By Rosalie Lowrey – GFS Home Loans

Your credit score plays a big role in your mortgage approval—and I’m here to help you improve it safely and effectively. I’ve reviewed your credit profile and created this custom plan to help you raise your score without any risk. These strategies are free, proven, and designed to move you closer to homeownership.

🚫 What Not to Do With Your Credit

To protect your score while we prepare for your loan approval, follow these key credit behavior rules:

  • Do not apply for any new credit unless I specifically recommend it.
  • Do not close any credit cards, even if they’re unused.
  • Do not pay off any loans early—just keep making your regular monthly payments.

📱 Monitor Your Credit with Free Apps

Stay on top of your progress with these tools:

  • Credit Karma – Tracks your TransUnion and Equifax scores. These aren’t your exact mortgage scores but are great for trend monitoring.
  • Experian App – Use this to track your Experian score and access Experian Boost, a powerful feature we’ll cover next.

💸 Free Ways to Boost Your Credit Score

1. Use Experian Boost

This tool adds positive payments from utilities and subscriptions to your credit report.

  • Link your bank account in the app
  • Only positive payments are reported—never negative
  • Results can show up within days

2. Become an Authorized User

Ask someone you trust to add you to their credit card.

Choose someone who:

  • Has had the card for 2+ years (5+ is ideal)
  • Keeps the balance under 30% of the credit limit
  • Has no late payments in the last 24 months

This move can help boost your score within 30–60 days.

3. Request a Credit Limit Increase

Call your credit card issuers and ask for a higher limit. If approved, your balance-to-limit ratio improves—which helps your score.

✅ Need to Open a Credit Card?

If advised, apply for Capital One or Discover. If you don’t qualify for an unsecured card, try their secured card options.

Here’s the exact method to follow:

  • Open 2 cards in the same week (if possible)
  • Set up one small subscription (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) to auto-pay on each
  • Set the card to auto-pay in full each month
  • Don’t use the card for anything else

This simple strategy can lead to a 20–30 point boost in just 60 days.

🚫 Avoid New Installment Loans

You already have enough installment credit history. Please do not open new loans—including buy-now-pay-later services like Affirm, Afterpay, or Klarna.

Also, be aware:

  • Your score may drop slightly when opening or paying off an installment loan
  • This is normal and temporary—don’t stress
  • Avoid additional tradelines unless we discuss them first

🧾 Handling Collection Accounts

Collections can be tricky—here’s how to handle them wisely:

  • Never pay the full balance without a strategy
  • Never agree to payments without getting a Letter of Deletion from the creditor
  • Always negotiate—most collection agencies are willing to settle for less than what’s owed

Let’s Build Your Score—The Smart Way

Improving your credit doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. If you want help reviewing any of these tips or walking through the next step, I’m just a call or message away.

Let’s work together to get your credit mortgage-ready—so we can celebrate your homeownership win soon!

— Rosalie Lowrey, GFS Home Loans

Posted in blog