Credit scores can drop due to a variety of reasons, including late or missed payments, changes to your credit utilization rate, a change in your credit mix, closing older accounts (which may shorten your length of credit history overall), or applying for new credit accounts.
There are a number of reasons why a credit score would drop: a negative item that wasn't reported in the past, higher balances on credit cards, new account openings, new inquiries — or a combination of these things.
Generally speaking, keeping your balances low on credit cards is good for your FICO score because that helps keeps your credit utilization rate low. When a lender raises your credit card limit, that may lower your credit utilization rate and, in some cases, could increase your score.
There's a missed payment lurking on your report
A single payment that is 30 days late or more can send your score plummeting because on-time payments are the biggest factor in your credit score. Worse, late payments stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
If you've made a late payment or have other derogatory information listed on one of your credit reports, it could cause your score to drop at least 30 points. Also, using more of your available credit or closing one of your oldest credit card accounts could cause a large drop in your score.
Credit utilization — the portion of your credit limits that you are currently using — is a significant factor in credit scores. It is one reason your credit score could drop a little after you pay off debt, particularly if you close the account.
Credit scores can drop due to a variety of reasons, including late or missed payments, changes to your credit utilization rate, a change in your credit mix, closing older accounts (which may shorten your length of credit history overall), or applying for new credit accounts.
It's better to pay off your credit card than to keep a balance. It's best to pay a credit card balance in full because credit card companies charge interest when you don't pay your bill in full every month.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 600 FICO® Score is below the average credit score. Some lenders see consumers with scores in the Fair range as having unfavorable credit, and may decline their credit applications.
When you close a credit card account or a card issuer decreases your credit limit, your overall credit limit declines. Using the example above, let's say you cancel a card with a $2,000 limit, so your total credit limit now is $8,000. Meanwhile, your total balances stay at $2,000.
Lowering the credit limit on a credit card could hurt your credit scores if it raises your credit utilization rate. Your credit utilization rate measures how the amount of your available credit (your credit limits) compares with the balances on your revolving credit accounts (typically credit cards).
What does it mean when your credit usage decreased? If your credit usage rate decreases, it means that you've been paying off a higher portion of your credit card bill than spending. This is excellent for your personal finances.
Your FICO® Score falls within a range, from 740 to 799, that may be considered Very Good. A 750 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Borrowers with scores in the Very Good range typically qualify for lenders' better interest rates and product offers.
Having a credit score over 800 isn't just good. According to the FICO credit scoring system, it's exceptional. Although both the FICO and VantageScore credit scoring systems go all the way up to 850, you actually don't need to hit 850 to reap the same benefits as those with a perfect credit score.
FICO credit scores, the industry standard for sizing up credit risk, range from 300 to a perfect 850—with 670 to 739 labeled “good,” 740-799 “very good” and 800 to 850 “exceptional.” A 700 score places you right in the middle of the good range, but still slightly below the average credit score of 711.
A conventional loan requires a credit score of at least 620, but it's ideal to have a score of 740 or above, which could allow you to make a lower down payment, get a more attractive interest rate and save on private mortgage insurance.
Having accounts open with a credit card company will not hurt your credit score, but having zero balances will not prove to lenders that you are creditworthy and will repay a loan. Lenders want to make sure you repay, and that you will also pay interest.
Despite what you may have heard through the grapevine, it's always better to pay off your entire balance — or credit debt — immediately. Not only will this save you time and money, but it'll reflect well on your credit score.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), experts recommend keeping your credit utilization below 30% of your total available credit. If a high utilization rate is hurting your scores, you may see your scores increase once a lower balance or higher credit limit is reported.
If the loan you paid off was your only installment account, you might lose some points because you no longer have a mix of different types of open accounts. It was your only account with a low balance: The balances on your open accounts can also impact your credit scores.
Paying off a credit card doesn't usually hurt your credit scores—just the opposite, in fact. It can take a month or two for paid-off balances to be reflected in your score, but reducing credit card debt typically results in a score boost eventually, as long as your other credit accounts are in good standing.
A 700 credit score meets the minimum requirements for most mortgage lenders, so it's possible to purchase a house when you're in that range. However, lenders look at more than just your credit score to determine your eligibility, so having a 700 credit score won't guarantee approval.
Experts say you need a minimum credit score of 620 to be approved for a conventional mortgage loan. As a result, a credit score of 790 should make a mortgage approval highly likely.
A 735 credit score is considered a good credit score by many lenders. “Good” score range identified based on 2021 Credit Karma data. With good credit scores, you might be more likely to qualify for mortgages and auto loans with lower interest rates and better terms.