Originally Posted by NC Penguin

Be aware that with each quote involves checking one's credit report and these enquiries appear on the credit report thereafter (for 18 months?). This is not seen positively by subsequent entities that obtain a copy of your credit report (they tend to think the worst., i.e. you were denied credit so that's why you've approached another mortgage provider).

Originally Posted by fatbrit

Provided the inquiries appear within a very short time of each other for the same type of loan application (e.g. mortgage or auto financing), then the FICO algorithm should only ding your credit score once. Hence, if you shop once you may as well shop a dozen times, because it isn't going to make any difference to your credit score.

Hard inquiries remain for 24 months; the FICO algorithm is only interested in the previous 12 months.

Originally Posted by NC Penguin

What's considered a very short time? Within a week? Within a few days?

Originally Posted by NC Penguin

In any case, how do members of the public really know how the big three credit bureaux clusters of inquiries?

Originally Posted by fatbrit

Taken from the horse's gob @ http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducatio...Inquiries.aspx

They don't! The bureaux are a mindless bunch of money-grabbing prats who would give the feds a run for their money in bureaucratic inefficiency. Check your credit regularly (and preferably without paying), know your rights, and kick the m-f's hard if they move 0.01mm out of line.

Originally Posted by BritGuyTN

disputing stuff can work pretty well - bellsouth decided to pull my credit 3 timed despite me not authorising them - equifax kindly deleted them. the other two firms don't - which i'm sure is illegal

Originally Posted by rogerpenycate

I'm moving to Stamford, Connecticut (about 25 miles north of New York) for a new job,and looking at renting again.
The standard procedure in CT seems to be one month deposit + 2 months security deposit.
On the type of place we need to rent, that'll be about $5,000 deposit and nearly $20,000 a year to rent.
To me that's 'dead money' and I looked into buying.
My credit rating, it turns out is at last high enough for me to be offered a 100% mortgage (through Coldwell Banker) up to $200,000 and therefore the total deposit will be almost the equivalent of the closing costs.
There are some nice properties for sale in and around Bridgeport (if anyone knows the area some advice would be appreciated) in that price range.
It also seems to be a booming area so with prices still on the up buying seems to be my best option.
Any other advice abouot the area would be gratefully received
Roger

Originally Posted by Rete

What made you look at Bridgeport, Roger. It might be up and coming but be aware it was down so far in the not so recent past that it had no where else to go but up. The casino industry in the state has done a lot to raise expectations in the state and their state tax is still low enough to attract homeowners. I remember there being some nice homes and the area was nice around the university there. Don't recall the name of the streets or the exit. Sorry about that.

How big a place do you need for the two of you or is your daughter coming north with you? If at all possible, stay away from NYS as the real estate here is unbelievably high for a shack and the real estate taxes will eat you alive.

Rita

Originally Posted by JohnCT

Yeah, Bridgeport has high local property taxes, these are calculated on a "mill rate" basis, which is a multiplier of some number of dollars per one thousand dollars of home (and cars too) value and asessed yearly. Here's a table from 1998 giving all the towns. Bridgeport is indeed the highest, and the "nice" part, http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/DATARESC/mill9798.htmk Black Rock is on the water where values have gone through the roof lately. I would check Shelton, Milford and Stratford on http://www.realtor.com but be prepared for possible sticker shock. Any closer to NYC and you are in what we locals call the "Gold Coast" you had better be selling a London townhouse or two before you shop there,

Best,

John