Worried about Your FICO Score? 4 Easy Strategies to Fix It Up

If you’re worried about your bad credit, you’ll want to do everything in your power to improve your rating as quickly as possible – especially if you have a major purchase coming up. Improving your credit rating can give you access to better interest rates on mortgages or even help you to get that job you’re after.

IMPORTANT! If you are currently involved in a home loan transaction, speak with your trusted real estate advisor before taking any action regarding your credit!

So how can you boost your FICO score quickly and easily? Here’s what you need to know.

Get Your Credit Report And Dispute Any Errors

Credit reporting agencies don’t always keep 100% perfect records, and there’s a good chance that your credit report contains at least one error. One recent FTC study found that 25% of consumers have an error on their credit report, and that in 5% of cases, the errors were actually severe enough to impact the loan terms that borrowers were able to negotiate.

You can get your annual credit report from all three credit reporting agencies for free. Carefully read over it. If you see any errors – if your name is misspelled, if they have the wrong address on file, or if there are late or unpaid charges that you didn’t make – you can dispute the items in question.

Still Overdue? Negotiate Payment Terms With Your Creditors

If you’re overdue on a payment, it will weigh heavily on your credit score. As your payment history makes up a full 35% of your FICO score, this is one area where you’ll want to invest a great deal of time and effort.

Contact any creditors you owe money to and ask if you can negotiate your bill. The ideal outcome for you is to have the creditor report your debt as paid in full, so see if you can secure that promise in writing in exchange for an accelerated payment schedule.

Try Maintaining A Lower Utilization Ratio

Your utilization ratio refers to the amount of credit you use at any given time. If this number goes beyond 30 percent, you’ll start to see your credit score drop. Ideally, you should aim for a utilization ratio below 10 percent – this will prove to your lender that you can responsibly pay for the credit you use.

Have Recurring Bills? Automate Your Payments

Automating your monthly payments can be a great way to boost your credit score. Whether it’s your mortgage, your credit card, or your student loan, a pre-authorized monthly payment will ensure that everything gets paid on time and give you a great credit history.

Your FICO score is a number that will determine your eligibility for mortgages and other loans. These are general tips to help with your credit score and improve the overall reporting of your credit.

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11005 W Hadley Street Avondale, AZ 85323

$458,995

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,070 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6680585

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Explore this stunning Slate home on a corner lot, ready for quick move-in! Included features: a welcoming covered entry; a spacious great room with 12' center-meet doors leading onto a serene covered patio; a dining nook; an open kitchen boasting white 42'' upper cabinets, 3x6 backsplash, quartz countertops, a walk-in pantry, an island and stainless-steel appliances, gas range. a central laundry; an elegant primary suite showcasing an added window, a generous walk-in closet and a private bath with double sinks, a shower and a soaking tub with 12x12 tile surround; three secondary bedrooms, including one with an attached bath; a third full bath and a 2-car garage with a service door. This home also offers cultured marble bathroom countertops, 7''x22'' ceramic tile flooring, ceiling fan prewiring, front yard landscaping, and a concrete-paver driveway and walkway. Also included is a belt drive garage door opener, soft water pre-plumb, and a gas stub at the back patio, plus more.

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2755 E Tie Down Drive San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

$458,990

5 Beds

3 Baths

1,968 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6691396

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to Wales Ranch! San Tan Valley's newest master planned community. A wealth of amenities to enjoy. Homeowners will enjoy easy access to great local attractions and amenities, including shopping and dining at Queen Creek Marketplace, outdoor recreation at San Tan Regional Park, fresh produce at Schnepf Farms and popular sites such as Queen Creek Olive Mill. A copy of the public report is available on the Arizona Department of Real Estate's website.

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5487 S 251st Drive Buckeye, AZ 85326

$458,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,301 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6648977

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to The Residences at Copper Falls! April Move-In. Amazing split floor plan with mother-in-law suite, flex room, all four bedrooms are spacious, and adorned with designer upgrades. Flex room for office/formal dining/game room! Highlights include GE stainless steel appliances, granite countertops in the kitchen, a tiled kitchen backsplash, and 36'' white shaker cabinets with hardware. Additionally, the home boasts upgraded tile flooring, ceiling pre-wires in all bedrooms and the great room, a soft water loop, Smart Home, and more! Enjoy Copper Falls amenities, including a tot lot, Ramada, BBQ grills, bike rack, and a half basketball court.

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24704 N 170th Lane Surprise, AZ 85387

$458,990

5 Beds

3 Baths

1,939 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6689556

Property Type Single Family Residence

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Below Market Financing Available!!!!!!!!! This single-story home features ample space for growing households. The owner's suite is situated toward the back of the home, complete with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet, while four secondary bedrooms provide ample space for household members, overnight guests or a home office. The Great Room, kitchen and dining room share an open floorplan with access to the covered patio through sliding glass doors. Photos are renderings of a model home, not the actual home.

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