Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report.
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale.
Let’s cover the basics of credit scores. There are three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. All of these institutions put together credit reports, which can vary.
These unions put together a credit report known as a FICO score. The big things to remember are payments and amounts owed. Those individually weigh a third of the total weight. Your FICO score is also based on new credit, credit history, and a mix of credit. Ultimately, they focus on purchase and payment history. You really need to pay attention to your spending over time to get to the bottom of this one. Bankruptcy and civil judgements are also kept on record. Liens on your property also come into effect. A lien is a public record saying you owe a creditor money, which makes your title unclear.
FICO scores range between 301 and 850. In the United States, the average is 723. Anything in the mid 700s to 800s is considered excellent credit.
However, sometimes there are errors that are not your fault. They come up! There are a lot of clerical errors. To catch errors, monitor your credit report at least yearly. We even recommend quarterly! You can pull your free yearly credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Sites like this one can alert you when there are changes within your report. Be sure to talk to credit bureaus and let them know what’s going on if you come across these errors as you monitor. Be proactive!
How can I keep my credit score as high as possible? First, when you have open accounts, think twice before closing an account, even if they are not very active. I’m talking about that Macy’s credit line you have. One-third of your credit score is the amount you owe versus the available credit. Now, the rule of thumb in the industry is to use 30% of available credit. Additionally, small balances on multiple cards are better than one large balance on one card.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, or changing jobs, try to stay within the same industry. Even switching industries can create obstacles. You can discuss this with your trusted lender.
When you’re browsing listings, try not to build up credit once you start seriously considering a new home purchase. Credit has the potential to negatively affect your chances of getting the loan you want and need. Give me a call or email if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the Portland area. We can talk about your real estate needs and how I can best serve you during a free consultation!
FICO scores range between 301 and 850. In the United States, the average is 723. Anything in the mid 700s to 800s is considered excellent credit.
However, sometimes there are errors that are not your fault. They come up! There are a lot of clerical errors. To catch errors, monitor your credit report at least yearly. We even recommend quarterly! You can pull your free yearly credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Sites like this one can alert you when there are changes within your report. Be sure to talk to credit bureaus and let them know what’s going on if you come across these errors as you monitor. Be proactive!
How can I keep my credit score as high as possible? First, when you have open accounts, think twice before closing an account, even if they are not very active. I’m talking about that Macy’s credit line you have. One-third of your credit score is the amount you owe versus the available credit. Now, the rule of thumb in the industry is to use 30% of available credit. Additionally, small balances on multiple cards are better than one large balance on one card.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, or changing jobs, try to stay within the same industry. Even switching industries can create obstacles. You can discuss this with your trusted lender.
When you’re browsing listings, try not to build up credit once you start seriously considering a new home purchase. Credit has the potential to negatively affect your chances of getting the loan you want and need. Give me a call or email if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the Portland area. We can talk about your real estate needs and how I can best serve you during a free consultation!
