Will I be able to raise my credit score by doing the following?

Question

I just had a question. About 3 months ago I tried to apply for a loan to get a house. However, my credit score was around 560 at the time, so they were asking for a 10,000 down payment and to hire a company to settle my debts. Since then,I decided to try and raise my credit score alone rather than pay someone to do it for me. I have been paying my bills on time and paying more then the minimum balances. I am also paying off credit cards starting with the lowest amount.At the rate I am going, I should be able to pay off everything by the end of December. Now my question to you is, by doing all of these things, would my credit score go up enough to, hopefully by March, be able to apply for another home loan?

Answer 1

Paying off the credit cards will definitely bring up your score.

I suggest you concentrate on the highest interest rate credit card first and pay the minimum on the rest. When the highest interest rate card is paid, move to the next. You save interest by paying off the highest interest rate first.

Check you credit report and see if you have any other negatives. You want to negotiate settlement of those after you get the credit card debt paid off.

It may take longer than March for your score to be good enough for a mortgage. But with the current housing market, it might not be such a bad idea to wait a little longer anyway.

Answer 2

Absolutely, it sounds like you're doing the right thing. Also if everything's paid off by december that will give the credit card companies plenty of time to have updated your credit report. As long as you're paying the balances off and don't close your oldest accounts you should be much improved. Oh and some people don't know this but you can get free credit reports once a year at all three of the major bureau, you'd still have to pay for your score, but just seeing the actual report can help to in showing where you've improved. Most people suggest looking at one of these every 4 months or so to keep you covered for the full year and since typically they don't differ by too much.

Answer 3

You're doing all the right things.

Get that debt paid off as fast as possible.

I don't think you will have a good enough score by March to get the best rates.

With all the sub prime stuff going on now it's getting harder to get a loan without really good credit.

I suggest continuing paying the debt.
Check your credit score after the first of the year and see where you are.
This site will give you an idea of what scores get the best rates. (And, this is the site that you get your FICO score from. It cost $7.95)
http://www.myfico.com/

Also, go to this site https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp and get all 3 of your credit reports. They are completely free. This is the only website mandated by the government for completely free credit reports.

Check all 3 reports for any items that may not be accurate. If there are any incorrect items, each credit reporting agency has instructions on how to dispute the incorrect entries.

Good luck.

Answer 4

What is your income? The money that you formally used to clear up the credit cards needs to be saved. Then use the credit cards a little and pay it off. Keep a couple of the credit cards open with a little bit of activity. Close the store ones if you have them, Don't buy furniture or jewelry on credit. That might get you up high enough by then.....might i sthe operative word. If not keep doing the good things and you will be in the good credit score range

Answer 5

Darnell is confusing a credit report with a credit. the reason your score is low is considering which you max the taking part in cards many times. as long as that maintains they'll stay low. What this says to a creditor is which you place self belief in severe limits to get you during the day and there's a threat that sooner or later they are going to be maxed and by no skill paid. you mustn't be utilising your individual credit on your organization. That brings on greater criminal duty than basically a low credit. you are able to look for advice from a CPA approximately isolating you out of your organization and installation a suitable credit line.

Answer 6

First pay off your debt. Don't expect to have your score go up right away. It may take up to 6 months to 1 year. The score does not go up or down every month. It is done periodically by these 3 agencies.
Do what is right, pay off your debt before seeking loan.

Answer 7

it takes about 6 months of good clean history to raise your credit score
Try to get a new credit card with a credit line and DO not use it much, that extra credit line adds to your total worth, a year fromk now do the same thing, you can also borrow 1000 at a bank and pay it back, then 5000 then pay it back
its all history

Answer 8

Sounds like you are doing a great job. Keep it up!
You can go online to www.freecreditreport.com to check your credit. You have to pay for a full report if you go there but you can see a score without paying.
BTW I believe if you sign up with a credit repair company it shows up on your credit report and it's not a positive.

Answer 9

should help.. but take one credit card and only put your gas for your car on it.. and pay it off every month.. that should hep too.. the pay off is suposed to jack your credit up more than any thing from what i under stand.... but i think it takes a long time to build it up ...

Answer 10

yes your credit score should go up if you do all that, if fact even if it's just paying off your credit cards and keeping them paid off will most likly make your score go up