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Start with a secured card from your bank. Pay in full every month. Carrying a balance does nothing for your credit, it will actually lower your score because you have less available credit. Graduate to a real credit card when your bank offers, and continue to pay every month. Payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score.
The old secured loan trick might help, get a small secured loan for 6 months. Pay ontime and you will see a small increase. It will cost you the interest, but gain a few points. 12 month loan would be better. Dont pay it off early, you want the payment history.
Paying your home loan on time will help the most. You dont want to go overboard requesting credit to try and gain credit. Dont get more than 1 or 2 credit cards. Dont get credit cards from places like Target or Best buy. Dont carry a balance, it doesnt raise your score to be paying interest. Its just based on your on time payments, available credit, length of account, etc
Lastly, make sure you try to remove anything negative from your credit report. Go to each of the 3 credit credit bureaus online, buy a $9 report from each, then dispute anything you see wrong. Improving your credit will take at least 12 months of on time payments.
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