Your credit score doesn't define you—it's just a starting point. Learn proven strategies to build better credit and qualify for better rates.
Important: NorthStar Funding is a mortgage lender, not a credit repair company. This educational content is provided as a free resource to help you understand credit improvement strategies.
To improve your credit score: pay all bills on time, keep credit card balances below 30% of your limit, don't close old accounts, and check your credit reports for errors. Most improvements take 3-6 months to show up in your score.
On-time payments are the most important factor.
How much of your available credit you're using.
How long you've had credit accounts.
Having different types of credit (cards, loans, etc.).
Recent applications and new accounts.
Payment history is 35% of your score. Set up autopay to never miss a due date.
Use less than 30% of your available credit. Under 10% is even better.
Keep old accounts open. Length of credit history matters.
Check for errors and dispute inaccuracies with the bureaus.
Even if your credit isn't perfect, we may have loan options for you. Get pre-qualified with a soft pull that won't impact your score.