A credit score is a number that lenders use to determine whether or not you can be approved for loans. You may need a higher score to get approved for things like mortgages or auto loans.
You can improve your 485 credit score by paying all of your bills on time and keeping your debts below 30% of your credit limits. You also need to avoid any credit cards that charge high fees, such as balance transfer or cash advance fees.
Overview of a 485 Credit Score
Like school grades, credit scores are a way for lenders to assess how likely you are to repay your loans. They use a scale between 300 and 850, and a 485 credit score is considered very poor.
A low credit score can make it difficult to get approved for unsecured credit, which doesn’t require collateral or a security deposit. This is why it’s important to keep your utilization ratio low and pay all of your bills on time each month.
Your credit mix is also a factor in your credit score, and the more types of credit you have, the better. New accounts can hurt your score, so it’s best to avoid applying for too many new ones at once.
Credit Card Options with a 485 Credit Score
The best credit cards for people with bad credit are typically those that focus on a low interest rate and generous rewards. Unfortunately, when your credit score is in the 500 range, that’s not always an option.
With that being said, there are still plenty of options for people with bad credit. Just be sure to avoid cards with balance transfer or cash advance fees, as those are generally in the 3%-5% range and will eat into your available credit.
Repairing your credit is the quickest and easiest way to boost your score to the point where you’ll be able to qualify for the types of cards and loans that you want. With a little work and time, you can improve your credit in just a few short months, saving yourself countless dollars on interest and other costs down the road.
Auto Loans with a 485 Credit Score
If you have a credit score in this range, getting an auto loan may be difficult. This is because lenders look at your credit report to see if you’ve had any issues in the past.
Credit scores are a number that tells lenders how likely you are to pay your debts on time and in full. Your credit score is based on five factors, and each factor is weighted differently.
The more your score falls into a specific credit band, the more likely you are to be offered a good auto loan interest rate.
Lenders typically adjust your rate based on the age of your vehicle, your down payment, and your debt-to-income ratio. Your LTV ratio determines your total car loan debt, so putting more money down can help you save on interest.
Personal Loan Options with a 485 Credit Score
A 485 credit score is considered poor, and many lenders are unlikely to provide you with a loan. In this case, you should focus on building your credit and raising your scores before applying for any loans.
While most personal loans require a FICO score of at least 720, some personal lenders specialize in lending to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. For example, Upstart’s model evaluates a borrower’s prospects for improving their credit as well as other data points such as education and employment.
It can be frustrating when you apply for a personal loan and get denied. A hard credit check typically lowers your score temporarily, but it’s easy to get your credit score back up in a few months as you make timely payments on the loan.
Mortgages with a 485 Credit Score
Your credit score is one of the most important financial indicators you have. It impacts everything from your ability to get a loan or a new job to the terms of your mortgage and even your rental property options.
As a result, you should always check your credit score with all three of the major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This will ensure that your credit report is free of any mistakes caused by human error, which could affect your score.
You should also avoid payday loans or high-interest personal loans as these are often associated with a low credit score. Instead, you should apply for a credit builder loan to help your credit score get back on track. There are some lenders that specialize in bad credit loans, but you should be prepared to pay higher interest rates and fees.