What moves your score most
Most credit scores weigh two things above all: whether you pay on time, and your credit utilization, which is how much of your card limits you're using. Together they make up most of a typical score.
Other factors matter less but still count: how long you've had credit, the mix of accounts you have and how many new accounts or inquiries you've added recently.
Fast wins
Some changes can show up on your reports within one or two billing cycles.
- Pay card balances below 30% of their limits, and lower if you can
- Pay before the statement closing date, since that's usually the balance reported to the bureaus
- Dispute errors such as accounts that aren't yours or late payments that weren't late
- Ask for a credit limit increase without spending more, but ask first whether the card issuer will do a hard credit check
Steady habits that build over time
On-time payments matter most over the long run. One late payment can stay on your report for years, so set up autopay for at least the minimum on your accounts and pay the rest by the due date.
Keep older cards open, even if you rarely use them. They add to your credit history and your total available credit.
A 90-day plan
- Day 1: pull your reports from all three bureaus and dispute any errors
- Days 1 to 30: pay card balances below 10% of their limits before statements close
- Days 30 to 60: set up autopay on your accounts and keep balances low
- Day 90: check your score and get pre-approved
What to avoid before you close
Lenders check your credit when you apply and may check again before closing. New debt or a sudden change can affect your approval or your rate.
- Opening new credit cards or store cards
- Financing a car, furniture or appliances
- Co-signing a loan for someone else
- Closing your oldest accounts
- Moving large sums of money without a paper trail
Where CapCenter fits in
You need a credit score of at least 620 for a CapCenter loan. Pre-approval starts with a soft credit check, which doesn't affect your score, so you can see where you stand before you start these steps. A loan consultant can also help you see which changes could make the biggest difference for you.
