About the FICO Credit Score

Since we live in an computer-driven society, it's not surprising that your ability to repay your mortgage boils down to a single number. This score is built by credit reporting agencies. They use the payment history of all of your loans: mortgages, car/motorcycle loans, credit cards, etcetera.

Each of the three credit agencies has its own formula for building your credit score. Fair Isaac and Cooriginally developed this score. . While Experian still calls its score "FICO", TransUnion calls its score "Beacon" and Equifax uses "Empirica." While each of the models considers a range of data available in your credit report, the differences aren't huge; all of the agencies use the following factors to build a credit score:

• Your Credit History - Have you had credit for years, or for a short time?
• Payment History - Have you paid more than 30 days late, and how often?
• Balances on your Credit Cards - How many accounts do you have, and how much do you owe?
• Credit Inquiries - How many times have you had your credit checked for a loan?

These factors are assigned weights based on the formula being used. The results are added up and distilled into a single number. FICO scores can be as low as 300 and as high as 800. Higher is better. Typical home buyers likely find their FICO scores falling between 620 and 800.

Your credit score affects your monthly payment

Credit scores are used for more than just determining whether or not you qualify for a mortgage. Lenders give lower interest rates to individuals with higher scores.

Can I improve my FICO score?

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot you can do to immediately improve your credit score. Because the FICO score is based on your lifelong credit history, it's very difficult to change it quickly. (Of course you can and should remove incorrect data on your credit report.)

How do I find out my FICO score?

In order to improve your credit score, you must obtain the reports that the agencies use to build it. Of course, you need the score as well. Fair Isaac has created a web site (www.myFICO.com) that lets you do just that. It's inexpensive, fast, and easy to get your credit score as well as reports from all three reporting agencies. They also provide helpful information and online tools that help you analyze what actions might have the greatest impact on your FICO score.

You can get a federally-mandated free credit report once per year from the three major credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com. You won't get a free credit score from AnnualCreditReport.com, but getting one is quick and very inexpensive.

Now that you have all the facts, you will be a more informed consumer and you'll be better positioned to get the most favorable mortgage.

Want to know more about credit scores? Give us a call at 3149139678.