Keep paying off your credit card balances as fast as you can. Pay all of your bills on time. Don't open new credit cards. Pay cash for everything for a couple of years. Build up an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses. This all takes time, but your credit score will improve. OP - you're still young.
A credit score of 450 or below is considered poor, so direct lenders might be reluctant to approve your loan application. It's possible to get loans with a bad credit score, but be prepared for high fees, high interest rates, and potentially risky terms.
It could take anywhere from a few months to several years to go from a 700 credit score to 800. If you want to speed up the process, focus on maintaining a flawless payment history and keep your credit utilization rate as low as possible.
Very limited options. The majority of lenders will refuse your credit application if you have a 450 credit score. Even if you get approved, it will only be by specialised lenders who offer so-called “bad credit loans” with extremely high interest rates and short repayment periods.
If you missed a payment because of extenuating circumstances and you've brought account current, you could try to contact the creditor or send a goodwill letter and ask them to remove the late payment.
A credit report provides a history of your dealings with creditors, and your open accounts will remain on your reports as long as they're active. But when it comes to certain types of information related to individual accounts—both positive and negative—a credit report's memory may last anywhere from two to 10 years.
Wealthier, more competitive areas will require a higher minimum score, as will new or luxury buildings. However, a good rule of thumb is that most landlords look for a credit score of at least 600. Anything under 600 is considered bad credit, but don't worry – there are many ways to get around bad credit.
Getting a loan with 450 credit score is possible
Below that, you can go to credit unions or other private institutions. Anything lower than 600 is considered as risky territories and these firms do not extend loans without the presence of a co-signer.
With an 450 credit score, you're unlikely to get approved for a traditional credit card. Credit cards are unsecured forms of debt, so banks tend to be a bit more cautious compared to loans backed by specific assets, like mortgages and auto loans. Having said that, there are a couple of options.
Most landlords seek credit scores of 650 or higher as a sign of tenant responsibility. Applicants with scores below 600 may face additional hurdles in securing approval. Exact minimum thresholds vary widely depending on factors like the type of apartment, current occupancy rates, and the landlord's discretion.
Most negative items should automatically fall off your credit reports seven years from the date of your first missed payment, at which point your credit score may start rising. But if you are otherwise using credit responsibly, your score may rebound to its starting point within three months to six years.
Debt forgiveness could help with credit cards, back taxes or student loans. But to qualify, you'll typically need to meet certain conditions. This might mean proving financial hardship or making a certain minimum number of payments on your debts. Some forgiveness programs will have stricter criteria than others.
A goodwill credit adjustment is a request to remove valid delinquencies or otherwise negative payment history from a credit report.
Reducing your balances is the most effective way to boost your credit score. Provided you have no derogatory marks on your credit reports, such as late payments or delinquencies, you are likely to see a jump in your scores quickly if you knock down your balances to or close to zero.
VantageScore and FICO scores range from 300 to 850, making 300 the lowest credit score possible. While credit scores as low as 300 are possible, most consumers have scores above 700. A low credit score will prevent you from borrowing money or even renting an apartment.
Policies and procedures vary by creditor but will usually include back-and-forth letters to get everything in writing. On average, credit repair takes about three to six months. Your score should gradually improve throughout the process each time a creditor agrees to make a change in your favor.
The minimum credit score needed to rent an apartment varies from location to location. Wealthier, more competitive areas will require a higher minimum score, as will new or luxury buildings. However, a good rule of thumb is that most landlords look for a credit score of at least 600.