How To Raise Mortgage FICO Score

How To Raise Mortgage FICO Score


In this article, we will cover how to raise mortgage FICO score fast so you can qualify for a mortgage. Many people wanting to qualify for a mortgage may have lower credit scores. Homebuyers may not meet the minimum credit score requirements for a specific mortgage loan program. Every loan program has its own minimum credit score requirements.  In most cases, it is not too difficult to increase credit scores to qualify for a mortgage.

How To Raise Mortgage FICO To Get Mortgage Approved

In the following paragraphs, we will show how to raise mortgage FICO score to qualify for a mortgage. We will take a step further showing how to raise mortgage FICO score. We will show how to raise mortgage FICO score not just to meet the minimum FICO guidelines but to get you the highest scores possible to get you the best mortgage rates. The higher the credit scores, the lower the rates.

Is It Normal To Be in Debt in Your Early 20s?

If you think about it, high school graduates are encouraged to go into debt immediately after graduating, by needing student loans for college.  These students are assuming debt before many of them know what credit actually means.

New Experian data finds consumers in their 20s and 30s have up to $27,251 in credit card, auto loans and student loan debt. Debt is part of the average American’s life, and you can start to accumulate it as young as your 20s.

If credit was taught at an early age, many people would have made different decisions about where or if they would attend college.  Student loan debt can be debilitating to many people and could have been prevented.  

What is Consumer Credit?

Your credit score is a number calculated by 3 major credit bureaus that will take your payment history, monthly debt-to-income ratio, credit utilization, and any derogatory credit tradeline information to establish a score rating. 

Credit scoring models generally look at how late your payments were, how much was owed, and how recently and how often you missed a payment. Your credit history will also detail how many of your credit accounts have been delinquent in relation to all of your accounts on file.

Do All Three Credit Bureaus Give The Same Credit Score?

Each credit bureau will vary slightly. In general, the three credit reporting agencies will yield a credit score similar to each other to determine your credit score. The three major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax, and Transunion

It’s unlikely that you’ll have the same credit score across each of the three credit bureaus. In fact, there are several reasons why your scores from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax are typically different. While it is possible for you to have only one credit score, it’s unusual.

Each bureau is independent of one other and is used for different purposes.

What Are The Five Factors That Determine Your Credit Scores

Credit scores can range from 300 – 900.  These numbers are attached to your social security number and are used when determining your worthiness to be granted credit.

For one to be considered to have exceptional credit, your score is typically over 740. Good Credit would range anywhere between 680 and 739. If your score falls between 600 – 679 it would be considered average Once your score goes below 600, is when you will find it difficult to obtain loans, credit cards, and often even housing.    

How Do I Know What My Credit Score For a Mortgage Is?

In early adulthood, it is very common for you to not have a credit score.  Until you have loans in your name or something that would be reported to the bureaus, you will not have a credit score.  The best way to establish credit is by being added to a parent’s credit card as an authorized user. 

Mortgage lenders will often get a single report that contains your credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus and the associated FICO® Scores. It may base the lending decision on your middle credit score or, if you’re applying jointly with a partner, the lower middle score.

The parents’ pay history will help build your score. Once you have established some sort of revolving credit or installment loan, you will be able to keep track of your credit score.   There are many third-party services that provide you with a free platform to help monitor your score.  The most popular service is Credit Karma.  You are also eligible to achieve a free credit report from Experian once a year.  

What Causes Bad Credit

The obvious factor for good credit is being financially responsible and making all of your monthly payments on time. To consistently have good credit in determining your credit score is to not just make your payments on time but have a low credit utilization ratio.  What people don’t realize is that one late payment can significantly impact your credit. However, that is not the only element that your score is based on. 

Credit repair is not too difficult. Improving your credit score doesn’t take months. Just follow these simple steps to repair your credit and improve your credit score — and your ability to borrow money on terms you can afford. Improving your credit score can mean qualifying for lower interest rates and better terms.
Your credit utilization is also important. Keeping a low credit utilization ratio is key to having a high credit score. What is credit utilization?  In simple terms, it is the amount of credit used in relation to your available credit balance on revolving accounts. To have the maximum credit score possible, keep your credit card balances under 10% of the available credit limit.

What Is a Good Credit Utilization Ratio For High Credit Score?

The general rule of thumb is to try and keep your credit usage at 30% or less. When you start to carry high credit card balances or are close to maxing them out, that will lower your credit score.  

Your credit utilization ratio should be 30% or less, and the lower you can get it, the better it is for your credit score. Your credit utilization ratio is one of the most important factors in your credit score—and keeping it low is key to top scores.

The biggest factor for hurting your credit score which often comes as a surprise is medical collections.  For whatever reason, it is very common for people to say “I wasn’t aware of owing that bill”.   Most consumers think since they have health insurance, that is all they need.  

What If There Is A Mistake on My Credit Report?

As long as you have documentation the credit bureaus made a mistake, credit disputes are fine. However, if you are just disputing derogatory credit tradelines for the sake of hoping to get it removed, you can be asking for disaster.

If you identify an error on your credit report, you should start by disputing that information with the credit reporting company (Experian, Equifax, and/or Transunion). You should explain in writing what you think is wrong, why, and include copies of documents that support your dispute.

There are instances where creditors will not remove credit disputes even though you are requesting. If the credit disputes are not removed, your mortgage process will remain in suspense until the credit disputes have been removed.

Is It Possible To Correct Errors on My Credit Report?

Nothing in life is foolproof and everyone is human.  For that reason, mistakes do happen.  That is why it’s so important to monitor your credit reports for any errors. One negative error can make a drastic negative impact on your credit score. 

To ensure mistakes are corrected as quickly as possible, contact both the credit bureau and organization that provided the information to the bureau. Both these parties are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

If you notice a change in your score, and cannot for the life of you think of why it very well could be an error that would need to be disputed.  There can be many reasons why something is inaccurate on your credit report.  If you notice your score has dropped and need to figure out why click here for a list of items to check.  

How Do You Start a Credit Dispute With a Credit Bureau?

If you are able to notice an error on your credit report, it is imperative that you file a dispute with the credit reporting agency.  First and foremost you need to present your dispute in writing.  The letter should include your name, address, social security number, date of birth, and a thorough description of the error. 

You can send the credit reporting company a letter stating you don’t agree with the outcome. The credit reporting company has to clearly note that the information has been disputed and provide your explanation on any future reports. You can also submit a complaint with the Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

Be sure to include proof that it is an inaccurate mark, the account number and institution or agency it involves, and a copy of your credit report and driver’s license. Once that information has been mailed, follow up with a phone call.  Ask to speak with a manager and elevate your case if need be.  

What Do I Do If I Have Bad Credit

It is not the end of the world if you stumble on hard times.  The key is to realize it and take the initiative to correct things.  There are many companies that you will hear offer credit repair.  Be careful, there are a lot of companies out there that will try and scam you.  Do your research and pick the right one.  I have had numerous customers use National Credit Care or NCC.  They are a very reputable company, and they will help get your credit back to good standing. 

Sometimes, a consumer’s credit will be hit so hard, not even credit repair companies can help.  In that case, it may benefit you to contact a bankruptcy attorney.  Bankruptcy is a second chance for people who have fallen on hard times.  Most bankruptcy lawyers will encourage you to complete a credit counseling program in an effort to set you up for success.  This brings me back to what I said earlier- If credit was taught as part of the education curriculum, many of these difficulties could be avoided.


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