KEEPING YOUR CREDIT SCORE HEALTHY
- johnathanmcquoid
- Jan 17
- 2 min read
There is a LOT of confusion about credit reports, credit scores, and how they actually work.
Many clients we speak with have never even seen their credit report — and most are shocked to learn what affects their score (and what doesn’t).
Let’s clear things up.
Here’s how to keep your credit score strong 👇
💳 1️⃣ Pay your bills on time — all of them
This includes:
✔️ credit cards
✔️ lines of credit
✔️ loans
✔️ cell phone bills
✔️ utilities
Late payments are one of the fastest ways to damage your score.
🏷️ 2️⃣ Pay parking tickets and fines on time
Many people don’t realize unpaid fines can affect your credit.
If they go unpaid long enough, they can be sent to collections — and that hits your score hard.
📋 3️⃣ Review your credit report with us — line by line
When we go through your credit report together, we can help you spot:
✔️ errors
✔️ duplicate accounts
✔️ fraudulent activity
✔️ unauthorized credit checks
We can also help dispute or correct any inaccurate information.
💼 4️⃣ Have at least 2 active credit accounts
You should have:
✔️ 1–2 credit cards
✔️ OR a credit card + line of credit
But keep your credit limits reasonable and avoid maxing out your cards.
👉 The unofficial guideline:
Use no more than 30% of your available credit
This shows lenders you manage credit responsibly.
❌ 5️⃣ Don’t apply for credit too often
Too many applications in a short period makes lenders nervous.
They see this as a sign that you may be:
• overextending yourself
• struggling financially
• potentially a victim of identity theft
Either way, it increases risk — and lowers your score.
📉 “My score drops every time it’s checked” — TRUE or FALSE?
Mostly false.
You can check your own credit report as often as you want — it does NOT affect your score.
But when a lender checks it, that can impact your score slightly.
A few inquiries per year is normal.
A cluster of inquiries in a short period signals risk.
🔎 Multiple checks when house shopping? Use a broker.
If you visit several banks on your own, each one pulls your credit separately — and that can lower your score.
When you work with us, we pull your credit report once, and use that same report to shop multiple lenders on your behalf.
That means:
✔️ less impact on your score
✔️ better rate shopping
✔️ smarter mortgage planning
💡 Final Thought
A strong credit score gives you more options, better rates, and more confidence when applying for a mortgage.
If you want help reviewing your credit, rebuilding your score, or preparing for a mortgage application, message The Frontline Mortgage Group. We’ll walk you through your report line by line and help you strengthen your financial profile. 💬