35% Payment History
Late payments may lead to a lower score.
CREDIT CLEAN UP TIPS
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CREDIT CLEANUP GUIDE
Your Credit Score is determined by 5 factors of differing importance:
30% Amounts Owed
Less is more! Lowering debt can be the key to a better credit score.
10% New Credit
Opening several accounts in a short time can lower your credit score.
10% Types of Credit Used
Having experience with different types of credit (e.g., car loan and a credit card) can help your score.
15% Length of History
A longer history of responsible credit use will likely lead to a higher score.
Tips for establishing and maintaining healthy credit
- Borrow only what you can afford to repay.
- Make all of your payments on time.
- Avoid excessive requests or inquiries for credit.
- Have an emergency account to pay for unexpected expenses.
- Check your report annually to contest and remove any erroneous information.
- Keep a high credit line and a low balance. Credit utilization ratios measure this relationship, and lower is better.
- Do not open new store credit cards just to save on a purchase. New accounts can lower your score, and too many payments can be difficult to manage. Saving 10% on a $300 lawn mower means little if it costs you even just fractionally more on a $300,000 home loan.
- Do not be afraid to use credit. Without the use of credit, you will have no score, and that can be just as bad as a low one.
- Maintain a variety of account types. A combination of revolving, installment and secured financing along with excellent records of payment will yield a higher score. Still, don't run out and open an account just to have diversity, as this is the least influential factor.
