Give Your Credit Score a Super Boost! 

When purchasing a home, your credit score plays a significant role in the interest rate you may qualify for. Not only that, but it also may determine if you are approved for a mortgage or declined. 

It’s frustrating for you to go through the mortgage application process only to have wasted all that time and energy when you are not approved. 

I want to set you up for success – so I can help you save precious time and energy on your journey toward owning a home. My strategy includes making sure your credit score is the best it can be. 

Let’s look at some ways to do that!  

To give your credit score a boost, you should consider doing (or starting to do) each of the following tips: 

#1 Monitor Your Payment History

Your payment history is the most critical factor for your credit score.

To improve your payment history:

·         always make your payments on time

·         make at least the minimum payment if you can’t pay the total amount that you owe

·         contact the lender right away if you think you’ll have trouble paying a bill

·         don’t skip a payment even if a bill is in dispute 

#2 Use Credit Wisely

Don’t go over your credit limit. Borrowing more than the authorized limit on a credit card can lower your credit score.

Try to use less than 35% of your available credit. Having a higher credit limit and using less of it each month is better.

For example:

·         a credit card with a $5,000 limit and an average borrowing amount of $1,000 equals a credit usage rate of 20%

·         a credit card with a $1,000 limit and an average borrowing amount of $500 equals a credit usage rate of 50%

If you use a lot of your available credit, lenders see you as a greater risk -this is true even if you pay your balance in full by the due date! 

#3 Increase the Length of Your Credit History

The longer you have a credit account open and in use, the better it is for your score. Your credit score may be lower if you have relatively new credit accounts.

If you transfer an older account to a new account, the new account is considered new credit.

For example, some credit card offers have a low introductory interest rate for balance transfers. This means you can transfer your current balance to this new product. The new product is considered new credit.

Consider keeping an older account open even if you don’t need it. Use it from time to time to keep it active. Make sure there is no fee if the account is open, but you don’t use it. Check your credit agreement to find out if there is a fee.

#4 Limit Your Number of Credit Applications or Credit Checks

It’s normal and expected that you’d apply for credit occasionally. When lenders and others ask a credit bureau for your credit report, it’s recorded as an inquiry. Inquiries are also known as credit checks.

If there are too many credit checks in your credit report, lenders may think that you’re:

·         urgently seeking credit

·         trying to live beyond your means

How to Control the Number of Credit Checks

To control the number of credit checks in your report:

·         Limit the number of times you apply for credit

·         get your quotes from different lenders within a two-week period when shopping around for a car or a mortgage – your inquiries will be combined and treated as a single inquiry for your credit score

·         apply for credit only when you need it

Hard Hits Vs Soft Hits

“Hard hits” are credit checks that appear in your credit report and count toward your credit score. Anyone who views your credit report will see these inquiries.

Examples of hard hits include:

·         an application for a credit card

·         some rental applications

·         some employment applications

“Soft hits” are credit checks that appear in your credit report, but only you can see them. These credit checks don’t affect your credit score in any way.

Examples of soft hits include:

·         requesting your credit report

·         businesses asking for your credit report to update their records about an existing account you have with them

·         using different types of credit

#5 Diversify Your Credit 

Your score may be lower if you only have one type of credit product, such as a credit card.

It’s better to have a mix of different types of credit, such as:

·         a credit card

·         a car loan

·         a line of credit

A mix of credit products may improve your credit score. Make sure you can pay back any money you borrow. Otherwise, you could hurt your score by taking on too much debt.

Your credit score can mean the difference between not only being approved for or denied a mortgage but also affecting your mortgage interest rate, the type of mortgages available, and the mortgage lenders you can choose from. I recommend boosting your credit score as much as possible before you start the application process. 

If you have any questions, please reach out. Let’s set you up for success today! 

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Warmest Regards,

Christina Pentlichuk