1
Apr
2011
The Lowdown on Credit Scores
The old saying money makes the world go around is truer today than ever before, and loans for everything from a house to a car is the way most people get the house of their dreams, and the ride they want. However, credit scores will indicate to lenders just what type of car or house one can purchase. Keeping a good credit score is vital, and knowing how they work, and what they might require is important too.
The top credit reporting bureaus are Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union in the U.S. Anytime a loan is requested from anyone lenders will check to see what a credit score from one of the big three say. Typically credit scores from a credit history go from 300-900. Most people are in the mid range group, around 700, and the top half of the population is in the 800+. If a score of 550 or below is reported, then it is in the low range, and it is much harder to get a loan.
Most companies in the credit card industry set a standard cut off point for loans of credit. All companies are different though, and when applying for one, or getting an offer for a credit card, the loan amount is based on the credit score. Levels of credit are seen as a status symbol of the type of card that is offered, for example Platinum is the top, and Gold cards are a slightly lower credit card. It does not matter if it is a Platinum Visa, or a Gold Diners Card. Having a great credit score will allow high loan amounts on credit to be granted for personal or even for a company to use in their daily transactions.
It is all automated by computer, so any chance to push the loan limits up, is non-existent. There are no more friendly handshakes that will bargain or deal with anyone needing a loan. That is why it is so important to keep credit as near as perfect as possible. Credit scores determine a lot of factors when applying for a loan. It could mean that an outright rejection will happen, or it might mean that a large deposit or no deposit at all will be needed.
Interest rates are determined too on a credit score. Outrageous interest on a loan will be required if past payments on any debt is not paid out in a timely fashion. Some high-risk credit card expense can be as high as 26%. On the flip side if an average credit rating is reported by one of the three, then an average or loan end interest rate could be offered. Sometimes if a credit score is too bad it will be funded by another source besides the primary lending financial institution. The paper might have to visit several different companies before final approval is made.
Lenders at times might not go through all three credit-scoring companies. At times if one report satisfies their requirements for the loan they might only use it. If a loan for a mortgage is wanted, it is sure that the big three will be used for the loan. How they figure the loan amount is up to the individual lender, and it depends on company policy of the investors about how much, and to whom they want to lend the money too. Usually an average is figured from all of the scores on each, and a formula is applied to see if their own special guidelines are met. Again, this just all depends on the lending institutions rules and guidelines.
Remember to keep up to date with credit scores. They fluctuate from day to day, and if payments are kept up to date, then the credit score will allow for higher amounts to be borrowed and paid back. Sometimes there are mistakes that have not been removed from the credit reporting bureaus, and they need to be removed immediately. However, the companies that have loaned money are the ones that need to be contacted after looking over the credit scores. The credit reporting bureaus are not the one that can remove it, only the lending institutions. Make sure to always check out the credit scores at least two times per year for any personal or business accounts.
21
Jan
2011
Increase Credit Score How Do Credit Scores Work?
Although many mortgage companies and finance experts have been warning consumers about the importance of maintaining a good credit score, many people fail to recognize the value. When applying for any type of credit, potential lenders review our credit history and base loan approvals on its contents. If applying for instant credit, lenders simply use credit scores. Here are a few tips to help you understand how credit works, and tips for boosting your personal rating.
The Value of Credit Scores
Credit scores are a valuable tool for lenders. Because banks and other lending institutions receive numerous loan requests on a daily basis, it is challenging determining which applicants should get approved.
Lenders have many methods for judging a person’s credit worthiness. To speed up the process, several lenders begin by reviewing a credit score. To separate the good applicants from the bad, they establish a minimum credit score requirement. If your score falls below this requirement, it’s an immediate credit denial.
Calculating Credit Score
Many factors play a role in credit scoring. Scores are between 300 and 850. The higher the score, the better the credit. Although having perfect credit is very hard, it is possible to maintain a good credit rating. This typically consists of scores above 680. Those who fall into this category usually qualify for prime rates on home loans, auto loans, and credit cards.
When calculating credit scores, several factors are taken into account. For example, payment history, outstanding debt, length of credit, and inquiries. Payment history and outstanding debts contributes largely to credit scoring.
Payment history with creditors is important because future lenders are curious as to whether you submit payments on time, or have a habit of being late. Moreover, having too much debt will have a negative effect on your score.
Raising Credit Scores
Little things can quickly boost your credit score. For starters, begin establishing a good payment history with creditors. Because payment history contributes to 35% of credit scoring, paying creditors on time is a great way to increase your score. Furthermore, reduce your outstanding debts. Debt contributes to 30% of scoring. Thus, the more debt you have, the lower your score. Keeping credit cards at their maximum limit is damaging. If possible, keep cards at about 25% of their maximum limit.
14
Jan
2011
Increase Credit Scores
Every person is constantly striving to improve ones self. And why not? Self-improvement is a great thing.
So you become a better public speaker to earn a promotion. And you go to the gym to loose a few pounds. And you increase credit scores to save yourself thousands of dollars on a purchase.
Your credit score can make or break you when you apply for a loan. That is why its important that you take steps to increase credit scores or at least maintain a good level for them. Below are some tips to help you increase credit scores and be on your way to great, money-saving purchases:
Be punctual in your payments.
Lenders love punctual payers. Your credit scores do, too. That is why its not unusual to get high scores if you have been paying your bills on time. The easiest way to increase credit scores is to pay your bills regularly and always on time. Avoid late payments, collections, and bankruptcies like the plague for these have the greatest negative effect on your credit score.
Check your credit reports regularly.
The information in your credit report actually forms the basis of your credit scores. So if your credit score is low and youre wondering why, the answer lies in your credit report.
Any inaccuracy in your credit report will reflect itself in your record as a low credit score. Thats why it is advised that you check your credit report at least once a year to help you increase credit scores.
Reduce your debts.
The amount of debt you have and the amount of credit available play an important role in determining your credit score. So if you have high debt amount but low credit, this usually spells a low credit score. On the other hand, if you have lots of credit available and minimum debt, then its high scores for you.
Following on this logic, if you reduce your debts, then you can increase credit scores. Keep your credit card debts at minimum and avoid any unnecessary charges.
Build credit over time.
At the risk of sounding clichd, Rome wasnt built in a day. To increase credit scores, time is an essential element. Having a long credit history will positively impact your credit scores while short credit history usually means you are a risky borrower.
Some people actually try to circle around this obstacle by opening several new accounts in an effort to make it appear that they have several credits. However, this kind of scheme could back fire since multiple new accounts opened in a short period of time can actually lower your score down.
So if you want to increase credit scores, it is better to be patient and to bide your time.
17
Sep
2010
Envision a Better Life by Increasing Your Credit Score
Have you been deprived of getting a loan, mortgage or credit card?
Do you know how you can increase your credit score?
Your credit score can make or break your way of living or lifestyle in a lot of ways. Maintaining or keeping a good credit score, especially in times of economic hardships, is really quite extraordinary.
Most lenders looks into the credit score of those applying for loans, mortgage, or for credit cards. As it is part of the business, they want to know and double check the capability of the debtor to pay for the loan being applied for. The lenders are taking a lot of risk when they give somebody the use of their money.
Here are just some of the helpful guidelines in increasing ones credit score:
1. Avoid applying for credit much too frequently. Numerous credit applications will mean inquiry of ones file. A lot of new credit applications can greatly affect and lower the score.
2. Always pay all statement of accounts on time. Paying bills behind of schedule are always recorded in the credit report and can reflect a not so good paying habit. This will definitely lower the credit score.
3. Avoid high outstanding balance or debit in ones credit card and other existing credit can drop off the credit score. As much as possible, keep those debts low.
4. Catch up on missed payments. Its never too late to pay the bill.
5. Avoid closing unused accounts or credit cards. This will not help increase the score.
6. Avoid opening unnecessary accounts with the notion of increasing ones credit score by having a brand new credit card. This strategy will actually lower the score.
7. Having too few or no loan and credit account in ones name, is also measured as a credit risk to lenders. Maintaining a small number of credit cards showing a good credit standing, having a reasonable balances and limits, can help increase the credit score.
The rate of credit scores will be the deciding factor in the approval of a loan, the extent or amount of credit that will be offered, and the interest rate that will be added to the loan for the period or duration of the agreement.
Credit scores also significantly affect the rates or charges one will incur for the monthly payments. A low score will mean paying a higher interest rate on the borrowed money.
Also, if one wants to create a difference in applying for insurance premiums and employment, debtors must strive to increase their credit scores.
Some employment agencies, firms and industries check the credit scores of applicants and would-be employees before deciding on whether or not they would hire them. They would also look at credit activities, and employment and payment history.
Recently, most insurance companies do a background check especially on the credit scores of their clienteles. Through this, they will determine the cost of the insurance premiums, housing premiums, auto insurance, and others.
Credit reports can provide insights to employers and insurance agents a run-down summary about the attitude and behavior of a person.
Discipline is an important tool to maintain a good credit score. Increasing ones credit score takes time. It cant be quick and instant.
The better the person deals with his or her credit accounts to have a good and high credit score, the more assurance of saving more money in the bank there is.
3
Sep
2010
You and Your Credit Score: What’s The Good Number?
Have you ever wondered why people get denied for loans and why other people get approved for it instantly? Have you ever wondered why some people are not accepted by some companies even though they are qualified for the job?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you haven’t heard about credit scores. Credit scores are an important part of today’s life. This particular three-digit number will determine whether you are likely to pay the loan you will apply for or will pay the monthly bills.
If you have a low credit score, then getting a phone line hooked up in your house can be very difficult to do. Some phone companies take a look at your credit score in order to determine if you will likely pay their monthly bills or not. Sometimes, certain jobs will require you to have a high credit score. It is a fact that people who are qualified for a certain job in a company are usually denied of the job because they have a low credit score. This is why you should consider taking all the necessary steps to have a high credit score or at least have a good credit score.
In the United States, Fair Isaac Corporation or FICO is the best known credit score model that calculates your credit score. This company calculates your credit score by using mathematical formulas. It is a calculation that is widely used by lenders, such as credit card companies and banks.
The FICO score is designed to provide information to lending companies if a particular person will likely pay their bills or not. It will also contain reports of your past loan application and if you will be delinquent in the next 2 years or the next 24 months.
There are also three credit reporting agencies existing in the United States today and uses their own methods and formula to calculate your credit score. Each calculation differs, even if it was developed by FICO, and are updated periodically that will reflect your repayment behavior. Also, lenders or creditors use whichever calculation they want to use.
The FICO score ranges from 300 to 850. By having a high or good credit score, you will be able to access low interest credit cards and also low interest loans. You will also have a higher chance of getting hired by companies that require a good credit score.
You now ask what makes a good credit score number in the FICO score.
It is a fact that having a higher credit score is good. But you also have to know what makes a good number that will guarantee you of getting approved for a credit card or a loan. In the FICO score, a good number is at around 725.660. By having this kind of score, you will have a higher chance of getting approved for that car loan, mortgage or for that credit card you have been applying for.
You can get your credit score from FICO or from the credit reporting agencies annually for free. Or, you can also get your credit score as often as you want within the year for a fee.
Always remember that by having a good credit score number, you will be able to have access to low interest loans, and credit cards. By having at least a 725.660 credit score, you will be deemed credit worthy. Make sure you have a higher credit score in order to save thousands of dollars in terms of interest rates.
4
Jun
2010
A LoveHate Relationship: How your credit score can open and
A LoveHate Relationship: How your credit score can open and slam doors for you
There are many ways to get ahead financially: attend seminars where you cut up your credit cards with hundreds of other people, participate in debt consolidation services that help you take out a home equity loan or refinance your home, or you can transfer debt on one credit card to another credit card with an introductory rate of 0% (which goes up to 12% six months down the road). The reason these methods dont work is because we dont concurrently cut our expenses while implementing these strategies. Even if were making more money, unless we cut expenses, we will continue to spend more money than we have and incur debt. Manage yourself and your money. Money is like food; we dont eat only when were hungry, and we certainly dont spend only when we need something.
Beware: Debt forgiveness can hurt you. The company that forgives your debt can issue a 1099C, which means the forgiven amount gets added to your taxed income.
When theres a will, theres another way:
Your credit score (also called your FICO or Beacon score) will affect the interest rate youre able to secure. Credit scores range from 500 to 850. Where are you on the scale?
Whats in a number?
500 and belowyour in serious trouble
650 to 680 you probably will have a difficult time getting credit, and if you do it will be at higher rates
700+–excellent score
How you got your credit score:
a)Payment history (35% of score). Make payments on time or early.
b)Amounts you owe (30% of score)
c)Credit history (15% of score). The longer you have credit, the higher your score can be.
d)New credit (10% of score). New credit cards.
e)Type of credit you have in use. Mortgages, Bloomingdales, etc.
There are three reporting services that can give you your score: Equifax.com, Experian.com and Transunion.com. At least once, do an experiment and order a report from all three. They probably will provide a complimentary report each year, per person. You will most likely find inconsistencies in the reports such as missing and incorrect information. Each time a credit report is run on you, your score is lowered by two or three points. You still want to shop around for a mortgage, but consider using a mortgage broker who runs one report to shop around the loan. If you go to five different banks, that can drop your score 15 points.