TexasEscapes.com HOME Welcome to Texas Escapes
A magazine written by Texas
Custom Search
New   |   Texas Towns   |   Ghost Towns   |   Counties   |   Trips   |   Features   |   Columns   |   Architecture   |   Images   |   Archives   |   Site Map

Counties
Texas Counties


Texas Towns
A - Z




Columns

Columns | Go Far With Kovar

Quick Credit Fix Options

by Taylor Kovar

September 6 , 2022

Hi Taylor - Is it possible to improve my credit score in a hurry? I'm trying to get a small loan but only have so-so credit, and wondering if I can get it up by 100-150 points in a few months or if it'll take years and years and I should give up on the loan. Thanks! - Esteban

Hi Esteban
- It's definitely possible. It all depends on what's currently affecting your credit score and how many tools you have at your disposal. I'll throw out some credit score tricks, and you can see if any of them work for you.

1. Credit utilization. This is probably the biggest thing under your control, and it refers to the balances on your current cards/other loans that report to credit bureaus. Essentially, you want your credit use to be no higher than 10 percent of your total limit (and ideally less than 7 percent for credit score purposes). If you can get those balances down, you can see your score jump up in just a month. Probably not a full 100 points, but the credit-to-debt ratio is a huge factor when it comes to your FICO score. Aside from making big payments to lower those balances, you can also request higher limits on your credit cards to put the ratio more in your favor.

2. On-time payments. Missed payments hurt your credit score faster than anything else, but you can recover and recoup. If you paid late on a credit card or other loan, make the payment and then try calling the creditor to see if they'll do you a solid and not report the late payment to the bureau. To avoid this problem in the future, make sure you've got automatic payments set up. It's a little risky, but you can also consider taking out a small P2P loan for the sole purpose of paying off existing balances. This tactic doesn't work for someone drowning in debt, but rather if you have decent income and just need to show your ability to make on-time payments to all your lenders.

3. Get credited as a renter. It doesn't work for everyone, but you can have rent payments reported by your landlord. You can also have utility payments reported to the credit bureaus by those providers. Most people stay focused on credit cards and loans, but it's possible to use other monthly payments as a way to make yourself more appealing. Not every creditor accounts for rent, but it's worth a shot if you're looking to change your score in a hurry.

Don't expect your FICO score to get awesome over night. Bad credit scores like to linger, so you need to stay patient and keep putting in the work. Nevertheless, a multifaceted effort like this has the potential to turn bad credit into passable credit faster than you might expect. Good luck, Esteban!


© Taylor Kovar September 6, 2022
More "Go Far With Kovar"



Legal Disclaimer: Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. To submit a question to be answered in this column, please send it via email to Question@GoFarWithKovar.com, or via USPS to Taylor Kovar, 415 S 1st St, Suite 300, Lufkin, TX 75901.


Texas Escapes Online Magazine »   Archive Issues » Home »
TEXAS TOWNS & COUNTIES TEXAS LANDMARKS & IMAGES TEXAS HISTORY & CULTURE TEXAS OUTDOORS MORE
Texas Counties
Texas Towns A-Z
Texas Ghost Towns

TEXAS REGIONS:
Central Texas North
Central Texas South
Texas Gulf Coast
Texas Panhandle
Texas Hill Country
East Texas
South Texas
West Texas

Courthouses
Jails
Churches
Schoolhouses
Bridges
Theaters
Depots
Rooms with a Past
Monuments
Statues

Gas Stations
Post Offices
Museums
Water Towers
Grain Elevators
Cotton Gins
Lodges
Stores
Banks

Vintage Photos
Historic Trees
Cemeteries
Old Neon
Ghost Signs
Signs
Murals
Gargoyles
Pitted Dates
Cornerstones
Then & Now

Columns: History/Opinion
Texas History
Small Town Sagas
Black History
WWII
Texas Centennial
Ghosts
People
Animals
Food
Music
Art

Books
Cotton
Texas Railroads

Texas Trips
Texas Drives
Texas State Parks
Texas Rivers
Texas Lakes
Texas Forts
Texas Trails
Texas Maps
USA
MEXICO
HOTELS

Site Map
About Us
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer
Contributors
Staff
Contact Us

 
Website Content Copyright Texas Escapes LLC. All Rights Reserved