How To Get An 850 Credit Score

If you’re looking to improve your credit score, achieving an 850 is the ultimate goal. This perfect score means that lenders and creditors know you are a safe bet and will be more likely to approve you for a loan. But is an 850 credit score even possible? Let’s take a look at what it takes to get there and the many benefits of having such a high credit score. 

Is it possible to get an 850 credit score?

A perfect credit score is usually considered to be a FICO score of 850, the highest possible score available. According to FICO, only 1.6% of the population has an 850 credit score. It’s incredibly tough to get there, but reaching an 850 score is possible.

The first step in achieving an 850 credit score is understanding how the process works. Your credit score is determined by five factors, all of which have different weightings assigned to them. The factors are payment history (35%), the amount owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new accounts (10%) and types of accounts used (10%).

Why you should strive for a good credit score 

The higher your credit score, the more reliable and trustworthy you appear to lenders. Earning such an impressive score takes careful business practices over time that include paying your bills on time and in full, keeping your balances low, and being aware of how to use different kinds of credit responsibly. These steps may seem small but they can eventually add up to create the chance to earn a perfect credit score when used effectively.

Lower interest rates

The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rates on credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans will be. A low-interest rate can save you thousands of dollars over time. 

Many lenders will charge customers higher interest rates if their scores are below a certain threshold in order to protect themselves from potential defaults on payments. Perfect scores can save borrowers money by avoiding these fees. 

Easier financing

Your credit score can determine your loan eligibility. With a low credit score, you may not qualify for financing at all. Obtaining financing can be much easier when you have a perfect credit score, as lenders are more likely to trust customers with the highest possible score. 

Better approval rates for top credit cards

You’ll have a much better chance of getting approved for a top credit card with a perfect credit score. 

Credit card companies tend to offer top-tier benefits and the lowest interest rates to people with excellent credit scores, making it much easier for those individuals to take advantage of these offers. In some cases, depending on the institution providing the loan or credit card, having a good credit score might even result in increased rewards and other perks not available for people with lower scores. 

Consumers who maintain a perfect credit score are usually entitled to exclusive offers and deals that don’t extend to those with lower scores. This could mean anything from additional points and miles earned through spending on products or services offered by certain vendors to exclusive invites to events. 

Better approval rates for rentals

When renting, landlords usually look at a potential tenant’s credit score to decide whether they are likely to pay their rent in full and on time. An 850 credit score shows that the applicant consistently pays their bills and debts and will be more likely to receive preferential treatment from landlords when compared to applicants with lower scores. They may also be able to negotiate lower rental rates on certain properties because of their established trustworthiness as a reliable tenant.

Negotiate lower interest rates on existing debt

An 850 credit score can open up many opportunities for better terms on existing debt. A perfect score proves that the borrower has been responsible financially over long periods of time, which builds trust between borrowers and lenders. With this trust comes greater negotiation power when discussing financial matters such as renting or repaying debt, allowing those with high scores to potentially receive more favorable outcomes than those with average or poor scores.

How to get a perfect credit score

Reaching a perfect credit score takes consistent effort, but there are some simple steps you can take right away that will put you on the path toward success. 

Pay bills on time

Because your payment history accounts for 35% of your score, you should never miss a payment. Even a single late payment will have lasting credit consequences and can drop your score significantly. Payment history is so important because it shows lenders your ability to repay your debts. 

Pay off your balance in full

Aim to pay your balance off in full each month. Paying off your balances keeps debt from piling up and helps lower your risk of getting in over your head. 

Work toward paying down existing debt

Paying down debt should be a priority; this will lower the amount owed and help keep your payments up to date. 

Paying off existing debt also helps to create financial freedom and flexibility because it limits your monthly expenses to just what is absolutely necessary each month. This allows you to build up cash flow and savings more quickly instead of having to make large payments toward debts each month, which leaves less money available for other needs. 

Keep your credit utilization rate low

Experts suggest using no more than 30% of your available credit — the lower the better. Strive for a 1% percent utilization if you want an 850 credit score. 

Apply for more credit

It’s important for credit scores to reflect not only the amount of debt held but also the types of debt. This type of analysis allows lenders to understand the level of risk associated with extending financing or other services to someone.

The most common combination for perfect credit is a mix of revolving accounts (credit cards) and installment accounts (student loans, car loans, mortgages). This shows you have experience managing both short-term obligations such as credit cards as well as longer-term commitments that require regular payments over time like student loans. Ideally, this mix should also include a diverse range of accounts from different institutions; having several creditors shows you have been successful in securing financing from many sources. 

Don’t apply for more credit too often

Although you want to strive for a good mix of credit, a new account can temporarily cause your score to dip. New accounts lower the overall age of your credit. You’ll also want to avoid too many inquiries. Although a single inquiry doesn’t have a big impact, multiple inquiries can add up. 

Review your credit score and reports

Don’t forget to check your account regularly for errors or inaccuracies that could be affecting your score negatively. Experts recommend checking your credit report at least once a year. If you see any discrepancies, file a dispute directly with each bureau. 

Aim for perfection, but improvement is good, too 

An 850 credit score is possible with commitment and dedication. When achieved, this perfect score brings with it many benefits, including lower interest rates on loans, easier financing options, better negotiating power when dealing with existing debt, and access to exclusive rewards programs from major banks. While reaching an 850 may seem like a daunting task, remember that every small step taken now can lead to big rewards down the line.

Even if you’re unable to reach the perfect score, improving your credit score can have a big impact on your overall financial health.

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