Generally speaking, "good credit" means paying your bills on time and maintaining a personal financial profile that helps to make lenders confident that you will make mortgage payments on time. Good credit also means that you are not "overextended" or borrowing so much that you are putting yourself at risk for financial problems.

Good credit makes it easier to get a loan when you need it, and helps you get lower interest rates when you borrow.

Take a few minutes to learn about credit, credit ratings and and how to avoid overextending yourself financially.

Why is credit important?
Good credit makes it easier to get loans, credit cards, and better interest rates when you borrow. Credit problems, on the other hand, make it harder to get a loan or lower interest rate often when you could use some help the most.

Unfortunately, credit problems don't go away overnight. Late payments a year or more ago can affect your credit history today. Major problems, like bankruptcy or a loan default, appear on your credit record for years.

To judge credit risk, lenders typically look at:

Income: Regular and documentable income from earnings, commissions, investments, rental payments and other sources. Lenders look for a steady income from month to month and a stable work history.

Assets: Savings, investments, retirement funds, cars and other valuables that are "liquid" or easily converted into cash.

Liabilities: Debts such as mortgage loans, home equity loans, credit card balances, car loans, student loans and other consumer debt.

Other Financial Information: Situations that could affect payments, such as lawsuits, collection activity, recent bankruptcy or property foreclosure, obligation to pay alimony or child support, or being a co-signer on another loan.

Payment History: Making timely mortgage or rent payments is very important. Paying late just once by 30 days or more can affect both the loan and the interest rate offered you. Late payments on credit cards, car payments and other bills are also factors.

Credit Reports: National credit bureaus collect information and provide reports to home lenders and other creditors. Credit reports include details on credit accounts and information on your payment history.

Debt-to-Income: Monthly debt expenses and income get converted to a debt-to-income ratio. While there isn't a standard, lenders often have a maximum number that they will allow a borrower to have.

All the factors listed above work together to affect a person's credit. That's why people with good income and prompt payment histories but a lot of debt might have trouble getting loans. And why individuals with plenty of income and few debts could also have problems if they're often late paying bills or have not established credit.

But here's the good news. Anyone can improve his or her credit rating over time.

Want more good news? Kinder Mortgage considers your future as well as your past. In fact, we offer Free Loan Consultations, as well as special loan programs designed to help you improve your credit and your credit rating.

So as you review the steps that follow to improve your credit, remember you can always contact Kinder Mortgage for additional information and assistance.