A credit score of 735 officially ranks as “Good,” according to credit reporting bureau Experian. Only five points from a “Very Good” score, a 729 credit score means you’ve eclipsed “Fair” and “Very Poor” credit scores.
You’re well on your way toward unlocking even lower interest rates, more affordable monthly premiums, and fewer fees.
A financial figure used by lenders to determine creditworthiness of a borrower, your credit score is important when it comes to unlocking significant financial opportunities.
Whether you’re looking to finance a home through a mortgage loan, consolidate debt through a personal loan, or stay safe on the road with a reasonably priced car insurance premium, your credit score allows you to spend money in all the ways you want.
Keeping track of your finances — in particular, the factors that contribute to your overall credit score — can be confusing. That’s why many borrowers will use a free, safe-to-use credit reporting platform like AnnualCreditReport.com, to help them keep track of the most recent credit score changes.
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Why Your Credit Score Is 735
While it’s impossible to definitively identify the reasons behind changes to your credit score, there are a few common contributing factors. Especially for a credit score of 735, typical influences include solid payment history, reduced hard inquiries, and minimal total debt.
Solid Payment History
Payment history is the most important contributing factor to overall credit score, accounting for 35% of the equation. A history of full, on-time payments can contribute to systematic increases in a credit score of 735 over time; just as easily, incomplete or missed payments can easily compromise even an “Exceptional” credit score.
Taking steps to make complete, on-time payments toward credit balances each month might sound easy, but it still requires discipline. With a credit score of 735, you’ve likely adopted healthy payment practices, including limiting unnecessary purchases, and ensuring that old debts are paid down as fast — or faster — than new debts accrue.
Continuing to make complete payments toward existing debt will make your payment history even stronger, and can result in regular increases for your Good credit score.
Reduced Hard Inquiries
Any time a borrower is considered for a new loan, lenders will perform a hard inquiry — a check into that borrower’s financial history. Hard inquiries will only stay on your financial record for a single year before they are naturally erased.
One or two hard inquiries during the year are completely normal for any financial account. However, an increasingly large number of hard inquiries during the same year can indicate a potential risk for lenders.
In the eyes of potential lenders, borrowers with many hard inquiries have likely pursued opening many lines of credit, decreasing the chance that a loan will be entirely paid off.
Maintaining a credit score of 735, and pursuing a Very Good credit score, means minimizing hard inquiries and maximizing the age of your current lines of credit.
Minimal Total Debt
Total debt makes up 30% of a consumer’s credit score and is a large determining factor in credit score fluctuations. High levels of debt, especially debts which have not been reduced through multiple payment periods, can lower credit score and serve as a red flag for potential lenders.
Individuals with a credit score of 735 likely maintain low levels of total debt and are making significant monthly payments to suppress debts before they accrue significant interest.
Sometimes, it’s normal for borrowers to have high levels of debt. For example, borrowers who just recently closed on a home will have high debt levels before paying down mortgage loans. It’s important to keep debt repayments consistent when levels of debt are high, to earn back any credit score points lost as a result of a large loan.
What Can You Do With a 735 Credit Score?
A credit score of 735 can help you unlock financial opportunities like personal loans, mortgages, and the best rewards-based credit cards.
While you’re not likely to earn the industry’s best interest rates or lowest annual fees without an Exceptional credit score, your Good credit score is still sufficient to help you secure the funding you need, when you need it.
Reference the below details for even more information on the opportunities you’ve earned with a 735 credit score.
- Rewards-based credit cards offer airline miles, hotel points, cash back, even rewards from your favorite stores. A credit score of 735 puts you in line to qualify for all of these credit card benefits, plus the possibility of 0% introductory financing.
- Apartment rentals are easy to obtain with a 735 credit score. Many apartment managers deal with lower credit scores of individuals who have not yet benefited from regular mortgage payments. As a result, your Good credit score should be sufficient to help you secure almost any apartment of your choosing.
- Mortgage loans are also relatively simple to acquire with a credit score of 735.
- Though you won’t qualify for the most affordable interest rates or the lowest monthly payment without a Very Good or an “Exceptional” credit score, you’ll still be able to take steps toward owning your dream home with a reasonable mortgage loan.
- Personal loans help you address private financial challenges as they arise, whether that means funding a wedding or paying down an unforeseen medical bill. A credit score of 735 isn’t likely to result in the lowest possible loan rate, but you’ll still be afforded the financing you need for your personal needs.
Whether it’s a reasonably priced car insurance premium or a new home, a credit score of 735 helps you take concrete steps toward a solid financial future. Further increases to your credit score can result in “Very Good” or “Exceptional” rankings, resulting in even lower fees, and even more reasonable interest rates.
How to Improve a 735 Credit Score
Individuals with a credit score of 735 aren’t likely to face serious challenges to their credit scores, like bankruptcy, loans in default, or threats from collections agencies.
Practicing sound financial habits is the best way for you to improve a “Good” credit score: pay down debts before they begin to accrue interest, minimize total debt, and avoid hard inquiries whenever possible.
If you notice inaccuracies in any of your credit reports, don’t be afraid to trust one of the best credit repair agencies to help you fix the issue. And if you find yourself forgetting to make on-time payments toward debts, consider setting up calendar reminders on your phone, or activating the automatic payment function in your credit account.
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