FICO scores, the credit scores lenders use to evaluate a loan application contain a complex set of algorithms to arrive at their mythical number. Anything above 740 can be considered excellent credit while scores below 620 can be low enough to deny someone a mortgage. What is the best way to keep credit scores high? FICO scores use five main ingredients when composing a score, with different weight being placed upon the different categories. Those categories are:Payment History,Available Credit,Length of Credit,New Credit/Inquiries,Types of Credit,While no one but the folks at FICO know exactly how these five categories interact with each other to produce a score, we do know that Payment History and Available Credit amount to nearly two-thirds, 65 percent to be exact, of the calculation of a score.
Payment history is reviewed to make sure that you don't have any late payments that are more than 30 days past the due date. If you do, and they're recent ones, then your score will drop. If you keep your payment history on time and pay when bills are due, then the number one category will be a major factor in your final score.The second category, available credit, is based upon a percentage of credit available to you compared to current loan balances. For example, if you have a credit card with a $10,000 credit limit and you have a $3,000 balance, you will be rewarded in your credit score. The algorithms seem to indicate that keeping an approximate balance of one-third of your available credit at all times boosts your score. However, if you approach, or worse go above, your credit limit, your scores will fall.
Maintaining low balances contributes to the second largest factor in your credit score. As a good rule of thumb, it is a good idea to owe approximately 10% of your total credit limits. For instance, if you have a $1,000 line of credit, you should maintain a low balance of $100 on any given month. Owing too much money on accounts shows that you are a risk factor and are unable to pay account balances down. Creditors want to deal with consumers who can show restraint and discipline with credit lines. You want to show creditors that you are responsible and will pay them off in time. You don't want to show that you have a high dependence on credit.
The things that damage your credit score the most are late payments, collections, Bankruptcies, foreclosures, tax liens and judgments. If you have any of these types of credit accounts you will see credit scores in the low 500's and not sufficient to receive a loan from current lenders.It make good sense, if you have a lot of high interest loans, high loan to value credit cards and collections, to refinance your home or take out an equity line and pay off these small loans. This action can raise your FICO score dramatically and make it possible to get approval from a bank for a better loan rate.
Remember, your payment history contributes to 35% of your credit score, and your balances contribute to 30% of your score. Therefore, maintaining low balances and paying your bills on time each month affects 65% of your credit score.Simply put, the longer your accounts have been opened, the higher your score will become. Accounts that are new may actually bring your score down, especially loans. It is not until you establish a positive history over time that you will notice the positive effects of a score increase.
A healthy mix of different accounts is best. You want your credit report to be comprised of credit cards, mortgages and auto loans. You don't simply want to have credit cards listed on your credit report.When a company pulls your credit report to qualify you for credit, this is called an inquiry. An inquiry will stay on your credit report generally for 3 years. It is very important to limit the amount of inquiries on your credit report. Although inquiries only contribute to 10% of your credit score, too many inquiries in a short period of time makes a consumer appear to be out of money and desperate for credit, and this becomes a risk in the eyes of potential creditors. It also implies to creditors that you may be opening new accounts, which as stated above pushes your credit score down.
Look for support from professionals.Don't be enticed by every attractive offer by lenders. It is better to speak to a specialist prior to accepting an agreement without thoroughly investigating the fine print.Financial experts can assist you in effectively handling your financial resources. They can be your source of help and support on concerns regarding your credit scores. They can probably advise you on the benefits and drawbacks of pulling your own credit report and the many demands lenders require before they arrive at a credit decision.
There is no greater embarrassing moment than the one where you have applied for a loan and it is declined because you have a poor credit score. Such embarrassment is reversible though; there are ways you can get back on the horse so to speak. It is important however to know how you got where you are to know what to do or not to do to avoid falling into the same trap again. As much as you would like to blame it on anyone, a poor credit score is usually borne as a personal responsibility. However, there is always the proverbial light at the end of this especially dark tunnel, here is how:Start from the bottom up,Improving your credit score just like the way everything else begins from the bottom. You need to know how you got there so that you can get out. Consider this as a maze; you have to go back the same way you came to get out of it. When working to improve our credit rating, you have to know what you did wrong so that in future you avoid doing the same thing.
Consolidate.Debt consolidation is usually for individuals that experience difficulty paying off debts to their lending institutions. Consolidation is recommended for such people to unburden them of stress in making many different monthly payments to several different lenders.Examine and re-evaluate.Be your own financial counselor. Do not let financial problems pile up. Rather than awaiting credit rating reports to be mailed to your front door, make your own assessment. By doing this, you are updated concerning your credit reports.
Self-evaluation of your credit report will help you evaluate what kind of credit ratings you still have. Nowadays, if you want a complimentary copy of your credit report, you could easily go online and find one. Some even offer a free trial service.Learn How to Improve Your Credit Score,Your FICO score can establish just how excellent or bad your credit rating is in addition to the national average rating. Learn how to improve and maintain your credit score. Monitor and keep track of your credit score on your own. You will not only learn how to preserve an excellent credit score and rating, but aid your nation in maintaining a good average credit rating and help in stabilizing the economy.
Payment history is reviewed to make sure that you don't have any late payments that are more than 30 days past the due date. If you do, and they're recent ones, then your score will drop. If you keep your payment history on time and pay when bills are due, then the number one category will be a major factor in your final score.The second category, available credit, is based upon a percentage of credit available to you compared to current loan balances. For example, if you have a credit card with a $10,000 credit limit and you have a $3,000 balance, you will be rewarded in your credit score. The algorithms seem to indicate that keeping an approximate balance of one-third of your available credit at all times boosts your score. However, if you approach, or worse go above, your credit limit, your scores will fall.
Maintaining low balances contributes to the second largest factor in your credit score. As a good rule of thumb, it is a good idea to owe approximately 10% of your total credit limits. For instance, if you have a $1,000 line of credit, you should maintain a low balance of $100 on any given month. Owing too much money on accounts shows that you are a risk factor and are unable to pay account balances down. Creditors want to deal with consumers who can show restraint and discipline with credit lines. You want to show creditors that you are responsible and will pay them off in time. You don't want to show that you have a high dependence on credit.
The things that damage your credit score the most are late payments, collections, Bankruptcies, foreclosures, tax liens and judgments. If you have any of these types of credit accounts you will see credit scores in the low 500's and not sufficient to receive a loan from current lenders.It make good sense, if you have a lot of high interest loans, high loan to value credit cards and collections, to refinance your home or take out an equity line and pay off these small loans. This action can raise your FICO score dramatically and make it possible to get approval from a bank for a better loan rate.
Remember, your payment history contributes to 35% of your credit score, and your balances contribute to 30% of your score. Therefore, maintaining low balances and paying your bills on time each month affects 65% of your credit score.Simply put, the longer your accounts have been opened, the higher your score will become. Accounts that are new may actually bring your score down, especially loans. It is not until you establish a positive history over time that you will notice the positive effects of a score increase.
A healthy mix of different accounts is best. You want your credit report to be comprised of credit cards, mortgages and auto loans. You don't simply want to have credit cards listed on your credit report.When a company pulls your credit report to qualify you for credit, this is called an inquiry. An inquiry will stay on your credit report generally for 3 years. It is very important to limit the amount of inquiries on your credit report. Although inquiries only contribute to 10% of your credit score, too many inquiries in a short period of time makes a consumer appear to be out of money and desperate for credit, and this becomes a risk in the eyes of potential creditors. It also implies to creditors that you may be opening new accounts, which as stated above pushes your credit score down.
Look for support from professionals.Don't be enticed by every attractive offer by lenders. It is better to speak to a specialist prior to accepting an agreement without thoroughly investigating the fine print.Financial experts can assist you in effectively handling your financial resources. They can be your source of help and support on concerns regarding your credit scores. They can probably advise you on the benefits and drawbacks of pulling your own credit report and the many demands lenders require before they arrive at a credit decision.
There is no greater embarrassing moment than the one where you have applied for a loan and it is declined because you have a poor credit score. Such embarrassment is reversible though; there are ways you can get back on the horse so to speak. It is important however to know how you got where you are to know what to do or not to do to avoid falling into the same trap again. As much as you would like to blame it on anyone, a poor credit score is usually borne as a personal responsibility. However, there is always the proverbial light at the end of this especially dark tunnel, here is how:Start from the bottom up,Improving your credit score just like the way everything else begins from the bottom. You need to know how you got there so that you can get out. Consider this as a maze; you have to go back the same way you came to get out of it. When working to improve our credit rating, you have to know what you did wrong so that in future you avoid doing the same thing.
Consolidate.Debt consolidation is usually for individuals that experience difficulty paying off debts to their lending institutions. Consolidation is recommended for such people to unburden them of stress in making many different monthly payments to several different lenders.Examine and re-evaluate.Be your own financial counselor. Do not let financial problems pile up. Rather than awaiting credit rating reports to be mailed to your front door, make your own assessment. By doing this, you are updated concerning your credit reports.
Self-evaluation of your credit report will help you evaluate what kind of credit ratings you still have. Nowadays, if you want a complimentary copy of your credit report, you could easily go online and find one. Some even offer a free trial service.Learn How to Improve Your Credit Score,Your FICO score can establish just how excellent or bad your credit rating is in addition to the national average rating. Learn how to improve and maintain your credit score. Monitor and keep track of your credit score on your own. You will not only learn how to preserve an excellent credit score and rating, but aid your nation in maintaining a good average credit rating and help in stabilizing the economy.
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