Four Tips for Fighting Bad Credit in Kennesaw, GA

1. Check Your Credit Report & Fix Any Errors

In order to start the process, you’ll first need to know where your credit stands from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. The most common score that lenders will use is the FICO^® Score 8, which has a range from 300-850. We’d like to see you in the range above 670, which is considered good. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon to find errors on your credit report, so we’d recommend disputing those inaccuracies quickly and individually from each credit bureau.

2. Make Payments on Time

The next step is starting the good habit of making your payments on time and double checking that the correct among went through. Late payments have the largest impact on your credit, making up some 35% of your total FICO^® score. Even if you don’t struggle with remembering due dates or making the minimum payment, our team would still recommend enrolling in automatic payments so that nothing slips through undetected, or set a reminder on your phone.

3. Stay Below Your Credit Limit

Another tip from our team is to stay below your credit limit, around 30%, so that going beyond what you can pay won’t be a possibility. It’s because 30% of your FICO^® score fluctuates on how much credit you’re currently using, so exceeding your credit limit can do some damage. If staying within your means is a monthly struggle, give your creditor a call to request that your limit be increased.

4. Be Patient

What’s our last tip? While it’s definitely not the most fun — and some might even feel like they’re not doing anything — waiting for your credit repair is next. Letting time repair your score after you’ve disputed any errors and have set up good habits is all that you can do. When it’s been a couple of months and you’re happy with the number you see, we look forward to seeing you in our office to start your deal on your new or used Toyota!