Credit card debt and revolving charges determines 30% of your FICO scores. High balances or, more precisely, balances that are close to your credit limit can negatively affect your personal credit scores. Thus, one of the best ways to improve your credit rating is by paying off outstanding debts. A debt consolidation loan by means of mortgage refinancing or a home equity loan (second mortgage) can help you do this. On top of that, you may be able to deduct up to 100% of the interest you pay from your taxes. With the new, tougher bankruptcy laws in effect, consolidating your credit card debt with a second mortgage or home equity loans and other consumer debt is a far better option for debt relief than bankruptcy.

The way debt consolidation helps your FICO credit scores not only by raising them, but also by lowering your debt-to-income ratio. A debt-to-income ratio is a measure of financial stability calculated by dividing monthly minimum debt payments by monthly gross income. Typically, the lower your ratio, the better handle you have on debt. The only ways a debt consolidation loan can hurt your FICO scores is if you run up too many inquiries shopping for a loan, run up the debts again after getting the loan or you stop paying your bills on time. If you need a loan, according to Fair Isaac and Company (the creators of the FICO credit scoring system), do your rate shopping within a focused period of time, such as 30 days. FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, in part by the length of time over which inquiries occur. They go on to say that looking for new credit can equate with higher risk, but most credit scores are not affected by multiple inquiries from auto or mortgage lenders within a short period of time.

If you are tempted to use the credit cards you just paid off, cut them up or lock them away in a safety deposit box. But, save two major credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover) and use them SPARINGLY. Keep balances at 30% of your credit limit or lower and pay your bills on time. Closing revolving accounts you have paid can hurt your credit scores by raising your debt-to-income ratio and making your credit history look younger than it actually is. Keep the credit accounts open, but just do not use the credit cards. A refinance or second mortgage for debt consolidation is available as a fixed mortgage rate loan or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Check with your lender to see which is best for you.