About the FICO Credit Score

Since we live in an computer-driven world, it should come as no surprise that your ability to repay your mortgage comes down to a single number. Credit reporting agencies use your history of paying all types of loans in order to compile this score.

All three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) use a slightly different system to arrive at a credit score. Fair Isaac and Cooriginally developed this score. . 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 these methods vary from one agency to another, each agency uses the following to calculate your score:

• Credit History - How many years have you had credit?
• History of Payments - Have you paid more than 30 days late?
• Credit Card Balances - How many accounts do you carry? How much do you owe?
• Inquiries on Your Credit - How many times have lenders pulled your credit report for the purpose of lending you money?

Each of these factors is assigned a value and a weight. Each formula produces a single number which may vary a a little from one agency to another. FICO scores can be as low as 300 and as high as 800. Higher is always better. Typical home buyers likely find their FICO scores falling between 620 and 800.

Your score greatly affects your monthly payment

Credit scores are used for more than just determining whether or not you qualify for a mortgage. Lenders give lower interest rates to individuals with higher scores.

Can I improve my FICO score?

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot you can do to immediately improve your credit score. Since the score is entirely based on a lifetime of credit history, it is difficult to change it quickly. (Of course you can and should appeal incorrect items on your credit report.)

Getting your credit score

Before you can improve your FICO score, you have to know your score and make certain that the credit reports from each reporting agency are correct. Fair Isaac has created a web site (www.myFICO.com) that lets you do just that. For a reasonable fee, you can get your FICO from all three agencies, along with your credit report. Also available are helpful information and online tools that can help you analyze what actions might have the greatest impact on your FICO score.

You can get a federally-mandated free credit report once per year from all three credit reporting agencies when you visit AnnualCreditReport.com. You won't get a free credit score from AnnualCreditReport.com, but getting it is quick and inexpensive.

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

Curious about credit scores? Call us at (813) 200-7931.