Why You Want to Improve Your Credit Score

There are many different ways to improve your credit score as will as reasons why you should do this. Improving your FICO score will let you get lower mortgage and auto loans. Paying your bills on time is one of the first things you should do to improve your credit score. To restore your credit history; you must be willing to take the necessary steps to improve the credit reports and your credit score.

Credit score can be adversely affected by poor performance on your credit obligations, high debt, incorrect information, fraud or identity theft. Credit listings generally lose status after a period of time, usually seven years from the date of last payment, then they disappear from your credit report entirely. Credit scores dictate everything from finance rates to background checks.

Credit reports often have incorrect information. Credit reports have become very important, and it is necessary to check them at least three times a year. There are three different credit reporting agencies: Transunion, Experian and Equifax. All companies do not use the same credit reporting agency. Yearly get your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus. Should you be turned down for credit entirely or have your credit limit lowered; you can get a free credit report at that time. You can get one free report each year from each of the the three credit reporting bureaus.

Having a low credit score may also be referred to as bad credit. Bad credit is caused by such factors as negative listings or insufficient credit history on your credit profile. A low FICO score may cause you to pay higher interest rates when you finance cars, get credit cards or home loans. Bad credit can even cause you to be denied the ability to open a checking account. Pay your bills on time; reduce debt and review your credit report to improve your credit score.

You can repair your credit yourself rather than paying someone to do it for you. Removing the negative credit and repairing your credit report can make your financial life much easier. You’re probably asking “how do I fix my credit”. Get your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus; Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. If you find an error; write the credit agency and ask them to correct it. Send a written letter to the credit bureau to dispute the error. They then have 45 days to check it and make any corrections.

Ideally, keep your balance below 30% of the amount you are approved for in order to improve your credit scores. The people with the highest credit scores are people with solid access to credit that don’t use it too much. Be sure to use a maximum of 79% of the total available credit on each credit card. A credit balance over 80% will kill a good credit score. Do not close credit card accounts in an effort to raise your credit score. Most credit advisors say you should not close these accounts. Try to pay them off but keep the account open. Charge small amounts twice a year but be sure to pay the card off in full when due or before.

If your credit score is 700; it is pretty good. A credit score of 800 is considered excellent and will allow you to get that loan or credit card. If your credit score is below 700 though, you are in dire need of some credit repair. To cut costs and reduce interest expense; pay any extra money you have on the credit cards with the highest interest rates first. So if having a better credit score is important, it may be better to first pay down those debts where the balance is over 50% of the credit limit.

Last, understand that a FICO score of 750 and above is excellent; 660 - 749 is good; 620 - 659 is so so; and 350 - 619 needs improvement. 5 kinds of information make up your FICO score. Listed from most important to least important, these are: Payment History, Amount owed, Length of credit history, New credit and Types of credit in use. Your credit score is a good summary of your credit worthiness. You must make your credit score your first priority in order to improve your credit score. A good credit report gives the impression that you are a responsible person. A bad credit report may tell your potential employer that you are not dependable rather it is true or not. You are obviously at a disadvantage if you have a bad credit report or low FICO score. With management and time; you can get a clean credit report.

Here is a FREE report with 101 things to improve your FICO score. Feel free to share this report with your family and friends; just be sure it remains in its original form.

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