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Should I close existing credit card accounts that I don't really use?

By
Mortgage and Lending with Envoy Mortgage / NMLS#111765, NMLS/WA Cons Lic #184908

 

"No." Part of your credit score is based upon credit history. Even if you don't use old credit cards much, you will still benefit from the credit history they represent. Rather than trying to pay off all your credit cards, move part of the debt from one card to another to evenly distribute of debt. Try to keep the ratio of debt to credit limits at about 30% of the available credit or less. If your credit provider will increase your line of credit, the ratio of debt to available credit is automatically reduced.

When married couples have separate credit card accounts, the debt can be transferred from one spouse to another to clear up credit issues for the other spouse. That spouse with clean credit can be designated as the sole borrower on the loan, but ownership of the home can still go in both names.

 thanks for reading.

www.wa-mortgage.com

 

Comments(1)

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Suzanne Champion
N.J. Realty - Westerville Ohio - Columbus, OH

Glad you mentioned this Marie - SO many people think they should close anything they don't use.  That is a myth!!  Not only does it help the age of accounts, it also helps with utilization - as you point out, ideally you should maintain 70% or more of unused available consumer credit.

Aug 24, 2008 12:45 AM