A bad reputation swarms around debt consolidation. Some think it is just as bad as filing bankruptcy. Hearing the poor information on it can scare many people away from it.

Debt consolidation does not have the same impact as filing bankruptcy. Debt consolidation can actually be helpful for reducing or eliminating your debts. It primarily is used to pay back all or a portion of your debts and bankruptcy normally means you do not pay back any of your debts.

The different types of debt consolidation will each have a different impact on your credit score.

There are Debt Management programs that advertise the ease of eliminating all your debt. The agents actually haggle with your creditors pushing them to agree to a lesser amount owed. This method may be popular for some who cannot afford their payments no longer and need help reducing or eliminating it, it will affect your credit score very negatively.

A debt consolidation loan is used to pay back your debt and have only one payment. This loan will be large enough to pay your balances to your creditors in full and remain in good standing. This reflects well on your credit report and should have no negative impact on your credit score.

Credit history length is measured for part of your credit score. When trying to get a good interest rate on a loan every small point counts. When paying creditors in full and closing accounts your credit history length will be shortened. Older accounts have a more dramatic effect. Even if you pay an account off, leave it open, especially the older ones.

Before applying for a home loan or any large loan you should look at your credit report and your credit score. Monitor your score for any changes every time you pay something off. You will want to wait to apply for the loan when your score is as high as it possibly can be.

Keep in mind that if you pay a creditor a settled amount that is lower than the amount owed you will create a negative drop for your score. When you are paying the creditor the full amount owed it will result in a positive impact on your credit score.

You should ensure your debt to income ratio is low enough to afford another loan payment prior to applying for any loan. Make sure you have no late payments for at least 3 months before you apply. The oldest accounts should remain open to keep your credit history length from being shortened.

It can be a wonderful method for eliminating high interest debts if used wisely. Any time debt consolidation is used to negotiate debts it is still considered a default on the loan and your credit score will always be affected poorly. If you have to use a debt consolidation program be sure that it is your only option, you may qualify for a debt consolidation loan instead.