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Think of your credit like an airplane preparing for takeoff. Before a lender is comfortable approving you, they want to see a “clean runway” — meaning enough time has passed since your last credit issue appeared. Even though 850 AI is already actively working to remove negative items from your credit report, timing still matters. Here’s the simple rule: • Collections & Charge-Offs Try to wait until these accounts are at least 6 months old from the date they FIRST appeared on your credit report — not the last time they updated. Fresh derogatory accounts are considered much higher risk to lenders. • Late Payments Your goal is to have at least 6 months since your LAST late payment on any account. The more recent the late payment, the more nervous lenders become. • Inquiries After applying for credit, avoid applying again for the same type of account for at least 2 months. Why? Because after a couple months, lenders can usually see whether your previous inquiry actually turned into a new account on your credit report. If they see multiple inquiries but no new account reporting yet, your risk can appear lower than someone applying everywhere all at once. The goal is not just removing negative items — it’s also giving your profile enough time to stabilize so lenders feel more confident approving you. That’s why patience during this phase can save you thousands in interest rates, down payments, and approval odds.