The first step to clearing up your credit is to get a copy of your credit report to make sure that the negative credit information is indeed accurate. Some states now have mandatory timelines to respond to your inquiry or remove the blemish. For a copy of your report, contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies:

• Experian at (888) 397-3742 experian.com,
  
• Equifax at (800) 685-1111 equifax.com
  
• Trans Union at (312) 408-1077 transunion.com

The credit bureaus should provide instructions on how to read the report and how to dispute any inaccuracies it may contain. If your credit report is correct, take care of any outstanding delinquent obligations first. Lenders usually won't consider any borrower who has had a delinquent payment in the past year.