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Your credit score is the single biggest factor in your conventional rate. A 620 score vs a 720 score can mean $250/month — or $90,000 over 30 years. Here is how to boost your score before you apply.
Pay credit cards below 30%. Credit utilization is 30% of your score. If your card limit is $5,000, keep the balance under $1,500. Under 10% is even better.
Dispute errors on your report. Pull free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for accounts that are not yours, wrong balances, or closed accounts showing open. Disputes can add 20-50 points in 30 days.
Become an authorized user. Ask a family member with a long-standing card (10+ years, low balance, perfect payment history) to add you as an authorized user. Their history appears on your report.
Set up autopay on everything. Payment history is 35% of your score. One missed payment can drop you 50-100 points. Autopay eliminates the risk.
Request credit limit increases. Call your card issuer and ask for a higher limit without a hard pull (many offer this). Higher limit = lower utilization ratio = higher score.
Pay down installment loans. Getting a car loan or student loan balance below original amount shows progress and boosts your score.
Do not open new credit cards, do not close old cards, do not co-sign for anyone, and do not make large purchases on credit. Any of these can temporarily drop your score right when you need it highest.
Valley West can help. We review your credit for free and create a custom improvement plan. Many of our conventional borrowers gain 20-60 points before applying. Get a free credit review →
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