 TITLE: Can Piggybacking Credit Help Me Get a Mortgage? CONTENT: How to Build Credit Over Time\n-----------------------------\nBecoming an authorized user may be a good first step to building credit, but you should only use this strategy with a close relative or person you trust. While you are not responsible for making the payments on this account, using the card and paying the primary user for your purchases may help you establish good credit habits.\nOnce you've used an authorized-user account to establish payment history, you may be eligible for a credit card in your own name. It will probably have a higher interest rate and a lower borrowing limit than you'd have on an authorized-user account, but it'll be a start toward building credit of your own.\nUse your credit card regularly even if only for small purchases. Keep your balance at or below about 30% of the borrowing limit and pay the bills promptly each month. In time, you'll be in good shape to apply for another card, perhaps with a lower interest rate and a higher borrowing limit. You may also find yourself better qualified for an auto loan.\nBy establishing additional credit accounts such as these, you'll likely improve your credit scores by as much or more than you could by solely being an authorized user—and you'll also be building the kind of credit management track record lenders look for when considering mortgage applications.\nThis approach to building a credit history that'll help you get a mortgage is time-tested, but it also takes time: You'll need at least several years if you're starting from scratch with no credit history at all, and perhaps even longer if you're trying to rebuild your credit after a financial mishap.\nIf you don't feel you can wait, you may be eligible for some mortgage loan options even if your credit is less than great, but you should be aware that they can be hard to get, and expensive in terms of interest and fees if you do qualify. END