How-To Guide

The Short Answer To dispute credit report errors, write to the credit bureau—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—identifying each mistake in plain language, attaching copies of documents that prove your case, and sending everything by certified mail with return receipt. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the bureau must investigate and respond within 30 days (45 … Read more

The Short Answer Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward monthly debt payments. To calculate it, add up every required monthly debt payment, divide that total by your gross monthly income, and multiply by 100. Lenders use DTI to judge whether your income can comfortably carry new … Read more