07/07/2026
🏘️🏡🏠🏦Want to give your credit a boost to qualify for a mortgage and/or better your qualifying interest rate? There is a simple, painless method, and it only takes 30-60 days to impact your credit score. I posted this tip two years ago, but I know some of you weren't ready for it yet.
All you need is a family member who has a long-term (10+ years, the longer the better) Mastercard or VISA credit card account (AmX doesn't work), with a balance solidly below the credit limit and NO LATE FEES. We're looking for someone with a good credit history on this card, who doesn't tend to max it out.
That family member, without any risk to them or their credit, can call their credit card company and ask them to add you as an "AUTHORIZED USER" on their card. They will need your full name, SS number, and date of birth.
Your family member gets an extra credit card with your name on it delivered in the mail to THEM. They can throw it in a drawer somewhere and forget about it. The affected credit history here is a one-way street. None of your bad history affects them, but you get the benefit of all their stellar credit history--their long-term credit card that gets averaged with your shorter-term credit card(s), their on-time payments, and their cushion of unused credit because they don't max-out the card.
After you close, your family member can remove you as an authorized user without affecting your mortgage.
Keep in mind, if this family member uncharacteristically misses a payment, that lapse will effect your credit now too. But, all they have to do is call their credit card company and ask to have you removed as an authorized user and your credit will be restored as if that card was never on it. Authorized users are not liable for the debt.
I really wish more 1st-time homebuyers --and their parents-- knew this tip!! Let me know if you have any questions. I'm ready to help in any way I can. 💪😎
