12 Action Steps: How To Get A 720 Credit Score In 6 Months (2024)

How to Get a 720 Credit Score in 6 Months? “All Hands on Deck” mentality, use all the tactics below to reach your goal.

You will have to space some things out if you don’t have all the resources at once, you also double-up on action steps month by month.

For instance: While you’re getting authorized user status and/or putting in a request for a credit increase, you can get a credit repair service to remove negative items from your credit reports while you make the aforementioned moves.

Either way, your results will all depend on where you start from and how effective you are with these tactics.

We also so have a month to month breakdown by Austin Weyenberg from The Logic Of Money toward the end of the post.

If you've already done some of these things, you can mix and match tactics or execute the ones you've done more consistently and effectively.

How Is Your FICO Score Calculated by Percentage?

They are calculated based on percentages of these 5 categories:

  1. 35% Payment History
  2. 30% Amount Owed (Credit Utilization)
  3. 15% Length Of Credit History
  4. 10% Mixed Credit
  5. 10% New Credit

12 Action Steps: How to Get a 720 Credit Score in 6 Months?

Most of what we will cover will affect your Credit Util. Take a peek at number two in the last section, Credit Utilization accounts for 30% of your FICO score.

Payment History is a larger percentage, yes, but we cant aggressively attack your history as efficiently as we can attack Credit Util. We do check your credit reports to see if we can “erase the past”

1. Get your Ducks In A Row

Gather whatever information you deem necessary. In general, the most important piece of intel you’ll need is your credit report.

Get to know your credit report and look through it thoroughly (print it out if you can). If you see anything fishy or false make a note of the inaccuracy.

You can get your report here (it’s free if it’s your 1st for the year)

2. Dispute To Remove Errors And Get A Boost!

This is where we attempt to “erase the past” ourselves and have a few options to

recruit others. You are looking for errors or inaccuracies in your report.

What types of errors are on credit reports?

  • Wrong Names, addresses, a loan or credit amounts, etc
  • Incorrect dates or payment dates
  • Identity Theft: Unknown accounts
  • Furnisher Errors
  • Re-aging of Old Debts

To find these derogatory marks on your credit report you can get a copy from each credit bureau: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

You want to check all three and if something is on all three reports, then you write and send a dispute letter to all three credit bureaus.

But if there are 4 errors on an Auto Loan account, then you only need to file one dispute.

You can dispute errors on your credit report with each of the credit reporting agencies online or by mail.

Or...

You Can Hire A Credit Repair Service To Do This For You!

Get Consultation From These Credit Repair Companies

  • Lexington Law orCall ForFree ConsultationNow:(833) 838-5600
  • OvationorCall ForFree Consultation Now:(855) 634-7274
  • Creditrepair.comorCall For Free ConsultationNow:(833) 840-9600

3. Target Collection Accounts

In some cases, a collection agency may be willing to negotiate and settle your debt for less than the full amount.

Again, you’ll want to get something in writing showing that the debt was settled and the account closed.

Keep in mind that this kind of arrangement may appear on your credit report as a settlement that may be less positive than if you pay in full.

Related: Can This Credit Repair Company Remove Paid Collections? Or Unpaid Collections?

4. Consider Secured Credit

If your FICO score is in the mid 500s to low 600s, you should consider a Secured Credit Card to help you build a new credit line and have timely payments reported to the bureaus.

Secured Credit Cards work just like any other credit card except that you first have to deposit money in a savings account to “secure” your credit line.

Most secured credit cards can be converted to traditional credit cards (and you get your security deposit back) after a period of responsible use.

So, once you’ve reached your goal, you can get rid of it.

Related: Credit Score Stuck at 650?

5. Increase Your Credit Limits For A Boost

If you’re in a less than great credit situation, this may sound strange to you but requesting a higher credit line with an existing account can actually help your credit score.

Only ask creditors you are in good standing with, otherwise it's pointless. It’s all about the credit-to-debt ratio.

The more credit you have and the less you owe the better your credit score. Once granted an increase on your credit lines, you have a better chance of seeing a credit score boost soon after.

After hearing this, people often wonder: Does asking for a credit increase hurt my credit score?

6. The Authorized User Effect

When you’ve been added as an Authorized User to someone else’s credit card account, you can piggyback off their credit.

With that in mind, you should really only become an authorized user on an account owned by someone with good (670-799) or excellent credit (800-850).

Otherwise, you both are in the same boat.

Most major card issuers report authorized user data to the three main credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — you can call your issuer to confirm.

Related:How to Raise Your Score From 680 to 720?

7. Purchase Something Big (Mix It Up)

Right here is where we tackle #4 on the FICO scoring calculation list, Mixed Credit (see above).

Creditors like to see a mix of different credit lines; revolving and non-revolving credit lines. The different types of credit that might be part of a consumer’s credit mix include credit cards, student loans, automobile loans (motorcycle, RV, boat, etc.), and mortgages.

The latter two are the big purchases: Car Loans and Home Loans

You May Be Wondering: Can A Car Loan Raise My Credit Score?

8. Be A 10 Percenter (or Less)

Have you heard of the 30% credit utilization rule? It is when you pay down your debt to 30%, basically to be in a safe space.

But, we aren’t trying to be safe.

We are trying to be aggressive and enter into an elite group of consumers who has a mid 700 to 800+ credit score.

So let’s shoot for a below 10% range (preferably 8%).

You don’t want to pay it off because you need the record to show that you use credit and you can handle debt responsibly.

“Pay Debts On Time: Late payments (past due 30 days) appear in the credit reports of 29% of people with FICO® Scores of 720 - Experian.

Related: How to fix your credit to buy a house?

9. Monitor Your Credit Consistently

This one is as simple as it sounds. From now on pay closer attention to your credit reports.

Choose how frequently you want to check them (once a week, twice a month, quarterly, etc).

If you opt to call one of the credit repair companies above for a free consultation, ask them about their credit monitoring features.

You can also get a credit monitoring service of your own.

You want to consistently check for what working and what’s not working; improvements, inaccuracies, possible identity theft, etc.

10. Set Automatic Payments

Or, set reminders so that you pay on time, all the time.

11. Cut Up Those Cards and Minimize Hard Inquiries

If you have a bunch of cards, pay off a few and get a couple to 8% util.

DO NOT close those accounts. The more credit, the better. But, cut the cards up to subdue the temptation to use them.

Unless it is to mix up your credit profile or it's needed, Don’t add a bunch of unnecessary hard inquiries to your report.

Related:Does A car insurance quote affect your credit score?

12. Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up!

Stay consistent throughout this process.

Even if you hire a credit repair service to help you along the way (they send updates and such) but still, open and read the emails.

Get on the phone with someone if you can.

If you decide to go the DIY route. Make sure you are sending out those dispute letters and monitor your credit report so that you know what is working (or what does not move the needle).

With everything listed here, just stay consistent until you reach your goal.

How Many Points Do You Need To Reach A 720 Credit Score?

Not Starting From Zero?

So, do you need to reach a 720 credit score from 500? Do you want to improve your score by 10 points?

Then we can breakdown some of the main tactics to attack that score. Here are a few articles that mix all these steps up with the intention to improve your FICO:

  • How long does it take to raise your credit score 50 points
  • Can I Fix By Credit? (20 Point Boost)

Moving Forward

Whether you’re trying to raise your score 100 points overnight or boost it by 200 points in a reasonable time frame.

No matter the motivation, the intention to improve and maintain good standing is notable and should be most people’s goal.

12 Action Steps: How To Get A 720 Credit Score In 6 Months (2024)

FAQs

How to get a 720 credit score in 6 months? ›

Simple tasks to do to help raise your credit score more quickly than six months include:
  1. Dispute inaccurate items and have them removed.
  2. Get added to someone else's credit card (who pays their bills on time)
  3. Stop applying for new credit.
  4. Start paying bills on time.
  5. Make a large payment to pay down credit card debt.

How to get a 700 credit score in 6 months? ›

How to Increase Your Credit Score in 6 Months
  1. Pay on time (35% of your score) The most critical part of a good credit score is your payment history. ...
  2. Reduce your debt (30% of your score) ...
  3. Keep cards open over time (15% of your score) ...
  4. Avoid credit applications (10% of your score) ...
  5. Keep a smart mix of credit types open (10%)
May 25, 2023

How fast can I get a 720 credit score? ›

1) If you take immediate steps to start rebuilding your credit score after a bankruptcy, you can see a 720 credit score 12 to 24 months after your bankruptcy has been discharged.

How can I fix my credit score in 6 months? ›

7 Ways to Fix Your Credit Score Within 6 Months
  1. Get Current With Your Bills. ...
  2. Raise Your Credit Limits & Reduce Your Credit Balance. ...
  3. Refrain From Opening New Credit Cards and Loan Accounts. ...
  4. Keep Existing Credit Accounts Open. ...
  5. Fix Your Credit Report Errors. ...
  6. Use a Credit Builder Tool. ...
  7. Be Patient.
Dec 21, 2022

How can I raise my credit score 100 points in 6 months? ›

Here are some strategies to quickly improve your credit:
  1. Pay credit card balances strategically.
  2. Ask for higher credit limits.
  3. Become an authorized user.
  4. Pay bills on time.
  5. Dispute credit report errors.
  6. Deal with collections accounts.
  7. Use a secured credit card.
  8. Get credit for rent and utility payments.
Nov 1, 2022

Can my credit score go up 200 points in a month? ›

There are several actions you may take that can provide you a quick boost to your credit score in a short length of time, even though there are no short cuts to developing a strong credit history and score. In fact, some individuals' credit scores may increase by as much as 200 points in just 30 days.

How much can credit grow in 6 months? ›

In fact, with some concentrated effort, it is entirely possible to raise your score by 100 points or more within six months or so. Of course, everyone's credit situation is unique, so it's difficult to pinpoint an exact range of improvement.

How fast can I add 100 points to my credit score? ›

For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.

How can I raise my credit score 100 points overnight? ›

How To Raise Your Credit Score by 100 Points Overnight
  1. Get Your Free Credit Report. ...
  2. Know How Your Credit Score Is Calculated. ...
  3. Improve Your Debt-to-Income Ratio. ...
  4. Keep Your Credit Information Up to Date. ...
  5. Don't Close Old Credit Accounts. ...
  6. Make Payments on Time. ...
  7. Monitor Your Credit Report. ...
  8. Keep Your Credit Balances Low.
Jan 20, 2023

How to get a 720 credit score in 30 days? ›

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit.
  1. Check Your Credit Reports and Credit Scores. The first step is to know what is being reported about you. ...
  2. Correct Mistakes in Your Credit Reports. Once you have your credit reports, read them carefully. ...
  3. Avoid Late Payments. ...
  4. Pay Down Debt. ...
  5. Add Positive Credit History. ...
  6. Keep Great Credit Habits.
May 24, 2023

Is it hard to get a 720 credit score? ›

Reaching 720 could take weeks, months, or even years, depending on your credit score starting point. Yet even if the journey to 720 takes you longer to complete, it's still worth the effort.

How to raise credit score 100 points in 30 days? ›

Quick checklist: how to raise your credit score in 30 days
  1. Make sure your credit report is accurate.
  2. Sign up for Credit Karma.
  3. Pay bills on time.
  4. Use credit cards responsibly.
  5. Pay down a credit card or loan.
  6. Increase your credit limit on current cards.
  7. Make payments two times a month.
  8. Consolidate your debt.
7 days ago

What is the fastest way to boost credit score? ›

Steps to Improve Your Credit Scores
  1. Build Your Credit File. ...
  2. Don't Miss Payments. ...
  3. Catch Up On Past-Due Accounts. ...
  4. Pay Down Revolving Account Balances. ...
  5. Limit How Often You Apply for New Accounts.

How can I raise my credit score 40 points fast? ›

Here are six ways to quickly raise your credit score by 40 points:
  1. Check for errors on your credit report. ...
  2. Remove a late payment. ...
  3. Reduce your credit card debt. ...
  4. Become an authorized user on someone else's account. ...
  5. Pay twice a month. ...
  6. Build credit with a credit card.
Oct 19, 2022

How to raise my credit score 200 points in 6 months? ›

Increase your credit score by 200 points in 6 easy steps
  1. Use multiple types of credit. ...
  2. Get a credit builder loan. ...
  3. Report bills to the credit bureaus. ...
  4. Use a finance tracking service. ...
  5. Make consistent payments. ...
  6. Keep your utilization low.
Jan 19, 2023

How can I jump my credit score 50 points? ›

Below are four strategies to consider if you want to improve your credit score fast—perhaps even by 50 points or more, depending on the circ*mstances.
  1. Pay credit card balances strategically. Paying down credit card debt can save you money. ...
  2. Ask for higher credit limits. ...
  3. Pay bills on time. ...
  4. Dispute credit report errors.
Oct 7, 2022

How to get 800 credit score in 45 days? ›

Here are 10 ways to increase your credit score by 100 points - most often this can be done within 45 days.
  1. Check your credit report. ...
  2. Pay your bills on time. ...
  3. Pay off any collections. ...
  4. Get caught up on past-due bills. ...
  5. Keep balances low on your credit cards. ...
  6. Pay off debt rather than continually transferring it.

Can I pay someone to fix my credit? ›

If you want help, you can hire a credit repair company to assist you. They generally charge anywhere from $19 to $149 a month for their services. But beware of scam credit repair offers, which may leave you in worse financial shape than before. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Which credit score is the hardest? ›

Here are FICO's basic credit score ranges:
  • Exceptional Credit: 800 to 850.
  • Very Good Credit: 740 to 799.
  • Good Credit: 670 to 739.
  • Fair Credit: 580 to 669.
  • Poor Credit: Under 580.
May 14, 2023

What's the highest your credit score can jump in one month? ›

In fact, some consumers may even see their credit scores rise as much as 100 points in 30 days. Learn more: Lower your credit utilization rate.

How much will a credit card raise my score? ›

Getting approved for a credit card does not raise your credit score automatically. For that to happen, you need to make all your payments on time and maintain a low credit utilization ratio. If you pay off the entire balance of a card that's maxed out, you may expect your credit score to increase by around 10 points.

How to get a 700 credit score in 7 months? ›

Take the following steps to aim for a credit score of 700 or above.
  1. Lower Your Credit Utilization. ...
  2. Limit New Credit Applications. ...
  3. Diversify Your Credit Mix. ...
  4. Keep Old Credit Cards Open. ...
  5. Make On-Time Payments.
Mar 7, 2023

How long does it take to build credit from 500 to 700? ›

The credit-building journey is different for each person, but prudent money management can get you from a 500 credit score to 700 within 6-18 months. It can take multiple years to go from a 500 credit score to an excellent score, but most loans become available before you reach a 700 credit score.

How to get a 700 credit score in 3 months? ›

Here's what you need to do.
  1. Make every payment on time. ...
  2. Keep your credit utilization low. ...
  3. Don't close old accounts. ...
  4. Pay off credit card balances. ...
  5. Ask your card issuer to increase your limit. ...
  6. Use the authorized user strategy. ...
  7. Put your bill payments to work. ...
  8. Use a rent reporting company.

How accurate is credit karma? ›

Here's the short answer: The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma come directly from TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three major consumer credit bureaus. The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus.

How to get a credit score of 900? ›

7 ways to achieve a perfect credit score
  1. Maintain a consistent payment history. ...
  2. Monitor your credit score regularly. ...
  3. Keep old accounts open and use them sporadically. ...
  4. Report your on-time rent and utility payments. ...
  5. Increase your credit limit when possible. ...
  6. Avoid maxing out your credit cards. ...
  7. Balance your credit utilization.
Feb 15, 2023

What is credit repair loophole 609? ›

"The 609 loophole is a section of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that says that if something is incorrect on your credit report, you have the right to write a letter disputing it," said Robin Saks Frankel, a personal finance expert with Forbes Advisor.

How can I raise my credit score to 800 in 30 days? ›

How to Get an 800 Credit Score
  1. Pay Your Bills on Time, Every Time. Perhaps the best way to show lenders you're a responsible borrower is to pay your bills on time. ...
  2. Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low. ...
  3. Be Mindful of Your Credit History. ...
  4. Improve Your Credit Mix. ...
  5. Review Your Credit Reports.
Mar 12, 2022

Can your credit score drop 100 points in a month? ›

In the FICOscoring model, each hard inquiry — when a creditor checks your credit report before approving or denying credit — can cost you up to five points on your credit score. So, if you apply for more than 20 credit cards in one month, you could see a 100-point credit score drop.

How can I fix my credit score overnight? ›

  1. Add Rent and Utility Payments. Your credit report and score are meant to help demonstrate whether you can manage money responsibly. ...
  2. Pay Down Debt. ...
  3. Keep Utilization Low. ...
  4. Pay Bills on Time. ...
  5. Get a Secured Credit Card. ...
  6. Get a Credit Builder Loan. ...
  7. Become an Authorized User. ...
  8. Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report.
Mar 22, 2023

How long does it take to go from 550 to 750 credit score? ›

How Long Does It Take to Fix Credit? The good news is that when your score is low, each positive change you make is likely to have a significant impact. For instance, going from a poor credit score of around 500 to a fair credit score (in the 580-669 range) takes around 12 to 18 months of responsible credit use.

What percentage of people have a 720 credit score? ›

Who Has a 720 Credit Score?
Credit ScoreTierPercentage of Americans
720 – 850Excellent38.12%
660 – 719Good17.33%
620 – 659Fair/Limited13.47%
300 – 619Bad31.08%

How much is 720 credit score? ›

A 720 credit score on the common credit scoring range of 300-850 is right at the border of “good” and “excellent.” In fact, when your score hits 720, you've just crossed over into the excellent score band. That's great news, unless your score was higher and you're worried about what a loss of points might mean.

Who gets 850 credit score? ›

People with perfect scores are typically older

The majority of people with 850 credit scores are above the age of 57, according to Experian's report. About 70% of people with perfect credit scores are baby boomers (defined by Experian as people age 57 to 75) and members of the silent generation (ages 75 and above).

Can I buy a car with a 720 credit score? ›

Absolutely. Your 720 credit score will qualify you for an auto loan, assuming your income justifies it. However, it's important to realize that your credit score can make a big difference in the interest rate you get. And this is especially true in auto lending.

What mortgage rate can you get with a 720 credit score? ›

Average mortgage interest rate by credit score
FICO ScoreNational average mortgage APR
660 to 6796.806%
680 to 6996.592%
700 to 7596.415%
760 to 8506.193%
2 more rows
May 1, 2023

What are some things that hurt your credit score? ›

Here are five ways that could happen:
  • Making a late payment. ...
  • Having a high debt to credit utilization ratio. ...
  • Applying for a lot of credit at once. ...
  • Closing a credit card account. ...
  • Stopping your credit-related activities for an extended period.

How can I fix my credit myself? ›

7 ways to improve your credit score
  1. Check your credit reports for errors. ...
  2. Pay down any credit card debt you have. ...
  3. Get a credit card if you don't have one. ...
  4. Consider signing up for Experian Boost. ...
  5. Wait for negative items to fall off your credit reports. ...
  6. Apply for new credit sparingly. ...
  7. Pay your bills on time, every time.
Apr 18, 2022

What credit score is good for buying a house? ›

It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly payments.

How can I manually increase my credit score? ›

When you take a loan, repay it successfully, it will give your credit score a boost. Maintain a healthy credit mix: It is better to have a right combination of secured loans (such as Home Loan, Auto Loan) and unsecured loans (such as Personal Loan, Credit Cards) of a long and short tenor to build a good credit score.

What credit score do you start with? ›

Some people wonder whether the starting credit score is zero, for example, or whether we all start with a credit score of 300 (the lowest possible FICO score). The truth is that there's no such thing as a “starting credit score.” We each build our own unique credit score based on the way we use credit.

Does Experian boost work? ›

Most people who try Experian Boost see their credit scores improve immediately. Average users boosted their FICO® Score 8 based on Experian data by 13 points. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds. Not all lenders use credit information impacted by Experian Boost.

Why did my credit score drop 40 points in one day? ›

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.

How many points will my credit score increase when I pay off collections? ›

With most of the current standard credit scoring models, paying a collection account off likely won't increase your credit score since the item will remain on your credit report. It will show up as “paid” instead of “unpaid,” which might positively influence a lender's opinion.

What is the average credit score? ›

The average credit score in the United States is 698, based on VantageScore® data from February 2021. It's a myth that you only have one credit score. In fact, you have many credit scores. It's a good idea to check your credit scores regularly.

How long does it take to go from 500 to 700 credit score? ›

How Long Does It Take to Fix Credit? The good news is that when your score is low, each positive change you make is likely to have a significant impact. For instance, going from a poor credit score of around 500 to a fair credit score (in the 580-669 range) takes around 12 to 18 months of responsible credit use.

What credit score do you start with after 6 months? ›

After the first few months of credit activity, most people will start at a credit score of around 500. This is calculated based on your credit behavior for each of the FICO® scoring factors during that six-month period.

How fast can you go from 0 to 700 credit score? ›

Depending on how well you utilize your credit, your credit score may get to anywhere from 500 to 700 within the first six months. Going forward, getting to an excellent credit score of over 800 generally takes years since the average age of credit factors into your score.

How can I build my credit fast? ›

The quickest ways to increase your credit score
  1. Report your rent and utility payments. ...
  2. Pay off debt if you can. ...
  3. Get a secured credit card. ...
  4. Request a credit limit increase. ...
  5. Become an authorized user. ...
  6. Dispute credit report errors.
Feb 21, 2022

What kind of credit score is needed to buy a car? ›

In general, you'll need a credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan, but the minimum credit score required to finance a car loan varies by lender. If your credit score falls into the subprime category, you may need to look for a bad credit car loan.

What is the lowest credit score possible? ›

FICO & Vantage both set the lowest possible credit score at 300. However, almost nobody has this low of a score. In fact, according to FICO, the average credit score in America is 704. A bad FICO credit score ranges from 300-579, while a bad Vantage score ranges 300-499.

Can you build a 700 credit score in 3 months? ›

The time it takes to increase a credit score from 500 to 700 might range from a few months to a few years. Your credit score will increase based on your spending pattern and repayment history. If you do not have a credit card yet, you have a chance to build your credit score.

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