charleston, SC area? You'll find 6 beaches in Charleston to choose from, and each one has a different feel to it.

Folly Beach is one of the most popular for residents and tourists. This is partly because it's the most accessible beach to downtown Charleston. It's also the most affordable for vacation rentals and for buying real estate. Overall, Folly Beach has a laid back feel to it, and it's the most popular beach for students and surfers. You'll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and beach shops along Center Street, so there's no need to leave the island to go out. But, if you want to drive to downtown Charleston, you're only about 15 minutes away.

Isle of Palms also sees a big demand from home buyers. It's the main beach that Mt. Pleasant residents visit, and it also sees a good deal of tourism. So, if you're looking for vacation home that you can rent out for vacationers, either of these beaches would be good for getting this additional income. Part of the island belongs to Wild Dunes Resort (see below), so not all of the island is accessible to the residents. Isle of Palms is 15-20 minutes from downtown Charleston, so you can easily go downtown for entertainment. Mt. Pleasant is about a 5 minute drive, so there are a lot of things to do within a quick drive of the beach.

Wild Dunes Resort is a private beach resort located on the northern end of Isle of Palms. Wild Dunes has great amenities, including several golf courses. You'll find a few restaurants (like a grill and a deli), but for the most part, residents leave the resort and go to either Mt. Pleasant or downtown Charleston. If you're looking for high end beach real estate with a close proximity to downtown, Wild Dunes may be a good option for you.

Sullivan's Island is located just south of the Isle of Palms, so it also is conveniently located to Mt. Pleasant and downtown Charleston. It's the most historic beach in Charleston, and it's mostly made up of houses. You'll find only a few condo buildings on the island. There are some beautiful older homes - some date back to the early 1900s. You'll also see newer homes, and these can be found more on the beach side of the island. There are only a couple of restaurants at the entrance of the island, so most residents and visitors leave the island for entertainment. Although Sullivan's Island has public beach accesses (like Folly Beach and Isle of Palms), it has a nicer feel to it. It's also considerably more expensive than these two beaches.

Kiawah Island is one of the most exclusive beaches in Charleston. It has the best amenities of any of the beaches - world class tennis facilities and golf courses, pools, a spa, and upscale restaurants. There is one public access on the southern tip of Kiawah. It is part of the Charleston County Parks, and has paid admission. Besides these park-goers, access is restricted to property owners and vacationers who are renting homes on the island. Kiawah is located further out from downtown Charleston - it's about a 30 to 40 minute drive.

Seabrook Island is very similar to Kiawah in that it's a private beach resort, and it's located directly south of Kiawah. It also has great golf and tennis amenities, but it also has an equestrian center. This is one of only a few community equestrian facilities in all of Charleston. Kiawah and Seabrook have the priciest beach real estate in Charleston and have a high status associated with the areas. They are also the most natural of the beaches. They have very strict building guidelines in an effort to preserve the wildlife and natural beauty of the islands.

About the Author
Lee Keadle is a Realtor in Charleston South Carolina. He works in the Carolina One Real Estate Charleston SC office, and his team works largely with Summerville South Carolina homes!