Credit Tip Of The Week

Take care of those things besides a credit score that affect how lenders view you.

Lenders will often look at not only your credit score but at other financial indicators, such as your income, employment record, and savings.  Keeping these things in order can complement your credit score and can help you get good overall credit. Some lenders have their own ways of calculating credit scores, so keeping your overall financial system in good shape is one way to ensure that you are in good shape in all lenders’ eyes.

Be aware that when lender ask to see your credit score, the credit bureaus send not only your credit score, but also the top four reasons why your credit score is lowered.  The most common reasons for lowered credit scores are:

1) Serious delinquency in repaying accounts or bills.

2) Public record of bankruptcy, civil judgment, or report to a collection agency

3) Recent unpaid or late paid debts or accounts

4) Short-term credit record

5) Lots of new accounts

6) Many accounts have late payments, defaults, or non-payments

7) Large debts or amounts owed.

Knowing that your lender sees these possible problems can help you see the need to develop the best possible face to present to a lender.  Lenders who look at your entire credit report may get a more positive picture of you than lenders who see only a number and four reasons for a lower score.