Many people all over the world are dealing with issues involving debt or poor credit history, but most aren’t necessarily aware of what exactly makes up their credit score. Unfortunately, it might seem like it’s the big stuff that counts when it comes to credit, but little things can have a significant impact on your financial health. If you’re looking to improve your understanding and your finances, here’s what you need to know about small mistakes and your FICO score.
Making Late Payments
The due date on your bills might seem like an advisory, but whether we’re talking about a student loan, a credit card payment or your telephone bill, late payments can add up. Your payment history constitutes 35% of your total FICO score, which means that even a couple of late payments can have a marked impact on your overall credit. Instead of leaving this to chance, set aside a day each month before your bills are due to ensure they’re all paid off.
Applying For New Credit
It’s often the case that a store will offer special deals if you sign up for their own in-house credit card, but this can cost you big since the amounts you owe make up 30% of your credit score. Also, because lenders will often assume that you’ve run out of credit if you apply for a new card, applying for new credit can be a red mark against your FICO score.
Forgetting Credit Altogether
It might seem like the best possible option for avoiding credit issues is to avoid using credit altogether, but your credit history constitutes 15% of your FICO score. This means that you should have at least one credit card in your possession so that you can use it to build a history of lending success. While you won’t want to use more than 30% of your credit limit, it’s important to show proven experience in paying back your lenders.
Many people think that bad credit is the result of overspending and huge debt amounts, but your FICO score is largely determined by your payment history and your available credit. If you’re trying to buy a home in the near future, contact your local real estate professional for more information.
The vast majority of people have to take out a home loan to purchase a house. This means applying for a mortgage. Unfortunately, shopping for a mortgage can actually hurt your credit score. Any potential lender will probably have to do a hard pull on your credit. This could temporarily reduce your credit score by a few points. Those few points could make the difference between qualifying for a mortgage and getting denied one. Fortunately, there are ways for you to shop for a mortgage without hurting your credit.
With many people interested in taking out a home loan, it is critical for potential homeowners to think carefully about which loan structure is right for them. There are a lot of home loan options out there, and potential homeowners need to make sure they consider the benefits and drawbacks of all options. This means asking the right questions. What questions do you need to ask your mortgage lender?
If you want to save money on your mortgage, refinancing your house could be a great move. As long as you have plenty of equity and a great credit score, you should be able to qualify for the refinance process. At the same time, you might be wondering, how long will it take you to refinance your house? There are several factors to keep in mind, so be sure to work with a professional who can walk you through the process.
If you want to save money on your home loan, you might want to refinance. During the refinancing process, you could secure a better interest rate on your home loan. You could also withdraw cash from your home’s equity value to cover other expenses. Similar to a regular mortgage application, some refinance applications are denied. Why is this the case, and what should you do next?