Yes, a 470 credit score is considered poor or "bad" credit. It falls well below the average U.S. FICO score of 714-715, signaling high risk to lenders. This score indicates past credit difficulties, such as missed payments or high debt, making it difficult to qualify for traditional loans or credit cards.
You may be able to get a personal loan with a 470 credit score, but your options will likely be limited. Personal loan credit score requirements vary by lender, but many set the minimum at 610 — and you'll need one much higher than that for the best terms.
Quick Answer: Minimum Credit Score Requirements for LA Home Buyers. In Los Angeles, most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 for conventional mortgages, while FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 (or 500 with larger down payments).
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 470 FICO® ScoreΘ is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.
Long-Term Strategies (6-12 Months)
The best strategies for raising your credit score 100 points or more are long-term strategies. These usually take six to 12 months to get results. If you're in the good-to-excellent credit score bracket — over 700 — you are already doing many things right.
Nationwide, the average credit score is 715. State by state, however, the numbers are all over the map. The average U.S. credit score is 715, according to FICO's Score Credit Insights, which examined data from April 2025.
Ways to improve your credit score
If you want to increase your score, there are some things you can do, including: Paying your loans on time. Not getting too close to your credit limit. Having a long credit history.
It's partly true: most negative items like late payments and collections are removed from your credit report after about seven years, but the underlying debt often still exists, and bankruptcies (Chapter 7) last 10 years, so your credit isn't entirely "clear" but mostly refreshed from old negatives. The 7-year clock starts from the date of the original delinquency, not when you paid it off or sent to collections, and the debt itself can still be pursued by collectors.
The best credit card for a 470 score is the opensky® Plus Secured Visa® Credit Card because it does not require a credit check and it has an annual fee of $0. This credit card requires a security deposit of at least $300 to open the account.
You can “fix” a bad credit score by paying bills on time, keeping credit card balances low and adding positive payment history to your credit report with a secured credit card or credit-builder loan.
States Where Perfect Credit Scores Are More Common
In two regions of the U.S.—the Northeast and West—more than 2% of consumers have an 850 FICO® Score. Only in the Southern U.S. does a smaller share of consumers have perfect scores than the national average of 1.76%.
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.
The 3-7-3 Rule in mortgages isn't a loan type but a federal timeline from the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule, ensuring borrower protection by mandating disclosures within 3 business days of application, a 7-business-day wait between the initial Loan Estimate and closing, and another 3-day wait if significant changes (like APR) occur, giving borrowers time to review costs before committing to a loan.
A fair, good or excellent Equifax Credit Score
Equifax scores range from 0-700. 380-419 is considered a fair score. A score of 420-465 is considered good. A score of 466-700 is considered excellent (reference: https://www.finder.com/uk/equifax ).
The 15/3 credit card payment method is a strategy to potentially boost your credit score by making two payments per billing cycle: one about 15 days before your statement closes (to lower reported utilization) and another around 3 days before the payment due date (to cover the rest and avoid late fees), though its actual impact on credit scoring is debated. It works by keeping your reported balance lower when the card issuer reports to bureaus, but experts note the specific timing isn't magical, and focusing on the reporting date is key.
The golden rule of credit cards is to pay your statement balance in full every single month. This practice is crucial for maintaining a good credit score and avoiding costly interest charges.
If you have a high balance, making multiple payments a month can help lower your utilization ratio, and in turn, raise your credit score. Understanding your statement closing date is an essential part of your credit-building strategy. Consider tools like autopay or financial apps to stay on track.