FICO - Your Credit Score

Since we live in an computer-driven world, it's not surprising that your ability to repay your mortgage boils down to a single number. The FICO score is created by credit reporting agencies. These agencies use the payment history from all of your loans: mortgages, car/motorcycle loans, credit cards, and the like.

TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, the three major credit agencies, each have their own proprietary formula for building your credit score. The original FICO model was developed by Fair Isaac and Company. Experian uses this model and calls its score FICO. Equifax's model, based on FICO, is called BEACON, while TransUnion, which also uses a slightly modified FICO, calls its score EMPIRICA. While the formulas vary from one agency to another, all of the agencies use the following to determine a credit score:

• Your Credit History - Have you had credit for many years, or for a short time?
• Late Payments - Do you have any payments later than 30 days?
• Balances on your Credit Cards - How many accounts do you hold, and how much do you owe on them?
• Requests for Credit - How many times have you had your credit checked for a loan?

These factors are weighted slightly differently depending on which formula the agency uses. The result is one number. Credit scores range from 300 to 800. Higher is better. Most home buyers likely find their credit scores falling above 620.

Your FICO score affects your interest rate

FICO scores affect more than your ability to get a loan. They also affect your interest rate. Higher scores indicate you are a better credit risk, and thus may qualify for a better mortgage rate.

Can I improve my credit score?

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot you can do to immediately improve your credit score. Since the credit score is based on your lifelong credit history, it is hard to change it quickly. You must, of course, appeal for the credit agency to remove any incorrect reporting on your credit report, which is the only way to quickly improve your credit score.

Know your FICO

To raise your FICO score, you've got to have the reports that the agencies use to build it, and of course, you need the score itself. Fair Isaac, the corporation that offered the original FICO credit score, offers FICO scores on myFICO.com. It's inexpensive, fast, and easy to get your credit score along with reports from all three reporting agencies. Also available are information and online tools that can help you improve your credit score.

You can get a federally-mandated free credit report every year from all three agencies by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You won't get a free credit score from AnnualCreditReport.com, but getting one is fast and inexpensive.

Now that you have all the facts, you will be a more informed consumer and you'll be better positioned to obtain the right mortgage for you.

Want to know more about your FICO score? Call us at (562) 693-5048.