If you have been told your credit score is too low to obtain optimum mortgage financing or have been turned down for a loan, there are some simple ways to improve your credit score. The first step is to obtain a copy of your credit report and check it for accuracy.You can also call your credit card companies and request a credit line increase on your credit card based solely on your payment history. You can request they only review your payment history. This can improve your credit score by lowering your balance to limit ratio.
To improve your credit score it is important that you remove any inaccuracies on your credit report, make your payments on time and lower your outstanding debt balances.
Establishing an installment loan is another way to improve your credit score. Obtaining a small installment loan from a local bank will augment any revolving debt history you may have. However, try to avoid borrowing from consumer finance companies.
If you have a credit card that has available credit and has had a zero balance for a considerable amount of time, you may want to use it for some small purchases. Having a current, active tradeline with a small balance can help improve your credit score.
Once you pay off a credit card, do not close that credit card if you can avoid it. The longer you have credit accounts open for, the better it is for your credit as it shows a longer, more established and richer credit history. Also, by leaving this account open it shows a better overall credit balance to limit ratio which will also improve your credit score.
Never max out your credit cards. Ideally, you want your credit cards to carry a balance that is 40% of the maximum credit limit or less. For example, if you have a credit card that has a $1,000 credit limit, then you do not want to carry a balance that is over $400. By following this simple rule, this will help you to improve your credit score and maintain good credit.
