Credit Score Basics

Payment history (35%) — on-time payments are the single biggest factor.

Credit utilization (30%) — how much of your available credit you're using.

Length of credit history (15%) — older accounts help.

Credit mix (10%) — a healthy mix of revolving and installment credit.

New credit (10%) — too many recent inquiries can hurt.

Conventional: 620 minimum, 740+ for the best rates.

FHA: 580 with 3.5% down, 500–579 with 10% down.

VA: no official minimum, but most lenders want 580–620+.

Jumbo: typically 700+, often 740+.

Pay down revolving balances to under 30% of the limit (under 10% is even better).

Don't close old credit cards — keeping them open helps utilization and history length.

Set up autopay for at least the minimum on every account.

Dispute errors on your credit reports — they're more common than you'd think.