Credit Report
Definition of "Credit Report"
A credit report contains detailed information regarding the relationship history of an individual with several financial institutions.
How do I get a Credit Report?
You ask a credit bureau. There are several around – especially ever since the world became so digital.
How much does a Credit Report cost?
It depends on the credit bureau reporting, but, by law, they cannot charge more than $12 for it. When they do, it usually is in a form of a "bundle", providing you with other services.
Can I get a free credit report?
Yes. Everyone is allowed to ask for a free credit report once every 12 months to one of the 3 nationwide credit bureaus. Call the Annual Credit Report Request Service at 1-877-322-8228 for more information.
You can also request an additional free credit report if:
- You’ve just been a victim of fraud or identity theft
- You are currently receiving public welfare assistance
- You are currently unemployed (willing to apply for employment within the next 60 days)
- Your credit history was the alleged reason for the denial of an insurance policy, or for the loss of an employment opportunity or even for the denial of a credit expansion
What’s in a credit report?
It can vary from agency to agency, but typically it contains personal information like Social Security number, current and past address(es), employment history, financial information like bill payment history, loans, current debt and even criminal history. Lastly, it also shows all the companies that have requested the individual’s file and the date those requests were made.
Why does it exist?
Its main function is to help lenders decide if they will approve a loan for a specific individual. In case they do, it acts as the basis to determine the interest rates they will charge for the loan. It also serves as a way to prospective insurers, employers and rental property owners to get a better feel regarding that individual’s payment history/financial responsibilities.
Real Estate Tips
Look for more terms on our Glossary and improve your language score!
Or access The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory® and let an agent go through all the hassle on your behalf.
Popular Mortgage Terms
After reaching a certain annual income, you might be interested in finding the definition of a jumbo mortgage. What is a jumbo loan? It is something like a mortgage with ...
Points paid by a lender for a loan with a rate above the rate on a zero point loan. For example, a lender might quote the following prices: 8%/0 points, 7.5%/3 points, 8.75%/-2.5 points. ...
Using a brokers time and expertise to become informed and creditworthy, then jumping to the Internet to get the loan. ...
Insurance provided the lender against loss on a mortgage in the event of borrower default. In the U.S., all FHA and VA mortgages are insured by the federal government. On other mortgages, ...
The definition of affordability in real estate is simply a buyer’s capacity to afford a house. Affordability is usually expressed in terms of the maximum amount a buyer will be able ...
The largest loan size permitted on a particular loan program. For programs where the loan is targeted for sale to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the maximum will be the largest loan ...
The assumption that the index value to which the interest rate on an ARM is tied follows the same pattern as in some prior historical period. In meeting their disclosure obligations in ...
The monthly index is a ratio of monthly interest costs to total funds, expressed as a percentage. Annualized interest, the numerator, is calculated by multiplying the deposit balances at ...
A documentation option where the applicant's income is disclosed and verified but not used in qualifying the borrower. The conventional maximum ratios of expense to income are not ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.