Start Doing These Good Credit Habits

We talk so much about what to do when you have bad credit, we don’t spend any time on what to do once you’ve achieved good credit.  You’ve fought your way back, your credit rating is on the up.  What do you do to either maintain it?  Here is some behaviors to keep in mind to keep that credit rating good.

  • Know Your Credit Score:

Yes, even with good credit, this is still important.  Don’t risk sliding back into bad behaviors, you can keep yourself in good standing by making certain that your credit report remains clear and good of any false reporting.  Errors happen, and you should get on top of it asap so it doesn’t have a negative impact.

  • Keep the Credit Card Companies Happy:

This is a two-parter.  First up, a method of doing this is by sticking to a ratio of 30 percent of your credit allotment.  Every month, make it a habit of only using your credit card(s) till the 30 percent mark and then back off.  People who consistently go over this part tend to get the credit card companies nervous.

Second, make sure that you use your credit card.  This may seem like talking out of both sides of the mouth, but the key word in this is to use the credit card and maintain it without going over 30 percent.  Being consistent with that ratio and paying it off every month will keep the credit card companies happy.

If you need help with purchasing a new or used vehicle, be sure to contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. If you need further assistance in finding financing for a new vehicle on bad credit, contact our financing department.  We love to say yes, you’re approved!   Be sure to like Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

The Importance Of Your Credit Score in Getting an Auto Loan

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You have bad credit and you need a car.  You would be surprised at how common this situation is.  So what is it you need to do in order to get that auto loan?

First off is knowing your credit score.  This is the important number that will help you truly understand what you will be up against.  It’ll also answer the question if you truly have bad credit.  For all you know, the idea of you having bad credit may just be a misbelief.  Your number may not be as low as you think.  This is why it is important to know your credit score.

Once you have that score, know where you fall on the credit risk scale.  Edmunds.com shows that if your score is between 601 and 660, that puts you in the Nonprime category.  If your score is between 501 and 600, that is subprime and anything below 500 is deep subprime.  Again, you would be surprised by how many people borrow at the subprime and deep subprime level.  Edmunds estimates that this is 32 percent of used car loans and 10 percent of new-car loans.

Now that you know where you are located in your credit score, now is the time to plan.  Put together your budget and know what you can afford monthly.  The lower on the subprime scale you find yourself, the more you’re likely to pay over a longer period.  If that is the case, then it is also time to start thinking about a downpayment.  That can help you get a loan when you’re in the subprime category.

At Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge, we want to help you make your dream of owning a great car a reality, and we will work with you to find the right car to fit your needs. You can get pre-approval, check out our monthly specials, and shop our online inventory by make, model, and year.  You can also get our latest deals and news by following Bayside on Twitter and Facebook and subscribing to our YouTube channel!

How to Prepare to Shop for a New or Used Car

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Car buying is incredibly intimidating.  There is a lot of unknown factors at play about what one should or shouldn’t know or have done before setting foot inside of a dealership.  Here is some advice that we have on what someone should do before they come into purchase a vehicle.

  • Know your credit score:

It is important to know what that number is, because that number is the determinate of many things.  You need to know if that score is low or not, don’t just guess about it.  This is also a good time to go through that credit report to find out if there is any misreporting that you can take action in correcting.  By getting this information removed, you may be able to get your credit score up at a vital moment before buying.

  • Have a Down Payment Ready:

Being able to put money down is going to benefit you.  If you have the money to put down, it increases your chances of approval and may get you a better interest rate.

  • Know your options:

Research the dealership and know the price range of the vehicle type you are looking for.  Many, like Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge, have websites that let you browse their new and used selection.  As long as you have an idea of what kind of vehicle you need, you can see the price range of options.  Bear in mind that while you might have the perfect vehicle picked out online, it may be different once you see it and take it for a test drive.  Have an idea of what you want, but be ready to change it.

At Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge, we want to help you make your dream of owning a great car a reality, and we will work with you to find the right car to fit your needs. You can get pre-approval, check out our monthly specials, and shop our online inventory by make, model, and year. Click here to visit our website today, or stop by and visit us in person at 21219 Northern Blvd in Bayside, NY. You can also get our latest deals and news by following Bayside on Twitter and Facebook and subscribing to our YouTube channel!