In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, I finally sit down with Chad Kusner, founder of Credit Repair Resources. We unpack everything from the misunderstood world of credit scoring to what actually works in credit repair—and why so many people get it wrong. Chad pulls back the curtain on how his team gets real results while staying fully compliant with both state and federal regulations.

We dig into why your credit score might drop when you pay off a debt, the dangers of identity theft (and why most people don’t even know they’ve been compromised), and the evolving scoring models that could reshape lending as we know it. Whether you’re a real estate investor, agent, or just someone trying to level up your financial game, this episode will give you a totally new perspective on credit.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:02] - Chad’s personal credit story and the “aha” moment that launched his credit repair business

[4:52] - The credit score confusion: free consumer sites vs. mortgage scores

[6:48] - How a consumer litigator helped him clean up his report—and why follow-through matters

[9:04] - Why referrals are the lifeblood of his business and how that helps ensure better results

[10:28] - The three essential questions Chad asks before taking on a client

[14:35] - What separates his service from “big box” credit repair firms like Lexington Law

[20:17] - Why credit repair companies that charge upfront are not just shady—they’re illegal

[26:50] - The evolution of identity theft: small charges, big impact

[31:15] - Understanding UltraFICO and how it’s changing access for consumers with thin files

[36:00] - Why paying off collections can temporarily hurt your credit (and what to do instead)

[40:00] - The best credit utilization ratio for increasing scores

[42:20] - How trended data gives lenders a clearer view of your financial behavior

[47:00] - A behind-the-scenes look at Chad’s automated tracking system and partner reporting

[51:00] - Why consistent follow-up improves lease-option conversions

[54:00] - The power of accountability in the credit repair journey

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Credit repair is a team sport – You can’t outsource the work entirely. You’ve got to do your part—especially when it comes to rebuilding with new, positive accounts.

2. Not all credit scores are created equal – Free scores from apps don’t match mortgage lending scores, which can be up to 100 points lower.

3. Paying off collections isn’t always helpful – Especially under Fannie Mae’s current scoring model, paying off debt can actually drop your score in the short term.

4. Monitoring your credit is non-negotiable – With data breaches affecting billions of records, it’s critical to check your credit and financial accounts regularly.

5. Long-term results beat flashy promises – Companies that only dispute one item at a time or make big guarantees often drag out the process to keep you paying.

Links & Resources:

• Credit Repair Resources: https://www.creditrepairresources.net

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov

• UltraFICO information: https://www.ficoscore.com/ultrafico

• Free annual credit reports: https://www.annualcreditreport.com

If you got value from this episode, be sure to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. And if you’re working with credit-challenged buyers or thinking about a rent-to-own strategy, you’re going to want this one saved and shared.

Let’s ride.