Cheech

Don't mind me - just doing a little housekeeping. Crosslinking to duplicate thread - http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=98467

Does PEX have the same issues that polybutylene did? Sorry, haven't heard of PEX, but the whole "it curves around everything" reminded me that. What about fittings? What do you do if you have to link into a copper fitting somewhere in the system?

niurka, what do you mean that they show still active? Are they showing currently open? Are they reporting negatively in any way?

LOL ziggy... don't go over to the dark side. I do wish that word about rehab could get out more. I know when I was in default, it was luck and the grace of God that led me to information about that program. Hey, maybe Liz Weston will include that in her article!!!

I am so happy to hear about your success!!! Yeah, this board is great and we have so many knowledgeable and caring people who give of their time to help others. So now that you've been through heck and come out on the other side, stick around. Your story will be so inspiring to others who have to walk the same path. Congrats again!!!

angeleyes - yes you can consolidate your loans even if they are from a different lender. In some ways, this actually opens more consolidation options for you, since you won't be bound by the "single lender rule."

It's my understanding that forbearance won't really affect your FICO much at all. If someone has a different experience to share, then by all means jump on in.

Crosslinking to duplicate topic - http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=98465 ceogirl - the advice you received on the mtg forum was right on. Student loans are considered installment loans and they really don't have a huge affect on your score (unless you don't pay them... lol). Good luck with your home search.

flcleo!!! Thank you so much for updating us. I am so happy to hear that you have good news to share. Now that you're an official member of the "rehab club" stick around and let us know how it's going. That year will fly by before you know it. And don't forget - even after the 12 pmts are done, you aren't officially "rehabbed" until your loan gets picked up by a servicer. So you'll want to follow up on that when the time comes. Congrats!!!!

I'm sure by now that you are familiar with the HEA and specifically with the section that deals with rehab. You said you talked with the Ombudsman's office back when you were originally trying to rehab. Have you contacted them specifically about this issue? If not, then I'd suggest doing that. I'm surprised to hear that they made a comment to you saying that "with your degree you should have no problem paying them off." That's extremely out of character for that position. Since you have a signed rehab agreement, then the CA as an agent of the DOE, is bound by that agreement. Since you don't say who the CA or servicer is, I can't really offer much info there. Anyway, give the ombudsman's office another try. Send them a copy of your rehab agreement and see if they can't move things along. Good luck and post back to let us know how it's going.

Well again, I won't ever try to predict what a FICO score may or may not do. However, I'm wondering if the mtg broker thought that consolidating might affect her DTI ratio? Would the amt of her mthly pmts increase (they usually decrease with consolidation but this one could be different.) Or maybe the broker was worried about a new account showing up, since you're generally advised not to take out new credit about 6 mths prior to getting a mtg. If this had been a different type of installment loan, like a car, then that could definitely mess up her DTI ratio. With consolidation however, the old loans are paid off with a zero balance (sorta like a refi). I actually consolidated about 3 mths before I bought a house specifically to *lower* my DTI.

Well, you know I never try to guess what FICO scores will do... lol. I can tell you that I consolidated about the same amt last yr, about the same number of loans, and about the same age. Didn't really have an affect on my scores one way or the other. YMMV. Generally speaking, installment loans don't affect your score like revolving accounts do (unless you don't pay... lol). HTH -- Cheech

I really want to encourage all of the members of this board to participate in Ms. Weston's research for her new article. I've read many of her articles on MSN Money and have been very impressed with her knowledge and balanced reporting. I know many of us here (myself included) have been harassed, or at minimum, misled by student loan collection agencies. Here's a chance to put that topic more in the public eye. I'm including a link to the topic, but it's also pinned at the top of the forum. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and participate (if you choose to do so). Cheech http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97663

Twist that is excellent news!!! Thank you for updating us and keep us posted on how it's going. And welcome to the student loan forum.