Whether you are considering buying a home, financing a car, or
opening a credit card account, your credit score will be a factor in the
interest rate that you are quoted. Every
day we receive advertising and offers about how to obtain a credit report and monitor
our credit. Do we understand the
information that’s reported?
Credit Score
If you have ever applied for a loan (home, auto, student, personal) or credit (credit card, line of credit) then you have a credit history. Your credit score represents the sum of your actions. Have you made all your payments on time and in full? If so, this will be reflected in your score. However, if you submit payments after the due date or if you fail to pay a loan or line of credit, your score will be affected.
There are three major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) that keep track of your credit performance. These three bureaus review your credit history and assign you a number, or score. Lenders also review this score and use it as part of its criteria to evaluate credit risk. Upon determining your credit worthiness, they will offer you an interest rate based on your score.
“Good” Credit Score
Your credit score is a number that ranges between 850 and 300, with a score of 850 reflecting perfect credit. Lower scores equal greater risk to the lender loaning the money. Each lender is responsible for determining risk and a low credit score can have an impact on your ability to qualify for a loan. Most credit programs have a minimum credit score that are acceptable.
My Credit Report
Every year you can receive a free copy of your credit report with the listing of your score from all three bureaus. This is a requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). www.annualcreditreport.com is the source for your free credit reports. If Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion all use the same information, the scores will be very similar. If you find a large variance, you’ll want to review the cause. If the report contains errors, you’ll want to address the errors with the lender. This is typically referred to as a credit dispute. You may have to petition the bureau to update the information.
Your credit score will change over time as your credit history lengthens. You will want to be careful about making too many inquiries into your credit, as these requests may lower your credit score.
Poor Credit
To make sure you keep your credit in good standing, make certain that you are paying all of your bills on time and in full. Keep an eye on all your accounts and lines of credit to make sure you aren’t accruing any hidden fees.
Should your score move lower for any reason, you can repair it over time, but it is a slow process. You can begin to shore up your credit by making all your payments on time and in full. Reducing your current debt is another way to improve your score. Stay away from buying on credit whenever possible and make a clear budget outlining how much you can afford each paycheck. Begin by paying off the loans with the highest interest rate first.
Good credit is a key factor in buying a new home, car, or receiving credit. For more information about your score and how it will affect your qualification for mortgage loan, contact a qualified loan officer to look at your personal credit picture.
Credit Score
If you have ever applied for a loan (home, auto, student, personal) or credit (credit card, line of credit) then you have a credit history. Your credit score represents the sum of your actions. Have you made all your payments on time and in full? If so, this will be reflected in your score. However, if you submit payments after the due date or if you fail to pay a loan or line of credit, your score will be affected.
There are three major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) that keep track of your credit performance. These three bureaus review your credit history and assign you a number, or score. Lenders also review this score and use it as part of its criteria to evaluate credit risk. Upon determining your credit worthiness, they will offer you an interest rate based on your score.
“Good” Credit Score
Your credit score is a number that ranges between 850 and 300, with a score of 850 reflecting perfect credit. Lower scores equal greater risk to the lender loaning the money. Each lender is responsible for determining risk and a low credit score can have an impact on your ability to qualify for a loan. Most credit programs have a minimum credit score that are acceptable.
My Credit Report
Every year you can receive a free copy of your credit report with the listing of your score from all three bureaus. This is a requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). www.annualcreditreport.com is the source for your free credit reports. If Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion all use the same information, the scores will be very similar. If you find a large variance, you’ll want to review the cause. If the report contains errors, you’ll want to address the errors with the lender. This is typically referred to as a credit dispute. You may have to petition the bureau to update the information.
Your credit score will change over time as your credit history lengthens. You will want to be careful about making too many inquiries into your credit, as these requests may lower your credit score.
Poor Credit
To make sure you keep your credit in good standing, make certain that you are paying all of your bills on time and in full. Keep an eye on all your accounts and lines of credit to make sure you aren’t accruing any hidden fees.
Should your score move lower for any reason, you can repair it over time, but it is a slow process. You can begin to shore up your credit by making all your payments on time and in full. Reducing your current debt is another way to improve your score. Stay away from buying on credit whenever possible and make a clear budget outlining how much you can afford each paycheck. Begin by paying off the loans with the highest interest rate first.
Good credit is a key factor in buying a new home, car, or receiving credit. For more information about your score and how it will affect your qualification for mortgage loan, contact a qualified loan officer to look at your personal credit picture.
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