Written by June Holder
What or Who Decides Your Credit Score?
Part 1
Just exactly what or who decides your credit score? Where does this information come from? It seems so complicated……
These questions come to mind of all people who start to delve into the credit world. Sometimes it can be so confusing. I have found some help through researching many of our different avenues of real estate; and have come up with something that I give out to many of my new clients. It helps in understanding this credit score thing a little better. The information below was provided by Fannie Mae Foundation.
Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620-660 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:
1. Your payment history: Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.
2. How much you owe: If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.
3. The length of your credit history: In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer’s oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.
4. How much new credit you have: New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.
5. The types of credit you use: Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit–installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.*This information is copyrighted by Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. www.homebuyingguide.org
Next month we will learn what we can do to improve our credit scores. Great advice!!