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“The major credit reporting agencies use a slightly different system to arrive at a credit score. The best known is called the FICO credit score, developed by Fair Isaac and Company (FICO).”
“A FICO credit score can range from 300 to 800, but most borrowers fall into the
“A high FICO credit score is your reward for paying bills on time. This is one of the most important factors that determine your California home mortgage loan rate.”
If you've had a few credit "bumps in the road" recently, and you're asking yourself, "How can I improve my FICO credit score"? Here are 5 ways to boost your FICO credit score:
1. Paying your bills on time is the first step in improving your FICO credit score. Late payments can have a big negative impact on your FICO credit score. 30 days or more late on one account can lower your FICO credit score 50 points or more. If you don't like writing checks, go online and automate your bill paying.
2. Don't max out your credit cards. The smaller balance gives you a wider difference between your balance and your credit limit. Also, if you are planning to purchase a new car or other major item, wait until you get that low mortgage loan rate.
3. If you are sincerely interested in improving your FICO credit score, bankruptcy MUST be avoided! Bankruptcy is more negative than late payments or collection accounts.
4. Get credit counseling if you have too much debt and begin to fall behind, or can't see a way out.
5. Keep old paid off accounts in an open status. If you close an account, it won't help your FICO credit score but it could lower your FICO credit score.
“If you close an old account it could make you look like a "rookie" in the credit world. A factor in obtaining credit is how long you've had credit.”
“If your FICO credit scores are over 640, but you want to raise it, obtain a copy of your credit report and request that the credit bureau remove any errors,” concludes Lincoln.
