Your 60-90 day credit repair plan: pull all 3 credit reports, dispute any errors, pay down credit cards below 30% utilization (under 10% is better), and make every payment on time.
Don't open any new credit accounts. Don't close old accounts. Consider becoming an authorized user on a well-managed old account.
With consistent effort, you can improve your credit score by 40-80 points in 60-90 days. This can save you thousands in interest.
Step-by-Step Plan
Day 1: Pull all 3 reports. Day 1-7: Identify and dispute errors. Day 1-30: Pay cards down. Day 30-60: Let new balances report. Day 60-90: Monitor scores and apply.
Error Disputes
Dispute every error you find. Common errors: wrong late payments, accounts not yours, incorrect balances, duplicate accounts, and outdated negative items.
Utilization Optimization
Pay credit cards to under 10% of their limit. This alone can boost scores 30-50 points. Pay before the statement closing date, not just the due date.
Authorized User
Get added as an authorized user on a family member's old credit card with a perfect payment history. This adds the account's age and payment history to your report.
Timing
Start at least 90 days before you plan to apply. Utilization changes can show improvement in 30 days. Disputes take up to 30 days. New authorized user accounts show in 30-45 days.
What to Avoid
Avoid: opening new accounts, closing old accounts, carrying balances for score purposes, applying for other loans, and making large purchases on credit.