SoFi

Credit matters when looking to buy a house, car or any other pricey asset. Unless a consumer is flush with cash, the path to home and vehicle ownership may go through a mortgage or a loan. Good credit can provide you with terms and privileges not available to a person with poor credit, including lower interest rates and increased borrowing capacity.

We delve into what constitutes a good credit score and the reasons why it is important to have a good credit score.

Recommended: What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a Car

What’s Considered Good Credit?

Consumers with standard credit scores of 661 or greater are considered to have good credit, because they rank as prime or super prime in terms of their risk assessment. A bad credit score falls on the lower end of the range and a good credit score falls on the higher end of the range.

Many credit scoring models, including the standard FICO® Scores and VantageScore 4.0, measure an individual’s credit risk on a three-digit scale ranging from 300 to 850. The highest risk group are consumers with deep subprime credit scores from 300 to 500, and the lowest risk group are consumers with super prime credit scores from 781 to 850, according to Experian.

Consumers may build and attain good credit by paying their bills on time, maintaining a mix of accounts and keeping their revolving balances under 30% of credit limits.

Recommended: What Is the Difference Between TransUnion and Equifax?

8 Benefits of Good Credit

Here are the eight core benefits of good credit, which highlight why it is important to have a good credit score:

Benefit #1: Easier Access to Credit

Good credit may provide you with easier access to additional credit. When a consumer applies for a credit card or personal loan, lenders may analyze the consumer’s credit report and credit score to make an informed decision on whether to approve or deny the application. A person with good credit is considered low-risk and therefore has an easier time getting approved for a personal loan compared to high-risk borrowers.

Benefit #2: Lower Interest Rates

Consumers with good credit may qualify for lower interest rates when borrowing money. For example, available financing data for new vehicle purchases in the first quarter of 2022 show consumers in the deep subprime category of bad credit have obtained auto loans with 14.76% interest on average. Meanwhile, consumers in the super prime category of excellent credit secured 2.40% interest rates on average. That amounts to an over 12 percentage point difference in interest rates.

Benefit #3: Lower Car Insurance Premiums

Many auto insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores to help categorize consumers by risk and determine what premiums they may pay. Under this practice, higher-risk consumers may pay higher auto insurance premiums than lower-risk consumers. In some states, having good credit or improving your credit score may lead to lower auto insurance premiums over time.

Benefit #4: Increased Borrowing Capacity

Consumers with good credit may obtain larger credit limits than those with poor credit. This could translate to greater spending power on a credit card and the ability to make larger purchases on credit. Having good credit also puts you in a better position to apply for and obtain new credit.

A bolstered borrowing capacity is not limited to credit cards either — credit unions and banks may offer personal loans to consumers with good credit. Such loans can help you consolidate debt, finance large purchases or obtain fast cash to weather an unforeseen emergency. Personal loans also may command lower interest rates than credit cards.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

Benefit #5: Easier to Buy a Home or Car

Good credit can help you buy a house with a good mortgage rate or a car with affordable financing. Borrowing money to own a home or vehicle comes at a price that includes principal and interest. Consumers with good credit may qualify for 0% annual percentage rate loans for a car, where no APR means no interest or finance charges. Establishing good credit may also improve your likelihood of obtaining a low-APR mortgage, which translates to lower debt repayment obligations.

Automotive consumers had an average credit score of 738 for new vehicle purchases and 678 for used vehicle purchases in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to Experian’s quarterly report. This shows the average automotive consumer boasted good credit within the prime category of low risk.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

Benefit #6: More Apartment Lease Options

Signing a lease to an apartment may require good credit. Landlords who conduct credit checks might deny lease applications if a prospective tenant has bad credit. Or, those with poor credit may have to provide a higher security deposit for rental housing compared with a prospective tenant who boasts good credit. Tenants with good credit also may have more leverage to negotiate for lower rent.

Benefit #7: Helps Satisfy Employment Background Checks

Jobseekers can benefit from good credit, as some employers may consider a person’s credit score when making hiring decisions. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says that a low credit score or credit invisibility is a burden that can “limit housing choice and employment opportunity,” whereas “a good credit score is part of the pathway to self-sufficiency and economic opportunity.” The term “credit invisible” refers to consumers who lack a credit score or credit history.

Benefit #8: Ability to Obtain Security Clearances

Law enforcement officers with good credit could gain privileged access to classified national security information and FBI facilities. Any state or local law enforcement officer seeking a security clearance has to first satisfy a comprehensive background check that includes a review of credit history. The FBI shares secret or top secret information with local law enforcement officers who have obtained security clearances.

Poor credit history would not necessarily disqualify an officer from obtaining a security clearance, but significant credit history issues “may prevent a clearance from being approved,” according to information posted on the FBI’s website.

The Takeaway

Good credit is important for anyone who wishes to borrow money to help finance key purchases. Many consumers rely upon mortgages and loans to buy houses and cars, while many cash-strapped individuals turn to credit cards to buy essential goods and services ranging from food and electricity to water and rent for housing.

The eight benefits of good credit highlighted above showcase why it is critical to pay your bills on time and practice good budgeting. SoFi’s money tracker app allows you to monitor and keep track of your credit score, among other perks that could assist with financial planning and managing your net worth.

Photo credit: iStock/AndreyPopov

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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There are a number of factors that affect house prices, from the age, condition, location and size of your home, to broader factors like the economy and current interest rates. If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, it’s important to know what determines property value so you can ensure you get the most out of what’s likely your largest asset.

Read on to learn more about the main factors that make property value increase and how you can figure out how much your home is worth.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

Factors that Affect Home and Real Estate Value

Factor #1: Location

There’s a reason everyone will tell you that real estate is about location, location, location — it’s true. When it comes to factors that affect property value, location is one of the biggest determinants.

Keep in mind that while your home’s location works for you, others will have their own criteria. For example, how good are the schools in the area? Is shopping and entertainment accessible? What are property taxes like in the neighborhood? Is it a long commute to downtown or wherever many jobs may be?

Factor #2: Size

Size often isn’t the be-all-and-end-all, but it’s nearly so when it comes to what determines property value. Square footage plays a big role when it comes to house prices. For example, if the median price per square foot in the U.S. is $123, you’ll be getting more for a house that’s 4,000 square feet than one that’s 2,000 square feet.

It also matters how much of the space in your house is actually usable. Spaces like unfinished garages and basements as well as attics typically won’t boost your home’s value even if they do tack a lot onto the total square footage. What will matter in terms of square footage are areas like bedrooms and bathrooms.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

Factor #3: Real Estate Comparables

You’re supposed to love thy neighbor, but you might give them the side-eye if their home is not well-maintained and becomes a drag on the desirability of your street as well as on home prices. When it comes to home values, your neighbors are critical. If their homes are being highly sought by buyers, you’ll likely benefit from the popularity of the area.

The word to know here is comps, or comparable homes in your area that have sold in the last 12 months. These are part of what realtors and home appraisers rely on when estimating how much your home is worth.

Recommended: Which Credit Bureau Is Used Most?

Factor #4: Age

While it may be frowned upon to ask someone their age, it’s an essential detail when it comes to home buying. If you’re dealing with a home that has a few decades in the rear-view mirror, you’ll have to do some math. How soon might the roof and other major systems need to be replaced or upgraded? That can affect the price someone is willing to pay, as they might want to pay less if they’re anticipating needing to shell out money for those repairs.

A house that is less than 10 years old — and even better if it’s less than five — can command more money because the buyer has a certain amount of confidence that repair bills shouldn’t be on the immediate horizon. They expect they’ll have time to save money for when that day eventually arrives.

Factor #5: Condition

If your home isn’t in tiptop shape, don’t expect to bring in the big bucks. In fact, if you have the luxury of time, it might behoove you to make any necessary repairs and do any upgrades and updates before you put your house on the market so you can maximize the chances it will get set at a higher price. Consider the cost of home improvements an investment.

At the same time, you don’t want to get too carried away here, as it is possible that you won’t be able to recoup all that you spent. Do just enough so that you might be able to squeak out some profit when you sell. While it varies by region of the country and other factors, Remodeling Magazine found that projects that can pay off include a garage door replacement, manufactured stone veneer and a minor kitchen remodel. Some of the less profitable projects included an upscale bathroom addition and an upscale master suite addition.

Factor #6: The Economy

You could have crossed all your t’s and dotted all your i’s — your home is attractive inside and out and you’re in a great location. Trouble is, if the economy is less than stellar, you could be stuck until it swings back into positive territory. If people are uncertain and feeling insecure due to the economy, they may decide to delay major life changes, such as buying a home. Or, if they do move forward, they may be looking for bargains, which is a downer for you.

Your local economy and market also figure into the equation. It’s about supply and demand. If there is a shortage of available housing in your area and tons of potential buyers on the hunt, you could capitalize big time on a hot market — think bidding wars and selling your home faster than you could have imagined.

Factor #7: Interest Rates

When interest rates are at the historic lows, it’s an incentive to buy. This is because doing so can be dramatically less expensive. On the flipside, when interest rates tick upward, fewer people may be able to home shop because it’s more costly. If demand slows, the price you can command may dip as well.

How to Check What Your Home Is Worth

Get an appraiser: One way to check how much your home is worth is to get an appraiser, someone who is licensed or certified by the state, to conduct a home appraisal. The appraiser will review your home from top to bottom and compare it to other homes in the area and beyond to determine its fair market value.

Make a list of comparables: You could also go dig up property comparables on your own. For example, you can call real estate agents with homes in escrow to learn the sales prices. There are also several websites that could give you valuable insight on your home’s value, including Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor.com and Eppraisal, among others.

Use an HPI calculator: Another option is to use a house price index (HPI) calculator , which uses data from mortgage transactions over time to estimate a home’s value. The calculator makes projections based on the purchase price of the home and the changing value of other homes nearby. This tool is ideal for seeing how much a house has appreciated over time and any estimated future changes in mortgage rates.

The Takeaway

Knowing what factors impact your home’s value is like knowing how much money you have in the bank. Determine where you may have weaknesses so you can make the necessary adjustments to get the maximum value for your home when you go to sell.

If you need to save up to make some necessary repairs and upgrades before you put your home on the market, a money tracker tool like SoFi’s can help you finesse your budget accordingly.

Photo credit: iStock/terng99

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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A credit reporting agency compiles credit reports and provides that information to prospective lenders and others. Today, there are three main credit reporting agencies in the U.S.: TransUnion®, Equifax®, and Experian®. Though each agency serves a similar purpose, there may be some differences in the type of information found in their credit report.

Let’s take a closer look at credit reporting agencies and the differences between TransUnion and Equifax.

What Is the Role of Credit Reporting Agencies?

Credit reporting agencies, also known as credit bureaus, collect the information necessary to maintain credit reports. All credit reporting agencies manage their own records, which means the information they have about a consumer can differ depending on the information that was reported to them. While the reports may vary, no one credit reporting agency carries more weight than the other.

What Are Credit Scores?

A credit score is a number used by lenders to determine the risk level associated with lending money to a consumer. A borrower’s credit score can influence if a lender decides to work with a borrower and if so, how much credit, what terms, and how high of an interest rate they end up getting.

Credit scores are based on a consumer’s credit report. Everyone has more than one credit score as these scores are calculated by the three main credit reporting agencies.

Some lenders use internal scoring models as well, but generally, it’s more common for lenders to use one of the three main agencies’ reports to inform their lending decisions.

Recommended: Which Credit Bureau Is Used Most?

What Are Credit Reports?

A credit report details information about a consumer’s financial life, such as:

•   Payment history

•   Outstanding balances

•   Length of credit history

•   Applications for new credit accounts

•   Types of credit accounts (such as mortgages or credit cards)

Credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus can be accessed annually free of charge.

Need help keeping tabs on your finances year-round? Consider using a spending tracker, which can be useful when it comes to making progress toward short- and long-term financial goals.

Recommended: What Is Considered a Bad Credit Score?

How Does Equifax Calculate Credit Scores?

An Equifax credit score isn’t used by lenders or creditors to assess a consumers’ creditworthiness. Instead, many lenders use FICO Scores® to help determine a potential borrower’s creditworthiness. FICO uses credit scores from the three reporting agencies, including Equifax and Transunion, to determine their score. Equifax recommends aiming for a score of 739 or higher if a “good” score is desired.

The Equifax credit score model falls on a credit rating scale that starts at 280 and ends at 850. The higher a score is on this scale, the better indication that the consumer poses a lower risk to creditors.

TransUnion and Equifax calculate credit scores differently. An Equifax credit score is an educational credit score. The point of this credit score is to provide consumers with the knowledge to help them predict their general credit position.

How Does TransUnion Calculate Credit Scores?

When it comes to TransUnion credit scores, this agency uses an outside model, the VantageScore® 3.0 model. The VantageScore scoring model ranges between 300 and 850 points. According to TransUnion, a “good” credit score to have on the TransUnion and VantageScore 3.0 model is between 721 and 780. VantageScores are an alternative to FICO Scores that are used by some lenders to inform their lending decisions.

What They Offer

Alongside credit scoring and credit reports, both of these credit agencies have unique offerings to help consumers understand their credit better and to provide protection against fraud.

TransUnion Offerings

TransUnion members ($29.95 per month) gain access to:

•   Unlimited access to credit score and reports that are updated daily

•   Recommendations to help improve credit score

•   Their product, Credit Lock Plus, which allows individuals to lock their TransUnion & Equifax reports

•   Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance

Equifax Offerings

Signing up for Equifax Complete ($19.95 per month) gives members access to:

•   Equifax credit report monitoring

•   Daily access to VantageScore credit score

•   Dedicated ID restoration specialists to help members recover from identity theft

•   Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance

TransUnion vs Equifax: Which is most accurate?

So, which credit report is most accurate? When it comes to accuracy, all three credit reporting agencies are responsible for ensuring that credit reports are accurate. No one agency is more accurate than the other. That being said, mistakes can happen.

Consumers may want to keep a close eye on their credit report to make sure that mistakes haven’t occurred — especially as these mistakes can negatively impact credit scores. To report errors found on a credit report, consumers can follow this process:

1.    After finding errors on a credit report, write a letter that disputes these errors and include any supporting documentation that can strengthen the case against the error. You can find a sample letter here .

2.    Send the letter and documentation to the credit reporting agency and the information provider (like a bank or credit card company) that reported the inaccurate information to the credit reporting agency in question. Both the credit reporting agency and the information provider will be responsible for fixing credit report inaccuracies or incomplete information.

3.    If the written dispute does not result in the mistake being resolved, the next step would be to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

TransUnion Disputes

TransUnion disputes can be filed on their website or by mail. After the documentation has been received, it can take up to 30 days to resolve the dispute.

Try to include as much of the following information as possible in the communication:

•   Name

•   Partial account number of the disputed item (from credit report)

•   Current address

•   TransUnion file number (if applicable)

•   Social Security number

•   Date of birth

•   Name of the company that reported the item that needs disputing

•   Reason for the dispute

•   Any corrections to personal information that needs to be made

Disputes can also be made by phone.

Equifax Disputes

Equifax disputes can be made online, by phone, or by mail. Consumers will generally want to provide as much of the following information and documentation as possible or applicable:

•   Valid driver’s license

•   Birth certificate

•   Copy of a utility bill

•   Current bank statements with account information

•   Letters from a lender showing the account in question has been corrected

•   Proof that an account error was the result of identity theft

•   Bankruptcy schedules and other court documents

•   Student loan disability letters

•   Canceled checks

Results are generally completed within 30 days.

Recommended: What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a Car?

The Takeaway

Transunion and Equifax are two of the major credit bureaus in the U.S. They collect information about a consumer’s financial life, such as their payment history, applications for new credit, and existing credit. This information is recorded in the form of a credit report. Based on information in the credit report, each bureau determines credit scores based on their own scoring model. However, TransUnion and Equifax calculate credit scores differently, and both have unique offerings that help consumers better understand their credit and protect themselves in the event of fraud.

No matter which agency you use, it helps to have a holistic view of your finances. Using a money tracker app is one way to help you manage your spending and saving. The SoFi app connects all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see all of your balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score monitoring, plus you can get other valuable financial insights.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Ready for some good news? If you want to check your credit score, you can do so without worrying about lowering it.

So why is it so common to think that will happen?

It’s easy to see where the confusion stems from, so let’s look at what a credit score is, why checking a credit score isn’t a bad thing, and where credit damage can actually come from.

Credit Scores: A Refresher

First things first: A credit score is a number based on a credit report that helps creditors determine how risky it would be to lend money to a borrower.

The risk level influences if an applicant is given credit, and if so, the terms and interest rate. Having a high credit score can make it much easier to take out a loan and get more favorable interest rates, or be approved to rent an apartment.

The information in a credit report determines a credit score. The following factors influence a credit score:

•   Payment history

•   Outstanding balances

•   Length of credit history

•   Applications for new credit accounts

•   Types of credit accounts (such as mortgages or credit cards)

Consumers don’t actually have just one credit score; they have multiple ones. Scores are calculated by credit reporting agencies that maintain credit reports. Lenders can use their own internal credit scoring systems as well.

Recommended: What Is Considered a Bad Credit Score?

Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It?

Nope. There are many misconceptions surrounding credit scores, and one of the biggest ones is that checking one’s credit score will lower it. This is simply, and happily, not true.

Checking your credit score once, or even multiple times, will not damage it. Requesting a copy of a credit report will also not damage a credit score.

In fact, it’s good to keep a close eye on your credit report and score. It can be especially helpful to review a credit report on occasion to make sure there are no errors that may cause the score to drop.

Online tools like a spending tracker app can allow you to track your credit score regularly and get important insights into your spending habits.

Recommended: What Is The Difference Between Transunion and Equifax?

What Can Lower a Credit Score?

Certain credit inquiries made by outside parties like lenders and credit card issuers affect a credit score.

You’ve probably heard of soft and hard “pulls,” or, formally, soft and hard inquiries. Only hard inquiries — a full check of credit history — affect a credit score.

Examples of Soft Inquiries

•   You check your own credit report.

•   An insurer pulls credit for a quote.

•   A company views a credit report during a background check.

•   You seek to be prequalified for a personal loan or mortgage.

•   A credit card or insurance issuer sends a prescreened offer — sometimes called a “preapproved” offer.

Examples of Hard Inquiries

You apply for a:

•   Mortgage

•   Auto loan

•   Credit card

•   Student loan

•   Personal loan

•   Rental

Hard inquiries may stay on a credit report for two years, although they usually only affect credit scores for one year.

Multiple hard inquiries in a short time frame could make a customer look higher risk because it could suggest an intention to rack up debt. Then again, if you’re shopping for an auto loan or mortgage, multiple inquiries are generally counted as one for a period of time, typically 14 to 45 days. The exception generally does not apply to credit card inquiries.

Consumers can see these inquiries on their credit report.

When to Check a Credit Report

Consumers should consider checking their credit report at least once a year to make sure there are no errors that are hurting their credit score and that their report is fully up to date. Regular checks can also alert consumers to fraud and identity theft.

It can also be smart to check a credit report before making a big purchase that requires a loan.

Doing so can even be helpful when job searching, as some employers review credit histories when hiring.

Are Free Credit Reports Safe?

Consumers are entitled to a free (and completely safe!) credit report once a year from the three major credit reporting bureaus:

•   Equifax

•   Experian

•   TransUnion

There are a few ways to gain access to these free reports.

•   Online at AnnualCreditReport.com.

•   By phone at (877) 322-8228.

•   By mail. After downloading and completing the Annual Credit Report request form, consumers can mail the completed form to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta, GA 30348-5283

Note: These free annual credit reports do not include credit scores. They are meant to allow an individual to ensure accuracy and check for identity theft.

To monitor credit throughout the year, it can be a good idea to space out the requests for these free reports, but requesting them all at once is totally fine.

After you’ve received your free credit report for the year from a specific reporting company, you can request another report down the road, but you’ll have to pay for that one.

Additional free reports are available to those who experienced an “adverse action” because of their credit report, are unemployed, and certain other situations.

Recommended: Why Do I Have Different Credit Scores?

The Takeaway

Does checking your credit score lower it? Not at all, and in fact, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your credit landscape. Your own inquiries are different from outside hard pulls, which can happen when you apply for a mortgage, credit card, student loan, auto loan, or something that requires a full check of credit history. A hard inquiry could stay on a credit report for two years, though it typically only affects a credit score for a year.

Checking your credit report at least once a year is a good way to ensure there are no errors that could damage your score. It’s also a good idea to keep tabs on your finances year-round, and a money tracker app can help you manage your spending and saving. The SoFi app connects all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see all of your balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score monitoring, plus you can get other valuable financial insights.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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A person’s net worth describes their total financial value, and is calculated by subtracting their liabilities from their assets. Though we generally discuss net worth in relation to very wealthy individuals, it can be important for people who aren’t billionaires to know their net worth as well.

A person’s net worth can be an important reference point in understanding one’s financial position. Net worth can be negative, especially early on in one’s careers. But net worth can help an individual figure out how much they need to save, how much spending they need to cut back on, or how much they’ve saved for retirement.

How to Calculate Net Worth

If you’re wondering how to calculate net worth, it’s actually a simple formula:

Assets – Liabilities = Net Worth

The hard part is usually determining a person’s assets and liabilities. And a person’s assets can go beyond what they have in their checking account. In fact, a person’s assets can include a whole host of things.

Assets

Assets basically boil down to how much money you have, as well as the value of things you own. In order to know one’s net worth, estimate the value of each asset below:

•   Money in savings accounts

•   Money in checking accounts

•   Money in investing or retirement accounts. Brokerage accounts or 401(k)s are in this bucket.

•   Physical cash

•   Value from insurance policies

•   Value from business ownership or stakes

•   Value of cars

•   Valuable personal goods, like jewelry or art

•   Value of real estate, including home

Calculating the value of a home can be a task in itself. It’s important to research the value of the homes around you, the size of your home, any deferred maintenance on the home, additional benefits like parking spots, backyard space, room count, etc. There are a number of home value calculators online, too.

Recommended: Understanding Property Valuations

There are other ways to think about assets:

•   Liquid Assets: Items like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs that are easy to sell quickly and whose sale will not greatly affect their price.

•   Fixed Assets: These are items that would take a longer time to convert to cash. These assets are often deposited for extended periods of time in exchange for high interest accrual and thus cannot be cashed before their agreed-upon time frame is up.

•   Equity Assets: Equity assets include your shares in a company, either private or public.

Intangible Assets, such as brand recognition for a company or any other intellectual property like patents, trademarks or even goodwill, are trickier to factor into your net worth due to the complexity of measuring their value.

Liabilities

Liabilities are debts. The following categories are what most often make up liabilities:

•   Auto loans

•   Student loans

•   Personal loans

•   Business loans (personally guaranteed)

•   Credit card balances

•   Mortgages

While liabilities are on the negative side of the net worth equation, it doesn’t necessarily have to symbolize something negative about your finances. For example, student loans or mortgage loans are typically seen as necessary loans that individuals take on as they reach milestones in life, like going to college, graduate school or buying a home.

Meanwhile, knowing one’s total liabilities can help with figuring out a plan to start paying off debt that has higher interest rates, like from credit card balances.


💡 Quick Tip: All investments come with some degree of risk — and some are riskier than others. Before investing online, decide on your investment goals and how much risk you want to take.

Median and Average Net Worth in US

An individual or household’s net worth isn’t set in stone, and it ebbs and flows all the time. For that reason, it can be difficult to nail down median or average net worth figures for both individuals and households in the U.S. You can find some numbers if you search for them, but they’re often several years old, and may not be accurate given the time lapse.

For instance, the Federal Reserve tracks median and average net worth data in the U.S., but generally, they do so using survey data that it publishes once every few years. So, while data from a few years ago may be fine, large-scale world events–such as a pandemic, natural disaster, recession, or similar–may have led to large changes in those numbers.

This is all something to keep in mind if you seek out average net worth numbers. It’s not that they’re inaccurate, it’s simply that the data may be hard to capture and synthesize in a reasonable amount of time.

Remember, too, that it’s important to keep abreast of your net worth because this number may fluctuate depending on factors such as stock values, interest rates, real estate trends, and other tides of the financial world. It’s important to have an idea of overall trends so you can generally understand your financial health and have an idea of your true wealth.


💡 Quick Tip: Distributing your money across a range of assets — also known as diversification — can be beneficial for long-term investors. When you put your eggs in many baskets, it may be beneficial if a single asset class goes down.

The Takeaway

True wealth can be an important factor in knowing when you might expect to retire. It’s a good idea to focus on your gains year over year, rather than the number you get at the end of the equation. If you’re concerned about your net worth or are hoping to increase it, especially for future retirement goals, then it might be helpful to consider investing.

There are a multitude of things that can have an effect on your net worth. And focusing strictly on your net worth probably shouldn’t be your focus. If you’re concerned about it, though, it may be worthwhile to talk to a financial professional.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

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