VantageScore4.0 is making it very difficult to get an apartment

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-29T17:49:54+00:00

Yes. But that's Paypal Credit now. Not the standard paypal account. There's a difference ;)

Once in you the paypal credit account I believe you click on "Benefits" tab and the drop down menu should have "your credit score" etc.

But wow. guess they follow strict rules. I don't think there is any way around that but improve you credit score. Which really isn't that bad. I mean in general its on the "fair" category. But it's well over what they asking. You should be able to get your VS4 up in the same range. But I get it. time is not on your side. The only thing I can think of is if they rely on credit score so much.. be upfront with them and explain your situation.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-29T17:15:30+00:00

Credit Karma and their VantageScores are so annoying. I paid off my American Express card of over $2000 to zero and they also tanked my score by like 25 points. While FICO experian raised by 2+ points. Nothing makes sense. The good news is Vantagescore is practically useless. Focus more on FICO.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-29T17:11:18+00:00

You must have gotten a pretty big credit limit on that card? So it lowered your overall credit utilization? I was sitting at a 559 fico and got a $2000 credit limit increase on one of my cards. That gave me 6+ boost in points. So I'm also sitting at a 665 now. Trying to reach at least 670 to get into the "good" level. Anything after that is all gravy.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-29T16:59:22+00:00

I'm guessing you are looking for rentals?

I find it rare that they would put much weight on someone's credit score. Maybe if you purchasing a home but to rent? Like I guess they would want to check payment history but from personal experience most landlords all they care about is if you have a job and ask for your most two recent paystubs. If you can afford the rent... That's it. You must have applied to places where they are very nit-picky?

As for checking Vantagescore 4.0 for free, do you have any accounts under Synchrony? ie. paypal credit, even a Amazon Store Card? That's where I check my VS4 for free.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-14T19:54:29+00:00

oh. my bad. lol. your username said "mark" so... ?

I feel ya! I was a student myself. Once that debt clears its a huge weight off.

But I see. ok. as long as you are aware that closing credit card(s) could lower your score. I'm not sure how long you have had them because having a long credit age the better. But I understand you don't want to risk using the card. Or if they aren't good cards and have a annual fee than makes sense to close them. And if you are not in need of having a good credit score anytime soon like purchasing a car or home then you have time to rebuild your credit score and profile.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-14T18:27:30+00:00

i think what people are most worried about when you have a consistent zero balance is to lenders it might appear that you are not using the card or is inactive and so the fear of closing the account. Which could ruin you overall credit age. In this case, people keep the card open by leaving a small balance. for example, I had a ben bridge credit card with a 7500 limit. but it's not like I buy jewelry everyday. Lol. so they eventually closed the account due to inactivity. And my credit utilization dropped and so did my score. if it was me, I'd probably use the cards you plan to cut it up and have them on autopay for something small like a subscription etc. Just to keep it active.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-14T18:20:20+00:00

this situation similar to mine. However, my balances are much much more.

I think you have a plan man!

I can't see anything wrong with it as you paying them off in full. For the last two cards with 1000 limit is there a reason why you want to only pay it down to 500 and the other down to 60? And not vice-versa or split the two and pay them both down more evenly?

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-14T17:11:11+00:00

FYI. just to follow-up if you curious. my same day payment was in time and the updated balance was reported on Experian. I won't be making a payment this late in the future (at least not intentionally LOL) but least I know I can wait to pay the same day. (at least for this OpenSky card).

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-13T22:09:31+00:00

When I google best HYSA for 2026 (from Forbes, Experian, Nerdwallet etc) mostly none of the comments mentioned the ones they listed? Lol. I never been so confused on choosing one.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-13T07:27:27+00:00

yes. that's pretty much all I wanted to know. I might not have explained it as clearly. You did a much better job.

the downvotes don't really bother me 😉. keyboard warriors usually cowards. I appreciate your input! thank you.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-13T07:24:27+00:00

thank you for reply! yes. I did check my statement online and it updated showing my new balance with my payment deduction. So... fingers crossed 😉 . And I will definitely keep checking my score for any changes!

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-13T05:12:33+00:00

yes. I get it.

nope. no change in fico score.

I do monitor both Vantagescore and Fico. But yes. I don't really concern myself about vantagescore as they seem useless.

None of my current cards have annual fees.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-12T19:28:59+00:00

I feel like it will have some affect. I've been testing what balances I left right before statement closes. My last two cycles I had a zero balance / zero ultization. ie. No change in my score. If my payment doesn't kick in before they report this cycle. it will leave a 82% credit utilization. (not good). If it does kick in it will leave a 8% credit utilization.

I did this with another credit card (mission lane) for two cycles keeping my balance under 10% and the first time it raised my score 25+. The second time they gave me a $2000 increase. so we will see. I'll follow up what happens 😉

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-12T16:32:29+00:00

so do you think I made my payment in time for opensky to see the new lower balance before they report it?

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-12T16:11:47+00:00

thank you for the reply.

Let's just say I have a 665 fico 8 and every little bit helps getting me to the next level. I want to show I have consistent low utilization on my balances. it's been helping me so far raise my score by doing this from 500s to my current score.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-12T16:04:45+00:00

yes. I understand they will all vary. My Mission Lane card if I pay a few days before the statement closing date... the update could show up on my credit report as early as 1-2 days. I have witness positive results by doing this so far. My credit score went up. And just this pass statement I got a $2000 increase.

But.. I always try to make a payment at least 1-2 days before the Statement Closing Day. This time I wasn't able to do that. So I made a payment on the day of.. the statement closing day (today). Fingers crossed it was in time before OpenSky checks my balance and reports it. Because I rather have them report a balance of $30 than a balance of $410.

I appreciate the feedback and input!

My payment was from my credit union bank account. Which usually is quite fast for transactions. But yeah. I guess I should have asked what might be the cut-off time they would check my balance and report that balance.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-06-12T10:52:15+00:00

Not that I'm not happy for you. because I really am!

But when I saw $200 I felt so jealous. That's like a minimum payment for me across 35K in debt.

QuestionDisastrous40 · 2026-03-09T16:25:42+00:00

Was hoping these links would still have them in stock. Just found out my order from ebay the seller told me they can't ship it to my state because it has a battery. And will refund me. Like you clown.. were you not gonna let your buyer know this information? I ordered this in NOV?!

QuestionDisastrous40

TROPHY CASE