Closing your oldest card will shorten your length of credit history – which accounts for 15 percent of your credit score. The damage from this, though, won’t happen for a long time. That’s because closed credit card accounts will stay on your credit reportfor up to 10 years from the date of your last activity.

In general, it’s best to keep unused credit cards open so that you benefit from a longer average credit history and a larger amount of available credit. Credit scoring models reward you for having long-standing credit accounts, and for using only a small portion of your credit limit.

Although it goes against general credit advice, in certain circumstances closing a credit card account is necessary. A credit card can be canceled without harming your credit score⁠—paying off your balances first is key. Closing a credit card will not impact your credit history, which factors into your score.

Having an inactive account shut down can hurt your length of credit history which impacts 15% of your score. If the card closed is one of your older credit cards, this can reduce the average age of your accounts which will lower your score.

“Having a zero balance helps to lower your overall utilization rate; however, if you leave a card with a zero balance for too long, the issuer may close your account, which would negatively affect your score by reducing your average age of accounts.”

Steps

1. Pay bills on time.
2. Make frequent payments.
3. Ask for higher credit limits.
4. Dispute credit report errors.
5. Become an authorized user.
6. Use a secured credit card.
7. Keep credit cards open.
8. Mix it up.

Plenty of regular bill payments are regularly reported to the major credit bureaus. Any time a bank or lender extends you a loan or line of credit, the lender reports your account payment history. Credit card bills, student loan payments, mortgage payments, and auto loan payments all fit this description.

Most lenders offer FHA loans starting at a 580 credit score. If your score is 580 or higher, you only need to put 3.5% down. For those with lower credit (500-579), it might still be possible to qualify for an FHA loan. For FHA-backed loans, this means poor credit scores don’t necessarily require higher interest rates.

While there are no shortcuts for building up a solid credit history and score, there are some steps you can take that can provide you with a quick boost in a short amount of time. In fact, some consumers may even see their credit scores rise as much as 100 points in 30 days.

Building credit fast

1. Pay down credit card debt.
2. Increase your credit card limits.
3. Become a credit card authorized user.
4. Dispute credit report errors.
5. Open a secured credit card.
6. Pay on time, every time.
7. Avoid closing accounts.

When it comes to getting a mortgage, a score of 750 or higher may impress lenders—but your credit score is not the only thing that impacts your approval and what your interest rate will be. A good credit score will definitely help you get a more favorable rate, but it takes more than that to lock in the best terms.

A credit score of 900 is either not possible or not very relevant. On the standard 300-850 range used by FICO and VantageScore, a credit score of 800+ is considered “perfect.” That’s because higher scores won’t really save you any money.

Getting to 700 was really fast — like 6 or 9 months. Getting from 700 to 800 took another 3 years. Credit Karma and Credit Sesame — not only do they help you monitor, they explain every aspect of improving your score. Discover It card — They offer a zero-interest balance transfer.

How To Improve Your Credit Score

1. Check Your Credit Report. The first step you should take is to pull your credit report and check for errors.
2. Make On-Time Payments.
3. Pay Off Your Debts.
4. Lower Your Credit Utilization Rate.
5. Consolidate Your Debt.
6. Become an Authorized User.
7. Leave Old Accounts Open.
8. Open New Account Types.

Raising your credit score from 500 to 700 needs discipline and financially responsible behaviour, but it’s easier than you think.

1. Pay your bills on time.
2. Maintain low credit card balances.
3. If the debt is unmanageable, consider debt consolidation with a personal loan or balance transfer.

70% of U.S. consumers’ FICO® Scores are higher than 650. What’s more, your score of 650 is very close to the Good credit score range of 670-739. With some work, you may be able to reach (and even exceed) that score range, which could mean access to a greater range of credit and loans, at better interest rates.

Generally speaking, to get maximum financing on typical new home purchases, applicants should have a credit score of 580 or better. Those with credit scores of 500 or better are eligible for 100% FHA loan financing with no down payment required when using the FHA 203(h), Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims.

A 700 credit score meets the minimum requirements for most mortgage lenders, so it’s possible to purchase a house when you’re in that range. A credit score of 700 also might not qualify you for the best interest rate on your mortgage loan, you may still want to work on improving your credit scores to save on interest.

By following a few tips, you could raise your score by 50 points or more before the end of the year.

1. Dispute errors on your credit report.
2. Work on paying down high credit card balances.
3. Consolidate credit card debt.
4. 4. Make all your payments on time.
5. Don’t apply for new credit cards or loans.

Example Required Income Levels at Various Home Loan Amounts

How to Build and Maintain an 800 Credit Score

1. Pay everything on time.
2. Keep your credit card balances very low.
3. Avoid too many credit inquiries.
4. Monitor your credit and act quickly to clear up errors.
5. Let negative information age off your credit report.

It will take about six months of credit activity to establish enough history for a FICO credit score, which is used in 90% of lending decisions. 1 FICO credit scores range from 300-850, and a score of over 700 is considered a good credit score. Scores over 800 are considered excellent.

An 800 credit score usually comes with low mortgage rates and can help you save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Aside from bragging rights, an exceptional credit score makes you an attractive borrower for mortgage lenders and puts the best interest rates within your reach.

Your 800 FICO® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.

You’ll qualify for lower interest rates and higher credit limits. With an 800-plus credit score, you are considered very likely to repay your debts, so lenders can offer you better deals. This is true whether you’re getting a mortgage, an auto loan, or trying to score a better interest rate on your credit card.

American Express Centurion Card

740–850: Excellent credit – Borrowers get easy credit approvals and the best interest rates. 670–740: Good credit – Borrowers are typically approved and offered good interest rates. 620–670: Acceptable credit – Borrowers are typically approved at higher interest rates.