Another thing that can raise it, so the mortgage guy told me, are secured loans vs. unsecured. A home mortgage, car loan, home equity loan, 401(k) loan, etc., all have something of value as collateral. Credit doesn't... Since you own your car, one thing you can do is go to the bank and get a loan on the car! Viola, a secured loan. Put the money in a CD or some interest-earning vehicle, pay off the loan on time or early, and you'll have a credit history that only cost you a hundred bucks or so in fees / interest / etc.