The Hidden Metric That Makes or Breaks Your Credit Score
📅 Published: July 2025
By Executive Estate Realty | Avaymaria Brown, The Executive Broker
When it comes to your credit score, most people focus on paying their bills on time. But there’s another powerful metric that often gets overlooked credit utilization. In fact, this hidden number could be the reason your score isn’t moving… or why it suddenly dropped.
At Executive Estate Realty, we’re committed to helping buyers across Florida prepare for homeownership with both knowledge and strategy. If you’re serious about boosting your credit score, understanding and managing your credit utilization is a must.
📊 What Is Credit Utilization?
Credit utilization refers to the percentage of your available credit that you’re currently using. It’s calculated by dividing your total credit card balances by your total credit limits across all cards.
Example:
If you have $5,000 in total credit limits and are using $2,000, your credit utilization is 40%.
⚠️ Why It Matters So Much
Credit utilization accounts for 30% of your FICO® credit score, second only to payment history. High utilization sends a red flag to lenders that you may be overextended or struggling to manage your finances.
Keeping your usage below 30% is ideal, and under 10% is even better for maximizing your score.
✅ How to Lower Your Credit Utilization Quickly
1. Pay Down Balances Strategically
Focus on paying off credit cards with the highest utilization first, not just the highest interest.
2. Ask for a Credit Limit Increase
More available credit = lower utilization. Just don’t increase your spending.
3. Open a Credit Builder Card
Responsible use of a new account can add available credit and lower your overall percentage.
Click here to apply for a credit builder card.
🧭 Align Your Habits with Your Homeownership Goals
Your credit score is more than a number, it’s a financial passport to homeownership. Understanding metrics like credit utilization puts the power back in your hands.
📘 Download our free guide:
“A Manifesting Approach to Purchasing Your First Home and Managing Your Credit”
Learn how to shift your habits, master your mindset, and get mortgage-ready with intention and strategy.
Let Executive Estate Realty Help You Prepare with Confidence
At Executive Estate Realty, we go beyond listings and closings, we’re here to educate and elevate. Whether you’re building credit for your first home or improving your financial profile, our team, led by Avaymaria Brown, The Executive Broker, is committed to your success.
Let us help you align your finances and mindset with your real estate goals, because your credit journey is part of your homeownership legacy.
📞 Contact Executive Estate Realty
Executive Estate Realty
📍 Brandon, Florida | Serving All of Florida
📧 [email protected]
📞 Office: 813-336-7488
📱 Direct: 407-881-2434
🌐 www.ExecutiveEstateRealty.com
