Skip to main content
Book a Call

Lead Magnet · Credit Health Checklist

The Credit Booster Checklist

A real, interactive credit roadmap calibrated to where you are today. Drag the slider to your actual score and get a tier-specific monthly playbook.

Built by Tyler Shearer — NMLS #1717959 · Gesa Credit Union

Rate Disclaimer: All interest rates, APRs, and payment examples shown are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Actual rates depend on credit score, loan amount, loan-to-value ratio, property type, and other factors. Rate quotes are not a commitment to lend. Contact Tyler Shearer for current rates and a personalized quote. NMLS #1717959.

Credit Education · Free

What is credit, really?

Mortgage lenders don't look at credit as one number — they look at three different shapes of debt that each tell a different story. Understanding which bucket your accounts fall into is the difference between guessing why your score moved and knowing.

🔄
Type 1 · Revolving
Revolving Credit
A credit limit you can borrow against repeatedly. Your balance and payment change month to month. This is where 30% of your credit score lives — your utilization rate.
Credit cards
Home equity lines (HELOC)
Personal lines of credit
Store cards
Mortgage key: Keep each card below 30% of its limit. Below 10% is ideal. A maxed card hurts more than most people realize — even if you pay it off monthly.
📅
Type 2 · Installment
Installment Loans
Fixed loans with a set payment, end date, and balance that only goes down. Shows lenders you can manage a structured obligation — exactly what a mortgage is.
Auto loans
Student loans
Personal loans
Boat / RV / equipment loans
Mortgage key: Installment loans count toward your DTI (debt-to-income ratio). The payment matters more than the balance when qualifying for a mortgage.
🏠
Type 3 · Mortgage
Mortgage Debt
The highest form of installment credit in the scoring model. A clean mortgage history is one of the strongest signals of creditworthiness. Treated separately because of loan size and duration.
Primary home loan
Second home / vacation mortgage
Investment property loan
Construction loan
Mortgage key: If you already own, a perfect payment history on your current mortgage is your single biggest credit asset. Never be late — even by a day — once you own.
Score Range Ladder

540 to 760+ — what each tier really means

Your three-digit score isn't just a vibe — it's the gate to specific loan programs and rate tiers. Here's the mortgage lens on each range. Unlock the interactive roadmap below to see your tier-specific monthly playbook.

300–579
Poor

Below the FHA floor for most lenders. Focus on rebuilding basics — disputing errors, on-time streaks, secured-card history — before applying. A 6–12 month rebuild plan is realistic with the right moves.

580–669
Fair

FHA programs become available at 580 with 3.5% down. Conventional programs typically start at 620. Rates are higher and PMI is required — but you're in the door. Targeted utilization moves can push you over 700 in 90 days.

670–739
Good

Most loan programs available. Better rate tiers start opening up. The push from here to 740 is the most valuable 20-point gain in the entire credit ladder — it unlocks the best standard rate tier and meaningfully drops PMI.

740–799
Very Good

740 is the key threshold — most lenders' best pricing tiers start here. Jumbo loans become accessible. PMI rates drop. Construction and investment property financing have better terms. Maintenance and pre-application protection become the priorities.

800+
Exceptional

Every program available at the best rates on the board. Focus shifts from improving the score to protecting it and rate-shopping aggressively in a 14-day window. Down payment strategy and loan structure matter more than credit at this point.

Personalized Credit Plan

Unlock your interactive Credit Roadmap

Drag the slider to your actual score and get a live, tier-specific monthly playbook — calibrated to where you are today.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your mortgage and credit goals. We never share your information.

Want me to walk you through your specific situation?

A 30-minute mortgage review is the fastest way to turn this checklist into a real timeline — including the exact accounts to focus on first and what your specific score unlocks.