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Credit Improvement (Loan Officer in California)

By
Mortgage and Lending with U.S. Market Finance Center

Tips for Credit Improvement and Repair (Real Estate Broker in Northridge, CA)

  1. Probably the most obvious and also the most important is always pay on time. Keep in mind that once you are more than 30 days late on a credit account, there will be a derogatory on the credit report.
  2. Have a variety of credit types extended to you. For example, credit cards, car loan, student loan, mortgage loan, etc. These are all different types of loans as seen by the credit bureau.
  3. Since length of credit files helps your score, keep you oldest accounts open with a zero balance. Do not close these accounts because it will drop your score.
  4. Don't max out your credit lines. Keep your credit card balances at less than 30% of your credit limit. After you have been paying on time for 6 months, you can request a credit limit increase. Hopefully they will give you an increase without running your credit.
  5. There is a common misconception that paying off collection accounts will help your score, however this is not necessarily true. A collection will show "paid collection" and will still have a negative effect on the credit score. You will get more bang for your buck by saving or paying down revolving balances.

When working with my clients, I help them prepare for the buying process. Wheather just getting starting to build credit or many derogatory items which need attention, I will help with the process. I understand that it takes sometimes over a year to buy a house and will help each step of the way.

Show All Comments Sort:
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana
I have tried to get people to open secured credit cards and they don't put forth the effort.
Mar 18, 2008 01:19 PM
Jason Hector
U.S. Market Finance Center - Northridge, CA

Molly, 

Two great points you bring up.  Thanks, Jason

Mar 18, 2008 01:20 PM
Jason Hector
U.S. Market Finance Center - Northridge, CA

John,

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I worked in banking for some time and the people who get secured cards are usually new to the country or have some money sitting in the bank they can use.  There are also cards for bad credit I have seen on www.bankrate.com .  They all have an annual fee but don't need to be secured.

Mar 18, 2008 01:26 PM
Christopher Bonta
The Bean Group - Londonderry, NH
Realtor, Integrity and Honesty

Your post is very nice  since it gives 5 simple yet really important bullets for people to follow, most people who get into a bad credit situation don't know how to get out. your points give a clear road upon which to rebuild bad credit.

Thanks for putting something out there thats clear and to the point.

Mar 18, 2008 01:31 PM
Glenn Prieto-Commercial Real Estate Lender
Colonial Pacific Financial - Miami, FL

Hi Jason,

Welcome to activerain.  Go to http://www.colonialpacificfinancial.com/ to see our commercial loan products.  Colonial Pacific is a direct commercial lender and lend in all 50 states.  Call me if you have any questions or want to run a scenario by me.  Thank you for your consideration.

Mar 18, 2008 02:47 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Welcome back to ActiveRain!

     I encourage you to take another look at the website.  Surf some blogs, leave some comments.  Better yet, post a Blog.

    Best to you!

Jul 19, 2015 12:03 PM