IMPROVING YOUR CREDIT SCORE
- johnathanmcquoid
- Jan 17
- 2 min read
Your credit score plays a major role in what type of mortgage you qualify for — and the interest rate you get.
But here’s the good news: your credit score can always be improved.
Here’s how 👇
🔎 1️⃣ Stop applying for new credit unnecessarily
Every time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry hits your report.
Too many inquiries — especially within 6 months of applying for a mortgage — can drag your score down.
Hard checks can stay on your report for up to 3 years, so avoid unnecessary applications, especially right before mortgage qualification.
💳 2️⃣ Keep your balances low (ideally under 30%)
If your credit cards are constantly maxed out, your score suffers.
Aim to keep balances:
✔️ under 30% of the limit (good)
✔️ under 20% (even better)
Make regular payments to slowly reduce your utilization.
Then switch daily spending to debit to avoid building balances back up.
⏰ 3️⃣ Pay EVERYTHING on time
Late payments on any bill can hurt your score — including:
✔️ cell phone bills
✔️ internet bills
✔️ utility bills
Payment history is the #1 factor in your score. Never miss due dates.
🧾 4️⃣ Use your credit cards regularly (but responsibly)
Even if you don’t like using credit, you should still use each card every few months.
Why?
Because if a card isn’t used, it may stop reporting and won’t help your score.
Just use it for a small purchase and pay the full balance right away.
No interest.
No risk.
Positive reporting.
🛠️ 5️⃣ Consider a secured credit card to rebuild credit
If your score is damaged or you’re starting from scratch, a secured credit card is a great tool.
You put down a deposit, and the lender gives you a matching credit limit.
Since they take no risk, approval is easy — and it reports just like a normal card.
Used properly, it’s one of the fastest ways to rebuild credit.
💬 Need help improving your score before applying for a mortgage? Message The Frontline Mortgage Group anytime. We’ll walk you through what to fix — and how to boost your score in the most efficient way.