With good credit you can usually find several lenders willing to approve you, but the terms you are offered can vary widely. Lower your debt-to-income ratio, correct report errors, prequalify with soft pulls, and compare total cost across at least three offers before accepting.
On this page
- Where "good" sits
- Four quick moves that can improve an offer
- Compare without hurting your score
- Decide on the shortest term you can hold
- What "good" is made of
- A 30 day plan before you compare
- Questions that separate a fair offer from a poor one
- When a good score is not the whole story
- Example: choosing between two offers
- Frequently asked questions
Where "good" sits
FICO labels 670 to 739 as Good. Our form treats roughly 670 to 739 as good. Lenders see you as a reliable borrower, but not one with the thinnest margin of risk, so small differences in your file can change the offer.
Four quick moves that can improve an offer
- Pay card balances down before applying. Utilization is part of amounts owed, about 30 percent of a FICO Score.
- Check your three reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute anything wrong.
- Do not open new accounts in the weeks before applying.
- Ask for a smaller amount if your debt-to-income ratio is near a lender's limit.
Compare without hurting your score
Prequalify using soft pulls and keep a table: lender, amount, APR in writing, term, fee, prepayment rule. If two lenders require hard pulls, do them within a short window and ask the lender how it treats inquiries.
Decide on the shortest term you can hold
Longer terms lower payments but raise total cost. Test your pick in the calculator.
What "good" is made of
A score in the good band is a summary, not a verdict. Lenders open the report behind it. Four things inside the file usually matter more than the three-digit number on its own: how many accounts are open and how old they are, whether any payment was ever reported late and how recently, how much of your revolving limit you are using, and whether recent applications have piled up. Two people with the same score can look very different once a lender reads those lines, which is why the same score can lead to different written offers.
Utilization is the fastest lever. Paying card balances down before you apply can lift a score within a billing cycle or two, because most scoring models look at the balances your issuers report each month. Late payments work the other way: one recent late payment weighs more than several old ones, and it fades slowly. Request your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and read every line, because an account that is not yours or a balance reported wrongly is worth disputing before you shop.
A 30 day plan before you compare
| Days | What to do | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Pull all three reports and list every open account | Finds errors and shows what a lender will see |
| 4 to 10 | Dispute anything wrong in writing and keep copies | Disputes take time, so start early |
| 11 to 20 | Pay cards down below roughly a third of their limits if you can | Utilization is reported monthly, so the new balances must post |
| 21 to 25 | Gather two recent pay stubs, last year's tax return and a bank statement | Documents are the slowest part of any application |
| 26 to 30 | Compare written offers side by side, then decide | Rate shopping inside a short window is treated as a single inquiry by many scoring models |
Questions that separate a fair offer from a poor one
- Is the origination fee deducted from the money I receive, or added to the balance? Either way it belongs in the total cost.
- Is there a penalty if I pay off early? Most personal loans have none, but ask.
- Does the lender report payments to all three credit bureaus? Reporting is what lets on-time payments help you.
- Can the payment date move, and what happens after a missed payment?
- What is the total I will repay, in dollars, if I keep the loan to the end?
When a good score is not the whole story
Debt-to-income ratio can sink an application that the score would have supported. If most of your monthly income is already spoken for, a lender may offer less than you asked or decline. Use the calculators to see your ratio, and read the CFPB's plain explanation of debt-to-income. If the ratio is the obstacle, a smaller amount or a co-borrower may help more than a better score.
Example: choosing between two offers
With a good score you may see offers that look alike. One offers a 36 month term and no fee, the other a 24 month term and a small fee. The shorter term has a higher payment but costs less in total. Choose by asking whether the higher payment fits your worst month. If it does, the shorter term is usually the cheaper option.
Frequently asked questions
Will I qualify with a 700 score?
Often yes, but each lender has its own criteria. A 700 file with a high debt load can be harder than a 680 file with low debt.
How can I move from good to excellent?
Keep card balances low, pay on time, avoid new accounts and let your history age.
Is a hard inquiry a big deal?
A single inquiry usually has a small effect that fades, but many in a short span can add up.
Should I use a co-signer?
Rarely needed at this level.
What should I check first on an offer?
The APR, fee and term, in writing.
Does checking my match affect my credit score?
Our fit check asks you questions and does not pull your credit report. A lender you later apply with may do a soft or hard inquiry, and it should tell you which before it does.
How many offers should I collect?
Three written offers is a practical minimum. Compare them on total dollars repaid, not on the monthly payment alone.
Is a good score enough?
Not by itself. Lenders also look at income, debts and the amount you request.
Can I negotiate?
You can ask for fee waivers or matching of a competing written offer. Some lenders will.