Everyone should check their credit status before signing any offer to purchase a property and before applying for a home loan.

There are various credit bureaus and you should check whether you have any listings, with all of them. If you are married in community of property, both spouses must check their listings.

If you find that you do have a default listing and you have not paid the debt up in full, you should contact the company that has listed you and ensure that, before you pay the outstanding amount, you obtain a letter from the company assuring you that the listing will be removed within 24 hours of the debt being paid in full.

If the listing is a judgment, you must ensure to obtain the company’s written guarantee that they will consent to a rescission of judgment.