Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points in 45 Days

Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points in 45 Days

A credit score is made up of five components:

  • Payment history (35%)
  • Balances carried (30%),
  • Credit history (15%)
  • Mix of accounts (10%)
  • Inquiries (10%).

Payment history is based on paying bills as agreed and on time.  The majority of the payment history is based on the most recent six months and the highest weight is on the highest pay history.

Balances carried are rated based on the balance to limit ratio.  Being that this component makes up 30% of the credit score, it is best to keep the balance to limit ratio low.

Credit history simply means the longer the account has been open the higher the credit score.  However, to achieve the higher credit score the accounts need to be paid as agreed.

Additionally, many people have been advised to close accounts that they never use.  Not the case!  This can actually have a negative impact on the credit score.  Never close old credit accounts, especially if the accounts have a long history.

  • Mix of accounts.  The ideal credit score is made up of both installment and revolving accounts for example:
  • Mortgage Loan
  • Auto Loan
  • 3-5 Credit Cards (Or More)

Additionally, when obtaining an Equity Line of Credit apply for a loan amount greater than $40,000.  If the HELOC is greater than $40K, it will fall into the mortgage category.  If the HELOC is equal to or less then $40K, it will be classified as a revolving account.  Max out the HELOC and it will have a negative impact on your credit score.

Inquires have several factors to consider.  If all credit reports are pulled within a forty-five day period, it will only count as one inquiry.  Each inquiry made averages about five points.  After ten inquires per year, inquires will no longer affect the score.

Several types of inquiries do not affect the credit score at all.  When applying for a job, a job related inquiry does not affect the score.  When submitting an application for insurance or to start a new utility account (e.g., phone, cable, etc.).  When a lender automatically reviews your credit account to confirm that other accounts have been paid on time and credit limits are not maxed out. And, when promotional pre-approved credit card offers are received in the mail.

Blemished credit can be very costly and can result in higher interest rates on mortgage loans, auto loans, credit cards, and insurance premiums.  By taking the following steps to improve your credit score, you could save hundreds even thousands of dollars over the term of a loan.

Here are ways to raise your credit score 100 points in forty-five days.

  • Pay past due accounts
  • Clear up late payments
  • Have credit limits increased
  • Become an authorized user
  • Do not close old accounts

Be sure not to owe more than 30% on any credit card, if you do owe more than 30% on one card, transfer some of the debt to a different credit card. So each credit card will have a total of 30%.

If your credit cards are maxed out, transfer a portion of the debt to a spouse’s credit card so that the debt is no more than 30%.

Pay all accounts that show a past due balance on your credit report.  Past due accounts do not necessarily mean 30 days late, past due accounts can be 1 day late and show as past due on a credit report.  This can severely hurt a credit score.  Pay all past due accounts as quickly as possible to increase the credit score.  However, past due accounts do not include judgments and collections.  It is best not to pay judgments or collections when applying for a mortgage.  Wait until the close of escrow, if possible, and pay them at closing.  Paying judgments or collections could create a negative impact on the credit score as the “recent activity” date will update if the account is paid and the collection will appear to be more recent than it may have been which will cause a negative impact with the credit score.

Have late payments removed by contacting creditors and requesting to have any late payments removed.  If your first attempt is not successful, try again and work your way up the ladder to a manager.  Be persistent, as each time you phone a new representative will answer the phone. If you are successful and the creditor agrees to remove the late, be sure to request a letter.  The letter needs to be on the company letterhead of the creditor, needs to be signed by an employee and the letter must document your name, address, account number, and the specific late payment or late payments that should be removed.  Additionally, be sure to obtain the name of the representative that you spoke with as well as a contact number and extension, just in case you do not receive the letter and need to follow-up.

Increasing your credit limits can increase your credit score.  Every six months or so call each creditor and request that each increase your credit limit.  Be sure to request that the increase be made based on your great credit history.  If the creditor insists that a credit report must be pulled, think twice before you agree as this will count as an inquiry and will have a negative impact on your credit report.

Become an authorized user on a relative or friend’s credit account.  But, if they agree, be sure to confirm that the account has been paid on time and the current balance to limit ratio is below 10%.  If the account has late payments or has a high balance to ratio limit, it will create a negative impact on your credit report.

Do not close accounts even if you have heard that old accounts that you no longer use should be closed.  Keep accounts open and use accounts that have become inactive periodically.  However, if you charge on the account be sure and pay the balance in full as soon as the bill arrives.  Purchasing a tank of gas and paying it off will activate inactive accounts and report them current and in good standing.  Closing accounts can actually lower your credit score, especially if the account has a long credit history.

To achieve a high credit score do the following:

  • Borrow money when you do not need it, when you do need money creditors may not give it to you.
  • Keep the balance to limit ratio low; do not max out credit cards.  If you have to use credit cards, be sure to spread it over several accounts.
  • For a quick boost to your credit score, when a creditor removes a late and provides a letter, request a credit rescore.  For a fee, in just a few days, your credit score will increase and this could help you obtain a better interest rate.
  • Never payoff a judgment or collection when applying for a mortgage loan.  Try to negotiate that the account will be paid in escrow.
  • Increasing a credit score by just 10 points will save you $100,000 in interest on a $500,000 mortgage over the 30-year term.
  • Overall, it pays to invest the time to clear up the blemishes on your credit report.
  • Once you apply for a loan, do not raise the balance on any credit cards that you have, don’t even buy a small appliance until the loan closes. Be careful not to be past due on any accounts.

Barbara Reaume

Barbara Reaume is a real estate expert working for Coldwell Banker Montecito. She started her career as a real estate agent in 1984 and offers over 3 decades of experience in real estate sales. Specialties include Montecito real estate, Santa Barbara real estate, Santa Barbara homes, real estate financing In Santa Barbara, Montecito relocation, Santa Barbara relocation, short sales and foreclosures. Do you have specific questions about buying or selling real estate in the Santa Barbara area? Ask to be setup on Barbara's email-based home search to get instant alerts on price reductions and new Santa Barbara homes for sale in the area. Contact Barbara Reaume by email (barbara@barbarareaume.com), phone (805-610-5403) to find out the value of your home, discuss your options.

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