8
Ways to Improve Your Credit
Credit scores, along with your
overall income and debt, are a big factor in determining if you’ll qualify for
a loan and what loan terms you’ll be able to qualify for.
1.
Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes
happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.
2.
Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire
balance every month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to
another could lower your score.
3.
Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.
4.
Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage.
You’re penalized less for problems after a year.
5.
Don’t purchase big-ticket items for your new home on credit
cards until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.
6.
Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a
mortgage. Having too much available credit can lower your score.
7.
Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications
can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are
counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.
8.
Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high
and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit
management
e-mail
questions to:
broker@evans-moore.com