Many people get their credit score from places like Credit Karma, and off their credit card statements. But are these your real credit scores?
The answer is YES and NO. Yes, they are a real credit score, but you may get a very different score when your credit is reviewed by lenders.
CONFUSED ABOUT YOUR CREDIT SCORE?
The confusing comes because there are many DIFFERENT scoring models out there, including multiple different ones from the same credit bureau. Each company and scoring model calculates your score a bit differently, but they all use information from your report.
The three main credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – create your credit reports, with credit scoring models like VantageScore, Beacon Score, and various FICO scores. These are use to come up with a score that typically ranges from 300-850. Theses scores for you based on their own proprietary models.
Different types of credit scores
VantageScore 3.0 is a credit scoring model generally used whenever you the consumer are able to look at your own credit score, while most lenders actually use different scoring models.
Basically the thing to understand is something known as Industry-Specific Credit Scoring models, which are tailored to each industry. If you buying a new car, or new home – it may make sense for that lender to consult a credit scoring model created with for what they care most about. So car lenders care about how you handle car loans, credit card companies care how you handle credit cards, and finally, mortgage lenders car most about how you handle mortgage loans. When you look at the Vantage score, I generally call that the generic score because it is not tied to any specific industry.
For example, FICO® has all of these different models: FICO® Score 9, FICO® Auto Score 9, FICO® Bankcard Score 9, FICO CLASSIC V5, FICO CLASSIC (04), Fair ISAAC (VER. 2).
So your score WILL VARY based on where you get it, and what type of company pulls it. It is most common for us to see your mortgage score easily 20 points lower than your Vantage score.
Your credit scores are typically based on things like how often you make payments on time and how many accounts you have in good standing.
Your score will never factor in personal information like your race, gender, religion, marital status or national origin.
If you are buying a home in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or South Dakota… I can be your Loan Officer, and would be happy to explain credit scores. Contact me at (651) 552-3681 or JoeMetzler.com.
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Joe Metzler is a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer for Minnesota based Mortgages Unlimited. He was named the 2014 Minnesota Loan Officer of the Year, and Top 300 Loan Officers in the Nation for 2010, 2015, 2016. To finance with Mortgages Unlimited, your local preferred mortgage lender for Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota, simply call (651) 552-3681, or APPLY ONLINE. NMLS 274132. Equal Hosuing Lender.
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