Here is expert advice from Jan Wagner of The Wagner Team with Bank South Banking and Mortgage.
As you might expect, payment history is the most influential component in your credit score, followed closely by the amounts you owe. To lesser degrees, the length of time you’ve utilized credit, the number of new accounts or inquiries you have, and the various types of credit accounts you hold also impact your score. Overall reporting also looks at how these factors relate to each other in the context of your personal usage.
To help achieve or maintain a healthy score, always remember the following:
Have a system to assure your bills are always paid on time.
Avoid late payments or the excessive use of credit by maintaining a cash “cushion” to pay for unexpected expenses. Don’t “max out” your cards. It’s better to have a high credit limit with a low balance.
Never close old accounts as the age of these can actually help your score.
If you shop for credit, do so in the shortest time period possible to minimize inquiries counted against you.
Don’t be afraid to use credit. You need several accounts in order to have a credit score. Just be sure to keep corresponding payments within your means.
If you have established credit, don’t open new accounts solely for the sake of earning a discount on a new purchase. In the long run, you may spend more than you save up front by paying higher interest rates due to a lower score. Having more accounts also increases the task of making payments and the possibility of missing one.
Thanks to my guest blogger.
My guest blogger is Jan Wagner of Bank South. Bank South is a trusted partner with Dorsey Alston. See her contact information below. She has lots of products for first time home buyers to retirees and everyone in between. Call her for details. She is super easy to work with and can help clients who need credit restore as well.
| Jan Wagner VP, MORTGAGE BANKER |  |
If you have questions about managing your credit, give us a call. We’re happy to help.
 | Office: (770) 500-1032 Mobile: (678) 525-1486 Fax: (678) 580-6827 jwagner@banksouth.com www.banksouthmortgage.com/thewagnerteam 12660 Crabapple Road, Bldg. B, Ste. 200, Milton, GA 30004 BSM NMLS: 690971 | MLO NMLS: 152431 APPLY NOW! |