Payment history is an important factor in credit scoring. Make payments by their due dates and bring past-due accounts current when possible. Late payments, collections, and other negative information may affect your credit profile.

Credit utilization compares the balances on revolving accounts with their available credit limits. High balances relative to your limits can negatively affect your scores.

The old Mortgage Mark guide recommends keeping balances below 30% of available limits where possible. This is a general guideline, not a guarantee of a particular score increase.

The age of your credit accounts can affect your scores. Avoid closing established accounts or opening new accounts without considering the potential effects. Before making significant changes while preparing for a mortgage, discuss your situation with your lender.

Review your reports for accounts you don’t recognize, incorrect balances, inaccurate payment histories, or other errors. If you find incorrect information, contact the relevant credit bureau and follow its dispute process.

Read our How to Remove Credit Report Disputes guide for more information.

Applying for several new accounts in a short period may affect your credit profile. If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, check with your lender before opening new accounts or taking on additional debt.

Credit scoring models vary, and no single action guarantees a specific score increase. For more detail on the factors that influence credit, read our Five Categories of Credit guide and Credit Basics.