FICO Credit Scores: What Do They Mean?

Since we live in an computer-driven world, it should come as no surprise that your ability to repay your mortgage loan boils down to just one number. All the years you've been paying your various bills: your mortgage, vehicle payments, and credit card bills can be analyzed, sliced, diced, spindled and mutilated into a single indicator of whether you're likely to meet your future obligations.

The three agencies use slightly different formulas to build a credit score. The original FICO score was developed by Fair Isaac and Company. While Experian still calls its score "FICO", TransUnion calls its score "Beacon" and Equifax uses "Empirica." While each of the models considers a range of data available in your credit report, each agency uses the following to calculate your credit score:

• Your Credit History - How long have you had credit?
• Payment History - Have you paid more than 30 days late?
• Balances on your Credit Cards - How many accounts? How much do you owe?
• Requests for Credit - How many times have you had your credit checked for a loan?

These factors are assigned weights based on the formula being used. The results are added up and distilled into a single number. Credit scores range from 300 to 800. Higher scores are better. Most home buyers will likely find their scores falling between 620 and 800.

Your credit score affects your monthly payment

Did you know? FICO scores affect more than your ability to get a loan. They also affect your interest rate. Lenders give lower interest rates to individuals with higher scores.

Can I improve my credit score?

What can you do to improve your FICO score? Unfortunately, not much. Since the FICO score is based on your lifelong credit history, it is difficult to change it quickly. You should, of course, appeal for the credit agency to remove any incorrect data on your credit report; this is really the only "quick fix" for credit troubles.

How do I find out my FICO score?

Before you can improve your FICO score, you have to get your score and ensure that the reports from each agency are correct. Fair Isaac, the company that offered the first FICO score, offers FICO scores on its website: myFICO.com. It's inexpensive, fast, and easy to get your credit score along with credit reports from all three agencies. Also available are helpful information and tools that can help you improve your credit score.

You can get a federally-mandated free credit report once a year from all three credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com. These reports do not include a free credit score, but it's very inexpensive to get one at the same time.

Armed with this information, you will be a more informed consumer and you'll be better positioned to get the most favorable mortgage.

Curious about credit scores? Call us: 305-967-7200.