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Buying a house at auction could be a great opportunity to scoop up a deal on a property. When homes are auctioned off, either due to foreclosure or other reasons, the highest bidder gets the property. Once the property is yours, you could move in, rent it out, or fix and flip it.

How does a house auction work? In terms of the mechanics, they’re not that different from other types of auctions. If you’ve ever been to an estate auction or charity auction, for example, then you might already have an idea of what to expect. But the dollar amounts are likely higher than you would encounter in a typical auction, so if you’re considering buying a house at auction, it’s wise to study the landscape before you start. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are House Auctions?

An auction is a sale that’s open to the public in which something is sold to the highest bidder. House auctions are regulated by state laws. An auction house or company can run the auction on behalf of whoever owns the home, which may be a bank, lender, or individual. How does an auction house work? Auction companies typically get a share of the sale proceeds in exchange for running the auction.

Real estate auctions can save buyers the time and stress of house-hunting for weeks or months on end. If you’re paying cash for the home — and most auction winners do — you don’t have to go through the home mortgage loan process either.

Why Are Some Houses Sold at Auction?

There are different reasons why a home may be sold at auction, but it’s often due to financial hardship on the part of the owner. For example, a home could be auctioned for sale if the owner:

•   Defaulted on the mortgage payments and the home is in foreclosure

•   Agreed to a short sale with the bank in order to avoid foreclosure

•   Failed to make property tax payments

•   Had their property seized as part of a government forfeiture

•   Didn’t pay homeowners association fees as agreed

In other instances, a homeowner may decide to put a property up for auction simply to unload it quickly. If someone inherits a home, for instance, they might decide to auction it off so they can walk away with cash in hand rather than listing the property on the market and waiting for it to sell.

Recommended: What Is a HUD Home?

How Do Auctions Work?

How does an auction work for a house? It’s not that different from any other type of auction. The auction company can announce the date and time of the auction beforehand, giving prospective bidders a chance to research the details of the property. People place bids on the property, either in person or online, by a prearranged deadline, and the person submitting the highest bid wins.

Types of Auctions

House auctions can be absolute, minimum bid, or reserve. How the auction is structured can depend on the seller’s preferences. Here’s how each type of auction works.

•   Absolute auction. In an absolute auction, the property is sold to the highest bidder. Unless there are no bidders at all, a sale is guaranteed.

•   Minimum bid auction. In a minimum bid auction, the auction company sets a minimum bid amount. Bidders must then submit starting bids that are equal to or above that amount.

•   Reserve auction. In this scenario, a minimum bid is not published but the seller reserves the right to reject any bids that don’t meet their reserve price — sometimes as much as several days after the auction concludes. This means there is no guarantee that the property will actually be sold, even to the highest bidder.

House auctions can be held online or in person. The format may depend on the auction house or again, the seller’s preferences.

Most auctions, including house auctions, also involve a buyer’s premium in addition to the so-called “hammer price” (the winning bid). The buyer’s premium is typically a percentage of the hammer price, usually under 10%. The premium is not part of your bid, but you should know what it is and factor that into your overall budget for bidding so that you don’t exceed your resources.

Types of Bids

In addition to there being different types of house auctions, there can also be different types of bids. The seller has the option to choose whether they’d like bids to be blind or open.

•   Blind bids. In a blind bid auction, bids are not disclosed. In other words, you won’t know what the person next to you is bidding. This type of bidding requires buyers to be able to make an educated guess in order to avoid overpaying for a property.

•   Open bids. In an open bid auction, bidders can see what price everyone else is offering for a property. This type of arrangement offers transparency and makes it less likely that you’ll overbid, however, it can lead to a bidding war if there’s a lot of competition for a property.

If you’re researching how buying a house at auction works, it’s important to know which type of bid arrangement the auction house uses beforehand. Otherwise, you could end up in a situation where bidding gets tricky and you risk going over budget or losing the property.

How Much Should I Bid?

There is no simple answer to this question, as the amount you’ll need to bid to win a house at auction can depend on the terms of the auction itself. If you’re in a minimum bid auction, for instance, then you’ll need to bid at least enough to meet the seller’s base requirements. However, you may need to bid well above the minimum to win the auction.

Doing your research before auction day can help you get a better idea of how much to bid on a house at auction. If you know, for example, that there’s still $100,000 remaining on the mortgage of a foreclosed home then you might set that amount as your maximum bid if there is no minimum.

However, you’d also want to know what the home is worth. If the property’s appraised value is only $70,000, then you’d likely want to adjust your maximum bid down. The more you know about the property, the easier it becomes to establish your minimum and maximum thresholds for bidding.

Example of a House Auction

How does buying a house at auction work in real life? Again, it can depend on several factors, including the state the auction is being held in, the auction company that’s being used, the seller’s preferences, and the home itself. Here’s an example of what an absolute, open-bid auction might look like.

You, along with other prospective buyers, are bidding on a home with no minimum. You know from your research that the property has an appraised value of $80,000 so you decide your maximum bid will be $70,000. Another buyer makes an opening bid of $30,000, which is followed by bids of $35,000, $42,000, $53,000, and $60,000 from the remaining bidders.

At this point, you decide to bid $63,000, which is still under your maximum bid threshold. As the auction continues, buyers one and two stop making new bids. Buyer three counters with $65,000 and you bid $67,000. Buyer three bumps their bid to $69,000, which prompts you to go to $70,000.

If there are no more bids, then you win the property and move on to the next step, which is to arrange payment with the auction company. If buyer three counters with $72,000, you’d need to decide if you want to go above your maximum bid or let the property go.

Buying a House at Auction: In Person vs. Online

Auction companies can host home auctions in person or online. The process is still largely the same, though there are some differences to know.

In Person

At an in-person auction, you and other interested bidders will meet at an appointed date, time, and place to make your bids. An auctioneer will run the auction and accept bids, according to the seller’s preferences. Should you win an in-person home auction, you’ll need to make arrangements for payment that day.

Attending an in-person auction can be more stressful if you’re in an open bidding situation and it starts to get competitive. You might be driven by emotion to make a bid that you otherwise wouldn’t if you felt less pressure to secure a particular property.

Online

Online house auctions also require you to show up at an appointed day and time to place your bids but you’re able to do it from the comfort of home or wherever you happen to be at the moment, as long as you have a strong internet connection. You and other buyers can make bids on the property and again, the winner gets the home.

Buying a house at auction online may be more convenient if you’re not able to go to the auction site in person. You could bid on homes on your lunch break at work or while you’re waiting in the carpool line to pick up kids from school. You may feel less pressure since you’re not surrounded by other eager buyers shouting out bids.

How to Find Real Estate Auctions

There are several ways to find real estate auctions near you, starting with an online search. You can visit real estate auction websites and filter for properties near you by your current location. Auction websites may also allow you to filter by property type or opening bid so you can narrow down your search to find properties that fit your budget. The number of properties available is driven in part by foreclosure rates in each state.

You can also look for home auctions near you using other means, including:

•   Craigslist

•   Facebook

•   Local newspaper advertisements

•   County treasurer or tax assessment notices online

•   County court websites

If you know a local real estate agent, you might also contact them to ask if they know of any upcoming property auctions. Finally, you can ask around with friends, family, or coworkers to see if anyone in your circle has a lead on a home that may be going up for auction.

What Bidders Need to Know

Before buying a house at auction, there are a few rules to be aware of. If you’re a first-time homebuyer or investor, here’s what you’ll need to know.

•   You don’t need a real estate agent to buy a house at auction, though it might be helpful to talk to one informally about how the auction works or the details of a home you’re interested in.

•   Houses sold at auction are usually as-is, meaning that if you buy a home that needs repairs, you’re responsible for making them.

•   Depending on the reason for the auction and who the seller is, you may not be able to get a full home inspection (or any inspection) before buying.

•   You may need to bring cash to the auction house to make a down payment or pay in full for any properties you win.

•   If you’d like to attend a house auction online, you may first need to demonstrate to the auction company that you’re a qualified, legitimate buyer.

•   Failing to follow through on the purchase after winning can result in the loss of any down payment or deposit you’ve made and you could also be barred from participating in future auctions.

It’s usually a good idea to read through the auction company’s policies beforehand so you know what obligations you have in attending the auction and if you win a bid.

Pros and Cons of Real Estate Auctions

Should you buy a house at auction? There are some advantages and disadvantages involved. On the pro side, you could buy a home for much less than what you could purchase one for on the open market. Homes that sell at auction may sell for below their appraised value, which could make it easier to find a bargain on a property. That might appeal to you if home prices are where you live have put home buying out of reach.

How much money you can save when buying a house at auction can depend on how motivated the seller is to get rid of it as well as the overall demand for properties in that area. When you compare the cost of living by state, the cost of living in California is much higher than other areas, largely because of how competitive the housing market is.

In terms of the downsides, most homes at auction are sold as-is. You run the risk of buying a home that looks like a great deal on paper, only to find out that it needs extensive repairs in order for it to be livable. If you’re trying to make some quick money with a fix and flip investment, for example, the final profit may fall short of your goals.

Another concern is ensuring a clear title on the property, particularly if it is in foreclosure or bank-owned. Order a title report on the property and look for secondary mortgage or tax liens. Sometimes the auction agreement will make the buyer responsible for these costs, so it’s a good idea to read the agreement carefully and to buy title insurance as well.

Unless the auction house offers a financing option, you’ll need to have cash on hand to complete the purchase. Coming up with tens of thousands of dollars to buy a home in cash may not be realistic for the average buyer. Last but not least, house auctions aren’t guaranteed. You’ll still need to go through escrow and closing on the property and, during that time, if the original homeowner is able to work out an agreement with the lender or bank that allows them to keep the home, your efforts to try to buy it could come to nothing. Think of winning a house auction as winning the right to buy the house, not winning the house itself.

Recommended: What Is a VA Loan?

Tips to Buying Auction Homes

If you’re interested in how to buy a foreclosed home or bank-owned property at auction, it pays to do your research as mentioned. For example, you might ask these questions before the auction.

•   Why is the home being sold?

•   Is it a foreclosure or bank-owned?

•   Will I be able to inspect the property beforehand or is it being sold as-is?

•   What type of auction is it and are bids open or blind?

•   How much cash will I need to bring? How much would I need to have easily at hand in the event that I have the winning bid?

•   Does the auction house allow financing?

•   What happens if the owner is able to reclaim the property?

The other tip to keep in mind is to know what you can comfortably bid, based on your budget. A real estate agent can also give you some valuable insight into the condition of the local housing market, which may make it easier to identify a good or bad buy.

If you go into a house auction without a firm limit set, it’s easy to go over budget and potentially end up paying too much for a property.

Risks of Buying Houses at House Auctions

House auctions are not risk-free, as you’re not always guaranteed total transparency. Some of the biggest risks to be aware of include:

•   Buying a home as-is, only to find out it needs a lot of work to make it livable. Big-ticket problems that may not be immediately visible might include mold, a defective septic system, or electrical problems.

•   Getting caught in a bidding war and paying too much for a property

•   Tying up all of your cash in an investment property that may take months to become profitable

•   Having your bid superseded if the homeowner is able to work out a last-minute agreement with the bank or lender

Being aware of the risks can help you to decide if buying a house at auction is right for you. And remember that there are other ways to invest in property, without having to own it directly. For example, you might collect dividends from a real estate investment trust (REIT), hold real estate mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in your brokerage account, or buy property alongside other investors through a real estate crowdfunding platform. If you are open to investing in commercial real estate, real estate options contracts are, well, another option.

The Takeaway

If you’re interested in how to buy a house on auction for yourself, it’s important to know what the risks are and what the process involves. At the end of the day, you might find that it’s easier to go the traditional route for buying a home.

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FAQ

What are the advantages of buying a house on auction?

Buying a house at auction could save you money if you’re able to pay less for a property than you would on the open market. Home auctions can offer opportunities for investors or would-be first-time buyers to save money on the purchase of a property.

What is the benefit of an auction house?

Houses sold at auction can be more affordable than homes sold on the open market. That’s an advantage if you’d like to buy a home, either to live in or as an investment property, but high prices are keeping you out of the housing market.

What happens when you bid at an auction?

When you make a bid on a house at auction, your bid can be topped by another prospective buyer or accepted if it’s the highest bid. If you make a winning bid, then you can move to the next phase, which involves signing the necessary paperwork and arranging payment to assume ownership of the home. \

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Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Who doesn’t like a bit of extra cash in their pocket? And earning money from spending you’re already doing is arguably even better. If you prefer cash-back rewards with your credit cards, a card that features a 2% cash back flat rate — meaning 2% back on all purchases — can be a solid way to reap rewards.

Let’s go over the ins and outs of what 2% cash back actually means, as well as the pros and cons of a 2% cash-back credit card, to help you determine whether it’s worth your while.

What Is Cash Back?

Cash back is a form of reward that cash-back credit cards offer that allows you to earn money back on purchases you make. Other examples of credit card rewards include points or travel miles.

With a flat-rate cash-back card, all of your purchases earn the same amount in cash back. Other credit card issuers might offer higher cash-back rates on certain spending categories, such as on gas or groceries.
Meanwhile, some may feature rotating bonus categories to give your rewards-earning abilities a boost. For example, you might earn 5% cash back in the fall months on purchases made at restaurants and on gas.

You can redeem the cash-back rewards you earn in the form of a check, bank transfer, or gift card, or as a statement credit. Other options might include making a charitable donation or making a purchase through the issuer’s online portal. Depending on the credit card, there might be a spending threshold you need to meet before you can redeem your cash-back rewards.

What Is 2% Cash Back?

If you’re wondering, ‘What does 2% cash back mean exactly?,’ here’s how it works. Earning 2% cash back simply means that for every $100 you spend on your credit card, you’ll get $2 back. So if you were to spend $1,000, that’s $20 back in your pocket — though you’ll then have to redeem that cash back in order to make the rewards usable.

How 2% Cash-Back Credit Cards Work

As mentioned previously, having a 2% cash-back credit card means you’ll earn 2 cents back for every $1 you spend using the card, or $2 for every $100, and so forth.

There might not be a limit to how much you can earn in cash back. However, in other cases, the card may cap the amount of cash-back rewards you can earn for either regular spending or spending in bonus categories.

Pros and Cons of 2% Cash Back

While a 2% cash back card does come with some advantages, there are some drawbacks as well. Let’s take a look at both:

Pros and Cons of a 2% Cash Back Card
Pros	Cons
Easy to use	Higher APRs compared to non-rewards credit cards
Can rack up rewards quickly	Earning caps may apply
Often no annual fee	Don’t often offer travel rewards or perks

Pros

•   Easy to use: A major benefit of a 2% cash-back credit card is that the rules are simple: You spend money, and get a certain amount back. Plus, redeeming rewards is usually pretty straightforward, and you have a choice of how to do so.

•   Can rack up rewards quickly: If you use your credit card for everyday purchases, you’ll accrue rewards fairly fast. Of course, only put everyday purchases on your card if you can afford to pay them off, and always use your card responsibly, considering what a credit card is and the implications overspending can have for your credit score.

•   Often no annual fee: Many cash-back cards don’t have an annual fee. That means you won’t need to worry about spending enough to offset the fee.

Cons

•   Higher APRs compared to non-rewards credit cards: While your annual percentage rate (APR) on a card partly depends on your credit and other financial factors, rewards credit cards like cash-back cards tend to carry higher interest rates. If you keep a balance on your account, you can expect to pay a pretty penny in interest, given how credit cards work.

•   Earning caps may apply: While some credit cards allow you to earn unlimited cash-back rewards, others place a limit on how much you can earn. If you’re looking to max out your rewards potential, a cap could make that harder to do.

•   Don’t often offer travel rewards or perks: If you’re hoping to earn rewards that apply to travel, such as airline trips or hotel stays, a cash-back credit card likely isn’t the form of rewards credit card for you. While some cards may offer travel redemption options, most don’t, and many also charge foreign transaction fees.

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Is a 2% Cash Back-Credit Card Worth It?

Whether a 2% cash-back credit card is worth it really depends on how you’ll use the credit card. This includes what types of purchases you’d like to make, and if you plan on using your card for bills and everyday expenses, such as gas and groceries. If you use the credit card regularly, you’ll be able to earn a greater amount of cash-back rewards.

However, you’ll also want to balance that spending with sticking to important credit card rules, like not spending more than you can afford to pay off. Because rewards credit cards tend to have higher interest rates, it’s important to avoid carrying a balance so you don’t cancel out the cash back you earn.

A cash-back rewards card might not be worth it if you prefer to use your credit card rewards for travel. In that case, a travel rewards credit card typically will offer more lucrative ways to earn points or miles to use on trips.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Guide to Using a 2% Cash-Back Credit Card

If you get a 2% cash-back card, here are some tips to keep in mind to use it effectively:

•   Read the redemption rules. Familiarize yourself with credit card requirements, and see if there are any limits on how much cash back you can earn. Similarly, check if you need to hit a minimum amount in cash-back earnings before you can redeem those rewards.

•   Be intentional with your purchases. Devise a plan for how you intend to use your cash-back credit card. Perhaps you would prefer to use it on big-ticket items, or maybe on seasonal purchases, such as during the holidays or back-to-school season. This will help you make the most of your card.

•   Choose how you’ll receive your rewards. You’ll also want to decide whether you plan on receiving the cash-back in the form of an ACH transfer to your account, as statement credit, or as a check dropped in the mail. You also might be able to use your rewards by making online purchases through the credit card’s shopping portal, or by purchasing gift cards or donating to charity.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score

Maximizing 2% Cash-Back Earnings

If you have a cash-back credit card, it’s worth your while to take the time to determine how to maximize your earnings. Here are several ways to do so.

Use Your Card For Everyday Purchases and Bills

Consider using your cash-back card on major spending categories to earn the most on rewards. For example, if you spend $4,500 a year on food for you and your family and put all of your groceries and dining expenses on your card, you’ll get $90 in cash-back on just that spending alone.

You might also consider putting your recurring bills and subscription services on your credit cards. This will allow you to scoop up points in areas you already spend.

Just make sure you aren’t spending beyond your means. Keep an eye on your expenditures, and commit to paying off your balance in full each month.

Put Big-Ticket Buys on Your Card

If you’ve been saving up for a sleek new laptop or coveted designer shoes, consider putting that cost on your 2% cash-back card. That way, you can get the item and earn a bit of cash back on the purchase.

Your card may even come with added perks, such as purchase protection or an extended manufacturer’s warranty.

Look for a Card With No Annual Fee

A card without an annual fee means you won’t need to spend as much to make the cash-back rewards worthwhile. Case in point: If you get a card with a $40 annual fee, you’ll need to put $2,000 in purchases to break even at a 2% cash-back rewards rate.

Pay Off Your Balance in Full Each Month

As cash-back credit cards tend to have higher APRs, make it a point to pay off your card in full. This will help you avoid racking up interest charges, which can cut into the cash-back rewards you earn.

Recommended: What is a Charge Card

Strategize When You’d Like to Redeem Your Cash Back

To maximize your 2% cash-back rewards card, it helps to be intentional with how you choose to redeem your cash-back rewards as well as when you do so. For instance, if you tend to dig a debt hole during the holidays, use your rewards to pay for gifts and other related expenses. Or, you can put the rewards you’ve accumulated toward a statement credit, or redeem it for a gift card for your loved one.

The Takeaway

Whether a 2% cash-back credit card is right for you may depend on a few considerations, such as how often you plan to use the card, whether you may purchase higher-priced items with it, and if you plan to pay off the balance in full each month. It’s also important to understand all of the rules that apply to the credit card. Some cards have limits on how much you can earn in cash back or have annual fees that could cut into the value of your rewards.

A 2% cash-back credit card that’s used regularly, however, can provide you with a steady stream of extra cash that could benefit your budget, and you can also be strategic about how you redeem the rewards depending on your needs at a given time.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Is 2% cash back good for credit cards?

A 2% flat-rate, cash-back credit card can be a strong choice as a go-to credit card if you intend to use your card for everyday spending. Earning rewards at a flat rate and in this manner is simple and straightforward, as you don’t have to worry about keeping track of rotating categories or figuring out point conversion values.

Is 2% cash back better than points?

A 2% cash back credit card is a no-hassle, straightforward way to earn rewards. While you might earn more points on a travel card, redemption values and ways to redeem points on a travel rewards card can be more complicated. A flat-rate cash-back card can be a good choice to use as a foundation. Then, you can also open a travel card if it makes sense for your needs.

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Photo credit: iStock/LaylaBird

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Learning how to achieve and maintain a good credit score is a crucial part of your financial health. Not only can it be a badge that says your financial life is in good shape, it can also help you access credit and get approved for loans and insurance at more competitive rates. Being approved for lower interest rates and premiums can in turn save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

A solid credit score can also have other perks, such as helping you get approved for products with better features, such as rewards credit cards.

While there’s no one size fits all solution on how to keep a good credit score, there are some best practices you can follow. Read on to learn more about this topic and actual tactics, including:

•   What is a credit score?

•   How can you maintain a good credit score?

•   What are tips to keep your credit score high?

•   How can new credit card users establish a credit score?

What Is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a three digit number ranging from 300 to 850 that is an indicator of your credit behavior. Your score is calculated based on your credit history from all three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and is based on how lenders may perceive your risk as a borrower.

What exactly does that mean? By reviewing your past use of credit, your score reveals if you are more or less likely to pay back your loans on time. If you are more likely to repay your debts in a timely manner, the less risky you are.

The higher your credit score, the more creditworthy you are in the eyes of lenders.

What Affects Your Credit Score?

Several factors can affect your credit score, such as your payment history, the number of loan or credit applications submitted, and the age of your accounts you hold. There are also different scoring models, such as FICO vs. VantageScore. Each weighs factors differently to arrive at a credit score. Meaning, there may be some differences in your credit score.

Lenders may look at one credit score or all of them, plus different qualification criteria when deciding whether to approve you for a loan and at what interest rate.

How Is Your Credit Score Calculated?

Though there are different credit scoring models, most use similar financial behaviors to calculate them.

They’re grouped in the following categories:

•   Payment history: This factor is one of the most important factors in your credit score as it assesses whether you’re likely to pay your loan on time. Credit scoring models will look into current and past account activity, including any late or missed payments.

•   Amounts owed or available credit: The percentage of the available balance you’re using is your credit utilization. The more you are using available credit in your revolving accounts (like your credit cards and lines of credit), the more it could appear you rely too much on credit. This can make you look like a risky person to whom to lend.

•   Age of credit history: The longer your credit history, the more a lender can look into your credit behavior. It’s usually considered good to have a long credit history vs. a very short or recent one.

•   Account types: Having a different mix of loans offers more insight into how you handle various accounts. Credit-scoring models may not, however, use this as a major factor when calculating your score.

•   New or recent credit: The more recent applications you submit for new loans or credit accounts, the more risky you may appear to be. That’s because it may look like you need to rely on credit; that you are quickly trying to acquire different forms of access to funds.

(There are some exceptions, such as shopping around for mortgages within a short span of time.)

8 Tips for Maintaining Your Credit Score

Understanding the importance of a good credit score and what goes into it can help you protect the one you have. The following are eight suggestions on how to maintain a good credit score.

1. Pay Your Credit Card Bills on Time

Ensuring you’re on top of your bills (not just your credit cards) will help keep a positive payment history in your credit reports. This is the single biggest contributing factor to your credit score at 30% to 40%. Consider setting up automatic payments or regular reminders to ensure you’re paying on time.

2. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low

Your credit utilization is the percentage of the available limit you’re using on your revolving accounts like credit cards. Basically, you don’t want to spend close to or at your credit limit. A good rule of thumb to follow is to now use more than 30% of your overall credit limit.

So if you have one credit card with up to $10,000 as the limit, you want to keep your balance at $3,000 or lower.

3. Maintain Credit History With Older Credit Cards

Even if you don’t use your older credit cards that often, keeping them open means you can maintain your long credit history. Consider charging a small or occasional amount, whether an espresso or gas station fuel-up, to ensure your account stays open. This can reassure prospective lenders that you have been managing credit well for years.

4. Apply for a New Card Only When Important

Consider this as you try to keep a good credit score: Go slow. Since credit-scoring models look at the number of times you apply for new credit, only open one when you really need it. Stay strong in the face of offers to get free shipping or 10% off if you sign up for a card that many retailers promote.

Spreading out your applications is a good idea rather than regularly or heavily putting in a lot of card applications. By moving steadily and choosing a credit card and other types of funding carefully, you likely won’t raise red flags, such as that you need to rely heavily on credit.

5. Frequently Check Your Credit Reports for Errors

Mistakes can happen, and errors in your credit reports could negatively affect your score. You can get your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com from all three credit bureaus.

It’s wise to check your credit scores regularly, which won’t impact your score. If you see an error — whether it’s an account you don’t own or a bill marked unpaid that you know you took care of — dispute it as soon as possible.

6. Make Payments in Full When Possible

Making payments in full will help you maintain a positive payment history and lower your credit utilization. Both of these can maintain your creditworthiness and save you money on interest charges.

7. Don’t Close Old Credit Cards

Closing your old credit cards could shorten your credit history. It could also increase your credit utilization because it will lower your available credit limit. Even if you make the same amount in purchases, your credit utilization would go up when your credit score updates.

For example, if you currently have an overall credit limit of $28,000 and you have $7,000 in credit card balances, your credit utilization is 25%. If you close a credit card which had a $7,000 limit, you then lower your total available credit to $21,000 your credit utilization will go up to 33%.

8. Live Within Your Credit Means

It can be hard to say no to an invitation to try a pricey new restaurant or not tap to buy when scrolling through social media. But when you let your spending get out of hand, you may use your credit cards too much. It can feel like free money in the moment — but you still have to pay it back. If you overextend yourself, you may find it hard to pay your balance on time and risk a late or missed payment.

Instead, spend only what you can afford and try to avoid lifestyle creep (having your spending rise with your pay increases or even beyond them). That can help provide some guardrails for using credit cards responsibly.

Establishing a Credit Score for New Credit Card Users

Trying to establish a credit score can be a challenge since, ironically enough, you need credit to build credit.

If you are in this situation, there are several options to pursue, such as the following:

•   Open a secured credit card: A secured credit card is one where you’ll put down a refundable cash deposit that will act as your credit line. You can use this to establish credit and apply for an unsecured credit card. Some issuers will upgrade you once you make consistent on-time payments for a predetermined amount of time.

•   Apply for a credit builder loan: These types of loans are specifically geared towards helping you establish and build credit over time. Instead of getting the loan proceeds like a traditional loan, the funds are held in an escrow account until you pay back the loan in full.

•   Become an authorized user: You can ask a loved one, like a parent or even a close friend, if they’re willing to add your name on their credit card account. Doing so means the credit account will go in your credit history. Of course, that doesn’t give you access to use their account without restraint. The guardrails can be established between you and the original card holder.

The Takeaway

Maintaining a good credit score (and keeping that score high over time) comes with perks such as increasing the likelihood of getting approved for loans at more favorable terms. You might qualify for lower interest rates, saving you a considerable amount of money over time.

Using a credit card wisely is one of the ways you can build and maintain your credit score. But that’s not all there is to opening a credit: You also likely want one with great perks.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

How can I maintain my credit score?

You can maintain your credit score by consistently making on-time payments, keeping a low credit utilization, and limiting applications for new credit.

Why is it important to maintain a good credit score?

Maintaining a good credit score can help increase the chances of getting approved for loans with more favorable rates and terms. It can also mean lower insurance premiums.

How can I maintain a good credit score without debt?

You can maintain a good credit score by paying off all your credit card balances each month so you don’t carry that kind of debt. Keeping older accounts open and using them occasionally can also contribute to a good credit score.

What can I do to build a good credit rating?

You can build a good credit rating by ensuring you’re making payments on time, not using all your available credit limit, and being careful in applying for new loans (that is, don’t apply for too many lines of credit too quickly). These are some of the best ways to achieve and maintain a good credit rating.

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Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImages

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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Direct deposits and paper checks are both ways to move money from one bank account to another, typically for payroll purposes, but there’s a difference: A direct deposit automatically transfers wages from an employer to an employee’s bank account. While a paycheck is also a money transfer, it involves the employer cutting a check from their bank account. The payee or recipient can then deposit the funds into their bank account or cash the check at a local business.

Although both payment methods help employers pay their employees and conduct other fund transfers, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. It can be helpful to understand the pros and cons so you can decide the best way to receive your salary or move money around.

Read on to learn the details, including:

•   What is direct deposit?

•   What are the benefits and downsides of direct deposit?

•   What are the pros and cons of paper checks?

•   When should you use direct deposit vs. a paper check?

What Is Direct Deposit?

Direct deposit is an electronic transfer of funds to a bank account. By using direct deposit, a payee can automatically send money to another party’s bank account without handling paper checks or cash. It’s quick and convenient for both an employer and employee, whisking funds from one account to another. This method can also help employers cut costs since they don’t have to print and mail checks every pay period.

For these reasons, direct deposit has become very popular. In fact, according to the 2022 “Getting Paid In America” survey, almost 94% of workers receive their paycheck via direct deposit.

That said, receiving a direct deposit from your employer isn’t the only way to use the technique for transferring funds. You can use it for other transactions including:

•   Getting a tax refund

•   Receiving child support

•   Getting Social Security benefits

•   Paying bills like garbage, electric, and water bills (this may be set up through your bank’s “bill pay” option).

Pros and Cons of Direct Deposit

Using direct deposit has its upsides and downsides. First, here are some of this the significant advantages of this financial process:

•   Convenient. Technological advancements have made direct deposits a fast and easy way to receive and send money. The payee and payer don’t need to travel to the bank to write or deposit checks since the funds transfer electronically from one account to the other.

•   Safe. When you exchange cash or a check, there is a possibility that funds can be lost or stolen. Since all direct deposits happen electronically, you don’t have to worry about a thief swiping your money.

•   Efficient. Many employers offer direct deposit because it helps expedite the payroll process. Funds are automatically transferred from their bank account to those of the recipients. There’s no need for an employee to pick up a check, deposit it, and wait for it to clear. The time it takes for direct deposit to go through can be hard to beat.

•   Avoid maintenance fees. Some banks will do away with maintenance fees if you set up direct deposit, which can be a nice financial perk.

•   Boost savings. Sometimes, you can identify a percentage of your paycheck and direct it to be deposited into your savings when you get paid. This way, you can automate your savings and pad that account without thinking about it.

While direct deposit is convenient, safe, and efficient, there are also some downsides you should consider.

•   Risk of cyber crimes. Yes, there are hackers and other sorts of criminals out there. Direct deposits are vulnerable to cyber crimes since all transactions occur electronically. While banks and financial institutions take precautions to keep bank accounts safe online, direct deposits may still be somewhat susceptible to cyber theft.

•   Requires a bank account. Direct deposits usually require the payee and payer to have a bank account. That’s not possible for folks who lack traditional bank accounts. They may need to find an alternative solution to send or receive payments.

•   Fees. Depending on your bank, you may have to pay a set-up fee to initiate direct deposits. Check with your bank to verify any potential costs before you get started.

•   Errors are easily missed. Because payments are 100% electronic, you may not have the opportunity or inclination to review the pay stub as you would with, say, a paper check. Not looking over your paystub regularly can make it easier to miss errors such as an incorrect paycheck amount.

Now, here’s how the pros and cons of direct deposit stack up in chart form:

Pros	Cons
No risk of losing cash or a check	Risk of cyber crimes
Convenient	Requires a bank account
May avoid account fees	May have to pay a fee to set up direct deposit
Can set up auto-transfers to savings	Errors can be easily missed

Recommended: What Is an Electronic Check?

Pros and Cons of Paper Checks

Now, let’s consider the benefits and disadvantages of using time-honored paper checks. First, the upsides:

•   Protects privacy. When you decide to use paper checks, you can keep your banking information private from your employer. For some people, it may provide peace of mind to know that your employer doesn’t have access to your bank account.

•   Save money on banking fees. Some banks charge fees for setting up direct deposit. If you prefer not to pay these fees, you can likely cash your paper checks for free.

•   May include an informative paystub. For some people, looking at their paystub is more convenient with a paper check. They can assess the deductions and other aspects of their wages without going hunting for the information online.

Drawbacks to using paper checks include:

•   Risk of theft. When you carry a physical check, it’s easier to misplace it or have it stolen. If this happens, your employer will likely be able to replace it. However, you may have to wait for the new check to process and pay a fee.

•   Time-consuming. When you receive a paper check, you must deposit it at the bank via a bank branch or online. Either way, it can eat up time that you could spend doing other things.

•   Waiting period. Even if you deposit a paper check right away, it could take several days to clear and hit your bank account, especially if it’s the weekend or a holiday.

Here’s how these advantages and disadvantages compare in chart format:

Pros	Cons
Protects bank information from employer	Risk of theft or losing the check
Saves money on banking fees	Time-consuming to get and deposit check
Makes payroll details easily accessible	Must wait for funds to clear

Recommended: Business Check vs. Personal Check: What’s the Difference?

When to Use Paper Checks Over Direct Deposit

When deciding to use checks vs. direct deposit, here are a few situations where it makes sense to opt for paper checks:

•   You don’t want to share your banking information with your employer. Using checks may make sense for folks who are worried about sharing banking information or who prefer not to put money into a bank account.

•   You distrust banks or don’t want to pay their fees. One of the top reasons millions of Americans choose not to have bank accounts is that they don’t trust banks and don’t want to pay banking fees. If you fall into this category, you may feel more comfortable opting for paper checks you can cash.

•   Don’t qualify for a bank account. Maybe you don’t have enough money or don’t meet the requirements to open an account. Whatever the situation, if you don’t have a bank account, it’s going to be hard to accept a direct deposit. Paper checks might be the only solution to receiving your paycheck.

Recommended: How Do You Write a Check to Yourself?

When to Use Direct Deposit Over Paper Checks

Now consider the flip side: situations in which direct deposit may make more sense than paper checks.

•   You want a quick, easy way to get paid. If direct deposit is a payment option, it could help you receive your wages or salary more quickly than with a paper check. Since funds are transferred electronically, your paycheck will be in your bank account on payday, ready to be used.

•   You struggle to save money. If you have difficulty setting aside savings, a direct deposit may help. Some direct deposit programs let you distribute a portion of your paycheck into your savings, allowing you to boost your emergency fund or another account without lifting a finger.

•   Your bank waives maintenance fees. Some banks waive maintenance fees when you meet specific requirements like setting up direct deposit.

The Takeaway

Paper checks and direct deposits are two payment options that allow your employer to transfer money so you can get paid. When comparing paper checks vs. direct deposit, know that direct deposit is usually the most convenient way for employees to receive their pay. However, employees who don’t have bank accounts or don’t like sharing their banking information may prefer paper checks instead. It’s all about what best suits your banking needs.

If you’re ready to open an online bank account, take a look at what SoFi has to offer. Our Checking and Savings account lets you avoid account fees (like those for direct deposit) and earn a competitive APY Qualifying accounts can get their paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit, too.

Are you ready to bank better? See how SoFi Checking and Savings puts you in control of your money.

FAQ

Do more people use direct deposit or paper checks?

Direct deposit is usually the deposit method of choice. In fact, about 94% of employees prefer to receive wage or salary payments via direct deposit.

Can you change from paper checks to direct deposit?

In many cases, yes. Whether you want to set up direct deposit with the IRS, your employer, or your utility company, you can follow a process to switch from checks to direct deposit.

Can you change from direct deposit to paper checks?

Yes, you can usually ask your employer to switch back to checks. Verify with your employer what the process is so you know what to expect.

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Photo credit: iStock/RyanJLane

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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