Your credit score is one of the most critical numbers in your life. It can determine whether you can get a loan for a car or a home, and it can even affect your insurance rates. Employers also use your credit score to decide whether to give you a job. So it’s essential to understand what affects your credit score and how you can improve it. In this article, we will discuss the factors that influence your credit score and ways that you can start improving yours today!
What is a credit score?
A credit score is a number that lenders use to decide whether or not to give you a loan. It is based on your credit history, including how often you make your payments on time and how much debt you have.
A high credit score means that you are a low-risk borrower, making lenders more likely to give you a loan with a lower interest rate. Conversely, a low credit score means you are a high-risk borrower, making lenders less likely to provide you with a loan or may only offer you higher interest rates.
Credit scores are important because they can affect your ability to get a loan, the interest rate you are charged on a loan, and whether or not you can rent an apartment.
What are FICO ® Scores?
FICO Scores are calculated using many different pieces of credit data in your credit report. This data is grouped into five categories: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit (10%), and credit mix (10%).
Your FICO Scores consider both positive and negative information in your credit report. The percentages in the chart reflect how important each of the categories is in determining how your FICO Scores are calculated.
Many factors can affect your credit score, including:
Your payment history
This is the most critical factor in your score. Lenders want to know that you are a responsible borrower who makes payments on time. A history of late or missed payments can hurt your score.
Your credit utilization ratio
Credit utilization is calculated by dividing the total amount of revolving credit you are currently using by the total of all your credit limits. Lenders like to see credit utilization under 30%—under 10% is even better. This ratio accounts for 30% of your FICO ® score.
This is the amount of debt you have compared to the amount of credit available. (The main credit scoring models are FICO and VantageScore). Your payment history is the record of whether you’ve paid your bills on time—or not. To the major credit bureaus, creditors report your payment activity—good or bad.
The age of your credit history
If you have been using credit for a long time, it shows that you are reliable. But if you don’t have much credit history, it can hurt your score. Having an “older” credit age is better for your credit score because it shows that you have many experiences handling credit. Opening new accounts or closing existing accounts can lower your average credit age.
The type of credit you use
Credit cards are considered riskier than mortgages or car loans. So if you mainly have credit cards, it can lower your score. A mix of installment loans (such as mortgages and car loans) and revolving debt (such as a credit card). This factor accounts for 20% of your score.
New credit
Applying for too many new loans in a short period can hurt your score. This factor accounts for about ten percent of your score. In addition, opening newer accounts will shorten the average age of your accounts, which may damage your credit score, though not significantly.
Your credit score also considers the number of inquiries you have on your credit report. So, for example, if you have been shopping for a car or a mortgage, it will show up as an inquiry and could lower your score.
These are just some of the factors that can affect your credit score. It’s essential to understand them to manage your credit and improve your score.
Why is it important?
Your credit score is essential because it’s a reflection of your creditworthiness. A high credit score means you’re a low-risk borrower, which could lead to lower interest rates and better terms on loans. Conversely, a low credit score could mean the opposite – you may have to pay more for a loan or may not be approved at all.
Credit reports and scores are also used by landlords, employers, and utility companies to help them decide whether or not to do business with you. So it’s in your best interest to keep tabs on your credit report and score and understand what factors influence them.
How do you get a credit score, and what goes into it?
Your credit score is a three-digit number that reflects your creditworthiness. Lenders use it to determine whether you qualify for a loan and at what interest rate. Therefore, it’s essential to have a good credit score to save you money on loans and other expenses.
So, what affects your credit score? When calculating your score, your payment history, outstanding debt, length of credit history, new credit inquiries, and types of credit accounts are all considered.
What are some things you can do to improve your credit score?
Some things you can do to improve your credit score include paying your bills on time, maintaining a good credit history, and using a credit monitoring service.
You can also get a copy of your credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies. This will help you identify any errors that may be affecting your score. You can then dispute these errors with the appropriate agency.
If you have bad credit, there are still options available to you. For example, you can get a secured credit card backed by a deposit you make. This deposit acts as collateral in case you default on your payments. Or you could get a cosigner for a loan or line of credit. A cosigner is someone who agrees to make your payments if you can’t.
Whatever route you decide to take, remember that it’s essential to keep track of your credit score and work on improving it over time. A good credit score can save you money in the long run and help you achieve your financial goals.
How can you protect your credit score from damage?
You can do a few things to protect your credit score from damage. First, make sure you consistently pay your bills on time. Second, try to keep your credit utilization ratio low. And third, be careful about opening new accounts or closing old ones. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to protect your credit score and keep it in good shape.
To keep your credit utilization low, you can try things like setting balance alerts or making extra payments during the month. The good news is that score damage from having high credit utilization can be reversed. The damage disappears once you pay a high balance down and the creditor reports it to the credit bureaus.
What happens if you have a low credit score or no credit score at all?
If you have a low credit score, you may find it challenging to get approved for a loan. Lenders will often look at your credit score to determine how risky it is to lend money to you. A low credit score can mean that you’re more likely to default on your loan.
If you don’t have any credit history, lenders won’t have anything to go off of when they decide whether or not to approve you for a loan. This makes it difficult for borrowers who are just starting to build their credit history. Without a good credit history, it can be hard to get approved for loans in the future.
Can you rebuild your credit score if it’s been damaged in the past?
There is no definitive answer to this question. However, you can do a few things to improve your credit score if it has taken a hit in the past. First, make sure you pay your bills on time and keep your credit utilization ratio low.
It would be best if you also tried to establish a good credit history by opening new accounts and maintaining healthy balances on them. Finally, get yourself a copy of your credit report and review it for errors. If you find any mistakes, dispute them with the credit reporting agencies. You can gradually rebuild your credit score and improve your overall financial health by following these tips.
Can bankruptcy help rebuild my credit?
Bankruptcy can be an effective way to rebuild your credit score if you have been struggling with debt. However, it is not the only option and should be considered a last resort.
There are several things you can do to improve your credit score before resorting to bankruptcy, such as paying your bills on time, keeping your credit utilization ratio low, and disputing any errors on your credit report. If you decide to file for bankruptcy, make sure you hire an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the process and protect your interests.
What happens if I don’t pay my credit card bills?
If you don’t pay your credit card bills, the issuer may charge a late payment fee and increase your interest rate. Late payments can also hurt your credit score, making it more challenging to obtain a loan or credit card in the future. So, it’s essential to make sure you consistently pay your bills on time. If you have trouble making payments, contact your credit card issuer and work out a payment plan.
Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?
It is possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, but it will be more complex and may come with higher interest rates.
You will likely need to put down a larger down payment and have a good income and debt-to-income ratio. It is also essential to shop around for the best mortgage deal and compare interest rates.
Doing your research and preparing well ahead of time can increase your chances of getting approved for a mortgage, even if your credit score is not ideal.
In conclusion
Several factors affect your credit score. The most important ones are your payment history, utilization rate, length of credit history, new credit inquiries, and type of credit you have. These factors all work together to create your overall credit score. Credit scoring companies use different models to calculate your score, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what exact number will put you in good or bad standing. However, by following some simple credit practices, you can improve your credit score over time. EdFed offers Credit Card programs that will help you build your credit score and maintain good credit.
