How FICO Scores are Established
Approximately 15% of your score is based on your credit
history.
Generally a longer credit history will increase your score. The score
considers both the age of your oldest account and an average age of
all your accounts.
10% of your score is based on new credit or if you are taking
on new debt.
Opening a couple of new credit lines in a short period will hurt
this score. If you are planning on buying real estate in the near
future, put off buying a car until after it closes. A new car loan
can have a big impact on what price of house you can qualify for.
10% of your score is based on types of credit in use.
The score will consider your mix of credit cards, retail accounts,
installment loans, finance company accounts and mortgage loans.
30% of your score is based on amounts owed on all accounts.
Even if you pay off your credit cards in full every month, your
credit report may show a balance on those cards. The total balance
on your last statement is generally the amount that will show in
your credit report. The score considers the amount you owe on
specific types of accounts, such as credit cards and installment
loans.
Small balances without missing a payment shows that you have managed
credit responsibly, and may be slightly better than no balance at all.
Closing unused credit accounts that show zero balances and that are
in good standing will not generally raise your score. A large number
of accounts can indicate higher risk of over-extension.
35% is based on payment history.
The first thing any lender would want to know is whether you have
paid past credit accounts on time. This is also one of the most
important factors though late payments are not an automatic
"score-killer." An overall good credit picture can outweigh one
or two instances of, say, late credit card payments.
Good FICO Scores = Best Loan Rates
|