Little Known Ways to Raise Your Credit Score

Saving your money for a down payment is a good idea, but if you don't have an acceptable credit score to back it up, you could end up renting for another couple of years in Boynton Beach until your score improves.

The Fair Isaac Company calculates your FICO score on the summary of your complete credit history. Most people traditionally have a score of 600, but scores are tiered from 300 to 850. Job loss has been common in the last few years, but FICO scores aren't necessarily adjusted "on a curve." A low score is just that and often means you can't get a loan. Some of the factors in reviewing your FICO score are: 

• Credit to Debt Ratio — How much do you owe versus how much credit you have available? 
• Credit Inquiries — Do you have too many open accounts?
• Types of Credit — Do you have a healthy mix of loans and credit cards?
• Payment History — How many late payments have you made?

In reviewing your credit history, you'll discover that you actually have three reports. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — three of the major credit reporting agencies — use a slightly different systems to determine your credit rating. FICO is used by Experian. Equifax's model is called BEACON and TransUnion uses EMPIRICA. You have a credit score with each of the bureaus.

When you apply for a mortgage or any other loan, lenders want to make sure that extending a loan to you isn't a risk. Your FICO score gives lenders a view of what type of borrower you'll be solely because of your credit history. Because of the shift in the economy, most home buyers should have scores in the range of 740 or higher to get an acceptable interest rate. You can qualify for a loan with a lower score, but the interest accumulated over the life of the loan could be more than double that of an individual with a superior credit score. 

Staying on top of your FICO score is the first step in purchasing a home. Call me at 561-424-2300 and I can help you get on the right track to the home of your dreams. 

You want a higher score, but how do you get it? Building your FICO score takes time. It can be difficult to make a large-scale change in your number with quick fixes, but your score can improve in a year by monitoring your credit report and by wisely using credit. The most important thing is to know your FICO score. Here are some ways you can improve your credit score: 

• Spread your debt around. At first, this doesn't seem like a good idea. But, you want to avoid of having one card that is holding the maximum and have the rest of your cards at a zero balance. It's better to have each of your cards at about 30% of their credit limit than to have the majority of your debt transferred to one card.
• Chain Store cards and gas cards. For those who have non-existent credit or below average credit, department store credit cards and gas credit cards are ways to improve credit, increase your spending limits and stay on top of your payments, which will raise your credit. You must always beware of carrying a large balance for more than a couple of billing cycles because these types of cards traditionally have a steeper interest rate.
• Keep your cards active. Whether you're just getting started with credit, or if you've got older cards, use your cards to make sure your accounts maintain an active status. But, pay them off in one or two payments.
• Pay on time. Payment history is a big factor in your FICO score. It's where people who have recently been unemployed see the biggest hit in their credit score. Yes, it takes longer to build up your credit this way, but it's the surest way to prove that you're able to make payments to a bank.
• Ensure that your credit history is correct. If you discover incorrect items on your credit report, contact the bureau asking that the item be removed. If you have a common name or the same name as a family member, you'll want to give extra care to make sure the activity reported is correct.

Knowing the ways you can raise your credit score, you're one step closer to becoming a homeowner. Remember that when it's time to apply for a loan to purchase a house, you'll want to keep your lender applications within a two-week window to avoid damaging your credit score. With the help of Carole Kay Realty, Inc., shopping for a mortgage can be a stress-free experience so you, too, can achieve home ownership. 

To learn more, visit www.myFICO.com, Fair Isaac's informational site and you can review all of your credit reports for free each year at www.annualcreditreport.com. And, for a small payment, you can get your FICO score from each bureau on their websites: www.equifax.com, www.experian.com and www.transunion.com.

I work with all levels of credit scores and can help you settle into home ownership with the best lending institution for you. E-mail me at CaroleKayRealtyinc@gmail.com or call 561-424-2300 for more information.