FICO credit scores are changing, which may be a benefit or a detriment if you plan to refinance your mortgage or buy a home. Some mortgage applicants could see their credit scores change by 20 points or more. Here are 5 new credit score factors:

1. Amount of Available Credit

The ratio of account balance to the amount of credit available appears to have more influence on the credit score formula. The less available credit a mortgage borrower has on credit cards, the lower the score would be. More available credit would mean a better score. This change could have a broad impact on credit scores used by mortgage lenders to qualifying borrowers, if credit card issuers implement more cuts on their maximum limits. A borrower’s credit score may drop if the available credit limit is reduced, whether an account has a balance or not.

2. Number of Open Accounts

It used to be that having too many open credit card accounts was viewed as a negative factor. However, it appears that has been reversed, provided that the accounts have not been delinquent or overused. More open and active accounts could now have a positive effect on credit scores under the new scoring system. More credit card lenders can close seldom used accounts, which is a potentially negative effect. Credit underwriters will also need to re-evaluate their lending policies.

3. Isolated Credit Issues

The new credit score model will apparently be more forgiving to mortgage borrowers who only have one major negative problem on their credit report. The scoring model calculates the severity and frequency of negative credit items. Depending on the item reported, isolated problems will have less impact on credit scores, as opposed to continuous and recurring late payments and delinquencies. Mortgage lenders and borrowers should welcome this change because of the potential upside of good borrowers not being lumped into a category of repeat offenders.

4. Small Collection Accounts

Collection accounts with an original amount of less than $100 are disregarded. Another positive benefit for borrowers with minor debts owed from parking tickets, unpaid library fines, small medical bills, or other disagreements. Infractions like these should no longer affect credit scores.

5. Authorized User Credit

The previous FICO credit score model allowed for authorized users on credit card accounts to build a positive credit profile without being the primary card holder. While some authorized user data is allowed, the new formula has reduced the ability to build credit based on this method.

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