Credit education
Review your credit report
Understanding the information in your credit report is a key part of addressing a poor credit score. A few critical factors go into determining your score, including:
The age of your credit
Long-maintained accounts in good standing can support your profile. Avoid closing old cards without a strategy.
The amount of debt you have
High balances relative to limits can weigh on scores. Paying down revolving debt often helps over time.
Your payment history
On-time payments are one of the strongest signals. Set reminders or autopay for at least the minimums.
The number of credit lines open
Too many new accounts in a short window can be a red flag. Be intentional about new applications.
Knowing how these pieces fit together is an important step toward improving credit — and toward a smoother mortgage process.
