 TITLE: How Long Does a Foreclosure Stay on Your Credit Report? CONTENT: Improving Your Credit After a Foreclosure\n-----------------------------------------\nIf you've been through a foreclosure and are working to rebuild your credit, there are a number of steps worth considering, including:\n*   Review the circumstances that led up to the foreclosure and take steps to avoid repeating any missteps. Should you have had a larger emergency fund that could have covered more payments, for example? Were your monthly expenses excessive, or did you take on a higher mortgage payment than you should have? Unforeseeable circumstances may have played a role as well, but be realistic about how ready you were for them, and how you might better prepare for similar challenges in the future.\n*   Take the time to create a budget and then stick to it, to set aside regular savings and avoid unnecessary or excessive debt.\n*   Consider professional assistance. If you're stressing over creating a budget or working out a debt-reduction program, expert help is available. A certified credit counselor can help you work out a plan that will work for you. If appropriate, they can also help you devise a debt management program, through which they can negotiate with creditors to lower your interest rates and monthly payments. To find a reputable credit counselor, look for a nonprofit organization certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Financial Counseling Association of America.\n*   Be relentless about paying your bills on time, and adopt other habits that tend to promote credit score improvements.\n*   Track your progress by checking your credit scores and credit reports on a regular basis. You can request a free credit report from each of the credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) once a year by going to AnnualCreditReport.com or check your Experian credit report for free every 30 days.\n*   Give it some time. With perseverance and patience, you'll see steady, if gradual improvements in your credit score over time. END