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RAISE YOUR CREDIT SCORE IMMEDIATELY! -2024 | The Mortgage Patriot
Patrick Kevin Fagan, the Mortgage Patriot, breaks down how to raise your credit score immediately: the exact sequence he gives first-time buyers to move their scores 50 to 100 points in one to three months. You will learn the five moves that matter, from pulling your reports and disputing errors to cutting utilization, adding rental and authorized-user trade lines, and protecting your scores with soft pulls. If your credit is the thing standing between you and an FHA or conventional loan in San Antonio or the Texas Hill Country, start here.
What You Will Learn
Your credit score determines more than approval: it helps set your interest rate, the programs you qualify for, and how much cash you need to bring to closing. In this video Patrick shares the same five-move sequence he gives first-time buyers who need to move their scores 50 to 100 points in one to three months, starting with your credit reports and ending with the soft pull that protects your scores while you shop.
Every move here is something you can start this week, whether you are aiming for FHA's 580 minimum or the higher scores that unlock conventional loans and better pricing in San Antonio, Bexar County, and the Texas Hill Country.
Key Takeaways
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Pull All Three Credit Reports First
Check Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian at annualcreditreport.com, because lenders take the middle of your three scores and errors you never knew about could be dragging you down.
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Dispute Errors and Duplicates
Wrong, duplicated, or ID-theft-related items can often be removed within a month or two, either through the bureaus directly or with the help of a proven credit professional.
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Bring Utilization Below 30% (Ideally 10%)
Balances versus limits is the second biggest scoring driver after payment history, and paying a card from 80% utilization down to 30% or lower moves scores fast.
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Add Trade Lines You Already Earned: Rental History
Landlords usually do not report rent, and adding two years of on-time rental history as a trade line can lift scores 20 to 30 points within a few weeks.
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Boost Fast With an Authorized User
With permission, piggyback on a relative's long-history, low-utilization card, then cancel the authorization once your loan closes. It is legal, and it works.
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Demand Soft Pulls, Not Hard Pulls
Every hard inquiry costs points and triggers lender marketing. A soft pull gives the same scores and data without touching your report, so insist on it until you are ready to apply.
Companion Article
This video pairs with Patrick's complete written guide to the four credit moves that help first-time buyers qualify, with the strategies and order of operations laid out. Read the full guide: credit hacks to boost your score before buying a home and see the details from pulling your reports to soft-pull pre-approval.
Read Patrick's Complete BreakdownContinue Learning
Want the step-by-step version? Patrick explains how to raise your credit score fast before buying a home, including the order of operations he recommends.
Not sure how much your score actually matters? How your credit score affects your home purchase shows what lenders look at and what your middle score really controls.
Wondering what number to aim for? Patrick answers what a good credit score is for buying a home, from FHA's minimums to conventional underwriting.
Have Questions About Raising Your Credit Score?
Patrick is a dual-licensed Loan Officer and REALTOR with over 23 years in loan origination. He can review your credit, run a soft pull, and map the exact moves to get you ready to buy.
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