Tag Archive for: credit score

What Is Credit Usage? (And Why It Matters)

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Your credit score is key to gaining leverage. But usage is key to your score. So what is credit usage?

In simple terms, usage is the amount you have outstanding on your credit cards (and loans) compared to the maximum credit limit the banks have granted you.

Still confusing? Let’s break down exactly how credit usage works.

What Is Credit Usage?

Let’s look at an example with easy-to-follow numbers: 

  • You have a credit card with a limit of $2,000 and a balance of $1,000. (Aka, you’ve put $1,000 worth of purchases on this card. You’re allowed to put up to $2,000 on it.)
  • This means your credit usage is 50% ($1,000/$2,000). So you’ve borrowed 50% of the amount you’re allowed to borrow.

How Does Usage Impact Credit Score?

The higher your usage, the lower your credit score.

In other words, the higher your balances compared to your available credit, the worse your credit score.

If you put a lot of purchases on a credit card, or take a lot from a HELOC or other line of credit, compared to how much of that credit you can use up, then it will negatively impact your score.

What is the Best Usage for Your Credit Score?

Ideal usage is 20% or less. However, ideal usage is not 0%.

You should always use some credit, but never all. To get ideal usage on our example credit card with a $2,000 limit, you should keep around $400 on the card.

Does Credit Usage Matter to Investors?

Usage is the number one factor that holds back real estate investors from getting affordable loans. That’s because usage makes up 30% of what determines your credit score.

Note: Credit usage is not the only factor in your credit score. 35% of your score is determined by how you make (or do not make) your payments. If you’re paying late, or not making payments at all, then you will not have a good score or find affordable loans.

What Is Credit Usage? – How to Learn More

Concerned about your credit? Want to learn more about your credit score and your investing career?

Check out our YouTube videos about credit.

Send us an email anytime with questions about your credit and real estate investing loans at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com.

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Unlock Better DSCR Loan Terms with These Credit Score Strategies

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What you need to know about DSCR loan credit score requirements.

DSCR lenders do have credit score requirements. Your credit score is a crucial factor lenders consider when evaluating your loan application.

Credit is a way to put a number to how safe it is to loan to you. We call this “creditworthiness,” and it’s based on your credit history and financial behavior.

A higher credit score can significantly improve your chances of getting a DSCR loan and securing favorable terms, such as a lower interest rate and a higher loan-to-value (LTV).

DSCR Loans and Credit Score’s Impact

Here’s how your credit score can impact your loan options:

  • A credit score of 740 or above can get you a higher LTV ratio and lower interest rate.
  • A credit score between 700 and 739 may still qualify you for a loan with competitive terms.
  • A credit score below 700 might make it more difficult to get approved for a loan, or could result in higher interest rates and lower LTVs.

For example, a 740 score may get you an LTV that is 5-10% higher than a 640 score, and an interest rate that is .5-2% lower.

How to Improve Your DSCR Loan Credit Score

If you’re applying for a DSCR loan, a credit score below 700 might not cut it. It’s a good idea to take steps to improve your credit. 

Here are some ways to do that:

  • Pay down credit card balances: Putting all renovation costs on credit cards can drag down your credit score. To avoid this, consider getting a private loan that won’t show up on your credit report to pay down your balances. A better credit score can also lead to better rates for long-term financing.
  • Use an authorized user: If you have a family member or friend with good, long-established credit, ask them to add you as an authorized user. This can help boost your credit score.
  • Pay your bills on time: Payment history is a key factor in your credit score. Make sure to pay all your bills, including credit cards and loans, on time. Consolidating your accounts can also help you stay organized and avoid missed payments.
  • Keep open credit accounts: Even if you stop using an account, as long as it has a good history, it will continue to add a little boost to your credit.

By following these tips, you can improve your credit score and increase your chances of getting approved for a DSCR loan with favorable terms.

You can also download this free credit score checklist to get your credit score where it needs to be for your DSCR loans.

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

https://youtu.be/va6u-azRkFQ

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Credit score and investing

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How Your Credit Score is Robbing You

What a credit score is and why you should care (if you care about your investments). Your credit score and investing

There’s a magical triple-digit number that seems to decide your fate in this world.

It can determine what car you drive, where you live, and how much money you can have at your disposal.

And in some cases, it can make or break your success as a real estate investor.

It’s your credit score.

But it’s not as magical as it seems. There’s a logic to your score, and you have the power to change it.

 

So let’s break it down.

How Your Credit Score is Robbing You

What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a way for lenders to determine your “creditworthiness.” In other words, your “you-can-trust-me-to-pay-back-your-money”-ness.

Because you know whether someone can trust you with their money. But financial institutions don’t know you like you do.

Lenders need a way to decide if you’re safe to lend to. So your score tells them the story of your financial habits.

How Is My Credit Score Calculated?

There are a couple different types of credit scores, but the numbers we’ll use here reflect FICO scores (the most widely used credit score for most lenders).

Credit scores range between 0 and 850. More than 740 is great, and a score of less than 700 begins to limit your options.

This number is calculated by looking at five main pieces of information:

  • Credit mix
  • New Credit
  • Credit History
  • Payment history
  • Amounts owed

Credit Mix

Close to 10% of your score is based on the mix of credit you already have.

Do you have seven credit cards?

Or zero?

Do you have a car payment, a mortgage, student loans, personal loans?

Typically, the more diverse your lines of credit are, the better it is for your score.

New Credit

Around 10% is based on “new credit,” or how often you get credit inquiries or open a new line of credit.

New credit can temporarily lower your score. So for example, if you buy a new car, you’ll probably have trouble securing a loan for a property right away.

Length of Credit History

About 15% of your score is calculated based on how long you’ve had your lines of credit.

If you opened your first line of credit less than 5 years ago, you’ll have a lower score than someone whose credit is 40 years old.

Amounts Owed

These last two categories are the most important. They make up two-thirds of your credit score.

About 30% of your score is determined by something called amounts owed. Amounts owed is about your debt. More specifically, it’s about how much of your available credit you’re using.

For example, let’s say your credit card has a max of $1,000. You buy a new set of tires and brakes, so now you owe $1,000 on your card. You’re using 100% of your $1,000 limit – you’re maxed out.

The story creditors see when they look at you is that you’re not managing your credit well. They’ll assume you won’t manage other loans well either, so you get a lower score.

But let’s look at another situation.

Say you got a different credit card with a max of $5,000. That same borrowed $1,000 has a way different effect on your credit score. You’re only using 20% of your credit line, and you’re leaving 80% at your disposal. Creditors like that story. So you get a higher score.

Payment History

The biggest amount of your score, up to 35%, is based on your payment history.

Payment history is exactly what it sounds like:

  • How are you paying your bills?
  • Do you always pay on time?
  • Have you had any bankruptcies?

Financial institutions can see this information, and it’s the top factor they consider. At the end of the day, lenders want to know: Will you pay them back? On time?

Find out more on how to leverage up your real estate investments on our Youtube channel.

The Cash Flow Company can help you with all real estate investor loans.

We also can help you find and set up real private money from those around your area.

We scour 100’s of loan programs across the country every month locating the best investor friendly loans.

Your score is incredibly important to keep on your radar. Especially when you’re investing in real estate.

 

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Credit Score 101: How Your Credit Score is Robbing You

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How Your Credit Score is Robbing You

Credit Score 101: How Your Credit Score is Robbing You

In this session of Credit Score 101, we’d like to introduce you to Sally Payday and Joe Robber.

Sally Payday is a wonderful guest. When she shows up on your front doorstep, she brings a smile, hug, and a bag of cash with her.

Joe Robber, on the other hand, doesn’t knock. He strolls right inside and steals money out of your wallet. Then takes it and runs!

So, who can you expect a visit from? Sally? Or Joe?

Well, it all depends on what credit score Mr. FICO gives you.

Mr. FICO can be a tough cookie, especially if you:

  • Forget to pay your bills
  • Overuse your credit cards
  • Or don’t use enough credit…meaning, you don’t have enough or any

Believe it or not, having debt can be a good thing. Because when you don’t have any, Mr. FICO doesn’t know you exist. Therefore, he can’t give you a credit score—or he can only give you a low one.

And if you have a low score, then, unfortunately, you can expect a visit from Joe Robber. Because a low score means you pay higher interest rates on your house, car, and other loans.

And if you’re paying higher rates, then Joe gets to take more of your money.

Which makes him a very happy man.

He loves stealing all the cash you could be using to save up for a dream vacation, a healthier lifestyle, or a more comfortable retirement.

Meanwhile, Sally Payday takes a different approach.

She doesn’t like to take money. She likes to make sure it stays in your bank account. But she can only visit people who have good credit scores. Because a good credit score means you pay cheaper rates.

And cheaper rates mean lower bills. Which means you can pay for your trip, gym membership, retirement, or anything else that would make your life better.

Sally Payday and Joe Robber are not one-time visitors. They show up on your doorstep every month.

And every month, Sally brings cash, and Joe steals it.

Which one would you rather welcome into your life?

Because it’s really your choice.

Everyone can have a good credit score. Even if you don’t have one now, it’s within your reach. You don’t need to keep letting Joe in the house. And Sally’s just standing there on the sidewalk, ready to present you with a bag of cash.

Want to find out how you can raise your score? Check out some of our other videos on our Youtube channel.

You can also join our live series How to Invest in Real Estate. Every Thursday at 11 AM MST, real estate expert, Mike Bonn answers all of your questions and shares expert tips on improving your credit score, investing in real estate, and building a comfortable retirement.

Happy investing!

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What Is Cash Flow and Why You Need It

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What is cash flow

What is cash flow and why do you need it?

Well, let’s face it, when you have more money in your wallet, life’s a whole lot easier. Because you have MORE money in your wallet!

When you make passive income every month, you can:

  • Take your dream big trip to the Bahamas, Italy, or anywhere else in the world.
  • Buy the dream car you’ve always hoped to own.
  • Move to a better, safer neighborhood.
  • Or simply live more comfortably.

But before we go on, let’s answer the very common question, “What is cash flow? And how can I generate it?”

First of all, cash flow is exactly what it sounds like: cash flowing into your pocket. Just think about things like income, profits, and any other term you can think of that means adding money to your bank account every month.

There are many ways to produce cash flow, and there’s really no right or wrong way to produce it. Because everyone has a strategy that works best for them.

So, what are some of those strategies?

Well, you can:

  • Invest in value-add properties, like fix and flips and rentals.
  • Become a private lender to real estate investors.
  • Improve your credit score to make extra money each month. Because better credit scores mean lower interest rates. And lower interest rates mean cheaper bills. And cheaper bills mean less money out, and more money in.

As you can see, there are countless ways to approach cash flow. You just need to choose the best approach for you.

Ready to chat? Great. Our team is here to set you on a path that helps you make the kind of money you need to live the life you want.

Happy investing!

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Credit Score Tips: How To Reel in Thousands with Your Credit Score

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How to Reel in Thousands with Your Credit Score

Credit Score Tips: How to Reel in Thousands with Your Credit Score

Let’s dive into some credit score tips today.

Did you know your credit score is the bait in your life that will either catch big prizes…or big flops?

If you toss YOUR credit score in life’s lake, what can you expect to catch? Well, it depends on what you have in your tackle box. And what you have in your tackle box depends on how well you’ve taken care of your credit score.

For example, if you pay your monthly bills on time, keep your credit usage below 30%, and focus on building a good credit mix (meaning you have a house payment, a car payment, credit cards, insurance plans, etc.), then you probably have some excellent lures and juicy bait to toss in the water and catch something big!

We’re talking about your dream house, a new car, a heftier retirement account, and just about anything else you’ve hoped to have in your life.

Because the better your credit score, the lower your rates. And the lower your rates, the more money you accumulate over time.

Think about it. If you have a score of 760 or higher, then you’ll likely reel in at least an extra $250,000 by the time you retire. All because you paid lower interest rates than someone who had…well, bad bait.

Those who have bad bait in their tackle boxes tend to have scores under 650.

This kind of bait isn’t going to get chomped on. It won’t even get a lot of nibbles. In fact, the only thing these subpar credit scores will reel are rejections and high interest rates. Which means you won’t get to feast on a dreamy life. More likely, you’ll have to scrounge and struggle to get what you want. Be it a house, a car, a loan, or even a small retirement account.

And that extra $250,000 that people accumulate in their bank accounts when they use good bait? Forget about it!

But fear not!

The good, tasty bait is available to anyone who wants it. You just have to put your pole down and start working on boosting your credit score. Which isn’t even all that hard. It just takes a few quick, consistent steps to start raising it.

Again, think about:

  • Paying your bills on time every month
  • Keeping your credit usage under 30%
  • Getting a loan to help you pay off your credit cards

Check out some of our other videos for credit score boosting tips.

If your tackle box (aka, your credit score) needs a little help, our team is here to help. Because we truly believe everyone deserves to fish in a lake that’s filled with juicy prizes.

Happy investing!

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How To Boost Your Credit Score in 3 Easy Steps

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How To Boost Your Credit Score in 3 Easy Steps

How To Boost Your Credit Score in 3 Easy Steps

Let’s talk about 3 easy steps you can take to boost your credit score.

Now, what’s the big deal about credit scores? Well, think of it like a baseball game. You can hit it out of the park and claim victory…or strike out and lose.

When you win the credit score game, you win countless opportunities. These include:

  • Good rates
  • Affordable loans
  • And, in the end, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Yeah, really. Hundreds of thousands of dollars. Because a good credit score means cheaper bills that add up over the years.

So, what does a winning credit score look like? Ideally, you want to aim for 700 or higher. But the higher your score, the better your chances of taking home a big trophy.

Let’s take a look at 3 easy strategies to help you prepare for this financial game.

Increase Your Available Credit

Call your credit card company and apply for a higher limit. That way it’s easier to keep your credit usage at around 30%. What do we mean by that? Well, let’s take a look.

If your credit card balance is $800 and you have a maximum credit line of $1,000, then creditors can see you’re using 80% of your available funds…which, to them means you’re living on the edge and struggling to meet your financial obligations.

Ouch.

Now, if your credit card balance is $800 and you have a maximum credit line of $2,000, then creditors see you’re only using 40% of your available funds. Still not a home run, but you’ll definitely score a few runs.

Because the better your credit usage, the better you’ll look to creditors. They’ll see you as someone who’s financially responsible. AKA, you pay your bills.

Pay Extra

A large part of your credit score is based on your monthly reported balances to the credit bureaus.

If you can find cash to pay down extra on your credit card before your next statement due date, then the credit bureau will be very happy with you. And your credit score will go up.

If those first two strategies don’t work for you, then you can always take a third approach.

Get a 60 to 90 Day Note

You can get one from a bank, a family member, a friend, or a private lender—like us! Use the funds to pay down or pay off your credit cards so you can keep your projects moving along. And your cash flow…well, flowing!

If you take one, two, or all three approaches to boosting your credit score, then we can guarantee you will knock it out of the park and win the credit score game!

Happy investing!

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No Taxes: How to Get a Loan Without Tax Returns

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No Taxes: How to Get a Loan Without Tax Returns

No Taxes: How to Get a Loan Without Tax Returns

Have you ever wondered how you can get a loan with no taxes?

That’s right. You do not have to use your tax returns to get a loan for your real estate deals. Better yet, even without tax returns, you can still secure good, 30-year rates.

As long as you pay all of your bills on time and have a decent credit score, then you can explore this less-than-traditional path to loans.

Those who might like this option include anyone who:

  • Hasn’t had enough time to grow their business and show income on their tax returns.
  • Refuses to show all of their income on their taxes, because they prefer to write things off.
  • Hasn’t been in business for more than two years.

Real estate investors need to know they have options for their value-add properties. They don’t have to settle for high-interest loans, unfavorable terms, or, worst, a big fat no from lenders.

Well, when it comes to loans, we think the more options you have, the better. So, if you want to find out how you can skip using your tax returns and still get a loan with great 30-year rates, then let’s chat.

Our team is always eager to help you discover the loan that fits you and your situation the BEST.

Because we want to set you on a path that helps you make the kind of money you need…to live the life you want.

Happy investing!

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Credit Score Problem: What is the Big Credit Dilemma?

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Credit Score Problem: What is the Big Credit Dilemma?

Let’s talk about a major credit score problem and how it impacts cash flow.

Every day, we hear about common roadblocks that prevent our real estate investors from making the kind of positive cash flow they need.

Today, we’re going to explore the number one roadblock that we hear about from clients:

A low credit score caused mainly by high credit card balances. Because the lower your credit score, the higher your rate and the fewer loan options you have available.

 

But, here’s the kicker: You need a loan to pay off your credit cards to raise your score.

Not only that, but a higher interest rate might kick you over the allowed debt-to-income ratio and prevent you from getting approved for a loan.

How do you win at this game? The deck is stacked against you.

It’s okay. Really!

We’ve seen this problem a hundred times in our business because every real estate investor uses their credit to finish renovating a value-add property or run a business. It’s a cycle that’s downright hard to get out of.

Our solution? Take it private.

Like the many other clients we’ve helped, we can help you fix your credit score problem by setting up a private loan. That way you can:

  • Pay off your credit cards
  • Raise your score
  • And get the loan and rate you need.

Once you do all of that, you can pay off your private loan and resume normal business with the best loan you can get. Signed, sealed, and delivered.

We also can help you build your business credit and take your credit cards completely off your score.

Either way, this little trick can help you and thousands of others get better rates, pay less to the banks, and make life more profitable.

Happy investing!

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Real Estate Funding Solutions: Welcome to The Cash Flow Company

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Real Estate Funding Solutions: Welcome to The Cash Flow Company

Real Estate Funding Solutions: Welcome to The Cash Flow Company

If you’re looking for fast real estate funding from a team that truly cares about your cash flow, then welcome to the Cash Flow Mortgage Company.

Because we believe that cash flow makes life flow!

The Cash Flow Mortgage Company is a rare, one-stop-shop for all your real estate investment deals. Gone are the days of working with multiple lenders for one property. We have everything you need to generate positive cash flow and make life a whole lot easier.

Among our many services, we offer:

Non-traditional and hard money funding

Non-traditional and hard money loans are perfect for fix and flips, rentals, and BRRRRs, and other value-add properties. Furthermore, they’re ideal for real estate investors who need to move FAST or might need to get creative with qualifications. For example, if you don’t have tax returns (or don’t want to use them), then we have a loan for you. Or if you’re real estate portfolio needs some work, we can help you build it so you can eventually apply for a long-term bank loan.

Traditional funding

If you’ve got the qualifications, then we’ve got long-term, low-rate loans for you!

Bridge loans (aka, gap funding)

If you want to ensure your cash flow doesn’t take a major hit when the market is tight, or if you’re stuck in a project and need temporary funding, then a bridge loan is perfect.

Credit score boosting tips

The better your credit score, then the better your interest rates. And the better your interest rates, then better your loan products. Which means you spend way less money every month.

Ready to get going? Great, we’re here to help. Our team is eager to set you on a path the helps you make the kind of money you need to live the life you want!

Happy investing!

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