Neiman Marcus and Michael’s Craft Store have been the latest retailers plagued by credit card security breaches. Maybe you think that you don’t have much to worry about if Neiman’s is not your go-to department store, or if you not very artsy but if security has been compromised at large, national stores can you imagine the risk if you shop at smaller regional or local shops. It is now common to swipe your card for purchases as small as a cup of coffee. How often do you do this without even thinking?
Obtaining a pre-approval letter from a lender before you go out home shopping has been recommended for quite a while and it is not shocking if a Realtor asks if you have been pre-approved immediately after taking your name and phone number. But what if you are not looking to purchase a home? Credit reports are now being run immediately upon meeting a prospective rental client. If you are going to be renting your first apartment or looking to find a new home rental your credit will be evaluated immediately before the Landlord will discuss any additional details.
Don’t give your current landlord the required 30 day notice that you will be vacating the premises until you have run your credit scores to see if anyone else has been helping themselves to your financial identity. Thirty days may not be enough time to clear any errors and you may find yourself without a place to live until the reports are clean enough for a new landlord to consider your rental application. Think twice before you swipe and start carrying cash for smaller purchases to lower your chances of your credit card being hacked.Additionally, get a pre-approval on a potential home purchase from the bank or lending institution that you plan on utilizing regardless of which property you take. In that way, you can limit the credit inquiries that show up on your credit portfolio.
Dell’Omo Realtors is a boutique agency that will take the time to make sure that your home puts its best foot forward. Contact us for an appointment so that we can discuss your property and find the best strategy for marketing and selling your largest investment. Find us on the web at www.dellomorealtors.com.
Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
732-263-5000 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
