AR Factor Quote

We’re newlyweds, my wife and I. Consequently, we’ve been hunting for a house for about six months. During the first couple months of searching, we were just looking for a one-bedroom cottage with a yard. As with most young couples we got a dog and quickly outgrew our one-bedroom apartment in the Valley. Our goal was simple enough, but when my parent’s home was foreclosed on, thing changed.

So, the search for a one-bedroom cottage became the hunt for a three or four bedroom. I wasn’t thrilled by the notion of having to live with my parents, again, but given the circumstances, it made sense. While we were trying to get in sync with the right realtor, my wife was blindsided by the news that her father found out he had cancer. Nothing complicates a house hunt more than a serious illness, even when it’s your father-in-law.

The pressure mounted each day we couldn’t find the right house. Add to that the constant presence of my parents and that pressure was thick enough to cut. We now had to narrow our range of options to a ten mile radius of my father-in-law’s house. He couldn’t be left alone, especially after his chemotherapy. What neither of us had taken into consideration was our credit.

My parents were more of a hindrance as their credit had just taken a blow from the foreclosure. My wife had no credit, while my credit score was abysmal because of my student loan deferments and as a result no one would approve our application. Debt solutions, we had none. Improving our credits scores would take months, if not years, to improve. We didn’t have month — or years — to spare.

With only a week left on our lease, we did manage to find a landlord who would take a higher deposit in lieu of a poor credit score. It’s a three-bedroom home, with a yard, but we got lucky. I don’t know about you, but I’m not much of a gambler. Sure, we found a place, but what happens next time? It’s always a good time to get out of debt. Don’t wait for the last minute to dig yourself out of a credit hole, get on it now.

Viable debt solutions are advertised everywhere, but caveat emptor — buyer beware. Do your research first, then get involved with a respected debt solution service. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.