Secrets to Building Credit the Right Way (No Scams, No Shortcuts!)

The Dream is Real: How Rachel Yakubov Helps You Fix Your Credit and Buy Your Dream Home

Buying a home is one of the biggest dreams for many people, but without strong credit, that dream can quickly feel out of reach. That's why on this episode of The Dream is Real Podcast, host Jason sits down with Rachel Yakubov, the passionate founder of Credit Lift LLC, to break down how you can take control of your credit and make your dream home a reality.

Rachel's story begins with personal hardship. She wasn't always a credit expert. In fact, she was once a victim herself — blindsided by credit damage she didn't know how to fix. Instead of giving up, Rachel fought back. She learned the ins and outs of credit repair, fought and won lawsuits against major credit companies, and eventually founded Credit Lift LLC to help others avoid the struggles she faced.

Today, Rachel's mission is simple but powerful: educate first, fix second.

The Importance of Credit When Buying a Home

Jason and Rachel dive deep into why having good credit is absolutely critical when you want to buy a home. From securing lower interest rates to getting approved at all, your credit score can make or break your ability to purchase property.

Rachel emphasizes that credit repair isn't about "quick fixes." It's about understanding your rights, tracking every piece of mail you get from creditors, and using smart, legal methods to clean up your record. Every consultation at Credit Lift LLC starts with a free review of all three major credit reports. Because every client's situation is different, personalized strategies are key.

Common Credit Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Rachel shares the top mistakes people make when trying to repair their credit, such as:

• Paying upfront fees to shady companies

• Ignoring letters from creditors

• Closing old credit accounts (a big no-no!)

• Applying for new credit cards right before house hunting

She stresses that consumers have more rights than they realize. If a debt collector calls without identifying themselves or continues contacting you after a cease-and-desist letter, you might have grounds for a lawsuit — and Rachel's team knows exactly how to help.

Fixing Your Credit: A Partnership

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that fixing credit is a collaborative effort. Rachel guides her clients every step of the way, but the client also needs to be active: saving mail, reporting calls and texts, and following a careful spending plan.

Her advice for those beginning the process?

• Use your credit cards responsibly — spend and pay off quickly.

• Don't apply for anything new while fixing your credit.

• Communicate — tell your credit specialist about every letter or message you receive.

This teamwork approach means faster results and stronger, lasting improvements.

Demystifying Credit Scores

Many people don't realize there are different types of credit scores. Rachel explains the difference between Vantage scores (like those from Credit Karma) and FICO scores (which lenders use for mortgages).

Factors that impact your credit include:

• Utilization rates

• Account age

• Payment history

• Number of inquiries

• Public records

Even things like a misspelled name on your report can cause issues! Rachel and her team carefully comb through every detail to make sure everything is accurate.

First-Time Homebuyers and Credit Building

For first-time buyers who don't have a lot of credit history, Rachel recommends working smart with the accounts you have. Use your cards often but pay them off quickly. Build trust with lenders by showing responsible use over time.

If needed, Rachel can help clients become authorized users on other people's good accounts — a proven method to boost scores quickly.

Real Success Stories

Rachel shares powerful success stories, including helping a military client overcome major credit challenges, win lawsuits against credit bureaus, and finally purchase his dream home — all while building $60,000 in credit value.

She proves that no case is too complicated if you're willing to put in the work.

How to Work with Rachel Yakubov

Rachel's consultations are completely free. She will review your credit reports, lay out a plan, and guide you without pressure. Her firm does not charge upfront fees — they believe in earning your trust through results.

You can reach out to Rachel Yakubov at Credit Lift LLC:

• Phone: 917-440-8378

• Google "Credit Lift LLC" to find her website and more contact details

Dream Select Realty: Your Partner in Homeownership

If you're ready to buy, sell, or invest in Long Island, New York, Dream Select Realty is here to help. With expert agents and trusted partners like Rachel, you can navigate the home buying process with confidence.

Contact Dream Select Realty today:

• Website: www.dreamselectrealty.com

• Phone: 631-623-7117

• Instagram: @dreamselectrealty

Final Thoughts

Fixing your credit isn't impossible. It's achievable with the right education, the right support, and a little bit of patience. As Rachel Yakubov says, it's all about peeling back the layers, one by one, until you reveal the strong financial foundation underneath.

Your dream home is waiting. The dream is real — and it's closer than you think.