Proven Ways To Improve Your Credit Score

More lenders are looking at your VantageScore. This is an alternative way to judge your credit and is the main competition for the FICO scoring method. Your VantageScore works in line with each of the three main reporting agencies, so it is seamless. If you find that your  VantageScore is less than your goal score, there are ways to improve it.

Obviously, paying your bills on time is the strongest influencer on your VantageScore, but there are other ways to improve it too. Don’t open lines of credit too frequently. Keep your outstanding balances low compared to the limit that you are afforded. Try to keep all your balances below 30 percent of the limit that each credit line will allow you to keep. Try not to have too much debt. If you want to improve your VantageScore, try paying down some of your loans when you can.

Try to have a mix of accounts in your credit history. Don’t let all accounts be credit cards. An auto loan paid on time over time can improve your score.

Also,  check your credit report for errors. Check each of the three reporting agencies for mistakes. You are entitled to a free credit report each year from all three national credit reporting agencies from annualcreditreport.com. It’s a great way to check in to see where you stand. You can also do more frequent checks by getting a credit report directly from one agency at a time every four months. That way, you won’t have to wait to get a good idea of what’s going on with your credit report. Each credit reporting company has a system in place to fix any errors on your report. The three companies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

You should know that when you check your credit report for errors, it doesn’t impact your score the way it does if you have a lender check your credit.

When you look at your scores, you will also find information that explains what factors are affecting your scores the most.  When you address these, you’ll see your scores increase too. It will take time, but it will happen.

Remember, pay especially close attention to your payment history and make sure you are paying your bills on time. Also, pay close attention to your credit utilization ratios and keep it under 30 percent as we explained above. Together these two factors can represent about 70 percent of your score, so they are crucially important. For example, if you find that your credit report shows that you paid your Kohls card late, it’s worth calling Kohls to see if they will change the report if you actually did pay it on time.

Remember, having a higher credit score offers you many benefits including lower interest rates on your mortgage when you finally find your dream home. So, if you’re thinking about buying a new home, it’s imperative that you check in with your credit history and check it for accuracy.

Are You Thinking of Buying a Home in Dubois County?

Use our site to search homes for sale in Jasper, Dubois, Spencer, Martin and Davis counties and all of our surrounding areas. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, at Sell 4 Free Welsh Realty our site is directly connected to our local MLS and is updated with new homes every hour. By signing up for New Listing alerts you can stay on top of the newest homes for sale and get price change alerts so you can stay ahead of other buyers and beat them to the hottest deals!

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Popular Jasper Indiana Home Searches:

Newest Homes for Sale in Dubois County

View the newest homes listed in Dubois County in the last 10 days:

The house with the beautiful zoysia grass (low maintenance and weed control) between Jasper and Celestine will catch your eye! You will find a meticulous landscaped 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home nestled on top of the hill with 3.47 acres. This home is "clean as a pin" and soooo well maintained. Owner has added some personal touches you will notice immediately as you enter the "cool" painted door. The living room has a foyer, great floor to ceiling picture window and a bedford stone fireplace. The natural light in this home is wonderful! It has a galley kitchen and great dining room space. The covered adjoining patio provides the perfect space for outdoor dining. There is a wonderful "spa" renovated bathroom. The three bedrooms have original hardwood floors with the master tucked in the corner. All closets are lined with cedar. The added bonus is the full finished basement with bar, plenty of recreation space and a family room with a brick wood burning fireplace plus a detached shed is awaiting you outside. No water and sewer bills here! The well pump, pressure tank and piping was replaced in 2019. The furnace/AC were installed in 2016. With immediate possession, start enjoying rural living at it's best! $214,900 Active

4608 E State Road 164 Jasper, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 3,184 SqFt 3.473 Acres

Listing courtesy of Tama Stemle from RE/MAX Local.

Beautiful setting and location. A 1910 4 square home sits in the middle of this 1.82 acres of heaven. Buildings and home needs TLC. Mature fruit trees and garden area. $55,000 Active

2837 S 650 W Huntingburg, Indiana

4 Beds 2 Baths 2,560 SqFt 1.820 Acres

Listing courtesy of Jud Collett from FC TUCKER EMGE REALTORS.

This 2 story home with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath is ready to move into. Contains large rooms, a nice size kitchen and a nice front porch to relax. Settled on a large corner lot, in town, makes this a true find. With a nice lot, a fenced in backyard, large parking area, outbuilding/shop and a one car detached garage, you should have what you need. $84,500 Active

216 N Chestnut Street Huntingburg, Indiana

3 Beds 1 Baths 2,216 SqFt 0.250 Acres

Listing courtesy of Jud Collett from FC TUCKER EMGE REALTORS.