How To Build Or Fix Your Credit

Simple steps. Real help. No judgment.

If your credit isn’t great—or you don’t have any—that does NOT mean you failed.
It just means no one ever taught you.
That changes here and now.

🏦 1️⃣ Open a LOCAL Bank Account

This is step one. Always.

If you don’t have a bank account, open one at:

• A local bank
• A credit union
• Or a big-name bank

A bank account helps you:

• Pay bills on time
• Get paid
• Show lenders you can manage money

💡 Tip: Local banks and credit unions are often more helpful and personal than big banks.

💳 2️⃣ Get a Credit Card (or Secured Card)

Credit cards build credit when used correctly.

✅ The Golden Rule

Never use more than 30% of your limit.

Examples:

• $300 limit → use $90 or less
• $500 limit → use $150 or less
• $1,000 limit → use $300 or less

Lower is better.

🔐 Secured Credit Cards (Great for Beginners)

You put money down first.
That money becomes your limit.

Where to get one:

• Your local bank
• A credit union
• Online banks like:
• Capital One
• Chase
• Bank of America
• Citi
• American Express

💡 ITIN Tip:
If you have an ITIN, check if your bank from your home country has a U.S. branch. Some do open accounts or cards.

🏦 3️⃣ Credit Builder Loans (Hidden Gem)

This is one of the best tools no one talks about.

How it works:

• You make monthly payments
• The money goes into savings
• When done, you get the money back
• Payments build your credit score

You save money and build credit at the same time.

👉 Ask me for safe, real options (not scams).

👥 4️⃣ Become an Authorized User (Be Careful!)

You can be added to someone else’s credit card.

This helps only if they:

• Pay on time
• Keep balances under 30%
• Have had the account for a while

If they’re bad with credit, do not do this.
Their mistakes become your problem.

🏠 5️⃣ Get Credit for Paying Rent & Bills

You already pay bills. Let them help your credit.

Some services can report payments like:

• Rent
• Phone
• Utilities
• Streaming services

Popular options include:

• Experian Boost
• RentTrack
• PayYourRent
• LevelCredit

💡 These services usually cost a small fee—but they can help fast if you pay on time.

⏰ 6️⃣ Pay Every Bill On Time (No Exceptions)

This is the #1 rule of credit.

• Pay on time
• Pay every month
• Pay at least the minimum

Never:

• Skip payments
• Let bills go to collections
• Ignore notices

💡 If money is tight:

• Ask for help before missing a payment
• Call the creditor for help or leniency
• Check to see if your employer offers financial assistance
• Ask a friend or family member for help
• Put only part of an emergency on a card
• Save a little each month for emergencies

📉 7️⃣ Live Within Your Means

More credit is not better credit.

• Don’t apply for lots of loans
• Too many applications hurt your score

Simple guidelines:

• House payment: about 25–35% of income
• Other debt (cars, cards): 10–15% or less
• Total debt goal: under 45%

Lower = safer = better approvals.

🛠 Credit Repair & Tracking Tips

You can’t fix what you don’t track.

📱 8️⃣ Use an App to Watch Your Credit

Apps make this easier—and less scary.

Good free apps:

• Credit Karma
• Experian app

These help you:

• See your score
• Track changes
• Get alerts
• Learn what helps or hurts

Check once a week, not every day.

🔍 9️⃣ Check Your Full Credit Report

Get your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Look for:

• Accounts that aren’t yours
• Wrong balances
• Old collections that should be gone

Dispute mistakes. Errors happen more than people think.

🤝 🔟 Handle Collections the Smart Way

Collections don’t mean you’re stuck forever.

Steps:

1. Call the collection company
2. Ask if they’ll take less
3. Get the deal in writing
4. Pay only after that

Never pay without paperwork.

⌛  11 Be Patient—but Consistent

Credit repair takes time.
But good habits work.

• Late marks matter less over time
• On-time payments stack up
• Your score will improve

🌟 Final Word (Read This Twice)

If your credit is low, you are not broken.
You were just never taught.

Before you:

• Pay a credit repair company
• Apply for more credit
• Feel defeated

👉 Contact me first.
I’ll help you build a plan—or connect you with someone trusted if needed.

You deserve guidance.
You deserve options.
And yes—you deserve a home. 💪🏡

Theresa Rolen – The Huntress Home Loan Pro
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #2249004 | Summit Lending NMLS #1850081
Phone:913-705-0049
Email:Theresa@SummitLendingUSA.com

Book a 1:1 Strategy Call:
https://calendly.com/theresa-summitlending