What credit score do lenders use?

Lenders primarily use FICO Scores, the most common being FICO Score 8, based on data from the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). For mortgages, older FICO models (2, 4, 5) are often used, but this is shifting with newer FICO and VantageScore 4.0 models being approved for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2025/2026, giving lenders more options. Your score predicts loan repayment, influencing interest rates and terms, with higher scores (around 700+) generally considered good for better rates.

Which credit score is most used by lenders?

Lenders most commonly use FICO Scores, with 90% of top lenders relying on them for decisions on loans and credit cards, though they use various versions and from different bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). While VantageScore is a competitor, FICO remains the industry standard, with specific versions often used for different products like mortgages, auto loans, or credit cards, and they're constantly updated. 

Do lenders look at TransUnion or Equifax?

Your score can differ depending on which credit reporting company is used, but most mortgage lenders look at scores from all three major credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – and use the middle score for deciding what rate to offer you.

Can I get a $50,000 loan with a 700 credit score?

In general, to qualify for a $50,000 personal loan you will need to show you have sufficient income to make the monthly payments and have a credit score of 580 or higher.

Is FICO 8 or 9 more accurate?

FICO Score 9: Similar in its approach to credit utilization, but may calculate this slightly differently to reflect more accurate borrower behavior. Overall, FICO Score 9 offers a more updated approach to certain types of debt and credit behaviors compared to FICO Score 8, but FICO Score 8 is still more commonly used.

Credit scores: Which ones do lenders use?

What credit score is needed for a $250000 house?

The credit score needed to buy a $250,000 house depends on the type of mortgage. The lowest credit score you could have and still secure a mortgage would be 500 (for an FHA loan with a 10% down payment). Expect to need a minimum credit score between 580 and 640 for other loans, depending on which kind you choose.

Is FICO your actual credit score?

Yes, a FICO Score is your actual credit score, but it's just one type of credit score; you have many, and lenders use different versions or other models (like VantageScore) too, with FICO being the most common, used in over 90% of lending decisions. Think of "credit score" as a category, and "FICO Score" as a popular brand within that category, like a Ford is a car. You have different FICO scores (e.g., FICO 8, 9, 10) and other scores (e.g., VantageScore) based on the data from the three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).
 

What is the 2 2 2 credit rule?

The 2-2-2 credit rule is a guideline for lenders, especially for mortgages, suggesting borrowers should have at least two active credit accounts, open for at least two years, with at least two years of on-time payments, sometimes also requiring a minimum credit limit (like $2,000) for each. It shows lenders you can consistently manage multiple debts, building confidence in your financial responsibility beyond just a high credit score, and helps you qualify for larger loans. 

What credit score is needed for a $400,000 mortgage?

Credit score requirements to buy a $400,000 house depend on the type of home loan. FHA loans require a minimum credit score of 500, whereas borrowers usually need a 620 credit score to qualify for a conventional mortgage.

What is the 3 7 3 rule in mortgage?

What is the 3-7-3 Rule? Within 3 business days of your completed loan application, your lender must provide initial disclosures. This includes the Loan Estimate (LE), which outlines your estimated loan terms, interest rate, closing costs, and monthly payment breakdown.

What are the worst mistakes for your credit score?

• Highlights: ...
• Making late payments. ...
• Making only the minimum credit card payment each month. ...
• Maxing out your credit card. ...
• Misunderstanding introductory credit card interest rates. ...
• Not reviewing your credit card and bank statements in full each month. ...
• Closing a paid-off credit card account.

What credit score do car dealerships go off of?

FICO Auto Scores typically range from 250 to 900, unlike the standard FICO range of 300 to 850. Dealerships and lenders use these scores to better predict how likely you are to repay an auto loan.

Do banks use Equifax or Experian?

Credit reporting agencies provide credit reports to lenders, aiding them in assessing loan applications. Among the prominent agencies banks use are Equifax, illion, and Experian. Each agency has its privacy policy detailing how your information is handled.

Which credit score is more accurate, FICO or credit wise?

FICO scores are generally considered more "accurate" for lending decisions because 90% of top lenders use them, while CreditWise provides a legitimate VantageScore (often FICO 8 from TransUnion), which is great for monitoring but might differ from lender scores due to different models, data, or timing. Both offer useful insights, but FICO reflects what lenders see, making it more directly relevant for loan approvals, while CreditWise shows your general credit health. 

What is the credit card limit for $70,000 salary?

The credit limit you can expect for a $70,000 salary across all your credit cards could be as much as $14000 to $21000, or even higher in some cases, according to our research. The exact amount depends heavily on multiple factors, like your credit score and how many credit lines you have open.

Why is Credit Karma score higher than Experian?

Your Credit Karma score might be higher than your {!nav}Experian score because they use different scoring models (Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0, while lenders often use FICO) and pull data from different credit reports (TransUnion/Equifax vs. Experian), leading to variations in information and calculation methods, even though Credit Karma does offer VantageScore 3.0 from Equifax and TransUnion, and Experian primarily shows FICO scores. Different reporting by lenders to each bureau also creates score discrepancies, making it normal to see different numbers. 

Is it true that after 7 years your credit is clear?

It's partially true: most negative items like late payments and collections fall off your credit report after about seven years, but the debt itself might still exist, and bankruptcies last longer (up to 10 years). The 7-year clock starts from the date of the first missed payment, not when it goes to collections, and older negative info must be removed by law, though the debt isn't always forgiven. 

How much mortgage can I get with $70,000 salary?

With a $70,000 salary, you can generally afford a house between $210,000 and $350,000, but your actual budget depends heavily on your credit score, existing debts, down payment, and current mortgage rates, with lenders often following the 28/36 rule (housing costs under 28% of gross income, total debt under 36%). A good starting point is keeping your total monthly housing payment (PITI) under $1,633, but a lower Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio and larger down payment increase your buying power. 

How to raise your credit score 200 points in 30 days?

Raising your score 200 points in 30 days is very difficult unless there's a major error, but you can see fast improvements by paying down credit card balances (lowering utilization), ensuring on-time payments, disputing errors on your report, becoming an authorized user, or getting credit for bills like rent/utilities through services like Experian Boost, though a significant jump usually takes months of consistent habits like diversifying credit and limiting new applications. 

What is the riskiest credit score?

The exact score that qualifies as subprime varies: For the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau it's anything below 620, while Experian considers it 600 and below. Lenders consider subprime credit scores a higher risk and you'll find it harder to get approved for credit cards and loans.

How to increase credit score by paying twice a month?

The 15/3 rule

For those who want to pay credit cards twice a month, the “15/3 rule” may be a good strategy. The 15/3 rule suggests making two payments during your billing cycle: one payment 15 days before the statement closing date and another payment three days before the closing date.

How can I pay off my 30 year mortgage in 10 years?

To pay off a 30-year mortgage in 10 years, you need aggressive strategies like refinancing to a shorter term (10-15 years), consistently paying significantly more than the minimum by adding extra principal payments (e.g., an extra payment monthly or bi-weekly), or using smart tactics like rounding up payments and applying windfalls (bonuses, tax refunds) to the principal to drastically cut interest and time. Increasing income and cutting expenses to free up more cash for these payments is also key. 

What hurts your credit score?

Negative credit score factors include late payments, high credit utilization (using too much available credit), frequent new credit applications, short credit history, closing old accounts, and serious issues like collections or bankruptcy. The biggest impact comes from missing payments, followed by how much debt you carry relative to your limits.
 

Is Credit Karma a true FICO score?

When Credit Karma users see their credit score details, they are viewing a VantageScore, not the FICO score that the majority of lenders use. A VantageScore has the same credit score range as FICO, and uses some of the same information as a FICO score.

Can you raise your FICO score quickly?

You can improve your FICO Scores by fixing errors in your credit history (if errors exist) and then following these guidelines to maintain a consistent and good credit history. Repairing bad credit or building credit for the first time takes patience and discipline. There is no quick way to fix a credit score.