After your negative events are resolved and the worst part of the problem is over, the next step is to start damage assessment. You can make the damage assessment your self but it would be better if you obtain professional credit service for the purpose.  

The most important aspect of the damage assessment is a careful evaluation of the credit with a base line evaluation. Three nationwide credit agencies control the credit reporting business in United States. Each one of them maintains their records on each individual debtor. The process of legal credit repair requires that you make your evaluation on the basis of the report from all the three agencies.  Such a report is called the tri-merge report. 

You can obtain a tri-merge report online from any of the credit bureau like the Equifax or the Experian. It costs you around $30 and you can consider this as a part of your credit repair costs. On the other hand if you obtain the report of a single credit bureau, it will cost you only 10. For each zip code in the country thee is one “preferred agency” that has the right to make the credit report. Thus, you may look at the list of preferred agencies to find out which one is authorized for your zip code area. 

Once the assessment is done, you should communicate with the potential lenders to find out how good or bad your credit status is. Since their views will be based on your credit repair information you will know how you stand on date.