10/06/2026
A 700+ score is cute, but I need you to start paying attention to the entire credit profile.
Here’s what I’m looking at when reviewing your credit:
đź’° Payment History
This is HUGE. Late or missed payments can seriously hurt your credit profile. The goal? 100% on-time payments. Every account. Every month.
đź’ł Credit Card Utilization
This is how much of your available revolving credit you’re using. Lower is generally better. Under 30% is a common benchmark, but under 10% can be even stronger when you’re trying to optimize your score.
đźš© Derogatory Marks
Collections, charge-offs, repossessions, bankruptcies and other negative information can weaken your profile. Ideally, we want ZERO derogatory marks—and remember, accurate negative information generally can’t simply be removed just because you dispute it.
⏳ Age of Credit History
Credit likes HISTORY. The longer you’ve responsibly maintained accounts, the more established your profile can become. Think twice before unnecessarily closing your oldest accounts.
📊 Total Accounts
Your credit profile isn’t just about having one credit card. Lenders may consider the overall depth and mix of your credit history, including revolving and installment accounts. But don’t open accounts just to hit a certain number.
🔍 Hard Inquiries
Hard inquiries happen when lenders check your credit after you apply for financing. Too many in a short period can affect your score, although the impact is usually smaller than factors like payment history and utilization.
And one more thing: Credit Karma typically shows VantageScore credit scores, while many lenders use FICO scores—so the number you see there may NOT be the exact score a lender sees.
The goal isn’t just a high score. The goal is a STRONG credit profile that can put you in a better position for approvals, funding, a vehicle, homeownership and investing.
Ready to work on your credit profile? Comment “CREDIT” and let’s get you in position. 💳🔑🏡